Laura UnBound wrote:
Are you still focussing on newbies? If so, why?

Hi Laura.  Sorry to see you've retired but I am in NO way "special" enough to change your mind.  LOLOL

Not necessarily new to modelling, just new to me. 

That said, I like working with all model experience levels and don't mind coaching newbs.

Again, I'm not at all upset, just really interested in experiences of others.

Bilsen Galleries wrote:
So I'm curious about what others are experiencing this year.

I did less shoots the last year and a half because of a bit of lifestyle change.
(Next year I'll be back to my old ways of several MM related shoots per month)
However i did notice a bit of decline in activity across the site, but still had good responses to a casting call and messages.

Laura UnBound wrote:
Are you still focussing on newbies? If so, why?

Can't speak for the OP, but in my case, since I shoot only TF, the less experienced are  generally more likely to be available at that rate. 

Generally, though, whether new or experienced, I think I see a higher percentage of models who are unwilling to shoot TF and I get the impression that the rates expected, especially among the less experienced, tend to be moving beyond the realistic.  I'm also seeing fewer models willing to pay for travel within the metropolitan area if driving from New Jersey or if the shoot involves more than a single MTA fare zone, so my guess would be overall that, like all of us, models in general are facing higher living expenses and therefore are more selective in their shooting choices and if they can't afford the shoot, simply don't shoot. 

I think it's the economy more than anything.

All IMHO as always, of course.

Rays Fine Art wrote:
Can't speak for the OP, but in my case, since I shoot only TF, the less experienced are  generally more likely to be available at that rate. 

Generally, though, whether new or experienced, I think I see a higher percentage of models who are unwilling to shoot TF and I get the impression that the rates expected, especially among the less experienced, tend to be moving beyond the realistic.  I'm also seeing fewer models willing to pay for travel within the metropolitan area if driving from New Jersey or if the shoot involves more than a single MTA fare zone, so my guess would be overall that, like all of us, models in general are facing higher living expenses and therefore are more selective in their shooting choices and if they can't afford the shoot, simply don't shoot. 

I think it's the economy more than anything.

All IMHO as always, of course.

I asked because he mentioned that he worked mostly with newbies the previous year, and if this year he was doing more of the same but getting worse results, then maybe it would be time to try to book different types of models.
Not necessarily that newbies are unreliable and others aren't, but when whatever you're doing stops working, it's time to change what you're doing.
But apparently newbies aren't the problem, so I got nothin.

Jennifer Haggerty wrote:
I haven't had too many no calls no shows this year but what I'm noticing is that I book the model (paid gig) and all is set until 1 or 2 days before the shoot when they decide something needs to be changed in the agreement. It is frustrating because though they are my first choice they aren't the only choice and I have to set myself to finding an alternate. It peaks the frustration level when I'm working out the details with the alternate and the first one comes back adhering to the original agreement.

Don't do that. Not cool. Your name does go on a list and you are perma-blocked.

If I had a paid shoot set up and had to find a replacement due to #1 wobbling, I'd shoot #2 and #1 would be SOL and would never be #1 again.

GER Photography wrote:

If I had a paid shoot set up and had to find a replacement due to #1 wobbling, I'd shoot #2 and #1 would be SOL and would never be #1 again.

Precisely.

Bilsen Galleries wrote:
So I'm curious about what others are experiencing this year.  By no means do I think Mayhem is dead.  It's still my best source for first shoots but it's been a really bad year.

Anybody else seeing this??

It's a good question.  With rare exception, I only work with nude models.  I have been on MM for a little over 2 years.

My initial response rate now is just at 100%  To get this I contact models that would fit in my port.  I immediately offer a paid shoot.  I also have tasteful nudes in my port, and I have references.  There is nothing about me not to like if they are the least bit serious about modeling. (Those that don't contact me seem to keep the same 4 pics in their folder forever, and it never gets closed down by MM.)

About half the shoots do end up falling apart for various reasons....modeling rates, nudity limitations, distance is a problem, escorts, transportation, limited envelop to shoot within....only to name a few of the most popular.

I've found that if a model knows she can walk out the door with $100 clear...she will show up for the shoot.  Of course there are sharpshooters on here that will take exception to this...but this is my experience.

Since your profile says you shoot TF...I think that if you offered to pay transportation costs you would get better results.  The economy sucks right now, and I don't think models can afford some of what is being asked.  While you might help them create a great port...this still has to ultimately equate to getting them paying gigs...and those gigs just aren't there in the numbers right now like they used to be.

Bilsen Galleries wrote:
This isn't a rant 'cause I'm not upset and I have plenty of shoots to do with my regulars BUT

In 2013 I did 16 (out of 74) shoots with first time models from Mayhem but in 2014 I have had exactly TWO (both terrific BTW and both coming back).

I've been active on the site with both my requests and theirs BUT I've run into a big run of dead grandmas and other miscellaneous cancellations.  To be honest, some have been weather that never got rescheduled by the model.

So I'm curious about what others are experiencing this year.  By no means do I think Mayhem is dead.  It's still my best source for first shoots but it's been a really bad year.

Anybody else seeing this??

In terms of a sample size, the numbers you're dealing with are too small to be anything more than anecdotal.  When you then adjust for things like weather and geographic location and a full moon....one's individual experience is just that--an individual experience.

I've shot less this year (more of an individual experience) and gotten less of a response from new models here on MM.  I probably had more total "dead accounts" that I dealt with in 2012 and 2013 but did more total shoots.  Frankly, as I'm getting older, I'm just less willing to jump through the hoops to hand hold a brand new model once every 2-3 weeks.  I'm probably getting lazy and just find it easier to book a veteran traveling model or local that I've worked with previously.

--Ed