CLOS vs Model Mayhem
Short answer
Model Mayhem is a long-established directory: you search member profiles by location, post casting calls, and message people cold. CLOS pairs swipe-style Discovery matching — chat opens only after both sides like each other — with a remote photoshoot app, so matched collaborators shoot together from different cities and both keep full-resolution files. Choose Model Mayhem for its large searchable pool; choose CLOS for mutual-intent matching and actually running the shoot.
| Factor | CLOS | Model Mayhem |
|---|---|---|
| Matching model | Swipe-style Discovery; mutual like opens chat | Directory search & cold outreach |
| Intent signal | Both sides opt in before any chat | — you message strangers and hope |
| Geography | Any city — the shoot runs remotely | Local searches; someone travels |
| Running the shoot | Built in: virtual room, live camera control | — arranged off-platform |
| File delivery | Full-res JPG to both sides; RAW on Pro | Depends on the other person |
| Cost | Free plan; Pro from $7.99/mo | Free tier; paid upgrades |
| Pool size & maturity | Newer, growing community | Huge, long-established member base |
When to choose CLOS
- You are tired of cold messages going unanswered and want replies only from people who already liked your profile.
- Flaking has burned you before — mutual matching plus in-app chat means both sides showed intent before planning starts.
- Your ideal collaborator is not in your city: the shoot runs remotely through a CLOS virtual room, so distance stops mattering.
- You want both sides to walk away with full-resolution files off the real camera sensor, delivered to the cloud as a ZIP.
- You are building a TFP portfolio and want one app for the whole loop: match, chat, plan, and shoot.
When Model Mayhem fits better
- You want to search a very large pool of models and photographers in one place, filtered by location.
- You are casting a specific in-person shoot and want to post to established casting-call boards.
- You work in a market where Model Mayhem is still busy and local members respond quickly.
- You prefer a free directory listing that has been around long enough to be widely known.
Frequently asked questions
Is Model Mayhem still active? +
Yes — Model Mayhem is still online and remains one of the largest modeling directories. Activity varies heavily by market, though, and the community commonly reports dormant profiles and slow replies, so it is worth gauging how active your local scene is before relying on it.
What is the best Model Mayhem alternative? +
It depends on what frustrates you. If it is cold outreach and no-shows, a mutual-match tool like CLOS Discovery helps, since chat only opens when both sides opt in. If you simply want a bigger or fresher local directory, other listing sites compete on pool size instead.
How does finding collaborators on CLOS work? +
Discovery is swipe-style: you set up a profile with your portfolio, browse photographers or models, and like or skip. A mutual like opens a chat where you plan the shoot, then you shoot together remotely in a CLOS virtual room.
Does CLOS have casting-call boards like Model Mayhem? +
No. CLOS Discovery is browse-and-match rather than a job board — there is no listing you post and wait on. Model Mayhem remains the better fit for classic casting-call posts; CLOS is built for one-to-one matches that lead directly to a shoot.
Do collaborators need to be in the same city to shoot on CLOS? +
No. The photographer directs from a browser while the model's iPhone or Android runs the CLOS app as the camera, so matched collaborators can shoot from different cities and both receive the full-resolution files.
Related
- Find Models to Photograph
Find models to photograph for TFP, test shoots and paid work — match with people who actually want to shoot, then run the session remotely with CLOS.
- Find a Photographer to Collaborate With
Find a photographer to collaborate with for portfolio shoots, TFP trades and tests — match with photographers who want to shoot, then shoot remotely with CLOS.
- Virtual Casting Sessions
Run live virtual casting sessions and remote auditions — direct talent in real time, control the camera and capture clean, full-resolution reference frames on demand.