frustrated.....

[danchez]

I know I am not the greatest photographer out there but why is it so freakin hard to get a model to show up for a shoot? I had 2 shoots scheduled this week and now I have none. I had one scheduled for the 5th, the model was actually nice enough to give me a weeks notice that she was not going to be able to make it. The other shoot was scheduled for today at 10am. I got an email last night at 11pm stating there was a scheduling conflict and that she was not going to be able to make it. WTF?!? How am I supposed to build my portfolio and gain experience when I can't get anyone in the studio to shoot??? AAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! OK, I feel a little better. Just curious as to what others have done to help guarantee that a model shows up for their shoot.

[groovyone]

Offer free punch and pie?

[danchez]

punch and pie, LOL. Thanks, I needed the laugh.

[johnastovall]

Switch to Landscape, it's always there when ever you want it....

[texxter]

Dan, many "models" that work for TFP are not models at all, as you know. They are young and they do this for fun. They don't really think of it as a commitment that they need to fulfill. The younger the model, the easier it's for them to flake on you. You may want to request talking on the phone prior to the shoot, getting a read on the maturity of the model. It's no guarantee, but it may help. An older model is likely to be a bit more responsible, and you may get better pictures anyway. Ask for a reference.

I've had models flake on me several times, it's disappointing. It doesn't happen anymore, I can just "read" the flakes.

[crackhead]

Originally Posted by johnastovall

Switch to Landscape, it's always there when ever you want it....

or roadkill. Roadkill never cancels. ;)

[zebulus]

Originally Posted by texxter

Dan, many "models" that work for TFP are not models at all, as you know. They are young and they do this for fun. They don't really think of it as a commitment that they need to fulfill. The younger the model, the easier it's for them to flake on you. You may want to request talking on the phone prior to the shoot, getting a read on the maturity of the model. It's no guarantee, but it may help. An older model is likely to be a bit more responsible, and you may get better pictures anyway. Ask for a reference.

I've had models flake on me several times, it's disappointing. It doesn't happen anymore, I can just "read" the flakes.

I had a model flake on me the last minute once, simply because I said I was a christian photographer. :)

[Phanee]

This happens a lot with TFP models. From my personal experience, show up rate is about 50%.

But like Paco suggested talking to them on phone might make them commit a little better than over internet.

[danchez]

Originally Posted by texxter

Dan, many "models" that work for TFP are not models at all, as you know. They are young and they do this for fun. They don't really think of it as a commitment that they need to fulfill. The younger the model, the easier it's for them to flake on you. You may want to request talking on the phone prior to the shoot, getting a read on the maturity of the model. It's no guarantee, but it may help. An older model is likely to be a bit more responsible, and you may get better pictures anyway. Ask for a reference.

I've had models flake on me several times, it's disappointing. It doesn't happen anymore, I can just "read" the flakes.

Thanks Paco, that is some good advice.

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by crackhead

or roadkill. Roadkill never cancels. ;)

And never complains about holding the pose too long...

[groovyone]

Originally Posted by johnastovall

And never complains about holding the pose too long...

But if you take too long your working relationship may rot away quickly...

[srwatters]

You want a model to show up? Pay them.

It's a simple balancing act. You want to learn, the model is not free. The model wants to learn, you're not free. Until you can consistently produce portfolio quality photos for a subject, don't even think about TFP. Hire a good model who knows how to pose and might even know enough about lighting to teach you some things. Trust me, the combination of an inexperienced model and equally inexperienced photographer will produce nothing but frustration for all parties involved.

YMMV, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[danchez]

thanks for the advice Scott.

[srwatters]

You're welcome...

Another tip. Unless you're trying to do nude photography, remove the nudes from your MM portfolio. Not that there is anything wrong with them, but that will scare away many, many, models as they will think you are nothing more than a "GWC" (Guy With Camera, AKA a creep). Now if you want to become a figure nude photographer, then be up front and expect to pay for those models always. Expecting models to take their clothes off for free is the perfect way to get a GWC stamp on your port.

Good luck and have fun!

[ldelacruz]

Originally Posted by srwatters

you Want A Model To Show Up? Pay Them.

It's A Simple Balancing Act. You Want To Learn, The Model Is Not Free. The Model Wants To Learn, You're Not Free. Until You Can Consistently Produce Portfolio Quality Photos For A Subject, Don't Even Think About Tfp. Hire A Good Model Who Knows How To Pose And Might Even Know Enough About Lighting To Teach You Some Things. Trust Me, The Combination Of An Inexperienced Model And Equally Inexperienced Photographer Will Produce Nothing But Frustration For All Parties Involved.

Ymmv, But That's My Story And I'm Sticking To It.

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