Re: New Photo Event Idea - Input requested!

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Coccozella's Message Board ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Fingers on August 09, 2005 at 14:54:37:

In Reply to: New Photo Event Idea - Input requested! posted by COCCO on July 28, 2005 at 11:52:08:

Hi Cocco:

Here are my (much delayed) thoughts on your idea.

There are a lot of similarites to some photo shoots I attended in the 1990's before I branched into the public nudity/exhibitionist photography I do now.

: This is specifically a photography event. Each event will generally be small, maybe a dozen photographers attending. But the event can be repeated and staged in many different places, depending on interest and demand.

This is where it it similar to those photo events. I attended two. The one in Northern California was called Thru the Lens. Although that group became inactive around 1996 the editior of their magazine still maintains a historical website at http://thruthelens.com/ were you can follow the links and see examples of the photo shoots. The models were paid and brought in by the organization. Photographers would register for a modest amount. Models would pose in lingerie to nude depending on the model. A model release was NOT available, and the photos could not be used except for personal purposes, although TTL did obtain releases for their own use. Often the photographer would give the model copies of his shots and over the course of photo shoots would develop a working relationship with the model. They had a studio at a converted elementary school, but used many other locations including a Victorian house in the Napa Valley, a bay area house with a pool, a ranch in the east bay, a great estate in the east bay called Cocco Palms (would fit right in!) and even The Stockton Airport (aviation themes).

The second one I attended was in the desert east of Los Angeles and was called Mike Bean presents. Last I heard the location is now a gun club. There was an artificial rock waterfall, so there was a wet-t contest, bikini contest and lingerie modeling with fake ranch buildings and other sets. They also sometimes used a nudist resort near San Bernadino. Mike Bean also had regular photo days that did not have any nudity held in a regular city park, and these still continue. When bulleton board services such as Compuserve became popular one of the photographers posted some of the models without a release, and both Compuserve and the photographer lost.

The organizers of both of the shoots I attended typically paid the models about $300 a day, which they made by charging the photographers an entrace fee. The limit was normally 50 photographers with anywhere from six to twelve models. That would mean that there was around 10 photographers working with a model at any one time, sometimes more. The typical gripe was that another photographer would get in the shot, but that was during the film era. With digital photography it's less of an issue as the shot can be taken again with no loss of film. I learned how to interact with the models pretty quickly and deal with the number of photographers, so did not have a hard time coming up with good shots.

: Each photographer attending will be required to bring at least one photo-subject. During the day all photo-subjects will have photo sessions with any photographers who want to shoot them. It can also be done in groups of subjects and/or groups of photographers, though we do not want the pandemonium of Nudes-a-Poppin or the European Bodypainting Festival. That is why we ideally want a one-to-one ratio of photogarghers to models.

Here is where I think the idea has some problems. Even though the models, who were typically amateurs or semi-pro, were paid they would often flake and not show up. The same whas true of photographers on the reservation list. I see the real potential that a reservation list of 12 photographers bringing 12 models will end up as two photographers bringing two models. That would be pretty expensive with the Cocco staff flying out to the location to put on the event. Many models will not want to be on the internet, so I think that finding willing models will be a problem. That is one of the reasons I go to exhibitionistic events like the EE Ball and Mardi Gras - the models are willing participans who know that they are going to end up on the net (I don't even get asked the "are you going to put this on the 'net" question anymore). Even if it was held where I could attend I doubt I could come up with a model - unless I went online and worked to hire one.

: A reasonably remote and photogenic location will be picked to shoot at. It will generally be within and hour or two of a major urban center. For example there are many beautiful beaches with coves and cliffs in California. Hopefully there will be enough landscape space available for small groups or photographer/model pairs to go off a short distance on their own and avoid having everyone shoot the exact same thing. The exact location of a particular shoot will probably not be revealed in advance. Participants will assemble in a parking lot within 30 minutes drive of the location and receive final instructions at that time. This is to avoid "hangers-on" and "gawkers" from showing up and messing up the event. : By keeping the event small we can keep the organization of it casual. We can just show up in some public but reasonably "private" place and do some shooting. Should there be a problem we can relocate someplace nearby in most instances.

Some potential issues here would be finding a location that is private and can be controlled. While the CA beaches are a possibility there is the potential of being shut down by local law enforcement or rangers. In a remote enough location this probably would not be an issue. At a regular nude beach you would have the gawker problem. I've been on beaches on boath coasts this summer and predictable weather is a problem, although the overcast CA conditions are not too bad, just a little chilly. The east coast has those regular summer storms that are not so predictable. In CA if you move just a few miles away from the coast the problem goes away. I might suggest the Cocco Palms estate as a location if it is still available. It was in the east bay hills and always sunny.

: All photographers and photo-subjects must pre-register through our website. Photo-subjects who come with a photographer do not need to pre-register but all models will need to sign a release form and present proof-of-age on location (or in advance) before participating. People who hear about the event and want to participate as subjects can apply through our website. The more models, the better. It's a great opportunity for anyone who wants pictures of themselves for various purposes... self-promotion, showing off, narcissism, or just plain fun.

: This is a non-monetary, volunteer, event. There is no admission fee. No one gets paid for attending. It is also a "leave no trace" event, which means you pick up your own garbage and remove it from the location.

Perhaps you should charge a fee. If someone has plunked down $50, they will pro bably show up. Or perhaps it could be a refundable $100 deposit that is returned when the photographer shows up with a model. I think that the fee gives you some more control over the event. Perhaps you hire five models and allow a limited number of photographers to attend who do not have a model, and then allow photographers who do bring a model in for free. There are a lot of different possibilities here that could help insure the event will work.

: BUT there are prizes to be won by both photographers and models. We would come up with some generous prizes. The winners will be determined based on photos and galleries submitted to the site, of course.

Good!

: There will likely be at least one designated person doing some coordinating and will have essential items available like first aid kits, extra release forms, sunscreen, whatever. We would pay to have some food and drinks on-site and maybe reimburse someone who could let the group use their motorhome as a washroom facility. If we keep the event small this should all be very manageable and pleasant.

: The idea is to have a fun day in the sun, shoot some nice pics, have a picnic...

: Any ideas for what this event should be called?

Title: Cocco Shoot or Cocco Photo Shoot

Hope the ideas help!

Fingers

: Please post your thoughts on this. Would you participate? As a photographer? As a model? Do you think it should be organized differently? Maybe you have a better idea how to do the whole thing. Please feel free to comment.

: Love,

: COCCO

Flash4Us

Follow Ups:

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Password :

(type this password into the password box)
Subject:

Comments:
: Hi Cocco: : Here are my (much delayed) thoughts on your idea. : : There are a lot of similarites to some photo shoots I attended in the 1990's before I branched into the public nudity/exhibitionist photography I do now. : : This is specifically a photography event. Each event will generally be small, maybe a dozen photographers attending. But the event can be repeated and staged in many different places, depending on interest and demand. : This is where it it similar to those photo events. I attended two. The one in Northern California was called Thru the Lens. Although that group became inactive around 1996 the editior of their magazine still maintains a historical website at http://thruthelens.com/ were you can follow the links and see examples of the photo shoots. The models were paid and brought in by the organization. Photographers would register for a modest amount. Models would pose in lingerie to nude depending on the model. A model release was NOT available, and the photos could not be used except for personal purposes, although TTL did obtain releases for their own use. Often the photographer would give the model copies of his shots and over the course of photo shoots would develop a working relationship with the model. They had a studio at a converted elementary school, but used many other locations including a Victorian house in the Napa Valley, a bay area house with a pool, a ranch in the east bay, a great estate in the east bay called Cocco Palms (would fit right in!) and even The Stockton Airport (aviation themes). : The second one I attended was in the desert east of Los Angeles and was called Mike Bean presents. Last I heard the location is now a gun club. There was an artificial rock waterfall, so there was a wet-t contest, bikini contest and lingerie modeling with fake ranch buildings and other sets. They also sometimes used a nudist resort near San Bernadino. Mike Bean also had regular photo days that did not have any nudity held in a regular city park, and these still continue. When bulleton board services such as Compuserve became popular one of the photographers posted some of the models without a release, and both Compuserve and the photographer lost. : The organizers of both of the shoots I attended typically paid the models about $300 a day, which they made by charging the photographers an entrace fee. The limit was normally 50 photographers with anywhere from six to twelve models. That would mean that there was around 10 photographers working with a model at any one time, sometimes more. The typical gripe was that another photographer would get in the shot, but that was during the film era. With digital photography it's less of an issue as the shot can be taken again with no loss of film. I learned how to interact with the models pretty quickly and deal with the number of photographers, so did not have a hard time coming up with good shots. : : Each photographer attending will be required to bring at least one photo-subject. During the day all photo-subjects will have photo sessions with any photographers who want to shoot them. It can also be done in groups of subjects and/or groups of photographers, though we do not want the pandemonium of Nudes-a-Poppin or the European Bodypainting Festival. That is why we ideally want a one-to-one ratio of photogarghers to models. : Here is where I think the idea has some problems. Even though the models, who were typically amateurs or semi-pro, were paid they would often flake and not show up. The same whas true of photographers on the reservation list. I see the real potential that a reservation list of 12 photographers bringing 12 models will end up as two photographers bringing two models. That would be pretty expensive with the Cocco staff flying out to the location to put on the event. Many models will not want to be on the internet, so I think that finding willing models will be a problem. That is one of the reasons I go to exhibitionistic events like the EE Ball and Mardi Gras - the models are willing participans who know that they are going to end up on the net (I don't even get asked the "are you going to put this on the 'net" question anymore). Even if it was held where I could attend I doubt I could come up with a model - unless I went online and worked to hire one. : : A reasonably remote and photogenic location will be picked to shoot at. It will generally be within and hour or two of a major urban center. For example there are many beautiful beaches with coves and cliffs in California. Hopefully there will be enough landscape space available for small groups or photographer/model pairs to go off a short distance on their own and avoid having everyone shoot the exact same thing. The exact location of a particular shoot will probably not be revealed in advance. Participants will assemble in a parking lot within 30 minutes drive of the location and receive final instructions at that time. This is to avoid "hangers-on" and "gawkers" from showing up and messing up the event. : By keeping the event small we can keep the organization of it casual. We can just show up in some public but reasonably "private" place and do some shooting. Should there be a problem we can relocate someplace nearby in most instances. : Some potential issues here would be finding a location that is private and can be controlled. While the CA beaches are a possibility there is the potential of being shut down by local law enforcement or rangers. In a remote enough location this probably would not be an issue. At a regular nude beach you would have the gawker problem. I've been on beaches on boath coasts this summer and predictable weather is a problem, although the overcast CA conditions are not too bad, just a little chilly. The east coast has those regular summer storms that are not so predictable. In CA if you move just a few miles away from the coast the problem goes away. I might suggest the Cocco Palms estate as a location if it is still available. It was in the east bay hills and always sunny. : : All photographers and photo-subjects must pre-register through our website. Photo-subjects who come with a photographer do not need to pre-register but all models will need to sign a release form and present proof-of-age on location (or in advance) before participating. People who hear about the event and want to participate as subjects can apply through our website. The more models, the better. It's a great opportunity for anyone who wants pictures of themselves for various purposes... self-promotion, showing off, narcissism, or just plain fun. : : This is a non-monetary, volunteer, event. There is no admission fee. No one gets paid for attending. It is also a "leave no trace" event, which means you pick up your own garbage and remove it from the location. : Perhaps you should charge a fee. If someone has plunked down $50, they will pro bably show up. Or perhaps it could be a refundable $100 deposit that is returned when the photographer shows up with a model. I think that the fee gives you some more control over the event. Perhaps you hire five models and allow a limited number of photographers to attend who do not have a model, and then allow photographers who do bring a model in for free. There are a lot of different possibilities here that could help insure the event will work. : : BUT there are prizes to be won by both photographers and models. We would come up with some generous prizes. The winners will be determined based on photos and galleries submitted to the site, of course. : Good! : : There will likely be at least one designated person doing some coordinating and will have essential items available like first aid kits, extra release forms, sunscreen, whatever. We would pay to have some food and drinks on-site and maybe reimburse someone who could let the group use their motorhome as a washroom facility. If we keep the event small this should all be very manageable and pleasant. : : The idea is to have a fun day in the sun, shoot some nice pics, have a picnic... : : Any ideas for what this event should be called? : Title: Cocco Shoot or Cocco Photo Shoot : Hope the ideas help! : Fingers : : Please post your thoughts on this. Would you participate? As a photographer? As a model? Do you think it should be organized differently? Maybe you have a better idea how to do the whole thing. Please feel free to comment. : : Love, : : COCCO

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL: