I have a tendancy to keep plugging away, so I appreciate it if a model will suggest a break if she feels the need. Needn't be anything formal, just changing sets will usually give the model a few moments to relax, but taking 5 or 10 minutes for a snack or even just a little gossip time is not at all an imposition.
any shoot longer than 3 hours i definitely need a break, at least for 10 minutes or so. it gets exhausting mentally and physically, i don't see how i could create quality work if i'm hungry, thirsty and spent. usually the photographer suggests it first, but if i feel i'm pushing myself i usually ask to take 5.
Izrah wrote: Breaks also give (me, personally,) time to brainstorm other ideas or shots you could get in while shooting.
This has worked well for me. Making breaks part of the creative process makes the breaks less onerous, and no one feels screwed.
I've also worked with models like iDiivil who don't seem to get tired, which is fine too.
Most people need breaks now and then. The thing I find about photography and modeling is that it's easy to underestimate how physical it can get, especially if you're in an outdoor setting and climbing around over things and arranging the camera in precarious spots to get different angles to shoot from.
IDiivil wrote: There is no one answer here, that's clear! It's all very situational as we all do different styles and things. I just wanted to make sure personally that I don't need to feel bad if, after several hours of shooting (especially of a strenuous nature), I need a brief break
This. Some people, like myself need reasonable breaks, I am a disabled model who can't pose for 4 hours straight. A five minute break every hour and a half or two isn't too much to ask for imo. When models are sitting/posing for figure drawings in schools they usually get a 15 minute break every two hours. I think breaks are important for not overworking both parties. Breaks also give (me, personally,) time to brainstorm other ideas or shots you could get in while shooting. Some people hate breaks though and feel it ruins the creative process, it varies as a case by case basis.
I think 5 or 10 minutes every hour or so is acceptable. As you say it gives you time to brainstorm, collect your thoughts, etc. Maybe every hours is a little much if things are flowing well but I feel it's a pretty good guideline.
IDiivil wrote: As a photographer, do you suggest breaks to your model during a shoot?
Yes.
Do you find it (...) inappropriate when a model asks for a break?
No.
how long of a break do you think is OK, and after how many hours of working?
Long enough to gasp for breath and short enough to get not distracted.
I usually keep pushing myself no matter how many hours I am booked. I'm starting to find it can get me hurt if I'm not careful (for example, 5-6 hour shoots with no break at all save for a swig of water during light change). I am wondering if what I am doing is the norm and I should suck it up ... or if it's not the norm.
My approach seems to be exotic. At least to some people. I like to work in a rather calm and concentrated way. I do not like to shoot a model/models 5-6 hours without breaks.
I usually drink a lot of water at shoots, so I usually need to take at least one tinkle break, no matter now long the shoot. Oftentimes it's more than one. It also really depends on the kind of work.
Glamour, there's usually outfit changes, which were as breaks for me. Time in my own space, taking a breather, chomping some food, etc.
Fine Art, especially if I'm just constantly moving and contorting, I'll usually take five minutes every half hour or so to drink some water, breathe, stretch it out.
With bodypaint you need to be careful with how much you stand in one place. I've actually been ordered by bodypainters to take a walk around, get my blood flowing.
Fashion, there's usually breaks where the make up artists fixes things, the photographer changes lights, we change outfits, etc.
For the most part, breaks seem to flow pretty naturally with whatever I'm doing. It's pretty rare that I need to speak up and request an additional break, but whenever I do, it's never been a problem. Most photographers don't want pictures of a nude model trying to hold in her pee.
IDiivil wrote: As a model, do you take or request breaks during a shoot?
As a photographer, do you suggest breaks to your model during a shoot? Do you find it appropriate or inappropriate when a model asks for a break?
To either group, how long of a break do you think is OK, and after how many hours of working?
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I don't ask for breaks personally... I usually keep pushing myself no matter how many hours I am booked. I'm starting to find it can get me hurt if I'm not careful (for example, 5-6 hour shoots with no break at all save for a swig of water during light change). I am wondering if what I am doing is the norm and I should suck it up ... or if it's not the norm.
I have blood sugar issues, so when the photographer is changing something, or while I'm changing clothes, or basically there is any downtime when I'm not in front of the camera, I'm grabbing a small bite to eat and drink. Not chowing down on a burger but like, a protein bar or nuts or something. Other than that, I don't take a break until the photographer suggests it. Usually they tire out loooong before I do.
Sometimes on shoots the photographer takes a break to review the images about halfway through, and we look at the shots we like and tweak what needs to be tweaked. I love doing that because there have been times when I thought we got a perfect shot when we looked at the pic on the camera but when it was on the computer it didn't look quite right, so we shot it again until it really was perfect. During those times I'll take a moment drink as much water as I can (I get really tired if I don't drink enough water) and you know, refresh my makeup and all that.
Hypothetically speaking, if you're paying a model for 4-5 hours of her time, would one ten minute break be reasonable to you?
On a 5 hour shoot if the model takes 10 min break each hour that would totall to abour 50 min of your paid time, so basicly your paying her or him to chill and relax at your expence.
My thought is i pay while on the clock when she stops poseing and gets into an other outfit and is getting her make up and hair done that is her time Time I am not paying for if she is chargeing me $150.00 hr
I'm pretty cruisy throughout my shoots and judging by some of the responses, I would not make a good boss in terms of productivity!
Quick breaks, as in 2-3 minutes or are frequent, roughly every 15 minutes or so. On a three-hour shoot, there's a longer 15-minute break halfway through.
Also, the model is paid from the time she rocks up to knock-off time so that includes breaks, wardrobe changes, etc.
My reasoning is due to my slower work-flow, the model needs to hold poses for multiple shutter presses which may take a minute or so to frame and focus the various shots. This may be uncomfortable after some poses so a break is called for.
On a 5 hour shoot if the model takes 10 min break each hour that would totall to abour 50 min of your paid time, so basicly your paying her or him to chill and relax at your expence.
My thought is i pay while on the clock when she stops poseing and gets into an other outfit and is getting her make up and hair done that is her time Time I am not paying for if she is chargeing me $150.00 hr
I'm pretty sure miss IDiivil was talking about one ten minute for the entire time.
What you bring up is part of the reason why I prefer to charge for a half or full day, or have just a flat rate, or discuss what is included in an hourly rate. I usually come with hair and make up done. But sometimes a photographer takes a while to get set up, or they want me to change my look halfway through, and though I am not posing, it is still time which the photographer or client has hired me for. It's definitely a topic of discussion that should be ironed out prior to a shoot.
Most of us are acting as contractors on set and so most of us are responsible for taking our own breaks. But everyone is also part of a team.
My thoughts, you are there to work. So work
However, if anything is making your work suffer, you should deal with it.
Need a bathroom and it's getting distracting? Take a break.
Feeling a bit woozy and need to sit? Take a break.
Sugar low, need to eat? Take a break.
However, keep in mind that if your fellow team mates think you are disrupting the "flow" with too many breaks, they will not want to work with you again, and they may discuss this with others.
Me, I ENCOURAGE models to take breaks and ask for them as much as necessary. With what I do, it is a long and hard process. I want them looking as fresh and focused as possible when they are in front of the camera, so if they need breaks I want them to take them.
Now, if you are charging $50 or more an hour, and a photographer has you booked for 2 hours or less... I think a break would be in bad form unless you added time at the end to cover it.
On a 5 hour shoot if the model takes 10 min break each hour that would totall to abour 50 min of your paid time, so basicly your paying her or him to chill and relax at your expence.
My thought is i pay while on the clock when she stops poseing and gets into an other outfit and is getting her make up and hair done that is her time Time I am not paying for if she is chargeing me $150.00 hr
At any shoot I have done with an MUA and hair stylist on set, the model and photographer and stylists all get breaks automatically. Usually, its 30-45 minutes of styling time to every 15 minutes of shooting time. At any shoot under 4 hours, this should be plenty of downtime every member of the team.
Gogar
Posts: 130
Göteborg, Västra Götaland, Sweden
Breaks whenever needed. Both for me and the model. Often has some snack and drink available and I do ask the model if they need a break now and then. (But I often need it more than the model - they are young and fit; I'm not ). It can help to reset the mood and set and just time to load up with new energy.
IDiivil wrote: As a photographer, do you suggest breaks to your model during a shoot? Do you find it appropriate or inappropriate when a model asks for a break?
To either group, how long of a break do you think is OK, and after how many hours of working?
Yes I will suggest short breaks all the time, usually if a conversation needs to happen or if there's a technical delay, or someone needs time to figure an aspect of the next shot. I don't find it inappropriate to be asked, because people usually don't ask at an awkward moment.
Laws in the UK are fairly strict about breaks, but these only apply to employees, freelancers I don't think are subject to the same rules. I can't recall ever refusing a break to someone though.
Sometimes clients will lay on big lunches with maybe alcohol and I don't like it when absolutely everyone sits down to a banquet, it just disrupts the pace and flow of shooting, people are sluggish and need kicking after lunch. They're having a day out, but it's a normal work day for everyone else.
RKD Photographic
Posts: 2,989
Iserlohn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Bravo Magic Images wrote:
On a 5 hour shoot if the model takes 10 min break each hour that would totall to abour 50 min of your paid time, so basicly your paying her or him to chill and relax at your expence.
My thought is i pay while on the clock when she stops poseing and gets into an other outfit and is getting her make up and hair done that is her time Time I am not paying for if she is chargeing me $150.00 hr
If you're paying the model then as her 'employer' you are legally obliged to look out for his/her well-being as you have a Duty of Care to that person. Regular breaks are a part of that and are their legal right.
Yes, you are paying them for their down-time - the Law says you have to - so factor that into your planning and book enough time accordingly.
GoldieImages
Posts: 96
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
During my shoots I find there tend to be natural breaks that happen as a part of the flow of the shoot. When I doing a set change, or major lighting change, I'll let the model know it's going to take 5-10 mins and let them take a break. Conversely, when they're doing a costume change, I'll do a quick loo and snack run.
As for breaks within a 4-5hr shoot, I think 10mins is just a tad too little and I'd let them have a lot more. I also let models have have breaks on demand because if they're not relaxed and comfortable, it shows in the pictures.
Ahhhh the fashion industry. The only career choice self conscious enough that people actually have to ask when and how they take their breaks.
Its simple. You take a break when there is time and a good breaking point. You should put less thought into this, its just a break. Unless you really want to consult a forum on when and how to unwind after all your hard work.
While working with a 17yo girl, I initiated a break so I could fix a piece of gear. I told her, "Take ten. Smoke 'em if you got 'em." For those unfamiliar, it's an old military utterance that means, "Relax and do what you want to/need to."
It thoroughly confused the girl and I spent damned near half the break explaining to her what she was to do on break.
Gogar
Posts: 130
Göteborg, Västra Götaland, Sweden
Orca Bay Images wrote: While working with a 17yo girl, I initiated a break so I could fix a piece of gear. I told her, "Take ten. Smoke 'em if you got 'em." For those unfamiliar, it's an old military utterance that means, "Relax and do what you want to/need to."
It thoroughly confused the girl and I spent damned near half the break explaining to her what she was to do on break.
Haha! As an ex-officer I know it too well. It confuses the hell out of models when ordered: "Under the trees. Sit and play!". But we also have the "smoke 'em" phrase here.. And better not get started on film or music references... Ah, the age difference, yes...
). It can help to reset the mood and set and just time to load up with new energy.
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