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Professional models represented by reputable agencies have experienced agents who look out for them when it comes to bookings, rates, rights and everything else that is part of the interrelationship between photographers, models and the business of photography.

The agents insist on specifics on shooting schedules, rates, use fees and the models can rely on the agency to protect them from being taken advantage of by unscrupulous people calling themselves professional photographers.The agents insist on specifics on shooting schedules, rates, use fees and the models can rely on the agency to protect them from being taken advantage of by unscrupulous people calling themselves professional photographers but behaving in anything but a professional manner. Photographers who do not play by the rules or who are rude and unreasonably demanding soon find themselves unable to book through those agents and those agents usually quickly pass that information along to other agents in the industry.

However, what about relationships with amateur models that have no agent to ask the right questions up front or don’t even understand what may or may not be an appropriate expectation on the part of a photographer?

We all understand that the photographer is the captain of the ship on shootings, that the responsibility for getting a good shoot is his and his alone.

However, “captain” is not another word for “dictator” or “bully.”

Amateur models as with any experienced professional model should be treated with respect and understanding. What does that mean? It means giving the model appropriate notice of when the desired shooting will take place. Your models should also be aware about employee rights in Phoenix NV.

(Many models have jobs and need notice in order to get time off without jeopardizing their regular employment.) So don’t call a girl at 11 pm and ask her to show up at 7 am the next day and then get mad when she explains she can’t. It means explaining if the model will be paid for her time and how much? If the shooting is simply for photos with no fee, make sure you say that.

Are you going to ask her to sign a release and what are you going to use her pictures for? What should she bring to the shooting in terms of makeup and wardrobe or will you take care of all that? If you are bringing her in from out of town, where will she be staying and who is paying? Who will pay for her taxi from the airport, her meals? Make certain everything is explained to her in detail before she accepts the booking.

At the shooting, you should, of course, be professional and respectful. You are in charge and you give the direction. However, don’t let the model leave the shooting thinking you’re a tyrant. Don’t fail to follow through on promises of photos to be delivered or model fee to be paid. If you violate these simple rules of polite and professional behavior, word will get around and you’ll find girls less willing to shoot with you. Social media of the wrong kind can kill your career even if you’re a skilled photographer.

~Gary Cole

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