CareLyn Anita wrote:
think about it some more and then  send a letter to the model telling her how busy you have been and you have time to shoot her if she'd like ....

I wasn't referring to you!

Ma-Shyrra wrote:
Dang...Are you guilty?

Of course, I'm talking about myself. I didn't use the word 'Dog". It was a person that I didn't think could pull off an emotive portrait so I passed on him/her. I saw the same person in another shooters folio and about lost my teeth. Pissed me off so much I bit myself on the arm and drew blood. I'm supposed to be able to see and I can't sometimes.

Bob Randall Photography wrote:
of poor judgment when selecting models to work with. Do you see their likeness in a folio and say to yourself, "I can't work with this dog", and then two weeks later a photographer that you respect has posted new pictures with that "dog" model center stage and they are so awesome and that "dog" model is so different looking you wonder why you didn't see it too.

What do you do about it?

You DOG. 

I wish I could help you,  but ,  some things come with experience.
(just teasing)

CareLyn Anita wrote:
Too much light makes the baby go blind...

I am only posting here because i was born with a guilty conscience so i am thinking i must be....

it say are you guilty , my anwser is always "Yes ....But....."

This I am not guilty of though....

Since we have talked of a shoot, I thought you were thinking I was thinking that you were thinking I was thinking of you.

Frank McAdam wrote:
I ALWAYS try to meet with a model before scheduling a shoot, and I always ask her to bring her portfolio along.  While making conversation, I watch the model's face from different angles to try to visualize how she would look in my own photographs.  After 30 years doing this, I can get a pretty good idea after 10 minutes how well a given model would work with my own style.  Although there may always, of course, be a model I miss out on because she has such terrible, non-representative photos in her MM or OMP port that I don't contact her in the first place, I still have plenty of models to work with who look great with my style of photography.  One thing to remember -- when meeting with the model, don't allow yourself to be swayed by her personality (unless she's nasty and full of attitudes, in which case, just get away as fast as you can).  Instead, just try to concentrate on how she looks rather than how she sounds.  There are many very cool models I've met who are fun people and have great personality but with whom I did not schedule a shoot because their looks didn't fit my style.

I think for you this works. I think for me it represents the problem to a focal point.

What if that outrageous bitch, while being a bitch, is just perfect for you. What if you couldn't see it in her folio, online or paper. What if that other photographer did see it and exploited the piss out of that bitchy look and got shots you only dream of but can't do because you miss seeing the potential in everyone.

Jana Brazilian wrote:
That is what Biz Markie was talkin bout when he said "They caught the vapors"

What?

Bob Randall Photography wrote:
I think for you this works. I think for me it represents the problem to a focal point.

What if that outrageous bitch, while being a bitch, is just perfect for you. What if you couldn't see it in her folio, online or paper. What if that other photographer did see it and exploited the piss out of that bitchy look and got shots you only dream of but can't do because you miss seeing the potential in everyone.

Believe it or not, Bob, I'd pass.  Dedicated as I am to photography, there's no way I'm going to put up with attitudes and nasty behavior from any model.  I don't care how much she's willing to pay or how great a photo I could get shooting her, it just isn't worth it to me.  I'll show her the door every time.  If nothing else, it's a question of self-respect.  I try to be polite and professional with every model I work with, and I don't think it's too much to expect the same in return.  Let some other photographer shoot her and get a great photograph.  Surely, there are enough models in NYC (Chicago in your case) who are attractive and fun to work with that we can get our best work done without having to put up with warped personalities. 

Incidentally, and perhaps it's just coincidence, but I always found it's the most beautiful women who have the least attitudes and who are the most professional to work with.

Bob Randall Photography wrote:
of poor judgment when selecting models to work with. Do you see their likeness in a folio and say to yourself, "I can't work with this dog", and then two weeks later a photographer that you respect has posted new pictures with that "dog" model center stage and they are so awesome and that "dog" model is so different looking you wonder why you didn't see it too.

What do you do about it?

I dont think you're wrong....if she hasnt taken a good photo there is a reason. it might be her it might be the photographer, it might be the team....I personally would wait and let her prove she can get a good shot with someone before taking my chances but then thats a catch 22 for the model, not really fair but then I'm not into risk with time right now and making life fair for everyone isnt my job.  If you have time to chance it....take the chance, if not wait until you see for sure she can take a good shot before shooting her.

Some people are gamblers, some people arent, just be prepared to lose if you shoot with someone that never taken a decent shot.   I have shot with some very beautiful women that cant get a good shot after a full day of shooting, its like pulling teeth but more painful.

I do understand that now you know she can take a good shot....so work with her now.

Mary wrote:
I do understand that now you know she can take a good shot....so work with her now.

That's just it, Now I know. Why didn't I know before now. I hate all this thinking shit!

MalameelPhotography wrote:
Usually it is the other way around, the port shows a much more interesting model and then that person shows up and the first thing you realize is that person should come with a free copy of photoshop, even after a MUA has taken a long sigh.

I read these forums just to see quotes like this.  The next time I have a shoot with a model like that, I'll be chuckling to myself, thinking, "this girl should come with a free copy of photoshop".

LOL

Bob Randall Photography wrote:
of poor judgment when selecting models to work with. Do you see their likeness in a folio and say to yourself, "I can't work with this dog", and then two weeks later a photographer that you respect has posted new pictures with that "dog" model center stage and they are so awesome and that "dog" model is so different looking you wonder why you didn't see it too.

What do you do about it?

this is an interesting thread...I guess, from my point of view...just like some models are inexperienced, some photographers are inexperienced and maybe that model wasn't captured in the best light by that photographer and may not have posted the best pictures to display her actual likeness...don't feel guilty.....you were going by what you saw...and now that you have evidence that this model has more potential...go for it...see what kind of work you can do with the model...believe me...I've taken different work of each photographer that I have worked with and compared it...and although some of them have excellent work.....they are each still very different...and in the same sense...there are others I have worked with and they just absolutely suck...It's not a mistake or anything to feel guilty about...you made a judgement on what was in front of you...

gdsandy wrote:
Oh no a mind reader ruuuuuun.

I am also guilty of selecing a model based on a great picture by a photographer of superior talent and then having to make the best of it when the model shows up.  I suppose the great photographers don't have this problem :-(

People see different things and different potential...one focal point and idea of beauty may lie in eyes...where as another photographer may focus on things like facial structure...etc, so it all goes back to the cliche' that BEAUTY LIES IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER...you may just capture and focus on an image or model from a different point of view...