Vance wrote:
Fisrt off, I already kow the answer to the question.I am posting this to simply get some other view points and ideas.

At 3pm today My MUA called and cancelled due to another gig she is working on today. Knowing that we were booked and confirmed this really annoys the hell out of me.

Here is the situation.

I maintain a studio at a pretty penny. I do all of the marketing and promotion.
I have been trying to get ONE consistant team of artist to work with.

My goal is to have a team that is able to market to corporate and commercial clients.

The problem is, consistancy and dedication to the mission.

Last second phone calls saying you cant make it dont fly with me.

Quite franlky I am suprised. When I was just coming up in the business world I had a few mentors who gave me the opportunity to OPEN doors.

Men and Women who said, show me what you can do..AND then we can talk about how to turn it into cash.

I do TFP for that very reason.

I want a team that is in it for the art as well as for the challenge. I dont want money grubbers. Come in, get o board and stick to your promisses and agreed upon schedule.

Do that and a good job, then you can jump onboard the bigger paid projects.

Hell, you can call me 24hrs in advance, but I find it irresponsible and unprofessional to do so 5hrs before the shoot.

If you really want a career in this business, your attitude and dedication to a project is key.

I am wondering how many commercial photgraphers out there puu there team together.

I know I could just pay, however my goal is to put the team together that has the desire and drive to be here when there is no immediate fidicuary gain. A team that will grow and be marketed as a team. this means I will go through quite a few people, ad it also means quite a few people will be passed up on paying gigs when they do come in.

Man, sometimes it's BAD to be the boss...Mostly good thoough..

Rant over...

420 time

I put my last team together in Phoenix AZ, a great group of talented people. Hair,makeup and clothing as well as set design and photoshop person. We did some really good work together and for several years.
I did the same in London UK. Great people who wanted to make it happen.
I am back in the NYC area now and just begginning the process. Try them out put them under pressure as well as giving them a free hand to create. I used this approach last weekend trying out three MUA's to see who would follow where I was going. Two did one did not. I allowed each o create what they wanted to show and I would record it, My idea was set and I spoke about it as we set up. As I said two came along and their style worked well for the area we were in, the third did some high glam stuff that just did not suit where we were shooting.
I know I have two possiables here now, They have to want to come along for the ride while putting something in the tank at the same time. For me a crew is the best bet,people who know me and whom i know in return. Family.