Toto Photo wrote:
I'd be concise and clear, but polite. Beyond that, I wouldn't worry about it.

If I could magically collect the data, I'm pretty sure the folks who respond to clear and polite in a negative manner are most likely folks you'd want to stay clear of anyway--trying to bully or manipulate what they can't earn through talent.

What he said. Plus add "thanks for your interest."

AlexaRose wrote:
Thank you all so much for your replies-they certainly help/make me feel better about it!

My biggest problem was when I told a young guy with a camera that I didn't think I needed the type of work he did for my portfolio right now (since he wanted a trade shoot) and it was like I just killed his artistic puppy. But I'll stick with polite and kind and hope for the best

Sounds like a plan. If he's that easily crushed, you've actually shortened his learining curve to-a-different-hobby significantly, saving him considerable time and money. He probably won't see it that way, but the average learning curve to greatness is 10,000 hours and it takes resilience.

AlexaRose wrote:
When a photographer asks to do a shoot, my first instinct is to look at their profile and decide if I'm even remotely interested. Oftentimes, the answer to that question is no. Maybe they didn't understand that if I do nudes, they are ONLY artistic (or we have a different definition of what "art" is), or I have taken better pictures of myself with a timer, or maybe I just think their choice of models isn't something I connect with or want to associate with.

Is there any way to convey to photographers that I don't want to work with them that isn't going to get me a reputation of being rude or snobby? Is that even something I should worry about?

remotely interested?  Why are you here?

AlexaRose wrote:
When a photographer asks to do a shoot, my first instinct is to look at their profile and decide if I'm even remotely interested. Oftentimes, the answer to that question is no. Maybe they didn't understand that if I do nudes, they are ONLY artistic (or we have a different definition of what "art" is), or I have taken better pictures of myself with a timer, or maybe I just think their choice of models isn't something I connect with or want to associate with.

Is there any way to convey to photographers that I don't want to work with them that isn't going to get me a reputation of being rude or snobby? Is that even something I should worry about?

1)  If it's a TF* proposed arrangement, you certainly can say "no" to any offer that won't improve your portfolio.  If the proposal is similar to stuff you already have, saying "no" is a possibly appropriate option.

2)  If it''s a proposal for paid work, I think you should say "yes" even if the guy is not "up to your standards".  After all, you are being hired to help the guy out, and as a paid model, you aren't getting images for your portfolio.  Caveat #1:  you certainly are entitled to your posing limits -- for example, if your limit is "artistic nudes" and the photographer has "erotic nudes" in his portfolio, you should mention what your limits are, and if he is willing to work within your limits, go ahead & consider the offer.  Caveat #2:  If you are getting tons of offers & your available appointment slots are filled, it's okay to raise your rates.

3)  When saying "no", take great care not to give the guy an unsolicited critique.  Never say anything like "Your work is not up to my standards".  Take the fault onto yourself, as in "I feel that this kind of photograph is well represented in my portfolio; sorry, I don't feel I can use any more".

4)  There are all sorts of compensation.  Models tend to think that there are only two:  limited usage rights from TF* sessions and cash payments.  There is a third that is often overlooked:  networking.  An initial session with a new-to-you photographer is the best introduction, not only to the photographer but also to that photographer's friends & acquaintances. 

5)  Keep it short & sweet.  Don't write a novel.  You don't have to explain your decision (in fact, you shouldn't explain your decision).  Don't get involved in a debate.  Just be clear.

Sometimes, models are so popular that they have to be selective, and there's nothing wrong with that.  But sometimes, the best thing a model can do is to keep busy, and sometimes, I think some models are more selective & judgmental than they should be.  (I have no opinion one way or another with regards to the OP).

Good luck.

kevin bellanger wrote:
remotely interested?  Why are you here?

I read that as: she glanced at the port and wasn't interested. Then gave it a second glance to see if there was even a remote possibility of interest. How did you read it?

RTE Photography wrote:
Many models who do shoot nude don't check this, since that way they don't show up on the searches that photographers do who are just looking for nude models. It saves a lot of trouble trying to explain why you won't shoot nude with them.

I'll do that save everyone lots of time

@PictureItYakima- haha, you understand! You do beautiful pictures, however

@Toto Foto-when you put it that way I feel much less awful ^_^

@Kevin-to find photographers who want to do the same type of work I do? Sometimes photographers envision you doing something you simply do not care to do.

@Looknsee- Those are some excellent rules to abide by, thank you for that. Generally speaking, I MAKE time in my regular life for shoots that I want to do, is it inappropriate to not want to work with an artist I simply don't like the work of or want a higher rate if it's a photographer I'm not so interested in? I value my "real life" time much more than the money I get paid, you know?

@everyone else. I have read, appreciated and seriously thought about everything you've said. I just think if I respond to everyone individually this thing is going to get really long. THANK YOU!!

Jules NYC wrote:
No thank you.

Why give a reason.

+1 The less you say, the better. Short and Sweet.

Jules NYC wrote:
No thank you.

Why give a reason.

Isis22 wrote:
+1 The less you say, the better. Short and Sweet.

Or if you feel that you want to help the poor fellow to get better.

You can add this to you reply. 

Your work sucks!!!

Jules NYC wrote:
No thank you.

Why give a reason.

This. If a model doesn't want to work with me, I don't need her to give me any reason at all. If she chooses to tell me why, that's fine. But I don't expect it.

As usual, no response is a pretty clear response too. And there is nothing rude about it. (Though it's incredibly rude if you initiated the conversation to then go AWOL/silent)

Toto Photo wrote:

I read that as: she glanced at the port and wasn't interested. Then gave it a second glance to see if there was even a remote possibility of interest. How did you read it?

the way she meant it....all snobby like.

AlexaRose wrote:
^ Not the way I meant it, I'm sorry it came off as snobby. (Albeit, I had hoped that asking for advice on how NOT to sound snobby would have averted that kind of problem...)

my apologies then. In my opinion, at least answer your e-mails its professional. keep in mind that the photographer has spent some time looking over your port, he likes what and it may be a good opportunity for you to make some money get exposure. that's why you are here right? now if you do not like his port or decide for what ever reason not to work with said photographer a simple ''I am very busy now'' or what ever .

Bill Tracy Photography wrote:
Just say  "I'm not interested, but thanks for the offer."

Any reply is better than no reply.

Or this.

I find if you try and give a reason why you don't want to work with someone they're more likely to message you back butthurt that you don't think their work is as awesome as they think it is and try and convince you otherwise.

Looknsee Photography wrote:
2)  If it''s a proposal for paid work, I think you should say "yes" even if the guy is not "up to your standards".  After all, you are being hired to help the guy out, and as a paid model, you aren't getting images for your portfolio.  Caveat #1:  you certainly are entitled to your posing limits -- for example, if your limit is "artistic nudes" and the photographer has "erotic nudes" in his portfolio, you should mention what your limits are, and if he is willing to work within your limits, go ahead & consider the offer.  Caveat #2:  If you are getting tons of offers & your available appointment slots are filled, it's okay to raise your rates.

Whoa there. Every model is allowed to turned down paid work. It can be bad for a model's image if she shoots really bad pictures. Sometimes the pay is also not worth the risk to your reputation. OP has few pictures in her port, so I can't make any broad sweeping assumptions about her goals or priorities. But any model is welcome to decline a shoot with Joe Schmo, master of unflattering and compromising shots who is offering $20 bucks for gas money (hyperbole), regardless of the nudity levels involved. Regardless of supply and demand, rates and marketability, any model can turn down a shoot for any number of reasons. Reference Idiivil's thread (yes, it's in regard to trade, but if the pay does not outweigh the cons, it can still apply to paid work). Yes, the majority of paid modeling work is with photographers who are looking to improve their ports, who might not be 'up to standard' but models are not obligated to sell their time to anyone willing to make an offer.

As for the original question. Like many here have said, short and sweet can be the best method. I have a tendency to over verbalize the point, which can cause more harm than help. When someone attempts to explain to me why I should shoot with them, I have no problem countering with why I won't. I find that being direct and clear is always helpful. Sometimes I catch myself wanting to cushion the blow, or leave a window open. In the long run, this doesn't help anyone and might lead to more hurt and confusion that will just put more tangles in everyone's hair.

Hope that helps!

GM Photography wrote:
Why are people so afraid to say "no thank you."?

kevin bellanger wrote:

Toto Photo wrote:
How did you read it?

the way she meant it....all snobby like.

Interesting. I read it the way she wrote it, assuming she meant what she wrote. Projecting is too much work, and rarely gives me a more useful interpretation, so I try to avoid it.

AlexaRose wrote:
@Kevin-to find photographers who want to do the same type of work I do? Sometimes photographers envision you doing something you simply do not care to do.

Falls into the 'don't want to be associated' category, I guess. Others have posted good options, but anything along the lines of 'not the kind of images I need' is fine. Or just plain "No, thank you" without an explanation, but that will almost certainly get a follow-up question about why, so save a round by doing it up front. (At least that's been my experience, from models contacting me; whenever I said no and didn't give some explanation, I invariably got a "Why?" by return post.)