BobBarford Photo wrote:
Do cancellation fees apply to anyone within the industry once a shoot is scheduled? If a photographer cancels on a model, he/she may be expected to pay some or the entire agreed upon fee. If a model cancels, should she pay fees associated with a studio or other expenses related to a shoot? If  MUA cancels, should he/she pay a fee in the event that a concept can not be executed without makeup?

I would hope that anyone expressing a cancellation fee would take into account elements such as inclement weather, or other events out of the control of all involved.

If you choose to respond, please NO drama, as I wrote this as a genuine question relating to the general principle/practice of cancellation fees.

Snow storm problems?

If you are planning a shoot in which weather can be a factor, then setting a date with a rain date contingency isn't a bad idea. 

There are human decency things to consider.  If the photographer was expecting someone to come to his home studio on the day of a snowstorm, and feels putout because the model didn't want to drive in the snow, then maybe he should have a little compassion.  Or make a decision in the days leading up to the shoot, to alter the shoot per the forecast. 

Maybe the model's flight was cancelled due to a storm and there are a couple of days worth of shoots lined up that aren't going to happen.

Or maybe you meet on location for a two hour shoot and there is a three hour rain storm.  The model set aside her time and showed up.  She is out income and expenses.  If the photographer wants to reschedule, but he doesn't do something to make her happy, will she reschedule? 

My personal experiences:  Once I called the model on the day of the shoot and suggested it was too cold and windy.  She thought it was okay.  I drove 2.5 hours one way.  I was early and orientating myself when I got the call that it was too cold and windy.  I did not get upset. I did not try to demand any fees.  I photographed birds for a while and went home.  Another time, a traveling model was in town and I was sick and contagious.  I gave the model the option of rescheduling or shooting as planned.  We put it off for a few days.  I was still sick when that day came around.  We cancelled.  From one perspective, the model canceled the shoot to preserve her health.  From the other perspective, I was sick and did I have the right to impose my illness on her? I did send her half her fee.  Maybe I should have sent all of it?  Or none of it?  But she has been willing to reschedule with me.  A third instance, again it was cold and wet and the model felt like she might be getting sick. To go ahead with my little shoot might have cost her several others. We canceled the shoot, I bought her lunch, I did not pay any other fees, but she would have been appreciative if I did.  Nor did I ask her for a cancelation fee.

I think it depends on the scenario.

Your MUA example complicates things.  Multiple people are impacted. But what is the scenario?

BobBarford Photo wrote:
If a model cancels, should she pay fees associated with a studio or other expenses related to a shoot?

Maybe it's just me, but I've never encountered a model who was willing to be held to a cancellation fee policy. If a cancellation policy was outlined, it always held the photographer liable. It was never reciprocal.

To keep things simple, I don't try to recoup from the model any expenditures lost to her dropping out and I don't work with models who charge cancellation fees or require deposits.

"Should" is whatever you can get all parties to agree to.