If you have someone at your studio all day, food and drinks should be provided. Or state long before the shoot none will be provided; otherwise, she may not know to pack her own lunch pail.
On hot shoots, water is expected. On long shoots, something to nibble on is nice. I know I'll get hungry on a day long shoot. And most models are not packing the reserves I have, nor pigged out before the shoot began. They'll need something to eat, or their hunger pains will show in the images.
Models should discuss how long a shoot will last and what arrangements are being made for meals. Models should never assume that meals will be paid for/provided. Time to get food may be all that is provided.
Ken Marcus Studios wrote: Should the model buy the photographer lunch/dinner ?
If the model is running the shoot, deciding how many looks will be shot, when to switch looks, and when to call it quits for the day then sure, absolutely.
But that doesn't happen often...
K I C K H A M
Posts: 12,954
Los Angeles, California, US
It's definitely a nice thought, but depends on how long the shoot is. If you're talking a 12 hour shoot, then a meal would be a good idea, or make sure to ask the model to bring food/ money for food/ etc. and give a good long break to eat.
If it's a normal 3-6 hour shoot, then having snacks and definitely water is just a good idea. It's not necessarily your responsibility, but it will make your job more pleasant. When people get hungry, it shows.
And, anyone who has ever worked at a restaurant know that people without food are really cranky, even the nicest people otherwise.
Angel Dreams wrote: Don't be silly. Models don't eat.
When I arrived at Caron Bernstein's home for our photoshoot there, she asked whether it would be all right if she ate lunch first because she hadn't eaten in two days.
i try to keep snacks and water on hand. bananas have been popular. sometimes after the shoot we'll buy the model lunch or dinner. or sometimes i'll run out during the break and get some takeout.
but sometimes models don't want to eat during a shoot or maybe they'll just take a tiny bite from my Cliff's Bar.
Jim McSmith
Posts: 515
Aldershot, England, United Kingdom
Not really, a quick sandwich is ok but meals just push costs up and you increasingly have to run a tight ship these days. Besides, meals could be misconstrued as something romantic and not businesslike.
i thought the same at the beginning but models don't seem to mind someone buying them a meal. maybe if you took them to chez love they might wonder. although lunch has been more common than dinner.
Jim McSmith wrote: Besides, meals could be misconstrued as something romantic and not businesslike.
Lorayne York
Posts: 2,117
Colorado Springs, Colorado, US
Jim McSmith wrote: Not really, a quick sandwich is ok but meals just push costs up and you increasingly have to run a tight ship these days. Besides, meals could be misconstrued as something romantic and not businesslike.
meals are romantic? if the photographer is professional the whole time... why would anyone assume it's romantic? it's like eating with coworkers or your boss.
There is usually food at every shoot i attend. Whether i eat it or not.. but usually i eat it. I'm a foodie. Though i don't think bad of a photographer if they don't feed me, i bring snacks with me. and if it's longer than 4 hours i bring a lunch.
DAN CRUIKSHANK
Posts: 1,645
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
If the shoot is more than a few hours I will feed the model.
If we are shooting outside and it is hot I will water the model.
If we are shooting outside and it is cold I provide blankets during the shoot and buy them Starbucks or whatever after the shoot.
Happy models are the best models and they are usually happy to work with me again. Having a list of happy models is a good thing
I usually provide some sort meal/refreshments for longer shoots, especially ones that fall within meal times. I've also had a few models buy me lunch - which is nice.
If you expect the model to be on set all day - food should absolutely be provided for both talent and the crew.
If the model is hired for less than 4 hours, than it's not necessary although providing light snacks is a nice move.
Water should be provided, coffee is a good idea.
If you are not providing any food, than a one hour lunch break must be allowed for talent / crew to get lunch. It's a good idea to let the talent/crew know of this ahead of time.
There is nothing romantic about providing food & drink for your talent & crew who may not have the opportunity to get food. You are keeping them happy & efficient by feeding them and it's industry-standard. Suggesting it's some sort of romantic gesture to justify cheapness and thoughtlessness is ridiculous.
I feed the models at my workshops (everyone brings a covered dish).. And if I arrange a shoot 50 or more miles away, I pick up the tab at a cafe for her meal. I often have light drinks and a fruit tray available.. I snack on it too.
I usually buy food for myself and the photographer because I know what I'm expected to eat (and what they're expecting to pay for) and how much I am actually going to eat.
I had a chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, garlic bread, and a side of mac and cheese in the middle of a nude shoot once.
If I'm paying them or if the model is a friend, then yes I'll take them out to lunch; assuming an all day shoot. If it's just an hour or so, then I might have a snack handy, maybe some cookies but that's about it. All depends on the circumstances.
I've not bought food for a paying client. Not saying I wouldn't, just haven't.
Once let a client organize lunch, was a disaster, they took around 2 hours, gave models wine, was a veritable banquet and everyone was lethargic for the rest of the day. Since then it is definitely something I pay attention to, but rarely need to intervene over. Have no fear, if a model is hungry, they will let you know.
Some hire studios are very thoughtful and fill their fridges with very tempting items like bottles and cans of alcohol and that is something else you have to watch, turn your back and the studio bill just shot up a few quid.
Seriously speaking though, it's not required, but if you plan on shooting more then four hours, inform the model so at least they may bring their own snack/meal. For me I get bitchy real easy if I go to long without a meal/snack. So I tend to bring some protein bars anyway. Now if you want to provide food for the model, that is definitely a plus.
I had a photographer who'd stock a fridge with sodas and light snacks for shoots. That was always appreciated. Also had another who set out a fruit bar, which was also very appreciated.
For my personal shoots ill always provide water and snacks. You want to keep everyones energy level high. If its a long shoot on many occasions myself, model and crew (if any) will go grab dinner after (if circumstances permit). If its a larger commercial shoot, both snacks and lunch should be provided by the photographer.
If the model is a friend then I may actually cook dinner.
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