When I first met Mallory, she was a server while I was having brunch. I explained that I was a photographer who sometimes employed models and that I wanted to know if she would be interested in hearing more information when I had a future opportunity. She immediately said she would. We introduced ourselves, and I asked how to get in touch with her. She gave me a phone number, and I asked her to write her e-mail address down for me as well. I handed her my card with my website address and phone number on it and told her that it would be a day or two before I called her.

A couple of days later, I called Mallory and asked if she could model on a specific day later that week. She was remarkably excited about the prospect. She said she had to get back to me about changing her work schedule, but that she would do everything she could to make it work. I explained to her that if she had plans, I did not want to inconvenience her. She said it was not a bother and that she really wanted to do it. She expressed some concern that if she did not book with me right away, I might not give her another opportunity. This was probably not the case, but I did not belabor the point. She was excited about doing a shoot, and that was promising. The conversation also left me with the impression that she was wonderfully conscientious-an important trait for a model or anyone who wants the most out of their work.

Our shoot was amazing, and we had a second shoot exactly a week later.

You can read Mallory’s shooting story in my model-recruiting book, Up to My Eyeballs in Nude Women.