At 01:14 22/10/2009, Peter Miranda - Photographer wrote:
>Hey Ella,
>I hear you loud and clear.
>I think you misunderstood the underlying point of what I am trying to
>make... Profits from forums are wrong..

I didn't debate that point, it was valid - hence I changed the 
subject header :)

>I am frustrated that the meetup system isn't working for models, and photogs
>alike. I think they just needs fine tuning on procedures and protocol.

I guess as a Business and Corporate Strategist, as a Publicist and as 
a person who salvage organizations that are falling flat on their 
face when really they could be successful, I can see all the issues 
in how these kinds of groups are run.  Yes protocols and procedures 
need to be worked out.

Simply put, photos should be COPIED on the day, at the end of the 
photo session with the model, the model should be smart enough to 
bring sufficient storage to either take the photos they want, or copy the lot.

You can't tell me that today, most people don't have a laptop?  I've 
brought mine to the two sessions I've attended.  Only once did a 
Photog have the courtesy to dump his flash card into my lappy.

>Also, on the delivery side of the images paying clients some (most) times
>get priority over non paying ones.

Hence why it's important that the images be exchanged on the day. It 
put and END to the issues of waiting - in my case now 2-3 months!

I'd have been better going to a professional photog, paying for 
photos, saving me much time and effort and having material I could 
use and promote - and not have to promote the photog in the process.

However, I like to promote people who share their time with 
mine.  And given my background and connections in the UK and USA, 
anyone who's worked with me should be enthused that I might promote them.

>It would be great if each forum had a private web gallery with passwords for
>the models to view and download their photos.

Doesn't help.  In my case I pay a fortunate for Internet access.  For 
the last month my download speed as been 4800 bps.  I'm not 
kidding.  It's not practical to go hunting around WiFi Hot spots to 
download images.  It's also not practical for photogs to upload 100 
odd 10 MB images.

>Anyway, its a long debate and its good to get some issues floating.

It's not really a debate.  It's a simple process. If the objective of 
the group  is to act in a professional manner so that newbies (photog 
and models) can get the exposure they need to make it in the 
industry, then shouldn't industry standards apply with whatever else 
we can pile on opt to make the experience even better?

>I'm going to crawl back into my office now and work on my bicep curls.
>(Wish I had a producer who would invite me to do still during shoots.)

You only need to register at https://register.b...­ and raise your hand.

It's not a secret!