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Models, how would you handle this?
I want to use this topic to talk about a dilemma i've been faced with quite recently, and I'm curious as to how some of you would handle a situation like this. I got contacted by a photographer to do a shoot with. He isn't experienced and his portfolio only existed for about 7 photos, of which the lighting is bad and out of focus. To me it looked like they were cheap snapshots. During the correspondence he explained that he was new to working with models and that he didn't own an professional camera yet, but he was willing to pay me a fee. Bit of an typical GWC. Now I'm okay with working with amateurs from time to time, I like helping out new photographers and the money I earn with it is helpful to help me realize new costumes. (Which is what I work with mostly). When I asked what location he wanted to do the shoot he immediately said that he wanted to come to my house so he had full access to all the costumes I own. I said that I didn't think that was a good idea because of obvious reasons (right?). I said that if we properly discussed the theme of the shoot there would be no need to go through all my stuff. Then he insisted on shooting at my house because "what if we want to shoot something entirely else?" Now I'm not one for inviting strangers to my house so again I told him no. Then he explained the rest of his idea which was almost completely different from what he first suggested involving me in lingerie. I don't mind helping out amateur photographers, but I wont do nude, beachwear or lingerie with them. Now I'm going to call off the shoot because i'm not feeling good about the shoot anymore because he 1) persisted that he wanted to shoot at my house and 2) he changed the shoot from one idea to something totally else just to get me out of my clothes, but i'm wondering, what would you do? And how would you react? What reply would you send? What would be a professional way to go about this? Sep 25 14 04:23 am Link I know you asked for model input, but hearing both sides can help. About shooting at your place...anyone that asks again after the first "no" should be seen as a red flag. Move on. And this goes with anything you set down as a limit that gets questioned. I shoot a lot of nudes. I have to ask a lot of questions up front. But I never ask twice. It is unprofessional to say the least. I think you handled things fine...except IMHO you cut him way to much slack before you let him go. And anytime you get a bad feeling about a shoot, honor that feeling, and cancel the shoot. As far as what to say... Tell him that you are "sorry that you couldn't satisfactorily work out the details of the shoot, and you wish him well with his photography." If he tries to contact you afterwards, ignor him. Sep 25 14 04:32 am Link The professional way to cancel a shoot, is to notify the photographer that the requested changes to the shoot were not acceptable, and you are cancelling the shoot with him. Period. Be polite, but firm. I guarantee you, he already knows he is out of line. Sep 25 14 05:27 am Link I would just move on. It's OK to work with amateur photographers, but he must understand your limits. I agree with you in posing nude or in lingerie for a GWC, You have quite a pro level and many other more skilled/experienced photographers to work with, so I'd move on if I were you. Sep 25 14 05:28 am Link I agree with all the above, but with one small caveat: There's nothing wrong about suggesting or requesting changes in the initial agreement. It happens all the time. In setting up my shoots with a new (to me) model, I generally mention that the shoot might include "anything else that we might both agree to". The last three words are the key. No is still no, we've just given ourselves an additional opportunity to decide should the need arise. The reasoning is that we don't yet know each other and don't want to restrict ourselves unnecessarily to our preconceived and possibly misunderstood ideas. As to shooting at the model's home, I've only ever done that once and it was a matter of mutual convenience and at the model's suggestion. There's really no more reason to avoid that than there is to avoid shooting at the photographer's home or home studio, but it is uncommon. All IMHO as always, of course. Sep 25 14 06:47 am Link I opened my home to photographers, for shoots, for two years. Most of the people I shot with there, I'd never met or worked with before. Never had a problem. Sep 25 14 07:11 am Link Cancel the shoot. If the photographer is insisting on shooting at your house when you have already said no it's very suspicious. If he has changed his idea of what he wants to shoot and it's just to get you naked it's suspicious as well. If you want to be honest, tell him you feel uncomfortable with his requests and you are no longer interested in working with him. Otherwise, just make up some excuse and tell him you're no longer available. Sep 25 14 07:24 am Link I don't shoot with amateurs in my own house either. There was the only and one photographer I let in my house because he and I previously shot together so many times. I would politely cancel a shoot if a photographer is too stubborn by repeating crossing the line and making me feel so uncomfortable. Sep 25 14 07:42 am Link I have shot in models’ house, but always by models suggestion. I never suggested it out of nowhere, and I am not sure it is common for photographers to do. Some models offer their houses routinely and some offer their hotel rooms while traveling as shooting location – but it is always their initiative. There are some red flags on this situation and in my opinion you should be firm on your original proposition, communicating clearly where you are going to do the shooting (not at your place) and all other conditions, and asking for a confirmation or just politely canceling the shooting. Your house can be place out of limits politely be simple saying “Unfortunately my house is not available for shooting at this time. We can discuss a shooting location convenient for both parts. Please let me know” Sep 25 14 08:21 am Link Lallure Photographic wrote: COMPLETELY AGREE! Sep 25 14 09:43 am Link Definitely a lot of red flags on that one. No always means "No" and any normal human being knows that. Politely cancel and if he can't accept that, then delete and block. Just my opinion. Sep 25 14 09:58 am Link I would just say, I appreciate your interest but I no longer wish to pursue this project. Thank you for your time. I have had a photographer shoot at my apartment before. I live with my fiance (Who is not some crazy boyfriend looking to steal equipment  ) and I told the photographer this up front because he works at home and what not. Shoot went fine, fiance did his thing, I did mine. I have some images in my port of it actually. I have worked with this photographer before though, so that may have established some trust beforehand. This particular situation does seem odd. I would have reacted the same way I think and just called off the shoot. It seems like he's really unprofessional and going to be a hassle working with. It also seems like he doesn't respect your boundaries which is an immediate red flag to cancel shoot, for me. Sep 25 14 10:12 am Link Thanks for the advice everyone, I certainly appreciate it  I have respectfully declined the photographer, he did try in fact to negotiate further which I did not reply to. I have reasons to believe that his account was fake as well and that he stole some of the photos. About the not shooting at my house thing, I think it's something personal for every model and it's not like I wouldn't shoot at my house at all, it's just that I think it's also good to be a bit careful about who you let in and whatnot. Sep 25 14 10:36 am Link Rays Fine Art wrote: Are you suggesting she allow him into her home? Absolutely not. Do what YOU feel is best. Sep 25 14 10:49 am Link  Moderator Note!Alice de Wonder wrote: Please send us a CAM explaining you think the profile is a fake and provide a link to it... we will take a look. Sep 25 14 11:11 am Link shooting at a model's location isn't uncommon but he should also take no for an answer. if you are getting the heebie jeebies then you should cancel. you can either be honest or offer up some semi-plausible excuse like your boyfriend left you tending to some sick nutria (i'm not making that one up!) or maybe your apt. is being fumigated the day of the shoot. be creative. Sep 25 14 11:36 am Link Alice de Wonder wrote: Sounds like a good idea to me. Sep 25 14 12:10 pm Link If he is a GWC (sounds like it), his actions are likely typical of someone with ulterior motives and he should be dismissed (which it sounds as if you already have) without question and without the need to follow up if he continues to contact you. If he truly was serious, but 'that' green? He has clearly jumped the gun in seeking professional models in the first place. He needs to read about and understand the prevailing culture of the industry far better than he does before engaging it. Possibly join a respected club or group? This would give him a bit of direction in terms of artistic goals, technical knowledge, networking opportunities with other photographers and models alike, etc... I look at it like visiting another country... you would want to understand their culture so you don't go blustering in like an idiot and insult your hosts. Everyone starts somewhere, and we (myself included) all need help and reminders from time to time. I understand that. However basic human respect for the limits of others is the bare minimum. Kinda sounds like people outside the industry and this situation may describe him as annoying as well. It's likely just his personality. As much as photography requires technical knowledge and skills development, this segment of the industry (working with people) also requires social and interpersonal skills... this dude was "lacking" to say the least. Sep 25 14 12:33 pm Link Marco R wrote: Other good answers, so I will just touch base on this. Sep 26 14 01:43 pm Link Wow! He really doesn't even deserve a polite cancellation. I would just stop responding. One of my biggest pet peeves is when people insist on pushing my boundaries. It's completely disrespectful. Sep 26 14 04:32 pm Link Sep 26 14 04:53 pm Link Agree with above, funny thing about gut feelings, they tend to be correct. There are too many red flags and as I always say if you are not comfortable don't do it. Tell him its OK to shoot in your house but your 3 brothers are home from the service on 2 weeks leave, see what he says. Sep 26 14 05:14 pm Link DanninTO wrote: Don't forget to mention you also have2 pitbulls and 2 dobermans..... Sep 26 14 05:25 pm Link Well, the best thing to do is send him a message via the way you've been communicating with him thus far, preferably a few days before the scheduled shoot and tell him in a polite and professional manner that you wish to cancel the shoot due to the reasons you have mentioned why you wish to cancel. If he becomes unprofessional about it, just block him if here on MM. Sep 29 14 02:11 pm Link Alice ~~ Stand by your guns. Cancel. Tell the newbie that at this time you will have to respectfully cancel the shoot. You don't need to give him any more explanation than that. Wish him the best of luck and if you get a break in your schedule where yah'll can meet up at a fun location... you will contact him. Gut feelings are for a reason, don't deny them. Supportively, Kathleen Sep 29 14 06:08 pm Link You don't need to explain. Your safety and privacy is paramount! trust yourself. Tell him you changed your mind about shooting at your home. stick to the concept of the shoot and the costumes you have and then let him respond. If he insists. just say no... you tried to work with him, but the money is not worth him showing up at your house un announced! Sep 29 14 06:15 pm Link OP is seeking responses from MODELS not shutterbugs. Oct 01 14 07:31 am Link |
