When I first started casting many years ago, Karen did all the interviews because I was pretty shy about explaining my process, especially when it came to grooming! This was before the explosion of the Internet. During those years, I posted a ‘models wanted’ ad in The Village Voice (a local New York City underground newspaper) about twice a year. Today, I post my models wanted ad on craigslist.com, but I spend a lot of time weeding out the curious from the committed. I prefer to work with models that are referred to me by other models. The model can be the best scout and recruiter for a photographer because she already knows the process and what the artist expects and she is able to communicate this to other models in a way that is very real and frank.
Historically, I prefer to work with the same models over and over again. Most photographers prefer to work with a new face or model each time they pick up the camera. I’m the opposite. I feel that the longer I work with a model, the stronger the images become. I would say that there is a core of perhaps 10-12 models that I’ve been collaborating with for over 10 years. They have essentially grown up in front of my camera and they all have tremendous ownership about their collaboration with my projects.
Feather Merit, No.4