FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: HOW CAN I VIEW "MY" GALLERY/GALLERIES FROM MY SHOOT ON MY MOBILE PHONE DEVICE?
A: If you download the mobile app (Apple App Store for iPhone/iPad) called "SMUGSHOW" ($1.99 charged by the Developer)you can put in my site nickname (JackFlemingPhotography) and view my galleries on your mobile device. Any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at jack@jackfleming.com.
Q: I WANT TO GET MARRIED IN A CASTLE IN IRELAND. CAN YOU HELP ME FIND THE PERFECT CASTLE FOR OUR FANTASY WEDDING AND PHOTOGRAPH OUR ENTIRE TRIP?
A: Funny you should ask! Yes, actually I can! Especially if you choose CLOGHAN CASTLE (c. 1239 A.D.) near Loughrea, Ireland on the Western Coast. I had the pleasure of spending 5 days in this amazing landmark while photographing the marriage of Judy Martin to Jim Nugent.
Q: HOW DO I SCHEDULE A SHOOT WITH JACK FLEMING PHOTOGRAPHY?
A: Contact Jack at jack@jackfleming.com or by calling 310.428.3574 to schedule a consultation. i ONLY work by appointment BUT am usually available to meet at a designated studio OR at your nearby Starbucks or favorite coffee shop. I travel extensively, so if you aren't in Los Angeles, PLEASE consider chatting with me by phone. During our time together, we will discuss your interests and needs, collect information, and schedule a shoot for a later date. A 50% deposit of the price is required to confirm an appointment.
Q: MAY I BRING AN ESCORT OR GUARDIAN TO AN APPOINTMENT OR SHOOT FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY?
A: YES! I believe in safety, assistance, and a level of comfort during our meetings and our shoot. You are welcome to bring someone to our consultation. In regards to our shoot, ONLY IN ADVANCE AND WITH PRIOR CONSIDERATION will an escort or guardian be allowed within the studio/location. This is for safety and liability reasons on MY part and in respect to the focus and attention by my personnel as well as in regards to the focus and concentration by the model. Boy/Girlfriends/significant others are generally NOT allowed during a photoshoot but are certainly permissable during our consultation. However, it is important for me to meet with the client one on one during our consultation. Occasional exceptions are rarely made, but due to liability, expensive equipment, and professional needs, this is business between the model/client, the photographer, and any assistants and staff (ie. Make Up Artist, Stylists, etc.) that are employed at the time in our designated shoot location. ONLY those relevant to a shoot may be present during the shoot. In consideration of Minors (under the age of 18), a Parent or Guardian MUST be present during both our consultation and shoot together.
Q: DO YOU ONLY WORK IN YOUR STUDIO OR ARE YOU AVAILABLE ON LOCATION?
A: Jack Fleming Photography is available to work anywhere in the World with advanced planning and expenses covered separately if not already agreed upon in our contract. I have relationships with various studios in various cities and I eternally am in search of new and unique locations of all genres. Have an idea? Please share it! Own a house or location you would like to offer? Please contact me.
Q: ARE YOU AN AGENT, A MANAGER, OR CAN YOU GET ME A JOB AS A MODEL OR ACTRESS?
A: NO! I am NOT a licensed or bonded agent in the State of California or anywhere as is required when executing a job placement or representation business. I am a PHOTOGRAPHER. Unlike many, I don't pretend to be everything for everyone although I have diverse experience and interests which may lend advantagiously to your project. I focus on my craft of producing top quality imagery for my clients. Without an "agency license" to do so in the State of California, I cannot act as an employment agency or officially "represent" or "Manage" you. If you like my style, I am a FEE BASED PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS. Yes, I am connected with industry professionals and yes, I can refer and guide you to others who may be able to help you. My creative background and professional experience also lend in my abilities to be a stylist, set designer, lighting designer, and as somewhat of a professional "Counselor" for your pursuits. However, no one can ever promise you a job or guarantee you work.
Q: DO YOU DO TFP/CD (TRADE FOR PRINTS/COMPACT DISK)?
A: VERY RARELY AND ON A VERY LIMITED BASIS. This is my full time business. My skills, professional level technical equipment, resources, experience, education, knowledge, and time have value. If you like my work and want to be a part of it, then obviously I have "value" in your interests. My pricing is very reasonable and I am happy to work out payment plans. Please inquire if you have specific needs and ideas. On occasion, I do contact others who might benefit my portfolio and then and only at that time, I may consider a "trade" agreement. This is especially considered for highly creative and artistic conceptual imagery.
Q: WHAT KIND OF PHOTOGRAPHY WORK DOES JACK FLEMING DO?
A: I am open to ANY kind of photography and welcome a challenge. However, I promote my talents in the following professional genres: Fashion Runway/Editorial/Conceptual/Print, Glamour, Portrait/Headshots, Events, Sports, Fine Art, Fine Art Nude, Landscape, Commercial Product and Advertising, Graphic Design/Layout, and Portfolio Construction.
Q: DO I NEED TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY WITH JACK FLEMING PHOTOGRAPHY (OR ANY PHOTOGRAPHER) TO PROVIDE ME WITH THE BEST PORTFOLIO TO BE CONSIDERED FOR AN AGENCY?
A: Absolutely not! I provide a creative edge of photography to those who would like to experience what I can do for them. Spending a lot of money on a modeling portfolio before getting an agent is a waste of your money. Find out what said Agency has in mind or prefers and approach me with your needs. My intents are to create a dynamic collection of images for you for whatever your purposes. If you want to show them to agencies, please do. If you want to show them to magazines for consideration of your modeling potential, please do. If you are signed with an agent and want to hire me as a photographer, please put your agent in touch with me so that we can together, mold a portfolio based on the look that your (experienced) agent desires for you.
Q: HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO HAVE MY IMAGES RETURNED TO ME?
A: This is often a tough question and depends on many factors. Here is how I handle the following:
*Headshots/Fashion/Glamour - Approx 1-2 weeks. Please set up a separate meeting with me to review your images and discuss them preferably in person.
*Event/Sports - Contingent upon what it is. For media, each outlet has it's own deadlines and needs and can be handled within your publications needs for same day or under 24 hours-PLEASE INDICATE YOUR DEADLINES IN ADVANCE of the event. Personal events, will be 1-2 weeks. Weddings will be 2-4 weeks. Photographer may need additional time to finalize all images for color correction/touch ups for your review. If specific deadlines or rush service is needed, ALL REQUESTS MUST BE MADE IN ADVANCE and NOT on the day of the event. All agreements should be made in writing so please dictate your needs effectively so that Jack Fleming can manage all services with all clients simultaneously.
*TFP/CD (Trade) Situations: Since this is a "trade" (non paying) situation, photographer reserves the right to take as much time as needed since the priority lies in finishing other compensated business at hand with those clients who have paid for my services. There are no guarantees for delivery dates. Please discuss in advance if this is a problem. Monetary compensation for my services ALWAYS trumps trades. Thank you for understanding my respect for the needs of my paying clients.
Q: WHY DO YOU PROVIDE "PROOFS AND NOT GIVE OUT RAW FILES TO THE CLIENT AFTER THE SHOOT?
A: This is an often misunderstood question and too often than not, photographers do not explain their answers well. RAW files or Full Resolution original images are just like negatives. Before the days of digital, professional photographers never gave out their negatives. Why would that change in terms of digital-especially when most individuals do not have the software or knowledge in converting proprietary RAW image files? Because the photographer owns the copyright on the image he/she takes, he owns the RAW (or original) file regardless of compensation. This protects the integrity of each shot and the proprietary control over the final quality and result of each shot. In addition, retailers aren't allowed to print copyrighted material without permission and the files are useless to the consumer. So, it serves no purpose. Please indicate your preferences for finished files including, but not limited to: JPG, TIFF, or PSD.
Q: SO, I'M INTERESTED IN BEING A PROFESSIONAL MODEL. HOW DO I BEGIN?
A: Great question! There are many answers and many resources. My best advice is to make an appointment with me and discuss some of the ins and outs of modeling (in a non biased way). But more importantly, there are a lot of resources out there if you look in the right places. Go to my "Clients and Links" tab (see above). I have listed numerous websites about modeling that will help educate you on the industry from the positives to the negatives. A great place to start is a website called NewModels.com.
Q: WHO ARE THE TOP MODELING AGENCIES?
A: Here is a list of links that can provide you more information in which to research on your own about Agencies in New York City and around the World. Of course, this isn't the end all/be all list but it is a great point to start your research. While Jack Fleming Photography is familiar with these agencies we are not responsible for the content in each link/agency nor do we represent or endorse any specific agency or link. This is provided for information only. Anyone can assemble similar information via a simple Google Search. The Fashion/Model/Agency World is a very competitive one and one can be regjected for virtually any reason at any time. Get used to rejection and pay close attention to details-each agency looks for different specific things and each has various steps by which to introduce yourself, visit and be considered. Good luck!
TOP AGENCIES / NEW YORK / WOMEN:
http://models.com/agencies/top/
http://top-modeling-agencies.in-newyork-city.com/
TOP AGENCIES / NEW YORK / MEN:
http://models.com/agencies/top-men/
TOP AGENCIES / NEW YORK / CHILDREN:
(Google Key Words: new york city top model agencies children)
MODEL AGENCY DIRECTORY (L.A., N.Y., INTERNATIONAL):
Q: HOW DO I AVOID MODELING SCAMS?
A: This is a great question and you should ALWAYS check background references before working with anyone. There are many resources on the web by simply inserting "Model or Modeling Scams" into Google. In California, an "Agency" must be licensed and bonded. Their Agency license number MUST be posted on any promotion they do. It is also very simple to do a background agency check online to see if a "so-called" agency is licensed and bonded in the State of California. If you insert the agency name and it does not come up, you know they are either a scam, a simple "marketing company" or perhaps, both.
A great resource is to READ THOROUGHLY www.NewModels.com. This website is very up to date and thorough about the entire industry and will answer far more questions than I can here.
Q: WHO ARE THE SCAMS THAT YOU ARE AWARE OF?
A: While I would personally like to "call out" every scam artist I have dealt with or come across, I don't believe that is ethical. So, I won't be "posting" any of those company names on my website. However, if you would like to converse with me in person, I am happy to disclose my personal experiences with alleged scam artists and my knowledge of individuals that I have spent a lot of time researching.
I have both (unbeknownst to me in my earlier years) been pulled into (as a photographer) and had clients who were with scam agencies. I also attended a modeling school (and was manipulated by them into believing they were an agency) at a very young high school age. My knowledge comes directly from personal experience.
Images are the original creation of Jack Fleming Photography (unless otherwise indicated).
Copyright 2001-2012 Jack Fleming Photography and www.jackfleming.com.
All Rights Reserved.
For commercial license usage of images,
please contact Jack Fleming at 310.428.3574 or
jack@jackfleming.com.