People are ridiculous....

[opianstate]

May be the wrong forum to do this in, but figured it would go somewhere....

I cannot believe the nerve of some models/subjects/whomever requesting a shoot. Ever since I've tried to expand my port by doing TFP/TFCD, I've been subjected to the most ass-backwards treatment. I'm not a professional by any means, but I do present myself in a professional manner, do own solid equipment, and do my own editing and am able to showcase this in a manner to the people I am going to photograph. That being said, I have set up literally 6 different shoots in the last 2-3 months that every single one of the models have canceled or no-call no-showed to, and I'm talking within hours of the appointment time.

I've gotten excuses as bad as, "my dog is sick, I need to take her to the vet" to just straight up ignoring a time/date/place and then dodging calls and texts. I cannot believe the amount of no-follow-through these people seem to have, it absolutely blows me away. You're getting a service for FREE here; abusing the person's time by canceling within a moments notice is just downright bad form.

That being said; what do all of you, as photographers, do to prevent this? I've tried establishing the fact that if you cancel without notice I will never work with you again or even attempt to try; and that doesn't even to work. Aside from charging a retainer, what in the world helps?

Sorry for venting, figured I should do it somewhere. Hope everyone else is having better luck than I am with people....

[beano]

I think it's just a fact of life mate. Nothing you can really do about it, but learn to spot the flakes. And don't look at it like you're doing the model a favour here, because you're not, it's a 50/50 thing.

[Brennan.M]

Refundable deposit after the shoot is completed *shrug* not really a whole lot that you can do I imagine

[thebishopp]

You are pretting much doing it. I don't work with anyone who no calls or no shows again. Period. If they cancel with notice of at least a few days in advance then I don't normally have a problem unless it happens more than once and their "reason" is something ridiculous.

[rgrebby]

check that they dont have any 'myspace' photos for there model mayhem profile.

You could call them and chat in person or even arrange a pre shoot meeting somewhere they choose so they feel more relaxed.

To be honest, most people who go for TFP work are usually amatures and they dont have experience, thus are usually nervous before and during their shoot. As a result they back out and run away.


When I was in the US for shoots I had someone back out of a shoot without telling me. I'd booked the studio and drove all the way there. Luckily the guy who ran the studio made some calls and got me 3 other girls to shoot instead. He also didnt charge me for the rental as the girl who canceled was a friend.

If you have the time, and can get around to people goto them. Get more tf* shoots on the go and then add to your port. A few months later people will be asking you to shoot them.


Hope that helps a little.

[photoPanda]

You're lucky to only have 6 free shoots bail in that timeframe! If you want professionalism find a model who charges to sit; the experience gained there may well be worth the money invested.

[banpreso]

think about it from the model's perspective

if they show up, they get free photos. photos may be trash, okay, good, great. chances of great photos are slim.
if they don't show up, they get to hang out with their friends, and there are plenty of photogs on MM for another day

i would recommend booking more than 1 model per session. if both show up you can do some interactive shots, or just 1 shows up you'll have something to do.

[Kevin Curtis]

it happens. at least you've had them contact you. most of my flakers haven't even had the decency to contact me

[tehshocker]

Originally Posted by banpreso

think about it from the model's perspective

if they show up, they get free photos. photos may be trash, okay, good, great. chances of great photos are slim.
if they don't show up, they get to hang out with their friends, and there are plenty of photogs on MM for another day

i would recommend booking more than 1 model per session. if both show up you can do some interactive shots, or just 1 shows up you'll have something to do.

I agree with this 100%, and usually I tell the models that I will have another one show up that way they feel more comfortable and usually don't cancel.

[NicholasP]

Money down.

[ootsk]

The key is, they have to WANT to be shot by you.
Don't take this wrong, but just as there's tons of models out there, there's also tons of "guys with cameras". Is your work good enough that they will go out of their way to show up?
If not, it's a frustrating place to be, but just like any garage band or starving artist, you've got to struggle through the early phasees before you can start rising to the top.
I had models flake on me as well, and I still do. It seems that the ones that contact me
are more reliable than the ones I ask.

[ratempa]

I hope I don't experience that, but I probably will. I've only had one person cancel on me 1 day before. I usually maintain a line of communication with the model such as e-mail, txt, or phone.

I do have flakes though, those who don't really follow up after the initial contact (e-mail/call). The funny thing is that I find most of the time my flakes are guys.

[athimbleofdan]

This is why i skipped the whole model mayhem craze. Go through an agency. If the talent calls off a good agency will send you a replacement. This type of stuff should not happen. But if your work is not good enough yet it's normal for them to flake.

[pcj]

I've never shot anyone from MM, but my typical routine is to send them an email 24 hours prior to the shoot to confirm details - amazing how many replies I've had to that cancelling, but at least then I know a day in advance and I've usually gone with a Plan B

[RKKS1]

YEH, IT SUCKS PEOPLE NEED TO BE AWARE OF OTHERS