When do you flake?

[The Trousseau]

I was browsing modelmayhem and I saw a profile of a young woman who said, "I don't flake except for paid gigs. Paid has priority over TFP."

What are your thoughts? If you had a shoot lined up with a photog, and were offered a chance to get paid (for whatever-- modeling, hair, walking someone's dog) what would you do? Do you think it is okay to flake for money? When is it okay to flake on a job/session?

[SamanthaArmyWifey]

I'm not a model but personally I don't do people like that. There's always time for another shoot. If I had to choose between two gigs, I'd choose the best concept over money. Gold digging is not pinup or classy.

[Auburn Hills]

Its never okay to flake. Re-schedule if its necesssary and time permits. Be respectful of other people's time and efforts.

[Dollhouse Kitty {★}]

I agree with Auburn... it is never okay to flake, paid or unpaid. SO rude to all people involved.

[Ruby-Rose Rex {★}]

I have to beleive that in the case of most photographers, if they had a paid opportunity over a TF gig, they would take it. It often surprises me that no one ever talks about photographers flaking out on models! But I wonder if these photographers would understand that from the model's end of things.

I think it is important for everyone to remember that for most of us this IS a business, and $ is at the heart of it. That being said, you'll never make any real money if you ruin your own reputation by shamelessly chasing those dollars. Use your judgement people, and be respectful of other people's time.

In my own case I would never cancel with less than 48hours notice (unless something terrible happened - God forbid). I will admit however that if a paid opportunity presents itself before that 48hour mark, I may contact the TF phototgrapher to see if the shoot can be rescheduled. If they have any serious hesitation in their voice, or if they have booked a studio or equipment, I will always honour my original commitment.

[Betty Maraschino {Madam}]

I never flake, purely because I was brought up that if you promised something you WOULD do it come hell or high water.
I never schedule things on the same day on purpose. If you want me then we have to agree on a suitable time.

[just christee]

yeah flakey people ruin themselves. perhaps before they even get their chance to be somebody!! i had two models that i booked for my photographer for a calendar shoot flake.....after i drove 3 hours (round trip) to get the cello for this shoot!! fortunately for me i have a great girlfriend who was willing to put on a wig and pose and it turned out awesome!!

[Tifa DeLeone]

I think there is a difference between reschedule and flake.

And if I having a tfp session and I get offered paid work I would TRY to reschedule (considering the work seems fun/good experience) and since I never work with MUA’s or stylists it’s just me and the photographer, and reschedule with just one person is pretty much never impossible.
Also I mostly work with photographers who have their own studio and equipment so no problem there.

I would totally respect if I was to shoot with someone and they had got a paid job instead, some people need that to pay their bills, they might have children to support and money comes first.
However, I do think it’s VERY important if someone had for instance traveled for the shoot, there is a one time special location or things like that.
If I had a regular tfp shoot and the photographer said that for instance that something came up, be it family or other legit reason I have no problem.
Flaking (not showing up/making up a reason when you are tired) is one thing, reschedule is another.
Just like you can cancel/reschedule a doctor’s appointment you can do that with a model/photographer.

Also depending on what the paid job is, I would for instance rather do a free work for a fun magazine then paid work for a bad photographer.

For me it all comes down to not cancel/reschedule 5 minutes before we should be meeting and I’m already on my way with all my stuff, that would be very annoying.
I’d never ever flake on not simply show up, that’s a big nono. Thank god I’d never experienced that with anyone I’ve worked with!

[richardwangphotography]

If a model cancels because of a paid assignment?

5 to 7 days notice? Fine.

3 to 5 days? Will never work with her .

Less than 3 days or don't show up? Will tell everyone in the business not to use her, because she's lying. No one just gets a paid assignment in 3 days or less.

And I don't know why photog's always b**** about it.

If you're talented, there are plenty of models who will happily work with you.

If it's critical work, don't be cheap. Pay for professional models.

If it's portfolio work, just schedule 4 to 6 girls that day. If one doesn't show up, you've not lost all that revenue.

[Rosalind Friday]

I agree with Tifa, there is a HUGE difference between a "flake" and openly and professionally communicating with someone about reality. Contacting someone with as much notice as possible to let them know you have a paid request/assignment for the same date and time and asking for a reschedule is acceptable. Most people will work around that given notice. I have organized some shoots for photographers using models other than myself and I am amazed and have no tolerance for those in our profession/hobby that "flake out"-- THAT shows no respect and that you don't take yourself seriously.

Obviously, things come up that you cannot plan for, emergencies and the like, but maintaining open and honest communication all the way around and doing your best to show a photographer that you want to reschedule with them at THEIR convenience, etc. will go a long way to proving that you are professional and someone worth working with.

[Craig Gardner]

If a model contacted me ahead of time to reschedule I don't consider it flaking, the last 4 shoots I setup with models from MM have flaked lots of comunication leading up to the shoot then no show and no comunication since. The really funny part was I happened to see a topic in the forums about flaking and a model that had flaked on me 3 weeks before posted about how it was very unproffesional and she would never do that.

[GiGi Von Vroom]

I have not had the opportunity to work paid or TFP yet. But either way it would seem very unacceptable to flake. You'd screw your own self flaking out cause you never know where the unpaid photos might land you. It's eventually gonna come back around and bite you in the bum!

[richardwangphotography]

Craig Gardner said:

If a model contacted me ahead of time to reschedule I don't consider it flaking, the last 4 shoots I setup with models from MM have flaked lots of comunication leading up to the shoot then no show and no comunication since. The really funny part was I happened to see a topic in the forums about flaking and a model that had flaked on me 3 weeks before posted about how it was very unproffesional and she would never do that.

I've got an even better one. Set up big time editorial shoot. Big name hair and make up artist. Rented location. Pulled wardrobe from Neiman Marcus.

Less than 8 hours to shoot a model on this site emails and says she can't make it. No big deal there are other models.
I can call.

Shoot goes great. Goodbtime had by all. Client happy.

1 week later she posts on her profile some marginal "pin up" images taken the day of my shoot. And she paid $100.

To this day she keeps on responding to my casting calls. She must think I'm stupid.