I'm sure everyone here has had experiences that could have gone better if the model or photographer had done something different before, during or after a shoot. I hope that this will be a CONSTRUCTIVE thread and not rant fest on each other. How about some simple ideas that would help smooth out a photo shoot? lemme start..

Models: when bringing wardrobe to a shoot, please bring clean, ironed clothes. Even to a well paying job, models have come with clothes that are balled up and wrinkled in a duffle bag. Some that seriously look like they've been in a hamper for weeks. Not only does it make you look unprofessional and sloppy.. but PhotoShopping out wrinkles out of clothes is a miserable experience. Clean, ironed clothes help make for a great looking model and photo shoot!

There ya go..

My flaw that I can see is I have too much equipment for location shoots and I've forgotten things at times and had to return home to get them or have them brought to me.
So more of a check list on what I need to take the night before a shoot aside from laying every thing out like I do now.

Yes, with regards to location shooting.. don't try and do it alone. Having a friend or assistant there to hold a bounce board can make or break a shoot. And it's a lot easier than lugging the stands and sandbags you'd need if there wasn't someone there to just hold them! :-P

when i first started i would have a bunch of friends get together and then take their pictures. While we always had alot of fun, i didn't get as much done as I should and could have. I would say staying focused is incredibly important, while maintaining a fun environment.