Camping & Late Cancellations

Take a deposit or full payment at time of booking, will avoid this

Our TFP event is starting in a few hours, the cancellations I have had within the last 24 hours:

Family bereavement, child care issues, covid +, had to go to work.

Life happens.

Chris Barral John Ayliffe took deposits even from models for his days

Hi Tabitha, thanks for your ideas they are appreciated.

I take deposits from photographers for paid events (when I'm paying models).

I have never taken deposits from models.

Nor from photographers on TFP events.

But never 'Say Never'.

I'm just getting back into shooting after a break for several years. I really have no intention of running around after collecting and securing 'new talent' and taking risks on expensive shoots that can take months to plan and source. I'm happy to shoot the same select faces that I can trust and try to push them to new creative levels (different from level pushing) to gain some level of self satisfaction. I could probably sell spaces to help finance, but as you say, is it worth the hassle?

Chris Barral said

Our TFP event is starting in a few hours, the cancellations I have had within the last 24 hours:

Family bereavement, child care issues, covid +, had to go to work.

Life happens.

I trust that you'll leave appropriate references to help others?

Yep, take the full amount from them, as they sign up to the event. This might help them to focus better.

"Free" rarely encourages commitment.

We live in a money age and things without a monetary tag, are often deemed inferior even when they are superior. The idea that the professional must be better, when professional and amateur doesn't measure quality but different approaches and motivations. Back in the day when I left art college, people used to help each other for nothing and people would model, even nude, out of interest or for the kick of it. Looking at my students, that is no longer the case, money seems to be the greater motivator than interest on the whole. 

I was once invited to talk at a seminar along with a couple of others, held in an art gallery. I was surprised to find there was an entry fee because I was taking part for costs incurred. When I queried the entry fee, the gallery owner laughed and said, we want people to turn up! People often think they are getting better value when they pay but it's not always the case. I look at my photos and often the best photos are TFP. I've tried to analyse why that is but it's pointless as there are too many variables and someone else might have the opposite experience.

K-arl people are motivated by money because there are those willing to pay and those who will pay more and more even if costs are absurd, when those with money choose to not spend than people will have to change. It's not likely to change much in a large scale any time soon but you can change for yourself.

On the camping term from Chris never heard it but just sounds like people following site rules regarding references.I don't think it counts for an event visit though. Do people leave references for events?

Edited by Wondrous

Wondrous I do if someone attends several but I make it clear it was an event

Feel The Passion said

"Free" rarely encourages commitment.

Absolutely, it has no perceived value nor worth, about the same as a Mexican drug dealer gives to life.

indemnity said

Feel The Passion said

"Free" rarely encourages commitment.

Absolutely, it has no perceived value nor worth, about the same as a Mexican drug dealer gives to life.

A rather cynical view as some of the west's greatest art has been made and written by people who pursued their chosen activity for the love of it. As Oscar Wilde would put it, a cynic is someone who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. 

Edited by K-arl

K-arl said

indemnity said

Feel The Passion said

"Free" rarely encourages commitment.

Absolutely, it has no perceived value nor worth, about the same as a Mexican drug dealer gives to life.

A rather cynical view as some of the west's greatest art has been made and written by people who pursued their chosen activity for the love of it. As Oscar Wilde would put it, a cynic is someone who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. 

Edited by K-arl

We used to give quality costly to produce marketing material for free, it was usually left in a heap on the floor in the corner of the offices. When we charged for it, they put it in a locked cabinet and made sure it was given to suitable potential customers.....

Chris Barral said

Hi Tabitha, thanks for your ideas they are appreciated.

I take deposits from photographers for paid events (when I'm paying models).

I have never taken deposits from models.

Nor from photographers on TFP events.

But never 'Say Never'.

Honestly, take £20 from each person and give it back on the day.

Booking might be slower, but you won't get timewasters.