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Agency left me hanging
So I recently started working with a prominent Modelling Agency in my area - however they are based in another city ....I had shot with one of their major Models before she had joined them . And I have shot with 2 of their newer faces since Regarding the second of these Newer Faces - The Agency had offered her to me ie messaged me that she was in town and available to shoot . I liked her Look and agreed . during the shoot the Model revealed that she actually lived in a city that was 200 miles away and had driven here for the shoot . I felt bad for the Model and gave her some extra Money for Gas ,The Shoot went well so I got the idea of a second shoot with the same Model in her home city ( which is quite scenic ) Both the Model and Agency Agreed to a second shoot From my first contact with the Agency - they made it clear that they wanted all the major communication between myself and the Model to go through them - but were ok if the details of the shoot ( ie time . location etc ) were communicated directoly between myself and the Model -and we did have such communication with respect to the first shoot A Date and Time were set up for the Second Shoot - and early that day I set out by car to travel to that city . I texted the Model that I was on my way - but did not get a response . When i was halfway to her city - I texted again Our shoot was scheduled for 5pm that day and I arrived at my Motel ( close to the shoot location ) at 4;15 . A few minutes later just as i was checking in - I receive a call from her Agency reporting that the Model would not be available for the shoot as she had sprained her ankle earlier in the day . An alternative Model was not offered to me - and I was left to complete the check in and stay the night at the Model .... I was sort of shocked by what had just happened and definitely needed to rest a bit Sometime during the evening - the Model sent me a Video of her ankle ( looking very swollen ) but no other communication The next day the Agency phoned me back to offer me another Model - who was a minor and whose look did not appeal to me , I declined and went home After returning home I sent an email to the Agency asking them why the Model could not have texted me about her injury while i was in transit . The response I got from the Agency was " we train our Models not do talk with photographers " I sent a follow up email to the agency pointing out to them that if I had been messaged about the injury earlier that day - i could have cancelled my motel reservation . saved $175 and driven home No response to that email If you were in my shoes what would you do next >? Aug 21 20 12:52 pm Link I am sorry to hear this! Aug 21 20 02:06 pm Link What does your written contract with the agency specify about such situations? Aug 21 20 02:15 pm Link Obviously there is no written contract -given that I am seeking advice here Just a string of emails and texts - agreeing to the general terms of the shoot Aug 21 20 04:07 pm Link double post - sorry Aug 21 20 04:07 pm Link Garry k wrote: I've never worked with an agency before so I didn't know. I figured they would have some sort of written agreement with all the rules they are trying to place on the models and photographers. Maybe some agencies do. Aug 21 20 05:30 pm Link I have done creative ( non commercial ) shoots with Models from a few agencies Generally they are ok with a general description of the shoot , details of how the pictures will be used etc . Some have asked for a Model Call Sheet https://www.google.com/search?q=model+c … mp;bih=772 I have only ever signed one contract and that was with the Agency that discovered Coco Rocha .. I had shot Coco as part of a trade ( with no paperwork ) and the Agency thought the next Model of theirs that i wanted to shoot - would hit the same heights ( she didnt ) Aug 21 20 06:57 pm Link Garry k wrote: bill them? Aug 21 20 07:52 pm Link that is an option I find myself in an awkward position as i would like to remain on good terms with them ( so that i can use them as a reference ) but also feel that mistreated me and at least owe me some acknowledgement of that ( compensation would be better ) Aug 22 20 12:29 pm Link Agency has now offered me 2 Free Shoots w their Models as compensation ( i had previously been paying $100 per creative shoot ) Appears the Matter has been resolved Aug 24 20 03:45 pm Link im shocked that youre paying 'the agency'. if youre hiring models, cant you just contact them directly through other means? also why did you post this in the model section of the forums? general industry would have been a better fit. Aug 24 20 03:53 pm Link Paolo D Photography wrote: Gary is a client. Aug 24 20 06:24 pm Link Paolo D Photography wrote: What is so shocking about paying $100 to shoot with a Top Agency Model in my area ? Especially to keep my book up to date . Small Price to pay Aug 24 20 07:38 pm Link Mark Salo wrote: Yes - Occasionally Aug 24 20 07:40 pm Link Mark Salo wrote: Garry k wrote: The agency sure didn't treat you like a client. Aug 25 20 01:20 pm Link Garry k wrote: Sounds like the agency is honorable and doing the right thing. You're lucky to have established a good working relationship with them and they feel they owe you something for your troubles. Aug 25 20 01:54 pm Link Garry k wrote: That is good to hear. I don't know which agency it is but they clearly value their reputation and understand the significance of redemption under these particular circumstances. Clearly, not a fly-by-night-middleman-hack agency. Glad to know they reached out with an attempt at resolution. Aug 25 20 02:05 pm Link Chuckarelei wrote: If I ask an Agency to shoot with a Model off of their mainboard - I usually offer some compensation ( ie $100 ) out of respect for the Model and what she has achieved Aug 25 20 02:40 pm Link I never paid a model to shoot, it was always a paid test or a personal project. It looks like the agency is too controlling and failed the pro test when they didn’t inform you about the accident but made it right by offering free shoots. The relationship between an agency and photographer is tricky, they want beautiful images to promote their model and you want beautiful subjects to build your book. Unfortunately, until you have clients that book models you are subject to their rules. Aug 26 20 11:17 am Link Double post Aug 26 20 11:17 am Link tcphoto wrote: I think though that you can do both - keep updating your book with established agency Models and charge aspiring Models Aug 26 20 07:06 pm Link "Your policy of controlling communication between photographers and models caused me to waste a whole day of time, gas, and spend $175 unnecessarily on a hotel room for a shoot that never happened. If you want to work with me again, there will be a $500 fee plus my regular shooting rates." Aug 27 20 11:38 am Link . Sep 18 20 09:14 am Link |
