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How to tell a photog "no" when you aren't intere..
How do you tell a photographer "no" when you aren't interested in shooting with them? This is a little problem for me right now as a photographer isn't getting the hint by me not replying to his message... I LIKE BEING NICE so, nice suggestions please. It's bugging the crap out of me though. His pictures are mostly nude/glamour, and a little bit risque. His grammar is HORRIBLE and I just.. no. Nov 14 12 02:43 am Link I understand your dilemma and I'm glad to you're asking for suggestions. Here on MM, to many, a no response is an answer... "no". Some of us don't subscribe to that notion and would rather get a definitive answer. I would suggest saying to the photographer, I am not interested. If he persists, you don't have to keep responding (in my opinion). I've heard from some models that by saying no, it starts a war of words, so to speak, mainly from the rejected person. If that does happen, then a no answer may be the way to go. Good luck. Nov 14 12 02:58 am Link hs photography wrote: Thanks I might need it. My goal is just to be as respectful as possible and be very kind and all that good stuff. Ugh. Nov 14 12 03:01 am Link This is something I always struggle with. I tend to say something vague like, "I'm really sorry I'm very busy at the moment and don't have the time but thanks for your message". Or in your case if it's the style that you don't like you can say something along the lines of "I'm sorry, I'm not interested in your style of photography", although then you always run the risk of them coming back and saying that they do a whole range of styles. In your specific case if the guy is not giving up, probably best just to send a polite but blunt message saying that you are not interested in working with him. It's hard but sometimes honesty is the best policy (I know it's a cliche) Nov 14 12 03:03 am Link _ Robyn Elizabeth _ wrote: It's not cliche it's just a PAIN IN THE FRIGGIN BUTT! hahaha Nov 14 12 03:05 am Link Be professional, and send him a polite message saying thank you, but you're not interested. By being clear and concise, you don't have to worry about anyone "taking a hint." Nov 14 12 03:06 am Link Be honest and polite and professional: 'Thank you for your interest but I don't believe shooting with you would produce images that would benefit my portfolio.' Nov 14 12 03:06 am Link Tell him you are not interested in working with him at this time. Or you could just tell him NO... after that CAM him if he still doesn't get the hint. Nov 14 12 03:09 am Link Drew Smith Photography wrote: It's so hard to do that though as it's basically saying you're not good enough and from a personally point of view, I don't want my replies to discourage people. Nov 14 12 03:13 am Link 1. Inform him that you are only shooting for specific projects and jobs at the moment and do not have time. 2. Say you appreciate his art, but it isn't your style. Nothing personal - you just don't think you would be a fitting model for him. There are other things you can do, but I don't recommend them... they're in the realm of offering really really really high rates that no sane person would ever pay, blocking him, and otherwise. These methods do work, but I've heard mixed reviews from people who practice them saying it tends to sour that photographer to them. ~~~ As an aside, you can be honest without being cruel. You could always say you aren't interested and politely ask for him to not contact you anymore. Clarify it isn't about him - you just feel your creative visions do not mesh and you aren't willing to work around it. Nov 14 12 03:16 am Link _ Robyn Elizabeth _ wrote: But this is what you told me when I begged to work with you! Nov 14 12 03:16 am Link Drew Smith Photography wrote: Really? But your work is great, I would love to work with you. Had I gone insane for a day? I guess it does lead to the possibility of confusing genuine lack of time with fob-off excuses. Hmm, yeah okay, manning up and being honest is the best policy. Nov 14 12 03:20 am Link "Sorry, but although your work is nice I am really not interested in shooting in this genre at the moment, either for trade or on a paid basis. " If he keeps sending you messages after that, just delete them without reading them as you have already said everything you need to say. Just my $0.02 Ciao Stefano www.stefanobrunesci.com Nov 14 12 03:25 am Link _ Robyn Elizabeth _ wrote: LOL - Robyn, I was joking (hence smiley face). Nov 14 12 03:27 am Link You don't want to hurt someone's feelings, and that's understandable. Your first response should be a polite "Your style doesn't really suit me. But thank you for your interest." If he wants to argue about it, then you follow up with "I'm really not interested. Thank you." Now the message is unambiguous. After that, ignore him, CAM him on MM, block his email or his phone number. I've had models turn me down, and I've turned down some that I didn't think would benefit my portfolio. So far I haven't had any problems. Best of luck! DCP Nov 14 12 03:33 am Link Drew Smith Photography wrote: You know I have never been to Nottingham.... Nov 14 12 03:47 am Link Say no thank you, I'm not interested. Nov 14 12 03:52 am Link JacquelineXx wrote: It looks like you already know how. adding a "thank you" would make it polite. Nov 14 12 04:02 am Link Some guys just can't take no for an answer. Try one of the suggestions above and then block him. If he didn't take the hint from a no response, I doubt he'll go away quietly with a no thank you. Nov 14 12 04:12 am Link -B-R-U-N-E-S-C-I- wrote: Listen to this man Nov 14 12 04:19 am Link For me a simple "No thank you" will suffice. Nov 14 12 04:20 am Link JacquelineXx wrote: The nicest thing you can do is tell him "Hi XXX, I am not interested, thanks". Nov 14 12 04:32 am Link "Thank you for wanting to shoot with me but, at this time, I am directing myself towards projects that are of a different nature than those in your portfolio." Nov 14 12 04:35 am Link John Malloch Caldwell wrote: Direct and to the point. Works for me. I'd really rather someone said no than nothing at all. Nov 14 12 04:45 am Link 1. You're work doesn't compliment mine, if we can arrive at a similar wavelength, a collaboration might be cool, (they'll take photo's more suited to you're taste). 2. I'm really busy now with work, collaboration with other photog's for the next 2-3 weeks, (in the hope he/she moves on). 3. F*** off, I don't want to work with you how many times do I have to say it, (This might not go down very well, exercise with caution) Nov 14 12 04:54 am Link There are a number of ways to handle this. All of them can be nice and neat. If they contact you and you say you're not interested but they persist, you can say: 1. I've already said I'm not interested. I didn't stutter. What part don't you get? 2. I've already said I'm not interested in this project. Block their dumb @$$! 3. Don't say anything ... just click the new "flag a PM" feature link. 4. Don't say anything ... just block them. 5. Okay ... I'll shoot this project with you. Since I'm not interested, you'll have to pay me $1 mil/hour with a 2 hour minimum. You're buying lunch, too. Nov 14 12 04:57 am Link The same way you tell a waiter you don't want an appetizer when they suggest one. This isn't brain surgery. Nov 14 12 05:04 am Link JacquelineXx wrote: When did saying "no" stop being nice? Not answering a message, that's rude. You can toss in a line about his portfolio doesn't reflect anything you have a desire to shoot and wish him the best of luck in his collaboration with other models that share his creative vision. Nov 14 12 05:06 am Link "Now, don't get butthurt, but your grammar is HORRIBLE, and your photos make me want to vomit, so no, I do not want to work with you ever" Thank you, love and kisses, JacquelineXx P.S. Only kidding. Do what all of the above has said! Nov 14 12 05:16 am Link No reply is a answer. I know I get no reply's from models posting for a photographer. Then I just move on. So don't worry about it! Nov 14 12 05:26 am Link JacquelineXx wrote: If you've ALREADY told them your answer, why not just stop communicating w/ them? Nov 14 12 05:45 am Link Most reasonable people get the hint when you do not respond to the 1st contact. In cases where I get a 3rd attempt, I then step in with a clear message that I am not interested. Nov 14 12 05:51 am Link This site has a block feature Use it!!! Nov 14 12 05:51 am Link maybe there should be a "sticky thread" on this subject on MM, as there is another current thread from a photographer asking how to say "no" to a model. Polite, professional and not vague is the way to go. Nov 14 12 06:11 am Link Flag his messages and block him (like most agreed) unless its me then you should shoot with me ASAP! LOL J/K Nov 14 12 06:20 am Link JacquelineXx wrote: No thank you. Nov 14 12 06:22 am Link eekimelphoto wrote: I'd skip the part about his port as well. If PART of what he does isn't appealing, and the rest is, maybe say what you're OK with shooting, but if nothing is, it doesn't really accomplish much to say so. Nov 14 12 06:23 am Link JacquelineXx wrote: geeze, no one ever has a problem telling me they aren't interested... Nov 14 12 06:27 am Link JonSeneca wrote: +1. I don't like to give specifics, there is no need to. Nov 14 12 06:28 am Link It's very nice that you want to be polite and not offend the photographer, however, some of us (guy and photographers) can be a little dense so I agree that the best action is to be pretty direct. "I don't feel that your style will work with me. Thank for the offer but I am not interested in working with you. I insist that you stop calling (texting, emailing...) me." If that doesn't work then you have to block him and IF he is "stalking you" report him to police. Nov 14 12 06:30 am Link |