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How to tell a photog "no" when you aren't intere..
Send a polite no. Then if he keeps trying, just block him. Nov 14 12 06:34 am Link You simply make it about YOUR work and not his. "Thank you but I'm looking for a different direction for my book at this time." Something like that. Don't make it about how his work "wouldn't benefit my port". Nov 14 12 06:35 am Link you said you like to be nice. the most rude thing to do is not respond [not very nice at all]. just say thank-you for the interest but that his style is a little too risque for you. Nov 14 12 06:36 am Link How about "No, thank you." The best and nicest thing you can do (for both of you) is to make it clear that you're not interested - the first time you respond. If you leave any doubt or any opening, it will just be the beginning, not the end of it. Most models just don't respond. If that's not working in this case, maybe you need to be somewhat more direct. (But I'd still go with not responding in future cases. Most people get the message - the first or second time.) No explanation is necessary - but if you feel compelled to give one, you can say that your styles don't match, or that his style isn't the direction in which you want to take your portfolio. Or that you have very limited time for trade work, and that there are more photographers that you'd really like to work with than you have time for. Just be clear. Make sure he understands that you're not interested right off the bat. Once you've done that, ignore any future communiques - and block him if they keep coming. If possible avoid critiquing the photographer's work. Some will take that personally. And don't say that you're really busy for the next few months. If you do that, you'll hear from the photgrapher again - probably in about two weeks. I learned that the hard way (with models). Oh, and one more thing... If you're gonna be in St. Louis - well, you know what to do.  Nov 14 12 06:46 am Link A polite "No, but thank you" should suffice, though if this person is being a pest it may not work. Stating a reason, such as "not my style" can start a debate, or even be taken as an insult. Saying "too busy" just invites them to ask when you will be free. It is safer to stick to a simple no. Nov 14 12 07:01 am Link Polite? I'd rather have a model tell me to go fuck granny's tit than leave me hanging. If the shoot is 3 weeks away, I can't wait around 2 weeks or so to get your hint. Polite is letting the photographer know asap that he needs to keep looking. Nov 14 12 07:31 am Link  at the people WAY over-thinking this, listing multiple possible responses. "No thank you" is the best one, as has been mentioned many times. Why make it so difficult? Nov 14 12 07:57 am Link When declining a shoot offer, I simply cut and paste: Hi, Thank you for your inquiry, however I'm not interested in shooting. I've yet to encounter anyone who misunderstands the message and nobody has every sent an angry reply. Simple and direct is best. Nov 14 12 01:15 pm Link If all else fails.. Restraining Order. Nov 14 12 01:24 pm Link I'll throw my vote in too... Please write back to the photographer and say "no, thank you". I personally appreciate this much better than no answer. There have been a couple of models that wrote back to my request to shoot with them stating they weren't interested and I wrote back that I really appreciated them doing so. I hold these models that said "no" in much higher regard than the ones that just never write back. Nov 14 12 01:27 pm Link OWD LA wrote: +1 Nov 14 12 01:27 pm Link A polite "no thank you," is so much more appreciated than no reply at all. Nov 14 12 01:28 pm Link JacquelineXx wrote: Just say no. You don't even have to give a reason. By not replying, you are making yourself look bad as well (in my book). Nov 14 12 01:30 pm Link He might see this post - that could help you out I say things such as at this point I'm involved with... etc. which is true - involved with other things. It doesn't say 'never' and it also doesn't say you might work with them if they message you more often. Nov 14 12 01:35 pm Link 'No' is just one word, you can always add a 'sorry' and some explanation, but no 2 page story needed Nov 14 12 01:39 pm Link i agree with those who say that "no reply is not good". it's going to be rejection no matter what, but it should be a polite rejection. Nov 14 12 01:42 pm Link Valpo, eh? I grew up in the area... Failing to respond at all initially is unprofessional in my opinion. With no word from you, the photographer might simply assume you're busy, his message is lost in a pile, etc. A simple reply along the lines of not having a look you want to add to your port is fine. Most people should read between the lines on that. "Hi ______, thanks for your interest in shooting with me. After looking at your portfolio, I'm afraid I don't see a look that is in the same direction I'm trying to take my work. I'd rather not disappoint you and suggest you seek out some of the other llamas here on MM, who better match your style. Best wishes!" After that, feel free to ignore anyone who gets upset...keeps bugging you about shooting, whatever. If llamaing is to be a career, treat people well -- even if you don't want to work with them today. You'll not regret it. Nov 14 12 01:55 pm Link _ Robyn Elizabeth _ wrote: Not necessarily saying that they are not good enough, just that you are not interested. Nov 14 12 09:34 pm Link if ignoring them doesn't work you could try sending them your rates. if they get hostile then block and/or CAM them. some guys regress to elementary school maturity when women on here say no to them. sure it stings a little but they need to shake it off and move on. Nov 14 12 09:41 pm Link ChiMo wrote: I tend to be sensitive, and this would not ruffle my feathers. Nov 14 12 09:42 pm Link BlueMoonPics wrote: +1 Nov 14 12 09:46 pm Link JacquelineXx wrote: For me, there is nothing more disrespectful than being ignored. That is why I always respond to a model, even though I may never be interested in working with them. Nov 14 12 09:50 pm Link As others have said, just respond with a "No thank you I am not interested, but I very much appreciate the offer". That's it. very simple, polite, and gets the point across. If this is a person you do not want to work with at all under any circumstances then saying things like, "I am not doing shoots right now, I am busy" etc etc leaves it open to interpret that you would be interested if not for the fact that it is bad timing. If it is someone you would work with if they paid then saying, " Thanks very much for your offer but I am not interested in a TF collaboration, however if you like I would be happy to send you my rates" is polite and to the point. Better to be clear and still polite then leave open for him to interpret a different way. I also believe that not responding is completely rude. Nov 14 12 10:43 pm Link As a photographer, I agree with all those who are saying that you simply say "no". Something to the effect of "Thank you for asking; but, no, I'm not interested." That's not offensive, it's not rude, it's just the reality. I would not take offence at such a response. No competent professional would. It's when you try to find a way to be 'nice' that communication gets messed up. Be clear and direct. The photographer's ego is NOT your problem. Nov 14 12 10:52 pm Link Drew Smith Photography wrote: I think it'd be more beneficial to both parties if this is re-worded to something like. Nov 14 12 10:54 pm Link I agree that is is better to reply than to ignore and that a simple, "Thank you, but no thank you." is all that is necessary. DON'T make up deadlines and schedules and other excuses. If he asks for a reason, just say, you don't feel your styles mesh and that you want to leave it at that. If he contacts you after that, either ask him politely to not contact you further, OR just go ahead and block him. Don't be vague and lead him along or give him false hope, but don't disembowel him either. Nov 14 12 11:03 pm Link just do what all the other models do.. dont respond.. works every time Nov 14 12 11:09 pm Link terrysphotocountry wrote: Absolutely. Nov 14 12 11:13 pm Link block him and don't reply an ever so popular choice on mayhem now. Nov 14 12 11:13 pm Link JacquelineXx wrote: Professionals understand the no word,,, use it,,, If they don't understand still, let the cops explain why they are at their door,,, it is that simple. Nov 14 12 11:30 pm Link JacquelineXx wrote: Take a look at the reply from Nadeshiko Yamato about the same topic: JacquelineXx wrote: But since you don't want shoot with that photographer (i assume regardless the price) you can drop the second part of the answer: Nov 14 12 11:35 pm Link JacquelineXx wrote: to be respectful would be to offer up a kind "no thank you. i'm not interested." to avoid the issue is passive aggressive & non confrontational. Nov 14 12 11:37 pm Link JonSeneca wrote: This. Nov 14 12 11:42 pm Link Or send him a link to this thread. Nov 14 12 11:47 pm Link JacquelineXx wrote: Being nice doesn't mean you can't disappoint someone. You can be polite and nice and still deliver bad news. Nov 15 12 06:54 am Link OWD LA wrote: +1. Nov 15 12 07:29 am Link Suyama Images wrote: I like what you did there. Excellent. Nov 15 12 07:33 am Link JacquelineXx wrote: Don't make "hints" - just say no. A polite "no" is not an offense. Nov 15 12 07:37 am Link You know what would be really cool? If a model simply REPLIED to a request to work together. I don't care if it's "yes, I'd love to", or "no, thank you," but never responding when I can tell my message has been read is just, well, kind of disrespectful. -Joe Nov 15 12 09:16 am Link TomFRohwer wrote: I agree completely with this. Nov 15 12 09:17 am Link |
