Jayne Jones wrote:
"Self. . .when was the last time I didn't respond to a model's email?  When was the last time I canceled on a model at the last minute?  When was the last time I told a model I'd get back to her and didn't?"

Didn't respond to an e-mail?  Never.

Canceled last minute?  Never.

Didn't get back after I said I would?  Never.

Do I still get flakes?  Yes.

Unprofessionalism occurs on both sides of the equation.  The problem is that there sooooo many wannabe models who will flake and make the rest of the crowd look bad.  There's also the 'pro' photographers who take flakes wayyyyy too personally and hold grudges against said models.

It's a two way street that turns back on itself into a viscous circle.  I only deal with new possible flake models if there's nothing involved besides my time.  i.e. a TFP shoot.  But if I'm going to go all out and get a MUA/Stylist(s) involved, that model better show up or I'm going to be pissed.  The amount of planning required to get everyone organized is insane and to have a model flake on you is sooooo disrespectful to everyone else involved it's not funny.  Personally if I'm going to get this many people involved, I hire an agency model or a model that I've done a TFP with before who I can trust.

Photographers who complain about non-returned e-mails have a valid point in terms of it not being professional.  They also need to learn that it's going to happen and that sometimes the model just doesn't want to work with you.  The SAME thing applies to a model.  Not all photographers will shoot with just anyone if it's not going to help their portfolio/work.

-PKD

PK Digital Imaging wrote:
Photographers who complain about non-returned e-mails have a valid point in terms of it not being professional.  They also need to learn that it's going to happen and that sometimes the model just doesn't want to work with you.  The SAME thing applies to a model.  Not all photographers will shoot with just anyone if it's not going to help their portfolio/work.

-PKD

Wow. . .Kudos for never ever in life forgetting a single thing, never offending anyone or remotely being otherwise human.  If it's never happened in your professional life that's great and admirable. . .but I have to wonder if every single model you've dealt with, at this point in your career going back to when you first started out, would say the same.  If they would. . .like I said: Kudos.

You are correct.  It is TWO fold.  Just like there are models that don't answer emails, there photographers that don't answer emails.  What goes around comes around is all I'm saying.

Now me personally, YES I will make absolutely certain that I answer every email I get.  Because I'm new, know next to nothing and the person you screw over today may be the one holding the keys to the success of your career tomorrow.  I don't gamble.  On the same token, not every email I send gets answered.  Sometimes. . .if it's someone I really really want to work with, and have even offered to PAY (there's a shocker), I'll check to see if my message was read.  A lot of the time it is, and I so conclude that they simply aren't interested.  And I update my list of "do not email again" accordingly.

Jayne Jones wrote:
Wow. . .Kudos for never ever in life forgetting a single thing, never offending anyone or remotely being otherwise human.

Uhmmm.... where did this come from?  I was assuming you were talking about photography and the communication between photographers/models.  In the case of photography, yes.. i have NEVER done any of what you mentioned.  I never said 'never in life' have I forgotten something.  When I do business I keep in contact and get stuff done if something has been agreed upon.

-PKD

Jessalyn_54 wrote:
In the past 3 weeks I have had 2 photographers cancel on me the day before or the day of. One of those photographers has done it twice!!

You're in Kansas?  Hmmm. . .I wonder if it is a midwest problem???

Jayne Jones wrote:
Photographers:
Perhaps it is KARMA that you experience such misfortune when dealing with models that no show, models that make outrageous demands, models that don't want to pay but want this that and the third. . .so. . .the next time you get one of the afformentioned, ask yourself
"Self. . .when was the last time I didn't respond to a model's email?  When was the last time I canceled on a model at the last minute?  When was the last time I told a model I'd get back to her and didn't?" 

Could it be that KARMA is catching up with you??  Hmmmm???  I ponder the possibilities.

It certainly is worth asking, but when the answer is "no, I haven't done that myself", one wonders where the karma is coming from. I suppose in a previous life, I could have done so; or perhaps I'm paying off a collective karma for all photographers.