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When models no show.
OK my fellow photographers, What do you guys do when your model does not show up? I have had three models on here that I have corresponded with and arranged a date and time to shoot. Only problem... they did not show up nor did they bother returning any messages I sent. How do you handle it ? What, if anything, do you say when / if the model returns your messages. What amazes me is the lack of professionalism in not replying. Or is that the reply.. last minute " not interested". Would love to read your thoughts on MODELS WHO DO NOT SHOW UP ! Jul 28 14 11:43 am Link look for other models. Jul 28 14 11:55 am Link Don't pay them. That will teach them to show up! Jul 28 14 12:00 pm Link A few months ago I had a model cancel on me last minute. I had a MUA but didn't want to cancel on her. So I shot my MUA...  I contact the models the day before the shoot to confirm the shoot. If they don't answer then I cancel the shoot. Jul 28 14 12:07 pm Link Get a phone number or email address so you have a secondary way to contact them. If it's MOST of the models you are contacting, look at your strategy and consider doing things differently. Maybe your messages are making you look bad? Maybe you are just picking from a bad pool of models and should try to talk to some other photographers for referrals? If you really feel you've done everything right-- sometimes people just flake. If they are new, someone may have convinced them that all photographers are evil and/or should pay them thousands. Sometimes people get offered last minute paid jobs and since you are "less important," they never let you know. Trying to get into the logic of why at THAT point is just banging your head into a wall. Jul 28 14 12:09 pm Link BJagerPhotography wrote: Grab a couple microbrews, watch a good movie and appreciate the relaxation time I didn't plan on. Jul 28 14 12:11 pm Link BJagerPhotography wrote: I keep doing whatever I was doing, maybe working, maybe watching a movie, maybe reading. Jul 28 14 12:15 pm Link BJagerPhotography wrote: Were these models that you were offering paid work or were these trade shoots. If it's a trade shoot the model has very little incentive to show up. If you deal with experienced, professional models there's a much better chance they will show up. In any case, if a model flakes, just move on. Jul 28 14 12:18 pm Link It happens ALL the time from the posts i read here. The 6th photo in my port is a result of the model not showing after 11 e~mails between us. Take it for what it is, and carry on. We don't HAVE to use humans all the time to get some great shots. Bugs and flowers, while not as much fun to look @ seem to be MUCH more reliable in many cases. I always carry a macro lens in case the model flakes ~ m' Jul 28 14 12:19 pm Link I post on face book it normaly does't take long for one of the local models. To tske her shoot. Jul 28 14 12:25 pm Link BJagerPhotography wrote: When models don't show up for me, well ... this happens 99% of the time if I don't check with them before leaving for the shoot. If I check with them, things are still on and they *still* don't show up, when I get back home or to the office I add them to my blocked list and I'm done with them. Jul 28 14 12:29 pm Link When a model doesn't show I reach for my golf clubs! Don't waste a day, life is too short!  Next time if you need one model book three to five! Better odds. Best of luck! Jul 28 14 12:29 pm Link Sadly thats just part and parcel with working with models. I always try and have a back up plan. Jul 28 14 12:32 pm Link I usually only shoot with the traveling models and they just show every time, on time. Traveling models have expenses that have to be covered. When I see one I want to shoot with put up a notice she will be in my area I send her an e-mail or PM. Something like, "Hi, I see you are going to be traveling near me and I would like to set up a shoot if you still have some time available. I am available Monday through Friday during the day and pay each model that sits for me. If you are interested please send me your rates and we will attempt to work something out." I always receive an answer, usually we can arrive at a price easily, and the shoot happens. Jul 28 14 12:43 pm Link If it is a shoot for a magazine or client I usually have a back up model. If it is just a fun shoot I pack up and go home. Jul 28 14 12:46 pm Link As in one of those Raiders movies you must choose well. George has a system that seems to work well for him.. You might try that. I admit I have had quite a few models not show or just drop off the map a couple of days before the shoot. More and more I only work with established models that either I know or have been recommended. Not always the case but whenever possible. Beyond that you are taking your chances and suffering with the rest of us. My problem is I am usually the traveler so I rent studio space then when I have a no show I am stuck with the rental fee. Jul 28 14 12:49 pm Link I don't have no shows. If I don't hear back from them 48 hours before the shoot, I cancel it. I don't have time to fuck around with people who don't respect me and my work Jul 28 14 12:49 pm Link BJagerPhotography wrote: I get their phone number and communicate multiple ways from messaging, emails, texting and finally a phone call to confirm. I would never trust using only messages on a website for booking. It's extremely rare that a model flakes on me. Last no call/no show was March of 2006. I had it covered though because it was a multiple model event. If you are interested in more tips; https://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thre … 2526&page= Jul 28 14 12:55 pm Link If it's a concept I NEED shot in a specific time frame I'll have two or 3 models on stand-by. If it doesn't have a deadline then I'll book another model and go about my day. Jul 28 14 02:15 pm Link I've posted this before but will repeat for this thread. I go for the newbies which have a high rate of no show and have found that only the models that want to shoot within 72 hours of first contact between us have happened. Anyone who says 'next weekend' will try and string me along for 1-2 months and in the past they have done it. I have also learned to have a backup model or some other event to shoot and will go do that after the appointment time as passed. One model about three months ago kept texting me that she would be arriving in an hour and wasted an entire afternoon into a string of rolling no shows. 72 hour rule works for me. It weeds out those that are not going to show. Jul 28 14 02:26 pm Link BJagerPhotography wrote: Random Thoughts In Random Order: Jul 28 14 02:27 pm Link DeanLautermilch wrote: I learned the hard way to wait 15 minutes with no communication and an hour with communication. I had a model show up 45 minutes late with a nasty attitude and then leave after 15 minutes to go shoot with another photographer somewhere else in the park. She didn't even say "see ya". I promised her pictures in 10 days and she hounded me after 2. Jul 28 14 03:08 pm Link BJagerPhotography wrote: Cold feet is common when it comes to new models. Jul 28 14 03:16 pm Link I never had flake's, I pay models handsomely for their time, And I always pick the one's with loads of activity on their social media. Funny I never had a dead grandma or broken car at the last minute so far.... compared to many. Jul 28 14 03:30 pm Link BlueMoonPics wrote: Now that is what I call making lemonade from lemons! Jul 28 14 03:50 pm Link Orestes wrote: I actually one with a broken car last year. Jul 28 14 03:52 pm Link Orestes wrote: That is nice that you pay models, but it's not a guarantee that all models will show up. I must say that it certainly increases the chances that they will though! In my steps towards reducing flakes or lates, I mention the importance of having the model 'invested" in the shoot. Either they are showing interest in your work, as in seeing a benefit from shooting TFP for both ... or the other option is to pay the model. Interest level is not always easy to judge, and that is why I harp on and on about using multiple methods of communication and keeping your intuition "on" for any red flags. I'd say that over a 30 year period of time, I'm batting about a 95% rate of models showing up! Jul 28 14 03:57 pm Link When models don't show up I either. 1) Don't pay them or 2) Call the agency that I booked them through to report the no-show. It's doubtful that they'll ever work for that agency again. Jul 28 14 03:58 pm Link SPRINGHEEL wrote: +1,000 Jul 28 14 04:09 pm Link BJagerPhotography wrote: This is normal. You're not doing anything wrong. Jul 28 14 04:16 pm Link Bare Essential Photos wrote: I will respectfully disagree with your statement. The OP demands a deposit from his models before shooting them, even when HE is the one paying. Read his profile. Jul 28 14 04:39 pm Link I put a hex on them. 60% of the time, it works every time. Jul 28 14 04:45 pm Link When something goes wrong intelligent people learn from what THEY did wrong and how to avoid it in the future. Stupid people blame someone/something else for the circumstance. X Jul 28 14 04:48 pm Link It's unfortunately all to common. Like someone else said though, I look for travel notices and local availability notices. This seems to result in models who are more interested in shooting. I also, will not shoot with out a phone number and actually speaking to a model on the phone an hour or two before the shoot. AD [email protected] Jul 28 14 04:57 pm Link Natalia_Taffarel wrote: Since I'm not in that intelligent camp and a few more are like me. Could you share some of your wisdom. That is if if its possible to avoid calling me stupid. I recall a NY fashion shooter who was a member here and when I wrote her confessed she was leaving after a few flakes. This is a person who wanted to give back and has worked with lots of well known NY and European models. I guess she was stupid as well because she didn't accept the blame for what people did. Jul 28 14 04:59 pm Link BJagerPhotography wrote: I haven't heard of this ever happening. I would probably smash my camera. Jul 28 14 05:06 pm Link OP profile wrote: How is that working for you? Jul 28 14 05:09 pm Link I eat wings. Jul 28 14 05:10 pm Link Tony Lawrence wrote: There should be NO NAME CALLING or playing of the blame game. What we have here is a failure to communicate. I'm skeptical of those who claim they "never get flaked" on because you and I have discussed this before ... it can happen to the best of us. I have very few "no call/no show" type of flakes but just recently I had a model cancel our TFP shoot just 72 hours before ... but the reason bummed me out. She had come in second in a fitness competition the weekend before and was signed by an agency. Now that she is a "professional fitness model" she cannot do TFP. Jul 28 14 05:32 pm Link Natalia_Taffarel wrote: This is easily the stupidest thing I've ever read on MM. Jul 28 14 05:38 pm Link |
I've had an occasional late cancel, and I've even late canceled myself due to health reasons. No one is "stupid!" I understand her situation, and life goes on. Life happens! 