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No Show Advice -flakey newbie models can evaporate
We give newbie models way too much attention (fresh meat), and because of this, they often think it is fine & dandy to blow off / no-show to shoots. This is the same as getting hired for a regular job and simply "blowing off" your first day of work. Not only is it bad form, but the model's reputation starts circulating as being a "flake" and "waste of time." That is why there are so many model "portfolios" online that have never been updated since the time they were posted. I think the biggest problem with no-show "flakey" models are those with completely unrealistic expectations. The good models, who you see are on here (and other sites) on a regular basis, know that this is "work!" They realize that building a career takes time, talent, and tenacity. For this reason, some photographers who day-rent our studio have gotten together in a YahooGroup to which we post our "horror stories" about flakes who have wasted our time and money. It is interesting to see how many of these gals seem to simply "disappear" from the modeling scene (perhaps finding out that blowing off assignments tends to harm your own reputation). And informally we email sets of photos and feedback on models to each other to compare experiences with models who have done a great job! Most photographers get along pretty well (even if a bit competitively), and I think it would be good for more to network and share stories of who is good and who is not. Just a tip. ======================================= I have models call me as they are leaving their home/work and "in-route" to the shoot and then give another call as they reach the studio. That way, I know to stay if they are running late, and I can safely "bail" if they are more than 10-minutes late (sometimes, I don't even run to the studio unless my cell rings). In the meantime, spend more time recruiting models who have worked with LOTS of photographers and who have a history. After all, in what other industries does lack of experience and training command a higher demand than for someone who is professional and responsible? Also - I tend to shy away from models who have "photographer/managers" - because my impression is that the emails are only ever seen by the photographer -- and if the model seems unwilling to work with anyone else (as evidenced by all photos from one person) - then it is not worth my energy to make any offers of work. James Mar 31 06 10:13 pm Link I've tried to explain this to my friends that want to get into modeling. The girl in my avatar flaked on me, but was a friend of mine, so I gave her another chance and explained to her that disrespecting my time was a good way to end up not shooting with me, again. Photographers talk and flaking once can ruin a models chances of ever getting another booking. Mar 31 06 10:20 pm Link Djinn Photographic wrote: Yah - if the model has a great look, I give him/her another chance. After that, I tell them the appointment will require a $50 deposit (even if I am hiring them); normally that gives them the hint not to waste my time anymore. (grin) Mar 31 06 10:33 pm Link I've tried the refundable deposit route and they think why bother when another photographer doesn't, so I'll loose nothing when I flake with them. I have some Models 'linked' to me on another site only because they want to and the beginners feel I wil help weed out the pervs. I'd do that for them with out the linking. But your right I tend to not bother with the linked Models. Strange thing is when I get a note from a photographer I know asking a linked Model to shoot I tell her the Photog is good and go ahead and sent the photog an acknowledgement. When I ask to shoot with linked Model I hear NOTHING back from either. I'm interested in that Yahoo Group although it probable pertains more to your local Models. M Apr 01 06 11:01 am Link The problem here is that most all of the new girls that come on the the internet sites are bombarded with emails and shoot requests after the first hour of being online. I shoot with quite a bit of new models and most of them get over 100 emails and shoot requests in the first day or two. That starts a mindset that sometimes cant be changed. I always try to give models all the advice and safety tips that I can, but as far as trying to manage a model, no way. If the model is 18 and mature, we have to hope that they can handle their own deals. I swore off of shooting with any models that had manager involvement after about the 5th time one showed up to the shoot. Like James was talking about, I would like to see how it would look to take your manager to a new real job. Every experience I have had with a manager seemed like it was a guy that just felt cool making the girl feel like he was protecting and watching out for her. Some of the things the manager had told them were hilarious. It might be cool to have a model show up and say she had her bodygaurd with her. I would just rather the model bring a Colt 45 if they are nervous. But my feeling is many of the managers want to come more than the model wants them to be there. Apr 01 06 12:17 pm Link Seems to me that TFP models flake / no-show more than paid models. You get what you pay for. Apr 01 06 12:20 pm Link Looknsee Photography wrote: That may be true in some cases, I dont pay models but the photographers that I know that do have mixed reviews. I think the flakey thing sometimes has more to do with age than most anything else. Anyone ever noticed that more no shows happen with models 18-24 than any other age? Apr 01 06 12:32 pm Link Well, I should be shooting with a TFP model right now...appointment was from 1-4pm...no call, no nothing...we confirmed yesterday and she was to call me when on her way...so I'm tempted to post a "no show" credit in my profile in a week after I speak with her. Just a thought. Apr 01 06 12:52 pm Link JNB Photography wrote: That stinks to hear man. One of those things thats happening to people all over the place. Its a strange deal, but there is somekind of hush-hush phenomenon with alot of photographers about this issue. I still dont understand it. There is a good chance with your shoot that the model was out late and didnt want to come. Thats what happens in many cases. Out til 5am hung over, will remember the shoot at about the time it was supposed to end! Apr 01 06 01:03 pm Link Photos2amaze wrote: Hehe, I thought about that...I know sh*t happens, so I hope the model is okay and calls me to explain what happened. Apr 01 06 01:18 pm Link Good excuse I got one time was from a 18 year old model that still lived with her parents. She says her boyfriend came over to her/parents house at 3am and turned off her alarm clock and left. So........she over sleeps for a 11am shoot. Apr 01 06 01:27 pm Link That's bizarre...but I guess it could happen :-p Apr 01 06 01:36 pm Link I am a new model, and never flaked/no showed. Although I had what I thought was a well established photog flake/no show on me twice. My appointment was Sat morning and he called of Fri afternoon. I had no way to line up another photog to fill my Sat shoot. Is my thought he is an _ _ _ . But I will be nice and just call him a flake Sincerely, Natalie Apr 01 06 01:40 pm Link Grandma's dying. Car accident. Car won't start. Model's sick. Boyfriend's in jail. Best friend is in distress. Dad's had a heart attack. I think I've heard them all. Most creative reason I've heard for flaking: bee sting. Maybe a few were true. Definitely most flakes are in the 18-24 bracket. In fact I'd say that most are 18-19. And something else I've noticed is that maybe 80% of all flakes are on Saturdays. If they flake once, I've learned the hard way, they'll do it a second time as well. So now my policy is, I won't reschedule with anyone who cancels with less than 24 hours notice, or simply doesn't show. Apr 01 06 01:58 pm Link It would be awesome to have a post about best excuses on why someone didnt show. But like John said, the grandma dieing is the all time great. I heard one of the best photographers I know once say..........." I am damn glad I am not a model's grandmother" Apr 01 06 02:45 pm Link Photos2amaze wrote: HAHAHAHAHHA i wish i got that many e-mails...hahahahahah Apr 01 06 02:58 pm Link Looknsee Photography wrote: Actually, it is about the same rate of "flake" -- only the timing is different. Apr 02 06 12:49 am Link My no-show advice-- check references! If s/he's done it to others, run away!  Apr 02 06 05:44 am Link I say you talk to every one of the models you're interested in shooting with. That way you get a feel of whether or not they seem flakey. I would think so, anyways. I am a semi newbie and have never/will never flake on a photographer. It's rude, unless it's completely necessary. I understand having to cancel for being sick or a death in the family or something of that extremity, but not just because you don't feel like shooting anymore. I canceled with meeting a photographer last weekend because I came down with bronchitis, but I would have gone had that not have happened. It's rude for models to flake. It shouldn't happen, but it does. Just get over it and never work with them again. Find the good ones who are dedicated to their work. After all, this is a professional environment and should be treated as such. Apr 02 06 05:50 am Link Though im still fresh meat on the hook, I jsut want you to keep one thing in mind there are two sides to the coin. And for evry few models there may be that are "flaky" as so aptly put...there are photographers that are just as bad as well. Keep that in mind. Moidel, photographer, makeup artist, wardrobe designer whatever you may be whoever he she is, we are only human and as perfect as one person may seem, they arent. Apr 07 06 12:50 am Link Oh yeah. As far as I can tell, there's about 5% reliable non-"flake" models. There are about 5% reliable non-"gwc" non-"flake" photographers. Which tends to mean that you have more photographers complain about how they can't find any models because you have the substantial GWC-photographer audience adding to the 5% photographers. Apr 09 06 01:36 pm Link You know at least once a week a photographer posts a no show model thread. Many of you join in with your war stories and why they might do it. All of you are talented and serious so why do you ALLOW it to continue? Charge a deposit! This should be a firm rule. If a model contacts you charge. If you contact her then you kinda take your chances but hedge that bet by having her call before she leaves to shoot with you. No call I ssume you're not coming. Don't call or e-mail her with is she still coming and or why she didn't show. I understand why some of you might not like the deposit ideal. Most models won't send it to you but those that really want to shoot will. If you contact her and she wants to shoot and cancels or doesn't show for any reason then a deposit must be given to do a shoot the next time. In other words have standards. Many of us are so happy to have a beautifull model in front of our lense that we are willing to let them do anything they want. Escorts are cool, calling to let me know you will be late, cool. Calling a day or more in advance to say you can't make it, cool. Wasting any of my time is not. All of you need to value your time and efforts. Trust me, models value their time. Apr 09 06 01:56 pm Link An MM model flaked on me today. We've had a 2:00 p.m. appointment for today for weeks, but she hasn't answered her phone today, nor called me. She's English and just moved to NYC. I won't identify her further, but the foregoing may be of use to the next hapless photog. Apr 09 06 02:01 pm Link |
