Volunteer Models Wanted for Photoshoots

Model Photoshoot Opportunities

Welcome, aspiring models of Singapore! If you're here, you're about to embark on an exhilarating journey into the realm of professional photoshoots. On this photography webpage, I extend a warm invitation and a helping hand to those who dream of gracing magazine covers or starring in captivating campaigns.

I know first-hand the challenges of breaking into the modelling industry. It's a tough gig, especially at the start. But fear not, for I offer a rare opportunity to experience the magic of professional photoshoots and build a modelling portfolio that'll turn heads and open doors.

Consider this opportunity your backstage pass to a world of creativity and boundless possibilities. You'll find a welcoming space here, whether you aspire to develop your modelling journey or simply want to step before the lens.

Why Skai is the Premium Choice for TFCD Photography

Real Professional and Creative Work: I have an unwavering commitment to delivering professional and creative work in every photoshoot, regardless of the photography fee. Unlike some photographers who may engage in TFCD shoots primarily to socialise or make connections, I approach every volunteer shoot as an opportunity to showcase my best work. Each session serves as a valuable addition to my portfolio and I strive to produce outstanding and unique images that inspire and captivate viewers.
Respectful and Safe Environment: One distinguishing aspect of my approach is my steadfast commitment to a no-touch approach with models. Creating a safe and respectful environment where models feel comfortable and empowered is crucial to me. With awareness of stories about unprofessional conduct from certain photographers, I prioritise establishing clear boundaries to ensure models feel valued and respected throughout the shoot. When working with me, models can trust that their safety and well-being are my top priorities, offering them a secure and positive experience.
Transparent and Positive Representation: Additionally, I take pride in showcasing my work with proper write-ups on my website. Each photoshoot is accompanied by a detailed description that highlights the positive aspects of the collaboration and the challenges we face, showcasing my professionalism and dedication to my craft. These write-ups not only serve to document the creative process but also enhance our reputation within the industry, ultimately benefiting the models involved.

Sure, you could go with those other photographers who promise the moon and the stars. You make your own decision.

About: Skai the Volunteer Photographer

Hey, I'm Skai, a freelance photographer in Singapore. I'm a self-taught photographer, delving into the exhilarating world of photography one awesome photoshoot at a time. I have a passion for creating unique and eye-catching portraits that stand out amidst the daily sea of new works that you see on social media.

When I first ventured into portrait photography, I leaned heavily on the generosity of volunteer models who kindly shared their time to help me improve. Their trust and collaboration were like a shot of energy, propelling me forward to become the skilled photographer I am today.

Nowadays, my life is a whirlwind of activity. From epic shoots to editing sessions, brainstorming, updating my website and sneaking in the occasional power nap (got to recharge those creative batteries, right?), I'm juggling more tasks than a circus performer. And let's not even get started on the flood of inquiries from potential clients and the endless spam – my inbox feels like a chaotic jungle gym!

Amid all this chaos, nothing brings me more excitement than capturing that dramatic shot – the one that immortalises a moment and narrates an enthralling story within a single frame. So, if you're ready to immerse yourself in a world of fun, creativity and stunning imagery, you've arrived at the right place.

Reasons for Helping Aspiring Models

Giving Back to Society: I didn't start my photography journey as a big shot with a fancy studio and a bunch of supermodels. Nope, I began from scratch, armed only with a camera, a dream and lots of passion. But thanks to the kindness of volunteer models (regular people like you and me) who believed in me, I was able to improve my skills, build up my portfolio and leave my mark in the photography industry. Think of it as my way of giving back to society, the photography and modelling world.
Exploring Different Types of Photography: While helping others, I'm also taking the chance to try out more unusual types of photography that most clients don't usually ask for. So, don't expect the usual photoshoot themes, especially typical fashion shoots. Working with new faces lets me try out different styles, ideas and concepts that go against the usual photography norms. This not only keeps my work exciting and fresh but also lets me expand my creative abilities and grow as an artist.
Teaching Through Experience: I'm using every opportunity to share what I've learned from our photoshoots on my website. Each session isn't just about taking great pictures; it's also about learning together. Through stories from our experiences, useful tips and practical techniques, I want to make photography less mysterious and inspire others to follow their creative dreams. By helping people understand and appreciate photography better, I hope to give aspiring photographers and models the confidence to express themselves through the lens.

Challenges Skai has Encountered

Despite the well-meaning advice from friends urging me to prioritise my well-being over volunteer work, I find myself grappling with the dilemma of balancing personal needs with the desire to help others.

While it's true that focusing solely on my life might seem like the logical choice, the reality is that I'm still in a position where I need to make ends meet. This section delves into the complexities and struggles I face while grappling with this internal conflict.

Balancing Time and Health: Striving to deliver exceptional quality in every photoshoot, I often find myself dedicating extra time and effort, leading to burnout and impacting my health. The demanding nature of photography has even resulted in injuries. While I'm passionate about my craft, the toll it takes on me, both physically and mentally, is undeniable. Each volunteer session adds to this strain, making it a challenging endeavour to manage.
Dealing with Dishonesty and Misalignment: Many aspiring models I encounter aren't forthcoming or aligned with my vision. Despite being clear about my open-minded approach and focus on creative shoots, I encounter individuals who lack honesty about their preferences and abilities. They often seek mundane fashion shoots for office wear, contrary to my portfolio's direction and the goals of my volunteer work. This mismatch leads to frustration and wasted effort on both ends.
Handling Narcissistic Personalities: While most models are pleasant to work with, encountering narcissistic individuals has been a recurring challenge. These individuals may initially appear friendly but reveal their true nature over time, draining energy and causing conflicts. Dealing with their manipulative behaviour and managing the fallout from their actions can be emotionally taxing and disheartening, particularly when faced with false rumours and betrayal despite my best efforts to support them.
Lack of Cooperation: Unfortunately, many aspiring models I encounter don't cooperate properly. When things are offered for free, some people tend to take them for granted, especially those with narcissistic tendencies. This makes conducting volunteer shoots for aspiring models more challenging compared to dealing with paying clients who trust and invest in my expertise. What's even more ironic is that many of these aspiring models likely earn significantly higher incomes than I do, yet they are unwilling to pay for professional photography services.

Your Goals: What Do You Want to Achieve by Volunteering as a Model?

While my time is limited, I understand that your time is valuable too.

Planning for each photoshoot requires considerable effort, including snapping pictures of yourself in various outfits to share with me. Therefore, it's important to make the most of this opportunity and reap its benefits.

Consider volunteering as a model for me if at least one of the following goals resonates with you:

Building a professional modelling portfolio: If you're an aspiring model or seeking to enhance your modelling portfolio with high-quality photographs, this opportunity will greatly benefit you.
Learning about professional photography: Working with a professional photographer can provide valuable insights into photography, whether you're looking for basic knowledge or a deeper understanding. I believe in sharing knowledge without boasting, ensuring that you'll learn from someone who truly knows their craft. Understanding photography can also improve your skills as a model. By comprehending the reasons behind specific instructions from professional photographers, you'll be better equipped to execute them effectively. This knowledge can also be valuable when working with hobbyist photographers in the future, potentially leading to higher-paying opportunities.
Gaining experience in modelling: Every photographer has a unique style and working with a professional photographer who excels in using professional lighting can offer a vastly different experience compared to others. You can learn more about the differences between flash and natural light photography to understand one of the advantages of working with me.

Requirements of My Models

Since doing every professional photoshoot requires lots of time and effort, I have to be very selective about the volunteer model whom I'm going to work with. If you truly appreciate my work, you can consider looking at my photography rates and hiring me as a photographer instead, so that I can continue to produce more artwork.

The correct mindset By volunteering, the model must focus on helping me to achieve the photographs that I want and not what she wants. The model shouldn't be manipulative or aim to make use of me. This mindset is very important to ensure a joyful photography journey with me.
Open-minded A model who is open-minded is more versatile and able to work on more varieties of themes/ concepts. The model is likely more natural. Given the little or no awkwardness, we will be able to work better and faster together.
Available within a week from the date of approaching me and flexible with timing My schedule is tight and thus if I happen to be available within a week, the opportunity shouldn't be wasted.

I do have many nice model friends who have volunteered but our schedules don't match. If you wish to help as a volunteer model, you have to prioritise the photoshoot. The majority of volunteer models who have approached me but aren't immediately available have proven to be wasting my time no matter how assured they've sounded.
Presentable looks The model needs to be presentable so that the final products can be presented on my portfolio with minimum effort and time. Unless we're going to do something that doesn't require a showing of face, such as showcasing correct and wrong fashion, then looks probably don't matter at all.

However, do note that you may look better than you think you are.
Reasonable amount of EQ and IQ A reasonable amount of both EQ and IQ would reduce problems greatly. For the start, the model would be able to trust me by looking through both my work and the words on my website. Photoshoot requires good communication between the photographer and model.
Easygoing and accommodating Everyone loves working with easygoing people. I can't stand models who can't do just two things - this and that. This cannot, that cannot and it ends up with nothing can be done.
Able to wake up to take the first train to do an early morning shoot if necessary For outdoor photoshoots in the morning, we don't simply count on luck; we grab the best natural light possible while I try to add in flash to create professional work.

Preferably someone who

Having these would be very helpful but we can also discuss and work around it.

Owns a variety of clothes This will be very useful for different themes and also create educational photographs such as "good and bad fashion".
Can do basic makeup Unless I'm trying to test working with a new HMUA, it's good that the model can do basic makeup. For test shoots, unlike paid shoots, many HMUAs won't sacrifice their time. Thus, it's more difficult to accommodate everyone's schedule. If there's a makeup artist involved, it's just a bonus.
Has good complexion This will greatly affect the quality of the end products.
Is popular / have many followers in social media This will help me greatly in terms of marketing so that my work can reach more potential admirers.
Makes extra effort to find out about me and my work This will help to build trust and rapport.

Ground Rules

Let's set the ground rules properly and stay professional while we build our friendship.

I do not owe you anything You're volunteering. I did have a very bad incident once when I tried to look for a volunteer via Instagram. The model entitled herself to free professional shoots, which didn't help me at all. You can currently find the story in the last section of the article "good models, bad models".
For certain shoots/testing, you may not receive any photographs I would inform you beforehand before you decide whether you would volunteer for such a project. There is also a rare chance that a normal test won't turn out well as human beings do make mistakes - I don't give empty promises.
Follow the terms and conditions of my TFCD page Do go through the terms and conditions for TFCD shoots, especially if we are going to work on any theme. If you don't think most of them are common sense, I don't think we can communicate well.

Why Do Professional Photographers Look for Models?

There are many photographers looking for free models, especially hobby photographers. If the quality of photographs isn't a concern to you, you can easily find many free photographers. On the other hand, although professional photographers make their ends meet by working with clients, they do need models sometimes too.

Professional photographers shouldn't be doing any testing on any client, even if they are quite confident to produce good results regardless. Imagine you're a chef, you won't be selling your diners new dishes without testing them or getting people to taste and give feedback. If you're selling western food and you have a passion for Chinese food as well, you will make time to work on your Chinese food outside your usual working hours.

I'm looking for volunteers for the following purposes:

Test equipment There are many kinds of photography equipment, such as camera body, lens, strobe, light modifier, bag/carrier... etc. They can help to produce a different kinds of results. For example, every lens has its focal length, strengths and weaknesses, and it also requires practising to get a hand on it.

Even for carriers, there are different sizes and I would need to test which combination would be the most suitable for different situations. For example, if I require more equipment for a certain outdoor photoshoot, I would need to find out the most optimal method of transporting them, including in between different shooting locations.

I wouldn't want to simply do an imaginary situation and bring my equipment out for a tour - I would rather do a real photoshoot to utilise the effort. Therefore, I would prefer to organise a photoshoot with a volunteer model.
Test different styles of shoot I usually stick to a few types of photography styles, depending on individual situations. I always try to utilise my flash to beautify my subjects and also to keep the feel of my photoshoots consistent. Anyway, my clients approach me because they like my shooting style and thus I don't want to surprise them too much.

Therefore, if I need to test different shooting styles, I would have to find a volunteer model. It would enable me to explore more styles to feel get comfortable with them and to present the new work in my portfolio for new potential clients who may like them.
Test new makeup artists & hairstylists Most of the time, the same person would be able to do both the makeup and hairstyling job.

It's impossible to work with just one makeup artist because everyone has different schedules and often, schedules would crash. As doing art is tough in Singapore, many makeup artists have full-time jobs, while they take up makeup jobs after their day jobs or during weekends. Since most of their paid photoshoots (usually weddings) are scheduled during weekends, it may not be easy to catch them for any test shoot.

Therefore, I would need to gather a few makeup artists whose working style and attitude can fit mine. Before I can recommend them to my clients, I would have to do at least a test shoot with them first. If there's a new HMUA I would love to collaborate with, I would need a volunteer model.
Do themes that clients don't request for There are uncountable kinds of portrait photoshoot themes/ concepts. Unfortunately, most of the clients who approach photographers tend to go for only a few, most commonly, couples (pre-wedding and casual), corporate profile, lifestyle and fashion photoshoots.

Good and passionate photographers would want to create more artwork to explore their creativity and they can't solely depend on clients. Therefore, they may have to allocate time to do test shoots with volunteer models on themes that the usual clients won't be requesting or won't be allowed.
Create sample photographs for educational purpose I have created my website for various goals, such as to showcase my work, link up with fellow artists/ talents and educate people. Noticeably, I've provided lots of photography tips.

While many people would simply steal images from the internet to use, as a photographer, I respect other photographers' work and copyrights and thus I would rather create my images. There are also situations in that I have to use my work to showcase to visitors who wish to hire a professional photographer. Also, given situations in that I need to compare good and bad work, I can't use another photographer's work as a comparison on my website.

An example of a purpose is to showcase the "before and after" photoshopped photographs to let visitors know the differences between basic and advanced editing of photographs. Similarly, I would need to showcase the result of advanced editing. These would help to educate visitors and roughly judge the effort of professional photographers.

One topic for the education of my readers is fashion and I would need photographs to display the correct and wrong kind of dressing in fashion disasters for portrait photoshoots. From my observation, some girls like wearing a bra with translucent (they call it transparent) straps and the straps can be ugly with reflection caused by lighting (both sun and flash). Some girls also insist on wearing shorts underneath their skirts/dresses, which may show the shape on the outerwear (panty-line) or the models would accidentally reveal the shorts with some simple movement, which resembles upskirt. There are various kinds of fashion disasters.

For some of the samples, I may consider omitting the face of the model volunteer if she's not comfortable - we can discuss it.

How to Apply to Become a Model

Surviving the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, I faced considerable hesitation about continuing my volunteering work. The extreme lack of time and health issues made it challenging to manage requests from a pool of potentially promising models, leaving me frustrated and upset.

After a two-year hiatus from volunteering, I encountered Bonnie Lau, a narcissistic individual whose approach brought both unfortunate and fortunate circumstances. Despite feeling sympathy for her amateurish portfolio and idealistic aspirations, and recognising her lack of ideal model charisma, she proved to be manipulative and demanding.

Driven by her ambition to model casual and office wear, Bonnie attempted to exploit my volunteering services while disregarding my preferences for impactful and glamorous looks. Despite her hinting of open-mindedness from past experiences as an art model, she fell short of being truly open-minded. She resorted to passive-aggressive tactics to coerce my assistance. It was so bad that I told my good friend that I was heading to do charity work that wouldn't benefit my extensive portfolio.

During the photoshoot, Bonnie's behaviour presented significant challenges, yet I maintained respect and attempted to alleviate any discomfort. For example, she delayed the start of the shoot just minutes before the agreed time and then blamed external factors rather than reflecting on her lack of respect for my time. Her manipulative behaviour continued throughout the shoot, and I even kindly gave her my Snickers bar, although she disrupted my dinner plan, dealing more damage to my poor health.

Her subsequent demands to alter her name and remove my write-ups on my website indicated her true intentions and lack of regard for mutual respect. She practically ignored the clear rules I had stated on my website.

Bonnie's communication style was one-sided and evasive, often leading to delays in responses while expecting prompt replies. Her threats and refusal to engage in meaningful dialogue highlighted her unstable demeanour. To avoid any misconceptions about endorsing her character or modelling skills, I reluctantly spent time taking down the page, having to edit pages that were interlinked. Subsequently, she pretended to be my client and posted a defamatory Google review, distorting facts to vilify my character and business. Although she claimed she didn't use my work, she had uploaded them on her modelling website before they were removed by the free web host due to infringement of copyrights.

Despite Bonnie's disruptive actions, they ultimately provided clarity. Recognising the unsustainable nature of continuing to assist others while grappling with personal challenges, I made the difficult decision to prioritise my well-being and discontinue my volunteering efforts. Her actions served as a stark reminder of the importance of self-preservation and the need to distance oneself from toxic individuals.

Thanks to Miss Bonnie Lau, I feel glad and relieved now.

To apply to become a volunteering model for me, do read TFCD photoshoot and fill up this Google Form.

This may disappoint you, but whoever contacts me directly without filling up this form will be ignored, because it proves that we can't communicate.

You may be interested in:
- Photographers looking for free models
- How to become a model in Singapore
- Good models, bad models
- How to judge a photographer
- Reasons why models shouldn't bring their partners along for photoshoots