4/7/2018 0 Comments The Turn Over Rate In PinupThe good ole turn over rate,..... so common when you own a biz that caters to the public. Even more so when you're working with amateur and aspiring models. I guess by now I'm used to it. Its really nice when clients return and I have styled them countless times over the years. However its also nice working with new gals too.
One thing I've learned to not do is get emotional when gals come to me to help them succeed at their goals, then don't follow thru. Get involved in the biz and directly involve me, then quit. It's happened more times than I can count, it's so common in modeling and it'll happen in the future. Not my goals, my career, my time or my money. Just like when I give sound advice, advice that comes with experience and knowledge, certain gals ignore it, others value it enough to actually take it. Either way, its not mine choice to make. The long run, the long haul, the big picture. Goals must come with a solid and realistic plan. To expect success overnight is unrealistic. To set goals and fail, then give up after barely trying, isn't a realistic way to become successful. Big or small, every goal needs to be accompanied by a plan, and that plan should include years of not giving up, not bailing before you even get established. Here's my thing. Its not difficult at all to submit to mags, once you learn the process and research each magazine. If you can be organized, plan ahead and communicate well, submitting and gaining publication isn't hard. It just takes knowledge and time. It's also not extremely hard, after time in this industry, to build solid biz relationships with great photographers. Can't say it'll automatically happen over night. But if you are active in pinup, work with some of the same photographers, eventually you'll build those neccessary resources and connections. Until that's achieved, you have to invest time and money to be photographed to get images for publication, and to build your port. Again, it's not difficult to build biz relationships with professional photographers, it simply takes time, and OBVIOUSLY being active in pinup. Another thing that isn't very hard, is building your brand and fan base. Knowledge on marketing and promotion is important, but can be obtained by researching. You can pay someone to promote, or you can do it. Just like you can pay someone to photograph you, or get to the level where you're offered trade by professional photographers. Takes time. Building your fan base alone, without any assistance, takes even longer. Lastly, styling and wardrobe! Not the hardest thing in the world to gain styling skills. Once again, it takes time! Some gals have been getting styled by me a long time, years even, and have never learned how to do a simple pinup hairdo. There are others that made the time to learn and practice, at home. Others have booked a pinup hair styling class from me, then practiced at home. Exactly the same with the importance of wardrobe. You're not only paying for someone's time, but also their knowledge, experience and skill level. If you can't do high quality styling on yourself, it will lower the quality of every picture you take that shoot, and any shoot if you fail to hire a professional. Wardrobe is essential and no point in booking a pinup shoot, that does not include use of wardrobe, if you don't have actual pinup clothing or true vintage clothes. Gotta have something you've never modeled in before, for every shoot you book. And do you know how to piece together pinup looking outfits, that also look great on YOU? I feel its terribly unrealistic to expect to compete with other pinups on a high level, gain publication in the top pinup magazines, land covers, work with high quality photographers for trade, and have an overall successful shoot every time, UNLESS you're investing in professionals. Magazine owners and professional photographers can clearly see quality. Has nothing to do with personal taste, when quality of photography is being judged. If you're makeup skills are lacking, if your facial expressions and posing skill level is lacking, if your choice of clothing is unflattering or non pinup styles, if you didn't plan ahead in detail, if you are rushing, if you are uncomfortable, etc., etc.,...... IT'LL SHOW! If anything listed above is lacking in high quality, EVERYTHING goes down in quality!!! Images can be high quality, yet your styling isn't, that simply equals low quality. If your styling and wardrobe are on point but you lack in skills with posing it'll equal a lower quality image. If everything about you is on point and high quality, but the images are low quality, that equals an overall low quality image. Everything I've covered is knowledge gained over years of experience and being heavily active in the pinup industry, not months or a year or 2, but several years. That's why it seems a bit foolish to seek my expertise and advice, the fail to follow it. I'm not saying I'm always right. But I've studied aspiring and amateur pinups. Those who asked my advice and don't take it, usually end up quitting pinup, or never succeeding at the goals they set for themselves. TRUTH!! Hobby, part time or career goal, without a plan, without planning ahead, without dedication and drive, without time invested and money,... no goals within pinup can be accomplished. That's my professional opinion. I adore styling the same gals often, yet I also adore styling new clients. I cater to the public so there's always been and always will be gals to enter pinup and for whatever reason, quit. I'm like any other stylist or photographer, as far as my time and my money. You pay me, I'll style and or photograph you, period. If I was selective then I wouldn't cratering to the public and working with amateurs. As far as the dolls I have selected to be in my columns, attend events with me, bring aboard to model for compares I model for, and the gals I chose to manage, it goes wayyyyy beyond merely paying me. When it's my column, my articles, a company I'm already established with, one of my personal pro photograoherels, or who I choose to involve in major projects, I'm very selective!!! And that will never change. Dolls I style and gain publication, are representing me as a stylist. Same when I photograph someone, no different than when I invite gals to attend events with me, or be involved in anything on a high level. I'm going to be extremely selective because my reputation is on the line!!! You look bad in your images, as your stylist that'll reflect on me directly! SERIOUSLY!!! If you look uncomfortable, no energy, rushed, upset, or have no pinup facial expressions and posing skills, it'll show and reflect on me as a pinup instructor. All the above and more directly reflects on me, when I'm managing someone. Failing at goals, poor communication, unorganized, breaking commitments, FAILING to plan ahead, FAILING to test photo shoot wardrobe ahead of time, rushing to shoot and leave, setting goals and never accomplishing them,...... I take it ALL to heart when it's a model I'm managing and representing, because it's MY BRAND! You look bad, I look bad, you're unprofessional, it makes me look that way too. You set goals then quit modeling, it reflects on me!!! Its impossible to help a gal develop a solid pinup look, develope important skills, build her brand and fan base become established and in demand, and succeed at major goals, if the model isn't planning to be active and active for the long haul! That's why it's called a hobby verses a career! Pinup as a hobby is exactly why pinup photography and pinup photography studios have a turn over rate. I say call it what it is, and move forward. Pay, invest, have fun, get pampered and dolled up, dress up, be photographed and get great pics. Once you set actual goals, EVERYTHING changes. Fun part still applies, but so many other factors are essential for success at any level. I've become more selective in who I choose to manage and represent, and there are several reasons why. Columnist Dianna Prince Image of the young Bettie Page!
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