I have some very simple and easy to follow rules for communication. Good communication is a key ingredient in a successful photo shoot. Most often, I have initial contact with models from modeling sites or Craigslist. This list assumes that one of us emailed or messaged the other from a casting call or a post on one of these sites.

My procedure for scheduling a shoot with a model is:

  • 1) We email or message and agree to shoot
  • 2) Talk on the phone to discuss final details
  • 3) I send you a shoot appointment confirmation email with details of our shoot time, type, map,

    • etc. based on our phone convo

  • 4) Communicate the day before and the day of the shoot

These simple steps will help improve on a trend of people not showing up for a shoot. We are all industry professionals and need to communicate clearly for everyone’s benefit. A great deal of time, energy and expense is spent on making shoots happen. Please communicate like the professional you are and please show up on time, ready to work. See also: Part 4- Model Ethics for some of my thoughts on communication.

 

If the model is under the age of 18, the model must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and this person must be present 100% of the time the photographer is with the model. Models under the age of 18 can only be shot in a commercial studio or on location. The home studio option is not available for these models.