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 08/11/2009 10:03:53 AM · #1
I hope I am not alone on this topic, but how do you handle impatient models?
Some models are really good about waiting, others...not so good.

So how do you handle it?

Are you upfront about telling them before shooting that you allow them to pick the ones they want done?
Do you select the ones you like and let them pick from there?
Do you say buzz off, you get them when you get them?

How do you handle it? I am getting to the point where I need to set expectations on how many photos I should process.

What is the average number that you hand out from a session?

Remember, these models are not paid nor am I. These are mostly TFP type shoots which I am very grateful to do. So my goal is to keep the models happy but at the same time avoiding to burn myself out.

Thanks. I appreciate any input I can get
Jaime
08/11/2009 10:14:35 AM · #2
Originally posted by JaimeVinas:
I hope I am not alone on this topic, but how do you handle impatient models?
Some models are really good about waiting, others...not so good.

So how do you handle it?

Are you upfront about telling them before shooting that you allow them to pick the ones they want done?
Do you select the ones you like and let them pick from there?
Do you say buzz off, you get them when you get them?

How do you handle it? I am getting to the point where I need to set expectations on how many photos I should process.

What is the average number that you hand out from a session?

Remember, these models are not paid nor am I. These are mostly TFP type shoots which I am very grateful to do. So my goal is to keep the models happy but at the same time avoiding to burn myself out.

Thanks. I appreciate any input I can get
Jaime


First off I don´t work with impatient models, if I even suspect that they are impatient I just cancel the shot and if they manage to fool me and turn out to be impatient, I just don´t bother talking to them again, well after giving them pictures of course, I am not a complete jerk. If a "model" doesn´t commit to a shoot as much as I would do it just turn out bad anyway so why bother working with a model that doesn´t want to commit?

I pick the shots from a shoot, usually somewhere between 5-10, depends on how well it went, process those and give to the model. People/models usually are not the best judge of photographs of themselves and it´s just way to much hassle to let people select their own shots. I usually give people a bunch of less processed shots as well (just raw converted, not retouched) and if they want one or two more of those processed, sure, I do that, but that is the extent of what they select.
 08/11/2009 10:26:20 AM · #3
Thanks Larus. I appreciate the input.
 08/11/2009 10:31:34 AM · #4
After shooting I go through and delete out the ones I would consider unusable. That is from both ends technically I screwed up (unfixable crop, lighting wasn't what I wanted) or where the model butchered it (strange face, pose of ridiculousness) then I post a gallery from the model to select 8-10 for me to process for their uses. After they have selected their choices I process them up and that is that. I want the model to have what they are looking for from the shoot and my technical mastery may not be what they are looking for. Now I don't want a sub-par image getting out there with my name on it which is why I weed out the ones I don't want my name on first. And also why any image that I give a model I have processed so as again to avoid a sub-par image getting out there with my name on it.
 08/11/2009 10:33:02 AM · #5
Agree with Lal,

I have had both types of models. The one that phoned me the day after the shoot to ask where her shots where and the ones that weren't bothered at all.

I usually choose the shots, I had one model that was just gorgeous, spent 6 hours shooting her in a lake, on a lake, surrounding areas. SHe had two expressions, one pouty lips open, and one pouty lips closed. Even with coaching and showing her the poses and how to relax, do the face etc, still the same ole thing. She got maybe 10 pics out of 600. But i have also gone the other way and given up to 20 shots to a model.

I don't do it for profit , so i get them 5 shots as soon as i can, then the other 5 within a few weeks. the rest if they are great come in dribs and drabs over the months.

SO now I think about it, I don't let them choose, I just send them what I like and what I think are good shots.

Message edited by author 2009-08-11 10:34:01.
 08/11/2009 10:33:19 AM · #6
I do 5 images from the shoot, that I choose. In reality, unless you have multiple looks going on during the shoot, there is no reason for them to ever need more than 5 (and realistically, more then 2 or 3) from any one shoot.

If im not getting paid for the shoot, than I have no problem telling a model that my paid work comes before her in the editing cycle.

Also, recap all of that info to them before the day of the shoot, and even once they get there. I like to give a break down of whats going to occur after the shoot, before we even get started shooting.
 08/11/2009 11:55:55 AM · #7
YOU are doing them a favor and visa versa. They need you as much as you need them. If they are not willing to wait and they have other things to do, let them go. If you are getting serious attitude, explain to them that it is part of the process and they have to be patient. You really must assert your authority, but with tact and diplomacy.
 08/11/2009 02:06:14 PM · #8
That is pretty good input from everyone.

So from what I am reading, the photographer should always be in control and and be tactful to the models who tend to get impatient.

I think I am going to start the 5-10 image rule. Before I would process until my heart's content, but now that I am getting more of a crowd of models asking me to shoot with them, I am running into the scenario where I have to limit the amount of photos and concetrate only on the really good ones. :)

Thanks
Jaime
 08/11/2009 02:34:16 PM · #9
Originally posted by JaimeVinas:

I think I am going to start the 5-10 image rule. Before I would process until my heart's content, but now that I am getting more of a crowd of models asking me to shoot with them, I SHOULD START CHARGING INSTEAD OF DOING TFCD
 08/11/2009 02:49:59 PM · #10
Originally posted by ajdelaware:
Originally posted by JaimeVinas:

I think I am going to start the 5-10 image rule. Before I would process until my heart's content, but now that I am getting more of a crowd of models asking me to shoot with them, I SHOULD START CHARGING INSTEAD OF DOING TFCD


LoL, I dont charge most of them beacuse most of them are girls from MM that dont have much in their pockets. I do charge the soccer moms and families :)
08/11/2009 08:00:53 PM · #11
I've dealt with impatient and rude models before and cut s shoot short because of one. It's not worth it. If she was a world-class model then I could understand a bit of arrogance but she wasn't and I was helping her far more than helping myself. She was just a rude person I guess.

When it comes to processing etc I choose the best ones, work on them and send them to the model. This is usually anywhere from 5-20 pics from each shoot depending on how many outfits, locations etc and also depends on the skill of the model. I've worked with some who just have one look plastered to their face and van't pose for beans. I can coax them all I like and try to get them to feel something to put into the shot but some of them are quite simply useless, and others are quite simply brilliant.

So, I send them the pics on a cd, with a readme file basically saying copyright information. If it's a free shoot then i put a watermark in the corner (a little one) and if it's a paid shoot I don't.

I agree with the whole "assert yourself" thing but some people just think they're doing you a massive favour just by being in your presence and it doesn't always work. If you feel you need to call a shoot off for a reason involving the model then do it sooner rather than later and explain why in a respectful and professional way. Don't wade in and tell them they suck and are rude and will never get anywhere in the industry (they'll learn that anyways).

I had one model who was going to bring her mum along to a shoot and would make me sign a contract saying I wouldn't use the pictures for pornography etc etc cos she doesn't want to be exploited. I told her I had no intentions of ever doing that kind of stuff and my portfolio has nothing to do with porn, and if you bring someone along, thats cool as long as they're prepared to help by holding things, carrying stuff or whatever. Then she replied back saying her mum was there to "keep an eye on me" and wouldn't be helping and where is the contract. I told her i didnt want toshoot with her if she accuses every photographer before the shoot of being a pervert and exploitative of females and I basically had a bad vibe and don't appreciate being treated like a scumbag. Basically, I told her to kiss my ass... but in a nicer way.
 08/12/2009 06:12:50 AM · #12
Originally posted by Tez:
I've dealt with impatient and rude models before and cut s shoot short because of one. It's not worth it. If she was a world-class model then I could understand a bit of arrogance but she wasn't and I was helping her far more than helping myself. She was just a rude person I guess.

When it comes to processing etc I choose the best ones, work on them and send them to the model. This is usually anywhere from 5-20 pics from each shoot depending on how many outfits, locations etc and also depends on the skill of the model. I've worked with some who just have one look plastered to their face and van't pose for beans. I can coax them all I like and try to get them to feel something to put into the shot but some of them are quite simply useless, and others are quite simply brilliant.

So, I send them the pics on a cd, with a readme file basically saying copyright information. If it's a free shoot then i put a watermark in the corner (a little one) and if it's a paid shoot I don't.

I agree with the whole "assert yourself" thing but some people just think they're doing you a massive favour just by being in your presence and it doesn't always work. If you feel you need to call a shoot off for a reason involving the model then do it sooner rather than later and explain why in a respectful and professional way. Don't wade in and tell them they suck and are rude and will never get anywhere in the industry (they'll learn that anyways).

I had one model who was going to bring her mum along to a shoot and would make me sign a contract saying I wouldn't use the pictures for pornography etc etc cos she doesn't want to be exploited. I told her I had no intentions of ever doing that kind of stuff and my portfolio has nothing to do with porn, and if you bring someone along, thats cool as long as they're prepared to help by holding things, carrying stuff or whatever. Then she replied back saying her mum was there to "keep an eye on me" and wouldn't be helping and where is the contract. I told her i didnt want toshoot with her if she accuses every photographer before the shoot of being a pervert and exploitative of females and I basically had a bad vibe and don't appreciate being treated like a scumbag. Basically, I told her to kiss my ass... but in a nicer way.


Just a little aside. It is the Top Models that have the LEAST attitude. I have worked with every one from Elle MacPherson to Andie MacDowell and Helena Christensen to Irina Lazareanu and they were all courteous professional and very patient. I have had problems on two or three occasions. One on a shoot for Macy's in New York where the model was a new be and she really went off on me. I called the agency, told them what happened, passed the phone to the model and for the rest of the day she was as sweet as can be. The attitude comes from insecure, unexperienced and generally under classed models. Those who succeed do so for a reason. They are professionals that understand that a day in a photo shoot is just that, a very long day.
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