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Reduces Flakes and Lates like "Magic!"
There is no magic or "Easy" Button! But there are ways to reduce your problems with Flakes and Late models or other people. This is something I wrote regarding models being late. Keep in mind that I have a 0% flake rate of models not showing. OK, here is my formula for reducing flakes and lates in the modeling World; How about instead of asking why people flake, ask how you can reduce the chances that people will flake on you? That's what's up!!!  It's not fair to pick on just the models when photographers or any human being for that matter could flake or be late. There is no way to prevent it from ever happening, but it is possible to reduce the chances of a model flaking or being late. It is an extremely rare occurrence for me that a model flakes on me, but I would have back up plans in anticipation of it happening. In fact, I try to plan for the worst, and hope for the best. Here are some things I do that seem to help; (1) Get the people invested in the shoot. If money is being exchanged, she or he is more likely to show up on time! It's a serious loss if you show up late to court or the hospital. So if "serious loss" of money, freedom or life is involved, we show up! It's not only money that can be exchanged, but in a trade situation the images I shoot should hopefully be worth while to the model. (2) Be sure you have exchanged cell phone numbers AND that directions are CLEAR. I have an unlimited talk or text plan that allows long distance too so I don't care if I talk to someone while giving them directions. I welcome the communication, so it does not bother me for people to call me anytime and as often as needed. Communication is important! (3) Have alternative plans or things to do available to you so that you are not bored (which contributes to bad moods.) I like to have several people around so that I can put someone in right away to check lighting, warm up, etc. ... before the model gets there. Then when the model arrives, they jump in! It works that way in Hollywood! If you can find something else to occupy your time, you'll feel better. (4) Car pool or make arrangements for transportation. This is a good thing to do, especially when it's critical to have everyone there about the same time. Traffic becomes less of an "poor" excuse when we are together in it! I also have noticed that models who have a driver (or an escort, or assistant riding) do tend to arrive on time more often. It's nice to have someone helping with maps and directions. I'll even be the driver if necessary! (5) Use contracts or releases. Get it in writing and ready to be signed before shooting. Don't depend on word of mouth! If things are stated in writing, then issues can be resolved much easier. Minor differences become major if you don't do this. (6) Last but not least, check references! Read comments left by others, and consider what they say about the person. Ask questions that can reveal if they have problems that might cause them to not make it to the shoot. I've even asked models directly over the phone; "Is your grandma healthy? Or are you gonna flake on me?" - We laugh - "Do you have reliable transportation?" is another more reasonable question to ask. Keeping in mind that I do mostly stock, website content, glamour, nudes and editorial, there are many times I pay models, but there are many times that I do "TFP." For those who do "TFP" and complain ... all I can say is what does the photographer and model have to lose? It's part of the risk you take in doing "TFP" ... if it is something that absolutely must get done, then it's better to pay the models. Often times I call back the same models I've shot in trade to hire them for paid shoots. I cannot over stress how important communication is in working relationships between photographers and models. When you find someone who 'clicks" with you, then work with them again and again! If they didn't flake on you the first time, they are less likely to do so a second. However, even that is not guaranteed. I keep in the back of my mind an answer to the question; "What am I going to do if the model doesn't show up?" It works! This post has been edited from the original to include more information. Thanks! Aug 06 07 01:59 pm Link So, you're saying throw money at the problem. Yep, that usually works! Pay the model to be a responsible human being. More realistically, the majority of the Photographers on this site don't have that kind of budget, they are just trying to make their way. In the real world, it comes down to finding the models who are honest, hardworking, and truly care about the images and their reputations. There are a lot of those models here, but unfortunately there are a lot who aren't also, so you have to get burned a few times to find the good ones. It's just part of the deal, you're going to get flaked on occasionally, accept it as a cost of doing business. Aug 06 07 02:16 pm Link You forgot to threaten all models more than 15-minutes late with amputation. Each 15-minutes another body part is removed. Completely flaking is cause for decapitation, which in some instances requires a chain saw depending on gender of model. Although some see this as inhumane, others see it as flake model population control, I like to see it more as one of lifeâs little lessons  Aug 06 07 02:28 pm Link Chris Keeling wrote: Money is only a part of it. There are other things I do which have nothing to do with money. Meeting new models before the shoot is another one! I don't have much of a budget either! Aug 06 07 02:46 pm Link C R Photography wrote: Maybe that's why I never hear from some models ever again? They went to you! Cut the legs off and they can't run away! Aug 06 07 03:54 pm Link If I see one more "model flaked on me again" thread, I will direct them to this one! Aug 06 07 08:39 pm Link It's amazing to me that no one has challenged or debated any of the 5 suggestions I made about how to reduce the number of flakes and late models. Does this mean that certain photographers just enjoy complaining? Or have they tried theses and found that these methods only work for me? Aug 08 07 03:23 pm Link I don't have a problem with flakes anymore. Aug 08 07 03:25 pm Link Patrick Walberg wrote: Your list makes sense to me. Aug 08 07 03:26 pm Link Patrick Walberg wrote: Your list makes sense to me. Aug 08 07 03:26 pm Link I found an airtight solution. Just don't shoot anymore....  Aug 08 07 03:29 pm Link Eat their liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti. ... Aug 08 07 03:36 pm Link Chris Keeling wrote: When the other option for a lot of photographers seems to be "bitch and complain," why not? And that was only one of his suggestions, not the only one. But if a photographer is following all of these other guidelines - calling the model ahead of time, making sure that she has clear directions and reliable transportation, etc. - and he STILL finds that models aren't showing up, why not see if offering pay will fix the problem? Better than staying at home pouting that no one wants to work with you, isn't it? Aug 08 07 03:37 pm Link Christopher Ambler wrote: Thanks Chris! With all the things you're working on, I'm amazed you have time for the forums! One thing that reading the forums teaches me is to never take people for granted. Aug 08 07 03:52 pm Link Avicdar - Toronto wrote: Thanks! I'm happy to write the things here that work for me. If it works for you, then so much the better! Aug 08 07 03:54 pm Link Thanks for the list, I have about 1 flake a year (I must say that I'm more "flakey" than the models *blush*) but wish to leave the % low Aug 08 07 03:58 pm Link Catriona wrote: Thanks Catriona! We should not have to "pay models to be responsible human beings" because getting paid should not be the only motivation for modeling. Money is actually not the biggest motivational factor for me. I love what I do, and it's great to make money at it too. I enjoy working with people who are as passionate about the creative process as I am. You seem to be the same way! Aug 08 07 04:01 pm Link Because of "no-shows" I have started having models give me a $100 "deposit" when meet and set up the shoot. If they don't have the cash I let them do PayPal (Credit card). Only after I have this deposit will I book the studio and rent equipment. When they walk in the studio door I hand it right back in cash! If they can't agree to this I see it as a sign they don't want to work with me and would be a flake risk. Know what....... no more flakes!!! It is a sign of commitment as I am sure very few people want to just give someone $100 and walk away. Aug 08 07 04:05 pm Link Chip Miller wrote: Chip, I have heard of photographers doing this and it seems to work great for many of you. In New York, I'd think you'd have many models ... and potential flakes, so do what ever works! Aug 08 07 04:20 pm Link C R Photography wrote: i like it! Jan 26 08 12:41 am Link When I am in the process of setting up a shoot, I always ask where they live. While they are telling me, I sound excited (not the heavy breathing kinda excited...the other kind) and explain that I'd love to shoot at their place. When I confirm the shoot, I ask them if they remember what Melvin did to in Office Space and explain that I have 5 gallons of gas and a whole box of matches. Yeah, OK, I'm kidding but, it might work. Jan 26 08 12:49 am Link I've had a 0% flake rate for the past two months because I learned one simple trick: Ask the models specific questions about their overall career goals. If they're serious about modeling, they'll have one of two answers. One, they'll ask for direction and input on what their options are; or Two, they'll already know what they wish to accomplish, and will be asking YOU questions to make sure you'll be able to help them accomplish their goals. Yep, it's really that simple. If they have no goals, and/or aren't questioning what goals are attainable for them, then they'll likely flake on you. Oh, and this little tidbit of advice goes for any newbie in any career. I saw the same problem in flight school when students "wanted" a career in aviation; but wouldn't show up for flight lessons, and didn't have any ultimate goal for their career. Jan 26 08 01:06 am Link Paul Bryson Photography wrote: Well for the most part, you are conducting an interview which is like what I do by meeting models first before shooting. Thing is that I've had a 0% flake rate on my shoots because I really do have back ups. But I have had many "want to be" models flake on meeting me for a preshoot intro meeting. Those are the ones I avoid having flake on me the day of the shoot. Jan 26 08 02:47 am Link Lots of good info here, and good solution. I think that no matter what technique you use, it just important to know that a flake is a flake and there is no way to change "them," so if you're getting a lot of flakes, it's YOU you have to change I don't think there's any faster way to bring out the flakes than not knowing what you want to accomplish with the shoot, or not being able to express it in plain terms. Some photographers would like to get into body work, but even when contacting a model who advertises that he or she does nude work, they dance around the issue like they're embarrassed to say "I'd like to do some nude studies involving a soft beige chair as a prop, and possibly some bla... bla... bla... When contacting a model, even for TFP, you are contracting him or her to do a job. How many interviews have you been to and had your potential employer say, "I'd like someone to come in on monday morning but I really have no idea what I might want them to do when they get here." doesn't sound like a job I'd show up for, and I'm sure as hell not a flake. Also, in complete agreement with the OP, if I need a particular look, and I need to work really efficiently, I'll hire a full time professional. Possibly I'm just fortunate to have the resources to do that, but I think it's more a case that my willingness to take this industry and my place in it very seriously, and conduct myself as a professional, has much to do with such good fortune! Jan 26 08 03:11 am Link Money does not seem to be an answer to this problem, last model who flaked on a shoot with me, and who i is now also listed prominently on my profile as a flake i offered $400.00 an air ticket a hotel plus 20 edited images to as well, money seems to be less and less a factor these days, seems to be just a general who gives a toss malady has set in. Jan 26 08 03:18 am Link Bump for those who missed this one! Paying models does help reduce flakes. May 03 08 01:19 pm Link Offer them candy while in a rolling meth lab white van with no windows in the back... I hear that gets rid of flaking.  (Sorry. I felt the need to.) Although I do agree with the original poster. May 03 08 01:23 pm Link Patrick Walberg wrote: Actually what cut out my flakes was to offer TFP/CD, when I was offering money, I was getting flakes, like 1 out of every 4 May 03 08 01:28 pm Link Surefire way to prevent flakes: Have them turn on their webcam and start posing. While they're posing, take screen captures. May 03 08 01:31 pm Link Lazyi Photography wrote: Now that is interesting! Could it be that you are getting models who are doing it more for the "love" of modeling, and not the money? May 03 08 01:42 pm Link I'm not sure what the absolute definition of "flake" is. I've never had a no-call/no-show before. Any cancellations I've been able to determine before the shoot and just go do something else. My definition of a flake is one that says they're interested and when you lock down a schedule, they stop responding. But at that point, you just don't follow through with the shoot, so you don't get stood up. May 03 08 05:52 pm Link Sleepy Weasel wrote: That is a pretty good definition. I guess that communication is so important to me that if I'm not able to do things like get their phone number, talk with them on the phone or in person, and confirm dates and times ... then I don't count it so much as a "flake" but move on to the next model who wants to shoot. If they put the effort into communication, then normally we are going to get to shoot. Canceling and rescheduling is not really flaking to me as long as they call me before I'm already at a location waiting for them. May 03 08 09:29 pm Link In my experience: - paid models are just as likely to flake as TFP. - Providing maps including the best place to park, and public transport links does not guarantee the model will show. - Exchanging cell phone numbers does not guarantee the model will show. - Clear communication, emails explaining exactly what is expected and what they will get out of the shoot will not guarantee that the model will show. - I am on a major train and bus route. This does not guarantee that the model will show. [Getting here is their responsibility not mine]. - I use model release, provided in advance. This does not guarantee that the model will show. Basically there are now guarantees that the model will show. But I can guarantee this: I book you and you do a no call/no show I will never book you again. Models are either flakes or their not, regardless of any other factor. Fortunately there are some professional in attitude models who take their modeling serious and are reliable again and again again. I will work with them anytime. May 03 08 11:59 pm Link Morgana Creely wrote: There is no guarantee in life. I have almost died a few times already, so maybe tomorrow will be my time. All I'm saying is that I'm thankful that I've never had any one flake on me. I've had people call to cancel, reschedule or say they are running late, but never a complete flake. So I wrote these things because I believe it's worked for me somehow. May 04 08 12:04 am Link Patrick Walberg wrote: LOL May 04 08 12:05 am Link TRIPLE6DIGITAL wrote: Did we see an outing? May 04 08 12:07 am Link MYS Britt wrote: Awww ... May 04 08 12:09 am Link Chip Miller wrote: Damn, Chip! May 04 08 12:37 am Link Patrick Walberg wrote: they must be crazy May 04 08 12:39 am Link C R Photography wrote: On a more practical bent... I have actually just locked the door. May 04 08 07:32 am Link |
Thank you! XOXO's 