The Perils of Dealing with Flaky Models
Professional photographers know all too well the perils of dealing with flaky models. You’ve scheduled a photo shoot, confirmed with the model, and even sent a reminder email the day before…only to have the model not show up. It’s the photographer’s nightmare.
Even worse is when the model does show up but is totally unprepared. They forget to bring key elements to their wardrobe changes or makeup, and they’re not even sure what kind of look they’re going for. As a photographer, you’re left scrambling to try and salvage the shoot.
So, why do models flake out? And how can photographers avoid dealing with flaky models in the future? Let’s take a closer look.
Reasons Why Models Flake
There can be a myriad of reasons why a model flakes on a shoot, but some of the most common include the following:
- They double-booked and forgot they had another shoot scheduled for the same day.
- They’re not feeling well and don’t want to risk getting sicker by doing a photoshoot.
- They’re having personal issues and need to cancel at the last minute.
- They simply changed their mind and decided they didn’t want to do the shoot after all.
As you can see, some of these reasons are beyond the model’s control. However, there are other reasons that are entirely within their control, such as being unprepared or simply forgetting about the shoot altogether.
Red Flags to Watch Out for When Booking a Model
To avoid dealing with flaky models, one must be aware of some warning signs when booking them for a shoot. Here are some red flags to watch out for:
- They’re constantly changing their mind or unclear about what they want to shoot. You may not pick up on this in the first conversation, but if you notice that they’re constantly changing their mind or are unsure about what they want from the shoot, they’ll likely be flaky on the day of.
- They’re challenging to get ahold of and always seem to be “in the middle of something.” If a model takes a long time to respond to your emails or texts, it’s a sign that they’re not very organized. This lack of organization will likely carry over to the day of the shoot, and you’ll end up dealing with a flaky model.
- They have a terrible reputation. If you’ve heard from other photographers that a particular model is flaky or difficult to work with, take their word for it and steer clear. It’s not worth the hassle of dealing with a flaky model.
- Their eagerness to shoot begins to die down as the shoot date gets closer. A model who is genuinely excited about a shoot will maintain that excitement up until the day of. If you notice that their enthusiasm starts to wane as the date approaches, it’s a sign that they may back out at the last minute.
- It’s difficult for them to find a date that they are available. If a model is having a hard time finding a date and you still push forward with booking with them, there’s a good chance that they’ll cancel on you last minute. Having little to no availability is usually a sign that the model is not that interested in the shoot or concept, or there would be apparent efforts to move things around to make it work.
If you see any of these red flags, it’s best to steer clear of that model. Chances are, they’ll only end up causing you headaches down the road.
Dealing with Flaky Models
As a photographer, it can be frustrating trying to deal with flaky models. However, there are some steps you can take to avoid flaky models wasting your time and possibly damaging your business:
1) Get confirmation from the model at least 24 hours before the shoot via email or text. This will help ensure that the model hasn’t forgotten about the shoot or double-booked themselves.
2) Always have a backup plan. This could mean having another model on standby in case your primary model flakes or simply having a list of poses and ideas so that you can still get some good shots even if the model isn’t cooperating. I like to always book a reliable model with which I have extensive experience to arrive close to the end of a shoot with a possible flaky model. This way, I can at least get some great shots if the possible flake is a no-show. If all else fails, I’ll set aside some backup work for me to complete, like editing some photos.
3) Be understanding but firm. If a model does cancel on you last minute, try to be understanding. However, make it clear that you expect them to give you as much notice as possible if they need to cancel. This way, you can try and reschedule the shoot instead of losing out entirely.
4) Keep your cool. Letting your frustration out on a flaky model can be tempting, but this will only damage your professional reputation in the long run. Instead, try to remain calm and understanding while still maintaining your standards and boundaries as a professional photographer.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, dealing with flaky models is part of being a professional photographer. However, by taking some simple precautions and being prepared for the worst, you can minimize the impact that flaky models have on your business.
