hbutz New York wrote:
Why does work need to be "enjoyable?"

Because if it is not, then we don't book those clients again.

For the most part everything that models are requesting for a pleasant work environment, fall under US Labor Law...
People seem to run businesses each & every day, yet when the words "creative" is used, all common sense goes right out the window.

Ionalynn wrote:

Because if it is not, then we don't book those clients again.

For the most part everything that models are requesting for a pleasant work environment, fall under US Labor Law...
People seem to run businesses each & every day, yet when the words "creative" is used, all common sense goes right out the window.

"safe and healthy working conditions" is enforced by the Department of Labor, not "enjoyable."

hbutz New York wrote:
Why does work need to be "enjoyable?"

It doesn't, but I do find that most models -- like most employed persons in general -- do their best work when they are at least comfortable, even if they do not find the work itself enjoyable.

Alexandra Vincent wrote:
- Photographer initially contacts model in a simple, concise way and addresses all shoot specifics within the first couple of emails: what genre? What compensation? Where and what time of day? Photographer provides a phone number, address to meet at and rapidly responds with direct answers to specific questions.

- If shoot is indoors, the space is clean, sanitary and plumbing works (yes, I've shot in the homes of hoarders and it's a terrible experience. You grin and bear it until it's over, then go and scrub your body in scalding hot water). If shoot is outdoors or on-location, it has been scouted in advance, is free of poison oak/ivy and generally safe. I've also worked in numerous abandoned buildings, which is fine, but the photographer should establish in advance that the floors are safe to walk on.

- Compensation was provided promptly, and as agreed upon. If compensation was in the form of photos, then within about 2-3 weeks' time. If compensation was money, then exact amount agreed upon at the end of the shoot after paperwork is wrapped up. No ifs, ands or buts.

- Photographer is a polite person, who is generally respectful and avoids use of terms like, "honey," "baby" and "sweetheart," when referring to the subject. Photographer avoids use of racial slurs, hateful speech, or just inappropriate talk in general. It's a professional environment. We are people at work, and prefer to be treated as such.

This covers all of the essentials. There are a few more small things like providing bottled water, which some models will tell you is not necessary, but others appreciate very much after they have been working under the lights for a few hours.

GoldRoseMedia wrote:
This covers all of the essentials. There are a few more small things like providing bottled water, which some models will tell you is not necessary, but others appreciate very much after they have been working under the lights for a few hours.

I thought the mindset under the prevailing culture was not to accept any drinks or snacks provided by a tog since they would be laced with drugs ?

Brooklyn Bridge Images wrote:

I thought the mindset under the prevailing culture was not to accept any drinks or snacks provided by a tog since they would be laced with drugs ?

I offer bottled water to every model and the majority of them accept it. If I pick up a paranoid vibe from the model during pre-shoot communication, we will probably never get as far as scheduling a shoot date.

GoldRoseMedia wrote:
This covers all of the essentials. There are a few more small things like providing bottled water, which some models will tell you is not necessary, but others appreciate very much after they have been working under the lights for a few hours.

Brooklyn Bridge Images wrote:
I thought the mindset under the prevailing culture was not to accept any drinks or snacks provided by a tog since they would be laced with drugs ?

Being told "Here drink this" & handed a glass of booze is very different than being told "Here is the craft table, enjoy" that has a few bottled waters sodas & granola or protein bars.

hbutz New York wrote:
Why does work need to be "enjoyable?"

A photo session is a business function, whether it be a commercial or TF* shoot. Not a social function. Enjoyable?, this should not even be considered. Professionalism, honesty, comfortable environment and setting to me are the main ingredients of a good photo shoot. Be warm and cognizant of the model's needs and stay on course with what is supposed to be the final product of the shoot.

GoldRoseMedia wrote:
This covers all of the essentials. There are a few more small things like providing bottled water, which some models will tell you is not necessary, but others appreciate very much after they have been working under the lights for a few hours.

Brooklyn Bridge Images wrote:
I thought the mindset under the prevailing culture was not to accept any drinks or snacks provided by a tog since they would be laced with drugs ?

This morning, I drank water out of the Brita pitcher at a photographer's home.

Not only did I not instantly fall over dead, I also successfully drove the 3 hours back home, and am sitting on my couch eating a burrito.

Shocking.

hbutz New York wrote:
Why does work need to be "enjoyable?"

Find what you love to do. Find a way to make money doing it and you'll never work a day in your life.

Alexandra Vincent wrote:

This morning, I drank water out of the Brita pitcher at a photographer's home.

Not only did I not instantly fall over dead, I also successfully drove the 3 hours back home, and am sitting on my couch eating a burrito.

Shocking.

It was laced with a slow acting poison. Like, really slow. Like, sixty years slow. You don't know it yet, but you're already dying.

It never occurred to me until I read similar concerns here on MM that someone might be worried about me poisoning them. I started buying bottled water for models' use. Some are amused, some are appreciative. Either way works for me.

A Thousand Words  wrote:

Find what you love to do. Find a way to make money doing it and you'll never work a day in your life.

That would make you one of the lucky 15% in the workforce of this country.  The other 85% hate their jobs.  We all love to pamper models and put out milk and cookies for them.  Once they retire from modeling, the "real world" is going to be a rude awakening.

https://returntonow.net/2017/09/22/85-p … poll-says/

AgX wrote:
It was laced with a slow acting poison. Like, really slow. Like, sixty years slow. You don't know it yet, but you're already dying.

It never occurred to me until I read similar concerns here on MM that someone might be worried about me poisoning them. I started buying bottled water for models' use. Some are amused, some are appreciative. Either way works for me.

MM "problems" are like "first world problems."

In other words, not actual problems.

Considering you've had multiple chances to poison me, yet I remain notably robust, does this mean you universally prefer the slow-acting poison? 🤣

Alexandra Vincent wrote:
MM "problems" are like "first world problems."

In other words, not actual problems.

Considering you've had multiple chances to poison me, yet I remain notably robust, does this mean you universally prefer the slow-acting poison? 🤣

I'm a scientist, so I know how to do these things. No one will suspect me when your demise occurs multiple decades after our last shoot. 'Tis the perfect crime.

To the OP, while I'm not a model, I've worked with enough of them to deduce that they're individuals. You're not likely to find a universal set of things that everyone finds enjoyable during the shoot. Some like it cold, others warm. Some like silence, some music, some really bad music. For every "photographers should provide...", I've shot enough people who are the exception to the rule that there are no rules, other than mutual respect.

hbutz New York wrote:
We all love to pamper models and put out milk and cookies for them.

Milk and cookies!

hbutz New York wrote:
Why does work need to be "enjoyable?"

Why does food have to taste good?
It really doesn't have to but most folks are more likely to eat it if it does.

Similarly, if work is enjoyable, people are much more likely to do it and do it well than they are if it is not.

PhotoACR wrote:
A photo session is a business function, whether it be a commercial or TF* shoot. Not a social function. Enjoyable?, this should not even be considered. Professionalism, honesty, comfortable environment and setting to me are the main ingredients of a good photo shoot. Be warm and cognizant of the model's needs and stay on course with what is supposed to be the final product of the shoot.

I disagree very strongly with the first part.  At least here on MM a photoshoot is at least partly a social function, if for no other reason because so much of what we do is 'personal" not "professional' in that we are doing it primarily for our own enjoyment rather than as a method of earning our livelihood.  Indeed, in the most successful companies, making the job more enjoyable for the worker, consistent with getting the work out and properly done, is one of the major concerns of large parts of senior staff.  Why?  Because if the employee enjoys what he does he is likely to do it better, with fewer errors and therefore more profitability for the employer than is the case if he does not.  I agree with the last two sentences but hold that they are only the beginning of a mutually profitable employee/employer relationship.  The true professional does more.

All IMHO as always, of course.

hbutz New York wrote:
That would make you one of the lucky 15% in the workforce of this country.  The other 85% hate their jobs.

That assumes all industries approach work and workplace morale the same way. They don't.

Do 85% of the models you've worked with hate working with you?

Rays Fine Art wrote:
At least here on MM a photoshoot is at least partly a social function, if for no other reason because so much of what we do is 'personal" not "professional' in that we are doing it primarily for our own enjoyment rather than as a method of earning our livelihood.  Indeed, in the most successful companies, making the job more enjoyable for the worker, consistent with getting the work out and properly done, is one of the major concerns of large parts of senior staff.  Why?  Because if the employee enjoys what he does he is likely to do it better, with fewer errors and therefore more profitability for the employer than is the case if he does not.  I agree with the last two sentences but hold that they are only the beginning of a mutually profitable employee/employer relationship.  The true professional does more.

All IMHO as always, of course.

The enjoyment is in the collaboration of creativity in a polite and professional manner. Including the planning and the expected outcome of the shoot. Even if it is a TF* or a test shoot. The satisfaction is to have a product that was well planned and executed. Somehow I fail to correlate how an intimate setting of a photo shoot made up of artists who want to be there and know their roles be compared to a major company.

Orca Bay Images wrote:

That assumes all industries approach work and workplace morale the same way. They don't.

Do 85% of the models you've worked with hate working with you?

Quality images come from contented models.  It is not possible to take a decent photograph of a model who hates the work.  I learnt this offering modeling work to escorts on backpage - they took the money, did the job, but hated the work.

Entering into a job situation where you are paid to work yet insist that the work be "enjoyable" according to your own standards is a Millennial attitude.

https://youtu.be/Uo0KjdDJr1c

hbutz New York wrote:
Why does work need to be "enjoyable?"

doesn't..but unless you are after 'scowlface' pix ..it's best to make their time with you as enjoyable as you can

Victoria Morrisa wrote:
Trust and comfort with everyone involved.

...and there it is.