Taylor Kate f wrote:
Side note: The last time I agreed to one, I arrived to meet the photographer (a male much older than me). He proceeded to tell me he actually wanted me to do a NUDE YOGA shoot. He also said he wanted to take me shopping to buy lingerie for the shoot, despite it being a nude shoot??? Needless to say, I never worked with him and my time was wasted. Though, the free Starbucks was nice XD

Can anyone else relate to this?

Are you saying your agency connected you to this photographer?

Generally I view pre shoot phone or face yo face conversations as a type of go see, (for model as well as photographer.) If something feels off for either of us its better to go d out before a shoot. Looks like your example above proved useful really.
Jen

udor wrote:
I usually don't have a coffee meet with models, as I am working mostly on order by either agencies, magazines, designers or other industry people.

I also get hired to shoot model portfolios in my fashion editorial style.

However, I have been approached by the occasional model that wants to shoot with me and asks for trade.

Right now, I was approached by a singer, that recently performed at Carnegie Hall, via a recommendation by a photographer friend, to work with her for a set.

I am actually contemplating a "coffee date" with her, to see what she has in mind, because she also will provide makeup artist and hair stylist.

Then I am seeing this thread and the model's responses and I am confused.

Never thought of coming off as a middle aged creep until now.

Professionally... she approached me, she has some gowns and a designer, and I just don't see anything wrong with meeting prior to the shoot to discuss ideas, concepts and logistics.

This is starting to become a world I am not familiar with anymore.

Weird!

Random Jen to Udor interjection here:

Udor my love, what was the name of the restaurant that we first met at? Do you remember? I'm very glad we met! Although we've never met one on one to shoot 😊
Jen
P.s. you are NO creep at all

Sliver-Sliver wrote:

Interesting. I would have seen this as the very description of time well-spent, as opposed to the alternative of not having gone to the meeting, and then finding out mid-shoot that each other's ways of working did not align.

This is actually a really good point. A coffee date will probably be close to 30 minutes and the model found out a shoot with the photographer was a bad idea.

Jen B wrote:
Random Jen to Udor interjection here:

Udor my love, what was the name of the restaurant that we first met at? Do you remember? I'm very glad we met! Although we've never met one on one to shoot 😊
Jen
P.s. you are NO creep at all

Awwww..., thanks Jen! 

That was the famous "Coffee Shop" on Union Square. The one that was started by two models and the wait staff and bartenders were all in the fashion industry.

Sad to say... they closed down last year...

There goes the neighborhood! 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/maggiemcgr … 1d755010a0

Well... at least you have been there and had a good time!

udor wrote:

Awwww..., thanks Jen! 

That was the famous "Coffee Shop" on Union Square. The one that was started by two models and the wait staff and bartenders were all in the fashion industry.

Sad to say... they closed down last year...

There goes the neighborhood! 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/maggiemcgr … 1d755010a0

Well... at least you have been there and had a good time!

Hate to admit it but I don't remember the restaurant--Senility setting in I guess.  My favorite places for meets are the Barnes & Noble on Union Square or else the one on E. 86th St--Not as noisy as Starbucks, etc. and you can actually have a conversation there.  I may try the one in the Capital One bank on Union, though.  Doesn't seem to get too crowded and it pleases my sense of the bizarre as a please to plan a shoot.

Taylor Kate f wrote:

Yes. Well. XD
He just said he was looking for a model and didn't specify nude or yoga even, until we met in person.

Barry Kidd Photography wrote:
Yeah. I know the feeling. I've had models use a coffee date to creep on me.  It's so annoying!

Are you sure that wasn't the visiting nurse, Barry?  LOL!

Todd Meredith wrote:

Are you sure that wasn't the visiting nurse, Barry?  LOL!

Shhhh.  That was supposed to be a secret.

Taylor Kate f wrote:
.. Am I the only one that finds pre-shoot coffee dates odd? ..

I sometimes get asked by models for a pre-shoot coffee date.
But if its a model I don't know I presonally like the concept of a "casting call" or audition the best.
Especially if the shoot I have in mind involves a significant investment (setup, travel, makeup, planning, rentals, etc).
For me a casting call is a mini-shoot, a chance to see how the model works, how photogenic they are, how they respond to direction and ability to interpret the concept. It typically won't involve any nudity, payment, major travel or wardrobe. I give them a half-hour. We of course see how each other works and talk about experience and the possibilities. 
Having been through an era of no-shows (flakes), its minimal cost to see if its real.