Yuriy wrote:
"Thank you, but I am unable to accept your offer at the time."
...Or something like that...

Works for me!

Adrienne J wrote:
Hey MM!

As a model I know the diff between quality photos and not so good ones...how do you refuse a TF/CD offer with a not-so-good photographer????

Ditto to what has already been said. You don't want to be burning your bridges either You never know which photographers will develop their craft further.

Whetzel Photos wrote:
Photographers do not expect everyone to accept the offer. Models and photographers should only accept TFCD it they will benefit both the photographer and model. Not every request requires a response. If you do need to respond be polite but let the photographer know that you are unable to accept the offer at this time.

Nothing ever requires a response... Just because it doesn't require a response doesn't mean that one should not be given.

eyelight wrote:
I could send you copies of the many that turned me down.  They were all better answers than those that didn't respond at all...

Amen!

SayCheeZ! wrote:
***addendum:  seems like a few of us answered all at once.
Please note that if you say something like "...at this time", this indicates that you'll probably be willing to work with the photographer later.

If you're NOT willing to work with the photographer at another time, then don't use that phrase.  The photographers will probably end up contacting you in the future, and you'll start feeling that you're being stalked... all because of the three words "at this time".

Yesss....very true

Adrienne J wrote:
Hey MM!

As a model I know the diff between quality photos and not so good ones...how do you refuse a TF/CD offer with a not-so-good photographer????

How about, "I know the difference between good work and bad work and you, my friend, have sucky work.  Sorry!"  I think that would work.  Sort of like garlic to a vampire!  Now go get 'em killer!

eyelight wrote:
I could send you copies of the many that turned me down.  They were all better answers than those that didn't respond at all...

No responce always comes with a bit of a barb on it....

"No thank you"  is simple enough for me.

Corey Wellman wrote:
a female asking how to blow someone off? lol that's a first. I thought it was genetically implanted or something haha

thats precisely what was going through my head.  hahaha

Whetzel Photos wrote:
Photographers do not expect everyone to accept the offer.

Wrong.  Even the most simple "no thank you" is better than nothing!

Adrienne J wrote:
Hey MM!

As a model I know the diff between quality photos and not so good ones...how do you refuse a TF/CD offer with a not-so-good photographer????

I contacted a model who posted, "will do TFP/CD, just ask" and when I did, her reply was, "no thank you, I'm already booked solid."  ~shrug~  Win some, lose some.

Whetzel Photos wrote:
Photographers do not expect everyone to accept the offer. Models and photographers should only accept TFCD it they will benefit both the photographer and model. Not every request requires a response. If you do need to respond be polite but let the photographer know that you are unable to accept the offer at this time.

Agreed... Atleast respond instead of no replies... I don't expect to work with everyone on TFCD/P that I ask... I also don't work with all models that ask me. But I reply in a good way...

Rich Davis wrote:
The whole internet modeling negotiation process is interesting.  I was approached by 2 different models a couple of months ago.  They wanted to shoot.  I wasn't enthused by either, but thought I could learn something in either case.  After a bunch of preliminary emails, I gave them both my phone number  -- Zap, they're gone.

When I first started modeling online, I was a little wigged out by photographers wanting me to call them. I think it is a lack of experience thing.....but now, I refuse to waste time. Time is money. Time is something I want to use to my (and your) benefit. I want to reply to the photographers that I dont want to work with, tell them why, wish them a wonderful day, and delete the message. I want to schedule shoots with people that have perspective and personality. I think a lot of people really need attention or something.

Adrienne J wrote:
Hey MM!

As a model I know the diff between quality photos and not so good ones...how do you refuse a TF/CD offer with a not-so-good photographer????

You could have just told me NO

Christopher Hartman wrote:

You could have just told me NO

I say yes.  Plus a cute bikini.

Christopher Hartman wrote:

You could have just told me NO

I have not done a lot of glamour, but I would definately shoot with you.

Adrienne J wrote:
Hey MM!

As a model I know the diff between quality photos and not so good ones...how do you refuse a TF/CD offer with a not-so-good photographer????

Just don't do TFP/CD with anyone.  Cash is King!

Corey Wellman wrote:
a female asking how to blow someone off? lol that's a first. I thought it was genetically implanted or something haha

Classic!! LMAO!!

Trevor Snyder wrote:
You can:

a) lie - tell him you have a yeast infection and aren't expected to survive
b) be tactfully truthful - say he "isn't your style" or "doesn't have the look you need for your portfolio"
c) be brutal - tell him he sucks
d) be brutal but give him a reacharound - tell him he sucks and then tell him what he could do to fix it - this takes time.

I like to get somewhere in between c and d. And you're welcome to tell me you think I suck I can take it. If he can't that's his own issue to deal with.

Trevor, as usual, the most thoughtful and entertaining reply to a post.  I love it.

Fedora El Morro wrote:
I do not think it is professional or polite to just not respond.

I think everybody deserves a little honesty. What are we 12? If you don't want to work with someone, tell them why.

Wish most "models" think like you.

MEWanoDesigns wrote:
Ok, so, I'll change gears here, just a bit, and throw out there that maybe you might shoot with some of those not so good photographers. If nothing else, you get more experience, and so do they. Who knows, they might surprise you and give you something you like. If not, you don't have to use the photos.

very good point. someone has to be the experiment first. besides, sometimes a chemistry is needed to product good photos and you just might have that chemistry with the noob.

Adrienne J wrote:
Hey MM!

As a model I know the diff between quality photos and not so good ones...how do you refuse a TF/CD offer with a not-so-good photographer????

Just don't reply! I'm a photographer and that's what I expect from models. Ignore all this politeness/rude nonsense. If you reply, most likely you'll have to lie to protect their feelings, so you really have to choose between two sins. If you tell them they no good, some people can get defensive and nasty. And personally, if somebody don't want to shoot with me, I don't care why - 'no' is 'no' regardless of how it's served.

semyon wrote:

Just don't reply! I'm a photographer and that's what I expect from models. Ignore all this politeness/rude nonsense. If you reply, most likely you'll have to lie to protect their feelings, so you really have to choose between two sins. If you tell them they no good, some people can get defensive and nasty. And personally, if somebody don't want to shoot with me, I don't care why - 'no' is 'no' regardless of how it's served.

I agree. No answer means no. Plain and simple.

Leo Chan wrote:

very good point. someone has to be the experiment first. besides, sometimes a chemistry is needed to product good photos and you just might have that chemistry with the noob.

I don't think I agree with your detective work here. Chemistry just the part of the shoot. If noob doesn't know how to light you right, no chemistry would help (unfortunately, spoken from my own experience). The best is to pick somebody on your own level, or slightly better. Leave the best ones for the last.

Trevor Snyder wrote:
You can:

a) lie - tell him you have a yeast infection and aren't expected to survive
b) be tactfully truthful - say he "isn't your style" or "doesn't have the look you need for your portfolio"
c) be brutal - tell him he sucks
d) be brutal but give him a reacharound - tell him he sucks and then tell him what he could do to fix it - this takes time.

I have been going for

D)
No thank you I do not wish to take this job for TFP.

but here is a gathering of several other models and photogaraphers you might wish to attend to show your book around to...

And here are a few bay area workshops as well...