I feel the need to speak up about some recent posting I have been seeing from other photographers about what they dislike when working with a model. Or what is expected from the talent they are working with. I don’t know what has cause this recent surge in this topic. So, I figure I offer my own 2 cents on the subject matter. Everything I am writing is based on my personal experiences.
What I give
Every time when I work with anyone that is on set I make sure to:
· Respect everyone
· Have a good time
· Try to make everyone comfortable
· Be patience
· Don’t judge a person’s shortcoming
· Communicate effectively
I needed to put this here because I know some people tend to be hesitate with working with new people sometimes. I am a people person first and a parent second. I joke a lot and I am a smart ass, but all in good fun.
What I expect…
· Be on time
· Unless we are collaborating, I expect pay
· Be respectful
· Be prepared
· Follow instruction before and during the shoot
· Be positive
Personal pet peeves & Annoyances
Crazy color nails
99% of the time. I will tell the model to have her nails clear or French tip (toes too!). Why? Because depending on what we are doing I rather your nails don’t clash with the make-up, environmental or clothing.
Weave / Wigs
Depending on what the concept is I am not a fan of weaves, wigs, extensions, etc. I don’t know about other people, but I can see it a mile away and I am not a big fan of it.
Being late
This is self-explanatory.
Whining
Speaks for itself.
Showing up high or hung over
What you do in your downtime is your business, when it time to work I expect you to be 100%.
Asking me for RAW files
NEVER
Flaking
Just so you know if this happens we will never work together again.
Say you want to shoot…
…but you have no concept
…you don’t follow up after I respond accepting to shoot with you
Beef with other models, I honestly don’t care to hear you don’t like a model I worked with.
Significant others:
I can’t stand people who allow their significant others to rule their life. Whether it’s a risqué photoshoot or not, if your significant other isn’t comfortable with it and its going to cause problems for you there are only two things you should do.
Leave the relationship and do what you want
OR
Don’t shoot at all
Claim you don’t have money…
…then I see you taking a trip to Vegas on Facebook
Trap me
You hit me up first. Talk me up and down about working with me and how much you love my work. Then hit me with “My rates are….”
Lie
I won’t lie to you, why lie to me?
Be the director
My set, I run the show, not you.
Not following directions
I call and email and send a PDF of everything that is going on for a shoot. I tell you the poses I am looking for, the emotion I need expressed. For some reason you didn’t read or pay attention and now we have to waste everyone times getting you to do what you have been told to do already before the shoot.
Modelmayhem
Modelmayhem, whew….where do I start? I have been a seeing a lot of crap lately on there and I am now looking elsewhere for new clients to work with. I will give you some of the comical things I see on there.
When I see this ->
Experience Level: No Experience or Some Experience
Compensation: Paid Assignments Only
I don’t care if your nude or not, why would I pay someone who has little to no experience? Would you pay a car repairman with some experience or none to fix the brakes on your car? Nope, I know times are hard, but just like me I had to grind to get to where I am right now.
Females model lie about their measurements
Self-explanatory
Don’t shoot nudes…
…but you have nudes covering more than 50% of your portfolio.
Trying to find an event photographer to shoot for free
Weddings, birthday party, club opening, etc. I won’t do any event photography, EVER. Don’t ask me. I see no art in event photography and I am an artist. Secondly, you’re not even going to pay for my services? No.
Conclusion
Well, that is all I can think in my personal experiences. I don’t mean any of this in a way to alienate anyone. I am being honest and we are all here to create great art, but if your heart isn’t in it, then why waste my time?
Comments are welcomed.