Is this the new norm?

I do think it's particularly galling when you've seen someone (in my case, a model) log in several times since you sent a message and they CBA to reply.

But I wonder now if it's worth pushing it?  If they're not that bothered about comms, why shoot at all?

There is nothing worse - nothing worse - than doing a shoot with a model who really doesn't want to be there.

Like everything 'it depends' and I think you need to try and gage as best you can the person you're shooting with especially if first time.

Some shoots require a bit of planning, others not so much. The problem stems that I think today's fast paced culture is that micro messaging is now the norm and most people read on phone screens.

When you type a message up on desktop that is only a few lines long and doesn't seem long, on a phone screen can take up several scrolls and suddenly in people's minds that transforms from being what you think is a short message to being "oh that's massive, I'll read it later" and we're then all guilty of forgetting to re-read or replying when we actually have the time to.

I've learnt to dwindle my comms down as much as possible in the initial contact stage as models for whatever reason are put off by what looks extensive planning and organisation! I guess it might come across as control freakish and that the shoot won't be fun! I dunno.

Normally it's easy to spot the level of engagement you're going to get early on. If they reply back with just a few words each time, then i stick to the same, and keep it short as sweet, if they reply back with a wall of text themselves so I know I'm probably ok to go into a bit more detail myself.

At some point I generally put together a 'need to Knows' email that has anything in one place, time, date, location, link to mood board and anything else that might be important. This could be weeks before a shoot at which point unless there is anything else that needs discussing I leave it there and just ask if there's any questions to let me know or if I need to add anything else I will let you know. This can depend on how collaborative the shoot is, but I always stress we all have lives so if some or nearly all of this gets missed, to not stress too much, can always make the best of everything and the shoot should be fun. This generally seems to work well. 

People cancelling is nothing new, worst examples this year have been 2 hours before the shoot with a really lame excuse which was lost studio time so money down the drain, and the other was in contradiction to what I said above. It seemed the model wanted constant back and forth conversation and because I hadn't sent her a message for several weeks when I did my 2 weeks before shoot check in, she said she had assumed I had gone off the idea as I hadn't sent her any more messages and had arranged to go to work instead and get over time! OK, but comms is a two-way street, you could also have messaged me asking if we were still on!! 

ETA: I've noticed a a few models will now send voice notes instead of text replies, and while I get this is easier than typing, I'm generally never in a good place to listen to it, and equally 2 minutes talking could be read a lot quicker, but I should be grateful of any response, I guess. It will take me longer to reply to a voice note and sometimes I need to re-listen. I don't seem to have the dictate to text feature yet on WhatsApp despite FAQs saying its available. That would be great for me, because sometimes I know a model has said something, but I can no longer search the message history and instead have to yet again listen to a voice note! I'll be honest I hate the damn things, but if its how the models want to respond, then so be it!

Edited by Firstadekit

Mel4nie said

For me, when arranging a shoot, whether I'm doing it in the capacity of a photographer or model comms are everything.

Of late, I've experienced a massive downturn in terms of general courtesy and respect.

I know people have lives outside of this community, but when you are striking up a conversation with someone about a shoot, I would expect the conversation to be two-way and rather fluid because you'd hope that the other party is quite motivated and excited by the prospect of the shooting an idea.

So why is it, you send a person a message, days go by with out a response, yet the other person can find plenty of time to like posts, post images of themselves and go on other social media, but can't find 30 seconds of their day to respond to you message.

People will say I, it's the time of year and we are distracted by Xmas preparations, but I been monitoring this since the end of summer.

Quite frankly, I find this rather rude, especially if you are going out of your way to pay for studios costs or other items related to the shoot.

People need to pull up their socks and act a little more professionally in my view.

If you can't be bothered to respond to a shoot enquiry in a timely matter, it speaks volumes about your commitment to the shoot.

Morning Mel. 

I totally agree with you, and you're always been very professional , and quick to respond to any of my my messages, whether it's been on here or on social media, and I really appreciate it. 

I like to think I'm pretty quick at responding too, some may think I'm always on the phone ........ but I'd be honest there have been times that I may have read a message, then get distracted or I need to deal with something else and the message is then left for a few days. 

It is very frustrating , not just on here but in most things now...... dating apps must be the worse for me, even if it's a polite message saying thanks for your message but I don't think we're suitable is better then nothing.

To be honest I miss the old days of a phone call. It's a dying art.

Seems to be the modern way. I try to always reply politely even if its no thanks. My son often won't even bother to answer a text if he thinks it unimportant.