|
Forums >
General Industry >
Replying to messages on MM (or rather, lack of)
I've direct messaged several models (whom I deem suitable) with some ideas that I want to shoot. I've not asked for TFP, and appreciate that most models would prefer to be paid for something that's for the photographer's portfolio - so the issue isn't one about payment. My ideas are fantasy photos, you know, in forests or in a Lord of the Rings kind of setting, etc. I've stated this to the models with example images. After a week, I've had a reply from just one model who said she liked my idea but that she doesn't do nude work - she did apologise for having on her profile that she did nude work, but has since amended it. The other models all appear to do nude work. The other models have also read the message from me. So is it normal for people to wait a week or more to decide on jobs, or are they simply not interested? I appreciate people can be busy, but it can't seriously take more than a minute to write a simple reply? Aug 29 18 12:35 am Link Yes its normal One tip: Check the last log in date of people you contact Lots of dead profiles here Aug 29 18 12:36 am Link Brooklyn Bridge Images wrote: These models are active - I made sure of that before contacting. Aug 29 18 12:41 am Link
Post hidden on Aug 29, 2018 02:43 pm
Reason: other Aug 29 18 12:50 am Link
Post hidden on Aug 30, 2018 09:26 am
Reason: other Aug 29 18 02:12 am Link Squodge Photography wrote: I'm finding that the "message read" isn't always accurate for some reason. I suspect it has to do with integration failures with other applications. Aug 29 18 05:30 am Link There are several issues at work: MM messages might say "message read" but not be read, MM is known for glitches and such. Just because a model accepts nude work, does not mean they will accept all nude jobs offered, I'll pose nude for some artists, not for others. This goes for all jobs. Outdoor work is an even harder genre to fill, bugs, trespassing issues, cops, animals, no heaters or ac, long drives to locations..... All of these factor into if a job is a good fit or not, nude outdoor work is a pretty tough genre to work in. You might think your message is a good one & provides all the necessary info, but, models might think it is incomplete, or not like how the project is presented. Payment, you might think your paying a fair rate for your project, while models don't agree. If a photographers bio does not match their casting message, many times it means that the model will run into a bait & switch situation they would rather avoid. Many models have learned through experience that NOT replying to a message is better than replying with any sort of negative. Many times when a model replies with a negative/no to a job they are harassed, & insulted by the photographers so they just stopped doing so. It might be a good idea to make sure you have a please answer by MM/DD/YY in your message, that way once that date passes, you don't have to worry about it. If you are willing to send me your casting/message text, I'll take a look & show you what some issues might be. Aug 29 18 07:08 am Link Yeah, I think the MM "e-mail" system is about 35 years out of date, and because of that, I rarely check my messages. I use it, but I also look for other means of communication (e.g. Instagram, or a web site, or whatever). Aug 29 18 08:01 am Link Ionalynn has given you a lot of good answers. I find that it's so easy to forget about emails/PMs once they scroll down. I have had successful shoots with models that dropped out of communication six months prior. My advice is: don't pester them. After a month or more, you might send a message telling what you are currently doing with your photography. Recently I received a cheerful message from a model with whom I had worked six years ago. We met and had a pleasant shoot. Aug 29 18 08:11 am Link Looknsee Photography wrote: Search only seems to work on the title of the message & not even the message text. Aug 29 18 08:27 am Link Aug 29 18 08:46 am Link Basically everything Iona said. It might be how you're wording it It might be that you're not offering enough payment It might be a lot of things... (those two are the most likely problems though) Aug 29 18 12:57 pm Link Brooklyn Bridge Images wrote: more efficient version: Aug 29 18 01:20 pm Link I've found that some models won't reply simply because they don't want to work with me. I figure this means I need to keep learning and improving and maybe, some day, I'll be good enough to work with models of that caliber. Traveling models on the other hand have always responded. I think the difference is that some local models aren't doing this for a living, but rather for their personal enjoyment, and they only take on projects with photographers whose work they admire. Others are already very successful as models, and don't need the money from the 'small guys'. They are here only for commercial work with industry professionals. So my advice: reach out to some traveling models. They do this for a living and need the income to survive, and are usually happy to work with those who are still learning and growing and/or just doing this as a hobby. Just be prepared to pay a minimum of $100 an hour. Aug 29 18 02:30 pm Link Many "inactive" models are still modeling but nit logging in on MM as they get the email forwarded. I am always surprised how models that are active do not reply just to clarify things. For example f TFP is stated or implied nothing wrong with sending a thanks but here are my rates . Pretty much everything in life is negotiable. Aug 29 18 04:14 pm Link No response means she is not interested. Aug 29 18 04:32 pm Link Bob Helm Photography wrote: I couldn't agree more, Bob. Some time ago I made that exact point and was told no one is entitled to a reply. So why come to a networking site if you don't want to network? I believe it goes both way, photographers ignoring models and models ignoring photographers. To work all parties need to be willing to act professionally, including a nicely worded, "Thanks but no thanks" reply. Aug 30 18 03:12 am Link Todd Meredith wrote: These "offers" are the ones that I don't bother replying to, or get reported to MODS, though it used to be a royal pain in the ass to report messages to MODS. Some people leave MM due to unprofessional behavior, others just ignore those messages. Aug 30 18 06:15 am Link Jason McKendricks wrote: And ditto for photographers. Aug 30 18 07:16 am Link Years ago I attended a Texas glamour nude workshop where models were being paid. The day of the shoot three of the six models who were booked didn't come. They didn't reply to calls or emails and this was a paid shoot they accepted. I've had models reach out to me for free and even some of the paid work I offer and later stop replying only to months later reappear claiming they were now ready to work. Sites like these are full of unreliable, unprofessional people on both sides. I come from a world where when someone offers you paid work or even good free shoots you respond even if to say no thanks. You don't have to for sure but as a member has noted he bocks those who ignore him. Human nature is often such that when we are not responded too or worse have someone flake on us to hold a grudge. While a model here claims to have had hundreds of job offers a year my guess is the average model does not. So it makes little sense to not reply to any and all serious offers. if the offer is too low explain that you charge more. if the shoot idea vague or more explicit then you as a model are going to do then say so. Common courtesy in business are in general good to use. Sure some folks may be angry when you refuse them. If they become abusive report and block them. Aug 30 18 07:35 am Link Tony Lawrence wrote: Excellent logic, as usual, Tony. Aug 30 18 08:46 am Link I used to feel bad for messaging more models than I need, but nowadays it seems to be no other option. In my experience out of 30 maybe five will answer and one will finally shoot. Kind of frustrating, but this is how it goes. People are flakes. Sep 12 18 01:48 pm Link |
