photo shoot etticate

[Chickhe]

I was wondering how to approach a FTCD photo shoot type situation as a MTF CDer? I responded to a local ad where a new photographer was looking for a non-professional model male or female to do standard shots. I sent a photo of myself in a gown and haven't shared my CDer status yet. On one hand I want to be treated equally to a female and yet on the other hand I don't want to make the photographer uncomfortable by showing up and surprising her. Should I tell her earlier or wait until she has some vested interest in continuing with the shoot...

I also emailed another established photographer who had a really cool looking web page and told her outright what I wanted to do. She asked me to call her, but said it sounded really interesting to her. When I talk to her I don't want to scare her off and I want to keep it light...so I'm not sure what exactly to tell her. Instead of declaring myslef TG, or DRAG I think better to stick to just average guy wanting to try it as a life experience / artistic project.

thoughts?

[Emily01]

i think it's a great idea to document your best look. i've thought of it myself. but i wouldn't want to spend time with someone while en femme and have to pretend i don't love it. i think something that would make the experience all the more satisfying is to be yourself.

as for "average guy wanting to try it as a life experience / artistic project" ....now i'm rolling on the floor! assuming "average" means a plurality......have you ever seen ads in your paper, or the yellow pages, or the radio that played to this idea? i haven't. i think that's because "average guys" or the majority of guys don't include this activity on their bucket lists.

remember we're talking average, not normal. i think i'm as normal as anyone else and i suspect you are too. but "average" guys don't call several professional photographers to negotiate professional quality photos of them in women's clothing. CD's do, TG's do, and Drag Queens do, and we're all a minority.....why bother with all the time, effort, and expense and then try to fool someone who most likely could care less so long as the cash is green?

i do wish you all the best and please do go and get those photos!

[christine55]

Most pro photogs are kind of hurting for work. I would just talk with him or her first and explain what you want. Many mainline studios have a dressing room.
Best Wishes
Christine

[sherri52]

I would wait for the interest from the photographer, but I would not hide the fact from the second one and tell her up front.

[anna kate]

Tell the photographer straight out, that you are CD and what you want. Photographers love a challenge. I think they will jump at the chance.:2c:

[Chickhe]

Good feedback thanks. I did some searching on 'model mayhem' and saw that most photographers are fine with it...but there is a minority that really dislikes it. That's fine, but what was disturbing was the lack of understanding of the correct terms and what they mean... so when I interact with photographers I am tending to shy away from a label and just talk about the activity of dressing up. I think 'average' is accurate, CDing is only one aspect of my being, so factor in all the male aspects and I come out pretty much average. As for normal, I don't think CDing is a normal activity by the strict definition, but I think it is a harmless and fun thing to do. If you think about it, skydiving is not normal either, but average people do it. ...so I think my challenge is finding someone who accepts CDing for what it is... just dressing up.

Now, what's interesting, I am finding out that most photoographers like to do unique art projects and like playing with appearance. They often ask for models to pose for free in exchange for images. If I can tap in to that, I get a good excuse to dress and maybe a few images for free and the photographer gets to practice their skills and add something unique to their portfolio. One photoographer said it well, 'there is something satisfying about watching a clients face as I tell them the beautiful female in the photo is actually 'joe the plumber'.

now...if this all works out which it looks like it will... I just have to figure out how to tell my wife what I'm doing... either she is going to laugh or go in to shock!

[ClaireMarie1]

There is a place in Wisconsin that caters to CD's and they supply all the dresses, jewlery, shoes well every thing including the snacks and bevs. They seem pricey at $75.00 per hour 6 hour min. But from what I understand the pics are amazing....Oh they also do a complete makeover.
:heehee:

[Soriya]

Tell the photographer straight out, that you are CD and what you want. Photographers love a challenge. I think they will jump at the chance.:2c:

Agreed. I am a hobbyist photographer and if the photographer is artistic in nature, they will more then likely jump at the chance. Think of it this way, the challenge is to shoot you as feminen as they can, just as you trying to pass so making you more passable through the glass is an awesome challenge, to me anyway. If I was closer to you, I would do it for sure as I have never shot a CD'er before. New experiences are always great for an artist.

[RikkiHauser]

I'm a pro photographer, albeit part time, I'd want to be told before hand. Like the others have said, it's a nice challenge. But she may not be quite ready for you if she is just starting out.

You could also try to get her to do a before and after shoot as well. It would make for a great addition to her portfolio. And that's another thing you need to ask her about. Most, if not all, photographers keep the rights to the photos they take and can use them however they want especially if you sign a model release.

If you don't want your photos out there, make sure she knows this. Although she might not want to do the shoot if she can't show them to people. That's the whole reason for her doing this.

[Fab Karen]

Most, if not all, photographers keep the rights to the photos they take and can use them however they want especially if you sign a model release.

They can't use them "however they want" without the model agreeing to this, signing an agreement. Photog's use pics for their portfolio, which is common and not a big deal. To Make money from the pics, they usually make some monetary agreement with the model.

[tamarav]

I used to waste a lot of money getting professional photo shoots done. As soon as I got the pictures I realized I had advanced and no longer thought the pictures taken were as good as my new look.

Most of the time the desire is simply to tell someone else about your avocation, not necessarily to document your appearance. Think about your motivation and maybe buy a good camera and learn to take your own pictures.

[Chickhe]

Tammy that's a good observation. There are two parts to my motivation. 1. I have this gown that is just perfect for an outdoor very public photoshoot but not for any other occasion ...the artist in me wants to photograph myself, but it is just not possible in this case. 2. The social anxiety I feel is quickly being overcome through activities like this... and there is the added benefit in planning this very real event, and this really brings the 'fantasy' part of the CDing in to perspective (it is less compulsive when there is scheduling and planning involved). What I'm doing is not a typical CD dressup and makeover (where you pay lots of money to get made over)... it is pure acting/modelling experience (same as is offered to any model) and there are others involved so it has to be done with mutual respect and effort and I'll cancel out if anyone is feeling uneasy. The photos, I actually don't care too much about...I mean I can't really put them on display at home...but I want them to turn out well...and there is some satisfaction in having someone else use them to showcase their work. I suppose it is possible I look great and will start getting offers to model... ...ummm...no. dreaming again, sigh.