Uncooperative Models

September 17, 2015: Dealing with an uncooperative model can be tricky, but here are different ways I would treat a stubborn model and try to solve the problem.

It's hard when a model is either rude or disrespectful. Yelling would never be an option because if they walk off, your picture trails along with them. To have them do what I wanted them to, I would treat them how I would like to be treated. I would talk to them in a calm, but not demeaning, voice and repeat the action or pose I would want them to do. I would try not to look annoyed because in return the model can give an unimpressed and equally annoyed look that can be carried on in the photo.

If they don't understand, I would try my best to be clear in my directions and what I want them to do.

If a model continues to be uncooperative or fools around, the next thing I would do is address that their actions are bothering me and are slowing up the process of the shoot, but I wouldn't attack the person directly. I would have to let them know the main things their doing that isn't acceptable and will not be tolerated, tell them what changes need to be made to their attitudes if they want to continue with working, and remind them that they chose to work with me in the first place and they shouldn't be messing around. I would also tell them to act professional because I know they expect the same behavior from me.

Next, I wouldn't exactly threaten, but if I was paying them I would inform them that I could find another model and that this job could be taken away. Making an income is usually encouraging to do your job, so if you caution them that this could be taken away, the model will work harder to get the job done.

The next thing I would do is ask them if there is something that is bothering them or if I am doing something they don't like that is making them behave in this way.Therefore, I will be aware of it and I can fix the problem. If it can't be taken care of, I would let them know there isn't anything that I can do and ask them to continue professionally.

So their behavior never reoccurs, I would make my rules firm and consistent. Whether that be my punishments or requirements of behavior I need my models to have. Because if I let one model do something wrong or let something slide it could result in a relapse of disrespectful or uncooperative behavior.

Lastly, if I've tried everything, I would fire them because in the end we're both wasting each other's time. It wouldn't make sense to keep trying to get them to do what i wanted them to do when there's somebody else willing to do it with no problems. At the end of the day, it's a two way partnership and if they don't want to cooperate, you can always find someone else.

September 16, 2016: Coming back to this blog post again one year later, I have the same perspective on treating models, but I do have a few new options on how I would deal with someone like this now that I've kind of worked with a few. One method on ow to deal with a situation like this is to have a back up model. For some reason, competition motivates people to do their job, either because they don't want to lose their job, or simply because they want to be the best and don't want to be replaced.

Finding the root of the problem can also be beneficial to both me and the model. Maybe there was some kind of miscommunication, people don't like each other or something happened behind the scenes that I don't know about. Whatever the case may be, if there is a way to identify and solve that problem, then it should be quickly taken care of and then everyone should get back to work as soon as possible. Maybe the model is overtired and I need to give them a short break. That is something that can be easily be fixed. But, if it can't be fixed, everyone needs to be professional, move on and work past it for however long the shoot is.

The next thing is to give the model behavioral feedback. If they know what their doing is bothering me, they are never going to fix it. It's my responsibility to be clear and honest on how I want my models to behave when we are shooting and to reiterate the expectations throughout the day if they become uncooperative. If they continue to give me trouble, I would create consequences such as a dock in pay or threaten them with loosing their job, or not using their pictures in whatever project I'm doing. I need to be firm with these consequences as well, or else they wont take me seriously. If they keep testing me, that brings me to my next soultion.

Another to fix the situation is to just not deal with it at all. Time is precious, and maybe the light is only perfect for a short slot of time or I've only rented a space for so many hours. Dealing with an uncooperative model is just a waste of time. If they want to be unprofessional, that's their prerogative. But if the continue to disrespect me and my work, they don't deserve that job. Especially if I've done everything I could do to accommodate their needs, they deserve to be fired and I wouldn't recommend them to anyone else because I wouldn't want to have anyone deal with a person who causes so much trouble for a picture. There is always someone else who can do the same job, have a better attitude and actually want to do what they came to do.

#NewYork