This article aims to help you understand how to use Model Mayhem to find models for your photo shoots. Let’s say you’re a photographer, or casting director, looking to do a fitness shoot with a young female model and you’re based in Los Angeles.
The first choice you need to make is whether to search the Model Mayhem database of models (which we cover here) or post a casting call (see our follow-up article).
To get started you need to go to the Browse section of Model Mayhem and start filling out some of the search options. We’re starting by searching for female fitness models in Los Angeles. If you’re not sure exactly what you’re looking for it’s a good idea to start with a broad range of search options and then to narrow it down by selecting additional filters.
For this first search our criteria were simple:
- Artist Type: Model
- Gender: Female
- Location: Los Angeles
- Genre: Fitness
- Logged-in within: 7 days
This search returns 580+ models*, which would take a very long time to review, so by clicking the Refine Search button and adding some additional filters (see below), we’re able to narrow it down.
- Experience: Some Experience + Experienced + Very Experienced
- Age: 21-25
- Min Height: 5’3”
- Max Weight: 130
- Verified Credits
This second search returns 84 models*, which is a far more manageable number. Of course, it’s possible to add more filters but we’re OK with that list of results for an initial review. The next step is to narrow it down even further and there are a number of ways to do that. You can scan the results for VIP Members or those with the most Verified Credits and start by reviewing those profiles. Alternatively, you could look for profiles that specifically mention “fitness” in the About Me or Credit Notes sections or portfolios that include fitness photos.
Whatever your criteria may be, at some point it’s time for quick profile and portfolio reviews to get the list down to 5-10 potential candidates.
Note for Models: This is why it’s essential to fill out your Model Mayhem profile accurately. Casting Directors start by reviewing the measurements listed on your profile and reading your bio. It’s also very helpful knowing what type of model you are and organizing your portfolio into folders for the different genres of modeling you do.
Based on the search criteria (above), and after reviewing all 84 profiles and portfolios, here are 10 fitness models in Los Angeles that stood out:
Now comes the hard part…selecting just one of these 10 great fitness models to shoot with!
Finding Models In Your Area
If you’re new to Model Mayhem you can use the links above as a starting point for your own search, simply change the location, genre, etc. to match what you’re looking for. It’s also possible to save your custom searches to make it quicker to view the results. This is especially useful because the results can change frequently.
Notes
* The actual number fluctuates daily based on how many models that meet the search criteria have logged-in within the past 7 days.