Sean Alexandre wrote:
I'm sure they're going to bumrush your thread and blame you for models being unprofessional for doing TFP shoots instead of paying the models. As if that's supposed to solve all your problems.....

I would only pay a model if I would be earning from photo shoot... At the moment I can offer them improvement of their portfolio... and it's not the issue... it's just being honest and trustworthy to another human being... I don't know how to avoid those people?

Sean Alexandre wrote:
It amazes me though, how I'd get flooded with messages from models who want to do TFP shoots. I would say that I've talked to well over 30 models in the past 6 months and I've yet to meet just ONE. It's crazy how they'll talk with you, plan out details, have you contact a MUA, etc., all to back out at the last minute with some bogus excuse. Either those types or the ones who contact you to set something up, then when you respond to them, they never reply again. That's why people who do photography professionally are better than me. I couldn't do it. I don't have the patience.

Exactly! I'm starting to loose my patience... such a waste of time

gmillerimages wrote:
I'm suppose to have a shoot today in two hours. This was a paid shoot. Model answered casting call about 1 week ago, since then tumbleweeds and crickets. Model not only never opened any of my emails but has since dropped her MM account.

She was perfect for the theme of my shoot. I would not have been thrilled trying to fit in another less than perfect model, or changing the theme on short notice.

So I sit...

I feel your pain... ehhh...

gmillerimages wrote:
I'm suppose to have a shoot today in two hours. This was a paid shoot. Model answered casting call about 1 week ago, since then tumbleweeds and crickets. Model not only never opened any of my emails but has since dropped her MM account.

She was perfect for the theme of my shoot. I would not have been thrilled trying to fit in another less than perfect model, or changing the theme on short notice.

So I sit...

huh?

answering a casting call doesn't equal committing to a shoot. especially if you never worked out details in PM's.

Przemyslaw Stradczuk wrote:
Exactly! I'm starting to loose my patience... such a waste of time

A model messaged me yesterday asking if I'd be willing to shoot her. I liked her look, so I agreed. We worked out a time and date to do the shoot. She then asked me what kind of ideas did I have for her look. So I scoured the internet looking for pics to illustrate potential themes and emailed them to her. She calls me back later in the day to tell me that she has a shoot already scheduled on the day we planned to shoot. Mind you, she contacted me out of the blue...not the other way around. And still had the nerve to play games.

Catnapping wrote:
It's not just models that do this.

As someone else who mainly does TF shoots, I find that I have better luck booking people short notice, that way we both know that we'll have the time free. Also, I usually try to book multiple shoots in one day, that way if one person can't make it, I still have a few other shoots.

I also ask other locals who they recommend.

I just take it as part of the territory that I may end up shooting birds instead of a model.

I think I will start doing landscapes, architecture and my twisted photo manipulatons  again than bother with those fake people...

Sean Alexandre wrote:
A model messaged me yesterday asking if I'd be willing to shoot her. I liked her look, so I agreed. Strangely, she asked me what kind of ideas did I have for her look. So I scoured the internet looking for pics to illustrate potential themes and emailed them to her. She calls me back later in the day to tell me that she has a shoot already scheduled on the day we planned to shoot. Mind you, she contacted me out of the blue...not the other way around. And still had the nerve to play games.

Had that too a week ago , but mine booked a bit earlier then that and cancelled saying that she is going somewhere abroad for studio shoot for 2 days and that it's too cold to shoot outside (not nude), like she didn't know when booking it's cold in London in December...

David Thorpe wrote:
Get a number and text them an hour before the shoot.  Let them know that you're going to text them, and that if they don't answer, you will assume they aren't going to show up.  That has saved me from waiting on a flaking model several times.

Will do next time (assuming that there will next time). I had the number but didn't call thinking that she is running late... stupid me...

Przemyslaw Stradczuk wrote:

Will do next time (assuming that there will next time). I had the number but didn't call thinking that she is running late... stupid me...

I wouldn't call, a text message is less invasive.  But yeah, get in the habit of doing it.  Because of experience with flakes, I have a no number = no shoot policy.

David Thorpe wrote:
Get a number and text them an hour before the shoot.  Let them know that you're going to text them, and that if they don't answer, you will assume they aren't going to show up.  That has saved me from waiting on a flaking model several times.

Definitely going to be adopting that policy.
If I wanted to deal with flakes, I'd go outside when its snowing.

David Thorpe wrote:

I wouldn't call, a text message is less invasive.  But yeah, get in the habit of doing it.  Because of experience with flakes, I have a no number = no shoot policy.

Invasive? Hell.....

Besides...what do you do when the model show up because she didn't get your text?

Texts can get lost in space, a voice on the other end is 100% sure thing.

Small Fruit Pits wrote:

Invasive? Hell.....

Besides...what do you do when the model show up because she didn't get your text?

Texts can get lost in space, a voice on the other end is 100% sure thing.

The odds of a model not getting my text, especially if she knows to look for it, are very small.  If she doesn't answer and goes to the location, I won't be there and it's on her.  That hasn't happened to me as far as I know.

Przemyslaw Stradczuk wrote:
4 different models and 4 times either cancelled or like today agreed at 11am and no message, phone call,  nothing at all... I know it's JUST tfp photo shoot but I prepare, call, message, wait and it's such a waste of time. How can they treat people like that? Is there on this forum a thread which says which models i should avoid? I don't have much time for pictures so I want to use it creatively and work with people who really want to do something nice... I'm so disappointed and at the same time hungry of doing nice shots (...

"Doctor, it hurts when I do this!"

There are some photographers who have blacklists. Ask to see them. Contact other photographers and network. Exchange stories about different "models."

It might be prudent to "hat tip" models who are punctual, courteous, and amiable. Or whatever positive traits you view as "professional."

Best of success to you and Happy Shooting!

Sean Alexandre wrote:
I'm sure they're going to bumrush your thread and blame you for models being unprofessional for doing TFP shoots instead of paying the models. As if that's supposed to solve all your problems.....

It amazes me though, how I'd get flooded with messages from models who want to do TFP shoots. I would say that I've talked to well over 30 models in the past 6 months and I've yet to meet just ONE. It's crazy how they'll talk with you, plan out details, have you contact a MUA, etc., all to back out at the last minute with some bogus excuse. Either those types or the ones who contact you to set something up, then when you respond to them, they never reply again. That's why people who do photography professionally are better than me. I couldn't do it. I don't have the patience.

Its ok. I got flaked on today from a paid shoot that I was casted to do. Life moves on. My best way is to always give out number for a final confirmation and to check references.

Samantha Emme wrote:

Its ok. I got flaked on today from a paid shoot that I was casted to do. Life moves on. My best way is to always give out number for a final confirmation and to check references.

I give a # to everyone I book....

O b s c u r a L L C wrote:
"Doctor, it hurts when I do this!"

There are some photographers who have blacklists. Ask to see them. Contact other photographers and network. Exchange stories about different "models."

It might be prudent to "hat tip" models who are punctual, courteous, and amiable. Or whatever positive traits you view as "professional."

Best of success to you and Happy Shooting!

Thanks for a tip...

David Thorpe wrote:
The odds of a llama not getting my text, especially if she knows to look for it, are very small.  If she doesn't answer and goes to the location, I won't be there and it's on her.  That hasn't happened to me as far as I know.

I've gotten texts several days after they were sent.  From my wife.  And I've had her get texts several days after I sent them.

Texts have their uses, but as indicated above, it's not at all 100% that they will be received and seen in a timely manner.

Sean Alexandre wrote:
I give a # to everyone I book....

Me too... And I'm not going out without models mobile number

David Thorpe wrote:
Get a number and text them an hour before the shoot.  Let them know that you're going to text them, and that if they don't answer, you will assume they aren't going to show up.  That has saved me from waiting on a flaking model several times.

That's what I do.  I will text a few hours before the shoot and if I don't hear back I don't go.  I always have a back up plan for what I want to do with my day (even if it's not shooting models) so if the shoot doesn't happen I'm not too upset.

JAE Photography PA wrote:
That's what I do.  I will text a few hours before the shoot and if I don't hear back I don't go.  I always have a back up plan for what I want to do with my day (even if it's not shooting llamas) so if the shoot doesn't happen I'm not too upset.

She text me yesterday evening: "see you later" after agreeing time of meeting.
And my backup plan came out accidentaly and im now at the gym, punching boxing bag and releasing my frustration and bad emotions

Przemyslaw Stradczuk wrote:
Is there like a wall of shame in here? Would be very helpful... But I guess everyone will start to blame everyone so maybe not the best idea ...

Last time I check, MM is not in the business of getting involved personal disputes. Also, this is a social media site, and your rant will be seen by folks weren't your target audience, and it'll come back and bite in your in the back. I'll put to you like this. Imagine going to a KTM Motorcycle interview with Harley Davidson gear top to bottom on! It won't make a good impression. The time and energy that spent making this thread would have been better spent:

reviewing your selection
positing an ad on Craigslist, college newspapers, alt weekly papers
Joining Meetup and finding groups in your area
Contacting agencies to find the right models, etc.

It's not rocket science! Just common sense!

Przemyslaw Stradczuk wrote:

I would only pay a model if I would be earning from photo shoot... At the moment I can offer them improvement of their portfolio... and it's not the issue... it's just being honest and trustworthy to another human being... I don't know how to avoid those people?

Sometimes, shit just happens. Other times, when you get a lot of models doing this - step back and see if there's something in the communications that gave them away- or is there something you may have said that can be misunderstood/mis construed, etc?

Catnapping wrote:
huh?

answering a casting call doesn't equal committing to a shoot. especially if you never worked out details in PM's.

Hard to do when said model does not open PM's

Przemyslaw Stradczuk wrote:
4 different models and 4 times either cancelled or like today agreed at 11am and no message, phone call,  nothing at all... I know it's JUST tfp photo shoot but I prepare, call, message, wait and it's such a waste of time. How can they treat people like that? Is there on this forum a thread which says which models i should avoid? I don't have much time for pictures so I want to use it creatively and work with people who really want to do something nice... I'm so disappointed and at the same time hungry of doing nice shots (...

That's so weird.  Do you know if this happens to other photographers?

gmillerimages wrote:
I'm suppose to have a shoot today in two hours. This was a paid shoot. Model answered casting call about 1 week ago, since then tumbleweeds and crickets. Model not only never opened any of my emails but has since dropped her MM account.

She was perfect for the theme of my shoot. I would not have been thrilled trying to fit in another less than perfect model, or changing the theme on short notice.

So I sit...

Sounds like a classic case of putting all your eggs in one basket! You admitted there were other models responding your casting call. Why didn't you contact them when this model didn't give an immediate response? There's a reason my dad reminds of having a plan b, in the case plan a falls apart.

Catnapping wrote:
huh?

answering a casting call doesn't equal committing to a shoot. especially if you never worked out details in PM's.

gmillerimages wrote:
Hard to do when said model does not open PM's

Have you ever consider that said model responded to many casting calls from more than one photographer? No matter how your project was, she found something she thinks was better. You can never know what's happening in the mind of another person. Here's an idea! How about you and the OP move on because holding to anger is like drinking poison and expecting someone else to die.

Catnapping wrote:
It's not just llamas that do this.

Gianantonio wrote:
That's so weird.  Do you know if this happens to other photographers?

Yes, after reading people answers here I know now. Dont need to be sarcastic...