Public Forums > Photography > Photographer Pet Peeves

What bugs you the most about working with models? What common mistakes or behaviors have you experienced with models that you just can't stand? I figured this could be a fun thread to vent playfully about what irks you in your line of work. Maybe it doesn't even have to do with models...whatever it is about your field that just plain makes you batty, I want to hear about it!

I really dislike models who are grumpy or surly - I tend to meet a lot of big headed girls but its not something I care for as a photographer, just your ability to give me a good shot!  Models that are badly prepared - no nude undies just bright red ones...or I had a girl a while back who hated her hairstyle and tore it out (was a tight braid!).But the shoot isnt about HER its about a look!

Oh, wow, she took her hair down/out? I'm sure that must have been quite an experience! Many times I think it's just a matter of having common sense. Of course common sense isn't always common enough! I'm surprised by how some models have no clue how to prepare for a photoshoot or that they think it's going to be amazing the entire time. I've had friends ask if they could tag along to a shoot with me and most of the time I'll tell them to bring a book or something because it really isn't as exciting as one would think...I mean, I have a blast but to the person on outside looking in, it can be pretty mundane. I invited my cousin to a shoot and she was asleep on the couch within a half hour!

It amazes me how some models really make it all about them and it's like, yes, you are the model but they kind of refuse to see the bigger picture.

Yes she tore her updo out which was stupid! You won't get hired again, my dear! That's the way it works. Also shoots can be super boring as you said - getting ready, hanging about. But you need to be ready to go once the photographer is.

As you said in another thread Rowena, a big thing with models is getting them to show up!  I'm a "secretary" for a photographer because he got so tired of all the models he booked backing out on him.  Or, they would show up for the lighting shoot, but not the final shoot! Of course, most of them weren't "professional" models, just people off the street, so I can't make official comments on people who earn their living (or some of it) by modeling.

Hi Kat!

I was suprised really, when I was in a big studio, how many aspiring models were given the chance to do a shoot and would never turn up! So odd because they had come along for the test shoot and got bored or something!  I guess its for the best, if you can't be bothered tuning up for a one off shoot you probably shouldn't model for a living!

Wow ~ why would she take her hair down? Thats really stupid...

Models should get used to shoots - yea they tend to be boring sometimes (who honestly likes to sit still for 2+ hours getting hair and makeup done?) but if modeling is something you enjoy, you'll learn to get around those parts.

Many models in Japan bring games, magazines or just talk with other models, stylists, ect. while in prep. I didn't really see this as much in America whenever I shoot there. Many of the models would be really unsocial and even rude.

One girl was talking shit (pardon my language) about me and my race, right beside me, like she thought I couldn't speak English. She was like that all through the shoot too - it's a really piss off when models can't even respect eachother.

Going to american/western photoshoots always suprises me....

Models not showing up can really ruin things, esspecially for concept shoots.

My first shoot ever overseas, I was in NY - It was supposed to a huge shoot, about 15 models all from different backgrounds all over the globe. Well, long story short, only 9 of us showed up - the only ones from somewhere overseas who traveled here esspecially for this shoot. All but one of the American born/raised/living girls where a no show for the final shoot. In the end, we did finish the concept, but the photographer lost a lot of the vision he was going for.

Hi, Aria!

I love your look...your pictures are great! Yes, American born models have a terrible reputation of being flaky and have this "holier than thou" attitude and it's so unfortunate. I really wish I could model overseas to get exposure to other models of different cultures and see how things are over there. It isn't uncommon to have to work with rude or unprofessional models. I can't believe that one model was talking trash about you right in front of you...that's just uncalled for!

Not all American models are like that (I'm definitely not lol) but from what I've seen it is hard to think otherwise. Oh, well, as long as there are bad models out there, clients will hopefully learn to appreciate the good ones that come across their path--that means more business for us! =)

Hey Aria!

I love your photographs too!  In the UK the models tend to be...well in to localties (as opposed to say London) some of the girls are quite dizzy and not aware of the fact that it isn't a hobby, its a real job and not only do you need to turn up and look pretty, yo have to give it 100% I also found a lot of the girls I dealt with didn't look after themselves and expected someone else to take care of their blemishes, etc. Things that are no brainers like NOT applying streaky fake tan the day before a shoot!