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[Jenna Photog]

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[Vintage Suits by Mary]

They do this to me, too, Jenna. Offering to model for me at fashion shows, then they either cancel at the last minute (AFTER I've made outfits for them!) or they just don't show up. It's aggravating, but the only thing I can do is mentally blacklist them. Also, whenever I hear another business owner, promoter, or photographer mention them, I make sure to tell them my experience with the flake. Most of the flakes disappear after a few months or so.
Keep your chin up, you are an excellent photographer!

[Honey B Hooligan {Madam}]

O_O that's a bit extreme....and creepy.....

anyway! Mental blacklist is your best bet (having worked with photographers, this is basically what everyone does) When you get a chance, be sure to let people know that the model in question is a total flake, and relate your story. Hell, you can even keep an ACTUAL black list in a little notebook. LOL

Michael Harrington said:

Have had that happen a few times, Other than hunting them down and cutting them with a straight razor, there is not much you can do other than warn others about them.

[madpinup]

this happens alot in this industry just black list them they usually come back and have some stupid excuse of why they couldnt shoot. theres no fix to this i usually send them a final message calling them Flaker Oats :-) move on to real models that really want to shoot.

[Hexotica]

I'm an accessories designer who has so far had good luck with models for share work, but I have been careful to ask around about most of the people I consider. Besides recommendations or checking the background work of each model, you could ask them for a small deposit or other exchange that will compel them to follow through. One of the biggest pieces of good advice from one photographer was to ALWAYS have a back up model--there always may be unavoidable things like accidents or sickness. Hope this helps!

[Eric Courtney]

Although not completely fool proof, you can usually avoid the situation in two ways... 1) Only choose to do trade with models who have a reputable online portfolio with images from a multitude of different photogs, and then you can send those togs a query for the model's character reference. 2) If you decide to do trade with up and comers... See if the model is just starting out with limited experience and a small online portfolio. If that is the case, have the model send you a fully refundable PayPal (minus paypal fees of course) deposit of say... $25. If they show up for your shoot, you promptly return payment. If they don't, you get a little bit of cash to make up for the leg work.

Again, not fool proof... As there are times when someone's car WILL break down or the model actually does catch a cold, but it will eliminate those who are flaky by nature. But it's ultimately YOU who can control how often it happens, and it will keep your mental blacklist small. Hope this helps!

[Tifa DeLeone]

I’m not a photographer but been in photo/modeling forums for many years and this question comes up from time to time.
Especially with new photographers getting to experience this for the first time.

There is always a chance that something really happened to the model but when you see them online and are active after ignoring you I think you can make the conclusion that that model is a flake and is not serious.
People have already given tips to avoiding this in the future such as deposits, having a backup model etc.

Sometimes I get the feeling that its worst being ignored after doing all these preparations for a shoot, a simple explanation like “I’m sick” or “ a family crisis” is enough to be OK with someone canceling, we are all humans after all.
And not everyone see modeling as work, they see it as a fun thing.
Being tired, hangover or simply “don’t feel like it” is NOT a reason for not following through as a model (or photographer, stylist).

I think mentally blacklisting someone is the easiest thing and don’t recommend this person to someone else.
I do that with photographers that doesn’t follow up on sending me images after shoots a tfp shoot.

Be sure to have all their contact info, confirm with them by telephone/sms day before or in the morning.
I’ve heard both new photographers and amazing pros getting stood up, it happens everyone from time to time.

Good luck with your photography, I really like your dramatic film noir shots!

[Vintage Suits by Mary]

Some folks have noticed that most of my photos have the same girls over and over. That's because I now have a small "stable" of reliable, professional models who are all not only hardworking, but fun, and gorgeous!

[richardwangphotography]

For critical projects and avoid the tearing out of hair

1. Pay the model
2. Pay the model
3. Pay the model
4. Use only experienced and professional models
5. Use only models you've already worked with
6. Use only models that have been referred to you
7. If you've got some real money riding on the project, book through a reputable and established agency.