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Unreliable Models
I am relatively new to this site, so I am not sure if I have had bad luck or if this is a common thing. I placed a request in Casting Calls for Bridal Portraits not too long ago and had a pretty decent amount of responses. I had several shoots scheduled, but at least five models bailed out at the last minute. Three of them left me waiting at the place we were supposed to do the shoot at. I choose a very public place and even recommended that they bring anyone they felt comfortable. I even let a few of them pick the place and time at their convenience. I always made it clear that all I want to do are bridal portraits. I have no interest in nudes or porn because the business I am trying to build is wedding photography. We have even exchanged phone numbers and had everything planned out up to the day before the shoot. The day of the shoot I wait, no one shows. When I call I get some lame excuse or no response at all. I have two shoots scheduled for this weekend, but am somewhat apprehensive about travelling across the State again for the sole purpose of making the shoot only to be left out there with wedding dresses and camera gear. Has anyone else had any trouble with unreliable models or has this been just a case of bad luck? Aug 02 05 02:47 pm Link I've had some problems as well. I've only had a couple no show, though. Usually the conversation stops after they say they want to work with me, they're available any time, but then they never return messages. Like they decided they didn't like my stuff, or don't want to work with me, but are afraid to say anything. They decide it's easier to blow it off completely. It's pretty frustrating at times. I've only had one no show the day of, after saying she would be there the night before. I've had a couple cancel the day of. Most stop communicating as the dates get closer. Actually, I've only been able to do two model shoots. One from OMP, and one from Craigs list. And the one from Craigs list wasn't really a model, she just needed headshots and responded to my TFP ad. I have three or four that I'm trying to work with here, but haven't been able to pin down dates yet. I'll keep trying though. Aug 02 05 05:11 pm Link was this ARRANGED OVER THE PHONE... or did u just swop phone numbers? very odd. do you give them a chance to back out, talk to them and ask them everything with open questions right to the end? OR STEAM AHEAD ASSUMING THEY ARE STILL INTERESTED so they dont get to say they changed their minds... Sorry u had this happen....personally i cant imagine why I would want to pose as a bride - unless paid obviously good luck! Aug 02 05 05:20 pm Link I cannot believe my ears. I have never heard of this before. Next you will tell me that models sometimes do not get images. No that would be silly. Aug 02 05 05:38 pm Link Models cancelling shoots at the last minute or even not cancelling and simply not showing up on the day of the shoot is, unfortunately, a rather common occurence. These models are typically "internet models" and not professionals. Internet models don't really have anything to lose if they decide not to show up to a shoot because photography is not their main source of income and the blow to their "reputation" is minimal because when they do get paid, it's typically "internet photographers" who generally work in a vacuum that pay their fees. Want to read more about "internet models" and "internet photographers"? Please see this link: http://tinyurl.com/9mc3k Aug 02 05 06:05 pm Link "Unreliable models" is a redundancy in terms. Aug 02 05 06:17 pm Link Posted by Anjel Britt: Actually all the contacts began on line through emails responding to my request for bridal models. They stated they were interested, and I set up the shoots according to their convinence. I let them set the days, times, and location that were best for them. Everything seemed like it was going to happen, then for no reason either no further contact or no show. I guess I am from the old school of thought that if you make plans with someone but can't make it, at least have the courtesy to inform that person you can't make it. It saves everyone time and trouble. As far as the TFP Bridal Portraits go, it was a good deal for all parties involved. I am seriously in need of a model for advertisement (my brochures, business cards, wedding portfolio, website) and will be placing an ad in a bridal magazine. The amount of exposure for a beginning model would be great. Not to mention I also offered free prints, a CD, and even shoot their portfolio to their liking at no cost to them. Still, it is as if someone told them I was a lepar or something. Aug 02 05 06:48 pm Link I wonder if it would be worth it to start a list of models that are unreliable so that we won't waste time or efforts? After all, anytime some photographer screws up you see a bunch of posts blasting him and even banishing him from this site. I just think it would be fair to go both ways, just my humble opinion. Aug 02 05 07:23 pm Link AFAIK no one gets banned for not showing up. And your blacklist idea has been talked about before. The problem is that you're looking at it from the "what do I get out of it" standpoint. Do you see any bridal pictures in any models ports? If you want bridal pictures, hire a model and you won't have to worry about no-shows. Paul Aug 02 05 07:43 pm Link Posted by Paul Ferrara: No Paul, as I mentioned before, it's a deal for ALL involved. Model gets prints, CD, exposure, and in addition a free portfolio. Heck, I'd even shoot her wedding for free! I am just getting started in wedding photography and my start up costs are way much more than I anticipated. I would gladly pay for a local model in my area, unfortunately the only agency in town cahrges $150.00 per hour, plus fees. My goal also was to capture that beginning model enthusiasm and transfer it to the excited bride look on print. Modeling, IMO, is not just about the Maxim type shot. Models need to show versatility. I did that type of photography years ago, I'm done with it. Aug 02 05 08:03 pm Link Yeah some models feel that photographers as creeps. But what youe sasying sounda ok. people just peoople thesee dayz Aug 04 05 07:38 pm Link Yeah some models feel that photographers as creeps. But what youe sasying sounda ok. people just peoople thesee dayz Aug 04 05 07:38 pm Link It seems to be a "norm" of no shows......from what I hear. I although, am not like that. There are models who do care out there....and who show up to EVERY shoot that they have. McKenzie Aug 05 05 03:38 pm Link McKenzie, I wish you were in Florida!  Aug 06 05 09:11 am Link You have to be really innocent to expect that internet "models" should be reliable. Expect the worst, if you get one who is OK take that as your lucky day. * it goes the same way with photogs as well .... Aug 06 05 07:26 pm Link I startiong to get kind of ticked off myself. I have 8 straight models do TFP and all worked out fine (including some out of state ones). But for some reason unbeknownst to me, I've had 2 in a row flake on me for the same shoot. Aug 07 05 12:30 am Link I've defintely had more no shows than shows. It gets very frustrating. Aug 07 05 12:38 am Link I had some model call me a "Guy With a Camera" and tell me I was a LOUSY photographer an' stuff!!! And I USED to have Angeline Jolie's cell phone ## on my speed-dial but I had to take it off because instead of TFP she sent me a retraining order or somethin like that. Does that count as a NO-SHOW? GWC! Aug 07 05 12:44 am Link I went through my calander and counted 4 no shows this year. I used to have more. I confirm the day before the shoot. I never travel to meet people unless I have shot witht them before. It isn't worth the hassel to travel because the person is a flake. It is just a waste of time. Personally the no shows are mentioned by name to all my photographer friends. We all trade info on models. One friend asked about a notorious no show model and he refused to work with her. She complained and really wanted to do the shoot but with her reputaion he didn't want to risk a MUA and stylist waiting around with him for a no show. It just makes him look stupid. If you want models that will show then ask a local modeling agency if they have models willing to test with you. Agency models show up. If they don't the agency gets rid of them. If they can't show for a test shoot then they can't show for a paid gig. Aug 07 05 12:53 am Link i guess it depends on your work and how you converse with them on the phone and if they feel comfortable with you. i guess my record is pretty good, 7 no shows out of the 300 girls or so i have shot this yr. Aug 07 05 02:07 am Link NO CALL - NO SHOW: >>>>> Kelly Green MM #13016 (she made 3 appointments with 3 photographers for EXACTLY the SAME DAY AND EXACTLY the SAME TIME and NO SHOWED ALL 3!!!!!!) {must be a record?}.......UNBELIEVABLE !!!!!!! Aug 07 05 02:10 am Link Posted by tampabayphotos: WOW!!! Aug 07 05 04:02 am Link par for the course , of 12 models i booked for my last las vegas shoots, paid, and very well so, 7 models failed to show, take the word of a very well known photographer organizer of events on here, [not me] flakes in the usa currently run as high as 50 percent. you want 1 model book 3 and so on, in saying this i would like to thank the lovely ladies that have committted to my october 2005 vegas shoots, rock on girls. Aug 07 05 04:15 am Link I've had 2 no shows through OMP. But what really irks me is when you email back and forth with a potential, arrange the time, place and pay and the next thing you know they sign with an agent and completely ignore you. Seems to me the reason for an agent is to secure paid jobs but these so called models walk away from that to who knows what. Aug 07 05 06:10 pm Link Posted by tampabayphotos: Add me to the stood up photographer list as well!!!! She no showed for a shoot we planned, even called me the same day saying she was going to show, but didn't! Aug 07 05 08:10 pm Link Posted by snegron: I know how you feel. A couple of weeks ago I'd had numerous communications with a model that has a profile here @ MM and @ OMP as well. She'd contacted me saying that she really liked my style and wanted to set up a shoot. We did exactly that (all thru emails) but about 20 minutes before the shoot was to take place, she called to say that her escort got called in to work unexpectedly and she had to cancel. I'd spent 45 minutes sweating my ass off rearranging the studio for the fetish/pin-up shoot she had in mind. I wasn't really that upset, but on Monday I checked her profiles in both places - lo and behold she'd shot with 2 other photographers that weekend and had posted some new images from those shoots. I was and still am pretty pissed about it. She shot w/ great shooters, and if I were her, I'd probably rather have shot w/ them than w/ me, but at least tell the freakin truth and don't wait till the last minute to tell your lies. Aug 08 05 11:10 am Link No Shows are always a problem - understand photographer do it also. It's a matter of number - I had a "tfp" set with 12 models, confirmed time & location, and I was lucky 2 showed. Aug 08 05 03:13 pm Link I don't understand why they can't simply say they are not interested and let you know before everyone wastes time and effort. If they were honest and tell me that they don't like my style, changed their minds about the shoot, or made other plans, then it wouldn't be so frustrating. Aug 08 05 07:34 pm Link www.theindustryblacklist.com make it known so others don't make the same mistake of booking non reliable and no show models or photographers. Aug 08 05 08:13 pm Link |
