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Model No Shows
Model doesn’t show for shoot....after regular contact up to the shoot day itself and then model doesn’t call, txt to inform me ahead of time. Shrug shoulders, move along (practicing my self-talk to get me through this all too frequent occurrence) Any other suggestions? Jan 23 20 05:33 pm Link Changing Perspective wrote: Nothing except learn from the experience. Jan 23 20 05:39 pm Link Changing Perspective wrote: See the mm counselor. Dm for directions. Jan 23 20 06:31 pm Link I have had a few flakes in my time and learned that its always good to have a back up plan ie check out that new restuarant you have heard good things about . go see a movie etc Jan 23 20 07:36 pm Link Changing Perspective wrote: I attempt to contact the model a couple of days ahead of the shoot, to re-confirm the date, time, and place. If I do not hear back from them, chances are the shoot will not happen. This does not eliminate the no-shows, but it does help to reduce them. If they never reply, I'm more prepared that they will not be showing up. Jan 23 20 08:04 pm Link One for the lose column. The only suggestion I have is is to make certain the person You are communicating with is the person You believe them to be, the internet can be a strange place. Other than that there's really not much You can do. Keep moving, think twice before giving any second opportunities. fwiw Jan 24 20 01:08 am Link Appreciate the feedback and suggestions...almost all of which I do. At least no one suggested I bang my head against a wall (another course of action I've been considering  )Jan 24 20 11:30 am Link Changing Perspective wrote: It's a lot less painful to vet the model, set up shoots that lessen the impact of a flakeout, and recognize some red flags that can suggest the an increased possibility of a flakeout. Jan 24 20 12:40 pm Link Orca Bay Images wrote: Here are the steps I took in this case (and in some variation with all models): Jan 25 20 11:51 am Link In my experience, as a hobbyist, I had different issues than shooters trying to earn a living. As a hobbyist- the models know the shoots are not earth shaking important- and they tend to treat it that way. No big client to disappoint, just some idiot with a camera and too much time on his hands. No real consequences for the model if the shoot is skipped. One of the FEW advantages of shooting out of a home studio- when the inevitable no-show happens, you can just turn off the lights, close the door and go bake some cookies or something. As for banging your head against the wall for no-shows- Tried it years ago, only results- a headache and a wall that needed repair. Didnt seem to have ANY impact on the model no-shows. It sounds like you are doing most of the things that can reasonably be done to avoid no-shows. The standard advice, if a shoot is really important- hire an agency model. Sometimes that works for your shoot, sometimes not. Some will also say paying models rather than trade shoots will cut down on the no-shows. I cant say either way. I have had no-shows from both paid and trade models. I dont think there is any one answer- no magic bullet. You are working with independent contractors, who have their own ways of doing business. I was lucky enough to work with some very lovely, very talented people while I was shooting- and I remember them well. The no-shows? cant name one. Jan 25 20 01:12 pm Link Most of the models you'll find on sites like these are hobbyists. They do this for a few weeks or months and stop. Some start again but a lot don't. Are there some red flags, sure but I've had models who gave red flags and more and showed on time and others who have not. Never make it personal. Never take it personal. A few tips. Offer to pick models up especially if your planned location isn't easy to get too. Some models don't have cars or reliable transportation. While some may refuse many may appreciate the offer. Models often don't have clothes at least new things they might want to pose in. Sites like this have excellent prices on fun pieces. https://www.dresshead.com/ Buy a few things and offer to let the models keep what they pose in. None of us can make anyone reliable. I ask that models text or email me the day of a planned session. Nothing from them a few hours ahead of the shoot and I assume its not going to happen. Jan 25 20 03:13 pm Link Changing Perspective wrote: That's a pretty good list of vetting criteria, but I look for more, mostly about impulsivness, delusionality, inattention to detail, and outright fear. Jan 25 20 03:34 pm Link In addition to Orca Bay's excellent advice, I offer a couple more thoughts. Try to meet the model before the day of the shoot. I find that once I am "real" to the model the likelihood of flaking goes down. This is not always feasible, especially for traveling models. But it does help and traveling models will have a list of references you can contact. Plus she is unlikely to take on the expense of traveling without doing shoots to finance the trip. If it is a critical shoot, never book a model you have never worked with before. Also consider arranging for a back up model. Offer the back up model a little money for her time to be "on call" and if you need to bring her in to the shoot then she gets whatever compensation you were going to provide (be it money or photos). Alternatively, consider booking two or more shoots per day. As you shoot with one model the stylists are working with the next one. If a model flakes you can call one of the other scheduled models and ask if she is available to come in earlier. Jan 26 20 05:45 am Link Back when I was an active body painter I had a few no shows that stood out. After building props, lining up Photogs, Hair Stylist Food and not to mention Paint...they contacted me days later like everything is ok. Sad that some models chose to kill their careers by not being professional and the result is being Black Balled. Feb 27 20 07:30 pm Link Plan B:Book multi models Though I admit this plan has failed as well Feb 27 20 07:43 pm Link Had one cancel morning of saying her daughter was in the hospital yet she was back at work the next day like everything was fine. She confirmed she was shoot, she was good to go. Had on that flaked out on my twice, was puking the morning of the shoot and then her dog was sick a few days later. I was traveling and missed out on other shoots. I don't get it, don't waste my time. Feb 27 20 07:45 pm Link Had one cancel morning of saying her daughter was in the hospital yet she was back at work the next day like everything was fine. She confirmed she was shoot, she was good to go. Had on that flaked out on my twice, was puking the morning of the shoot and then her dog was sick a few days later. I was traveling and missed out on other shoots. I don't get it, don't waste my time. Feb 27 20 07:45 pm Link We have a Facebook Group called "Michigan Photographer and Model Reference Group" where we collectively report unprofessional people in the industry. It can help avoid repeat problems. Feb 27 20 11:38 pm Link I've learned to book more than 1 model. Just yesterday I had 2 models booked. One showed up and one didn't. Guess what...I gave the one that showed up a little more $$ because 1. She showed up. 2. She was awesome to work with and 3. She is relatively close and we will be shooting again and I know she will show. I try to work with models who I have built a working relationship with. I can call 4-5 different ones now and all would show if they said they would. Feb 29 20 08:47 am Link Loki Studio wrote: I wish there was a group like that where I live. Feb 29 20 08:48 am Link Just had one the other day myself. With time, you begin to see the warning signs. This model would take days to reply to my messages, never sent any photos of the outfit she wanted to wear (She asked about shooting in, which was the reason for the shoot) So the morning of the shoot, I was sitting there in my PJ's playing play station 20 mins before I was suppose to leave. Wouldn't you know it.. she texted back she was sick. Mar 01 20 03:39 am Link I flat out refuse to even consider local ‘talent’ here in Hawaii. I fly talent in, instead. The reason being twofold. 1. The local poverty level is high and it has sparked a surge in fake Instagram models. The local girls are playing the model card to simply make a buck. 2. The work ethic of the locals is extremely subpar. Citing my #1, nearly all of them will flake and result in a no-show despite entering the hustle to make a buck. So it’s really a profound lack of work ethic. Given this, I elect to fly talent in from outside the islands. You will probably have better luck by doing the same. Find a legit model who takes his or her craft seriously. Fly them in and compensate them. You’ll be guaranteed a great shoot and it’s an opportunity to shine and get a great review from your talent. Side note: paying for top shelf talent also comes with its own rewards such as great skin on your subject; which means less time in post. Efficiency, as well, since their pose game will be far superior than most of your local talent. Mar 01 20 11:05 pm Link Confirmations help, which you are already doing. The bottom line is if booking independent models, you just don't get the reliability you do with agency models. There isn't the same accountability. My strategy is to accept that flaking will happen. I never put myself in a pressure situation and never invest anything in a shoot I'm not willing to lose. I never give up anything else important for a shoot which may not happen and I make alternative plans for my time. If the model shows, I consider it a bonus. Mar 02 20 10:28 am Link Seems like maybe there are three kinds of models: "flakey", professional, and in-between. I am reminded of a famous quote from realist nude painter, Phillip Pearlstein: "The best model is the one that rings the doorbell." But Pearlstein never did pinup, glamour types, just bored models lying around the floor of his studio for hours. Guy's still around! He's 95. Mar 03 20 07:20 am Link I actually had a model text me that she was on the train from the suburbs and when I went to the platform to meet her, she wasn’t there. Fortunately, my studio is right across from the station, and is only a block from my house. I go to every session with a new model expecting her not to show. I have plenty of other art projects to keep me busy, and I’m taking fiddle lessons, so the extra time gives me a chance to practice. I pay models, so there is some comfort in thinking about the money I just saved. And a no-show model makes me really appreciate the dependable models I’ve worked with in the past. If the model does show up, it’s always a delightful surprise! Mar 08 20 01:16 pm Link rowdan2020 wrote: I shoot pin up, glamour, all sorts of erotic stuff, lots of models have rung my doorbell, thousands. It is not the content, it is how you build relationships with models and the entire art community. Mar 08 20 05:59 pm Link Carle Photo wrote: Hmmm... we mere mortals often struggle with getting models to show. I used to take it personally until I heard from a former member. She has been published in lots of magazines. She's been featured on TV and she is one of the best known fashion photographers in the world. She was here when MM started for a hot minute and offered free test shoots in NY at her studio. Models from this site flaked. This a person who shoots agency models. If only she created an experience the model had to have or photos she/he couldn't pass up. Mar 08 20 08:44 pm Link I am currently in a location rampant with models who approach it as a hobby rather than a passion or career path, which is strange because I live 8 minutes from a world renowned modeling agency. (Not currently in LA). Most, but not all bad experiences I have had recently with local models were on planned trade shoots. One model/situation that sticks out in my mind (that was a great test of patience) was a planned trade shoot a couple summers ago. We had refined plans for a couple of weeks to get everything prepared for an outdoor shoot in nature. I had everything set up the night before, cards formatted, batteries charged, gear packed and ready to meet up for our shoot. Since we were planning on meeting late in the afternoon/evening to capture light in the golden hour, I had taken care of an obligation with family out of town that morning and cut my family time short for the shoot. I was an hour and a half out of two into the return trip, driving back into town with ample time to meet up when I got a text from the model saying that she didn't feel like shooting because it was too hot out and that she was just going to stay in and watch TV. Another local model expressed great excitement on shooting together and went out of her way to make plans, only to cancel them due to a last minute emergency. I understood and we rescheduled for a couple weeks later. At that time, some other thing came up at the last minute and she canceled again. We rescheduled again and the third time she canceled day-of, (this time because her family was in town) I politely told her that I was no longer interested in shooting together. I believe in showing manners even when people bail on you and am respectful when I let models know that I am no longer interested in shooting together due to not showing and am surprised how vile people can get when I politely thank them for their time but feel we are not a good match. The only thing I feel you can really do is to make note of warning signs and just not pursue someone who flakes after they have shown you. My recommendation is to give someone a chance, but keep an eye out for signs. It has gotten to the point for me that if I am planning a shoot with a model and they ghost mid-conversation with no warning and reply the next day or days later as if nothing happened, I take that as evidence that they did not value my time and would not be serious about a shoot. It happened a couple months ago with a model I was very interested in shooting, but I am looking for models who share a passion and approach it with professionalism. Paid shoots on the other hand are completely different. I never hire a model for a paid shoot that I have not worked with on a trade/test shoot first unless they are hiring me directly. In that case, I request a deposit. If I need a model for a lifestyle, product, or apparel shoot, I will contact a model I have worked with before and I know I can trust. Mar 08 20 10:09 pm Link Tony Lawrence wrote: Well put, Tony! Mar 09 20 11:57 pm Link In 2004 I had a commercial shoot to do and chose a model I had wanted to work with for a long time. She agreed to all the terms and we chose a date. She agreed.This was a new client that openly told me that if we met his deadline there would be alot more jobs. I paid for hotel rooms and traveled with a mua and assistant from Atlanta to Madison Wisconsin. Called the model when I arrived the day before the shoot and she confirmed and was excited to do the shoot and good pay day for us all. On the day of the shoot she never showed, would not answer her phone and it wasn't until that night that she returned my call. Her excuse was (as though I really cared) was that her husband left early that morning to go hunting and she didn't have a baby sitter and no gas in her car. I told her we could have worked it out. She just said "sorry." Because I was out money for my assistant, mua, hotels, gas, lost client and future jobs I filed a lawsuit against her. I won. When the judge asked her why she didn't call me that day and explain her situation or make other arrangements with me her reply was, "I didn't feel I had to.....it's only modeling." Mar 21 20 08:38 am Link adding some controversy -- how desperate a photographer could be to shoot? did anyone (fluent in Russian or Polish, or capable to watch with subtitles) watch the following horror movie https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9715742/ ? this is a Russian thriller flick with their leading modern actor (as a crazy maniac photographer) and Polish actress Maja Szopa https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9715742/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0 it's not your vanilla "50 shades of gray". May 23 20 03:09 pm Link
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Reason: outing Jan 15 21 11:23 pm Link Naming and shaming is not allowed here. If you have problems with other members contact a mod. https://www.modelmayhem.com/contactamod Jan 16 21 01:25 am Link When you find reliable people you put them on your list. Don't trust never worked with before for something important unless you have very good reason to think they are reliable. I have not gotten a flake in a long time. Now I just get models who just don't respond to inquires, not even to say, no thank you I'm not interested. When they don't respond I never try them a second time. They just go in the trash bin. Sometimes you may get a response that gives you a clue not to go any further. Jan 17 21 02:32 pm Link GianCarlo Images wrote: That seems to be the current trend. Jan 17 21 09:35 pm Link PHP-Photography wrote: Not feeling it, perhaps it only made certain photographers obsolete? Jan 18 21 02:16 am Link I, TOO, WOULD LIKE TO ADD - how old this post is. But aren't model no-shows the new form of modeling? The best way to network or continue being a viably hireable commodity is by not communicating or showing up, right? Jan 20 21 01:53 am Link ROUA IMAGES wrote: ahhh, the old supply and demand thing. Jan 20 21 05:04 am Link |
