AOLGuy

Add another to the frustration file, LOL.

I think I had made mention before that I was working with my younger brother to help him get a site started. He was pretty impressed by what I have been doing with my work, and he is motivated to get into the business, shooting all amateur porn and starting a site.

I am in Northern California now and he wanted me to come by and help with a shoot he had set up for today--it would have been his second (the first was with a girl who ended up not being attractive at all in person, and a bit crack-ish).

He spoke to the model, confirmed it all. She emailed him a million times to set it in stone and ask any questions.

I show up here shortly before she is supposed to, at 2pm.

First thing I tell him is that he can't wait around and watch the door--it will only make him crazy if she flakes. We start talking, and wait, and wait, and wait. I keep telling him it happens all the time and to not care about it...

Of course, it is now almost 4pm and no sign of the girl or a phone call. He did see her sign offline at 2:10, after he im'd her to make sure she had directions okay, etc.

Now everyone understands why this happens--if I was in the position to do a shoot as a model and never had, I would back out at the last minute probably.

The girl is 18 and goes to a college about 10 minutes away from him. It makes sense that she had second thoughts and couldn't do it. Hardly a shocker...

Unfortunately, when anyone cancels something they decide they don't want to do, they don't care about it. So why be professional and call or explain? You never need to see the person, or depend on them for anything, so they can totally back off...

I told him he will face a lot of this in the future. I know I have, and still do on occasion... he is only shooting amateur girls, and for his site the idea is to get girls who are not on any others. It's a tough road...

The main two ways I have found to cut down on this:

1. Be as personable and relaxed as possible to build a rapport before the shoot. He is in a small area, so he can go have coffee or meet with them before the shoot happens. I have also stressed the importance of being professional and clear in regards to the work (which will only be solo posing).

2. Bump the pay up a bit. The difference between $150-$200 and $300-$400 will sway girls who may have been on the fence. My justification of it is that if the girl is really worth shooting it is better to pay that for a 3-4 hour shoot instead of 2 shorter shoots with less attractive girls. Some photographers will shoot anyone, but if the right type wants to do it, put your resources behind someone that will make you the most return.


What other tips, strategies, and tactics am I not thinking of to recommend? There must be some others to help ensure that the girls you want to shoot and book time with actually show up...