Wild Art wrote:
I have spent the last year wondering if my name is total mud because someone was badmouthing me. I have had a number of models flake on me last minute. --One after I had driven 13 hours to the region. She was really rude. Another gal kept contacting me from Wyoming and then flaked 8 times roughly.

Others express enthusiasm at first and then just fade away, not answering messages. I realize a lot of people are depressed and anxious because of Covid/lockdowns/mental health issues...

I thought I had a good reputation, I'm not pushy, I suggest models create themes on first shoots, and I suggest they bring a chaperone to shoots for both of our comfort levels.

I am very saddened, frustrated and have actually taken my social media down. I don't necessarily plan to renew my website either. I got into this to help support others careers because I love photography.

Wild, too bad you've had such a crappy experience after only being here 6 months. I'm not saying it's gonna get better but it certainly can't get any worse. LoL
I would just ignore whats happened. You gotta keep it all in perspective, the average photographer here is closer to 100 than the age of their models. And the only coping mechanism many of them have is the rampantly rude, "ghosting".
Next time you're thinking of driving 13 hours, buy her a refundable plane ticket and you'll know if she ever gets on the plane! Forget her excuses, just move on to the next shoot. Work only with the models you've worked with before that are reliable and only slowly add new ones, let them come to you a few times and pay their expenses to get to you. Set up a small studio where you live and offer studio that way if one is late you can watch the 3 Stooges till they get there and if they are a no show, you just turn off the lights and finish watching the Stooges!!! I'd cut your bio in half, you're trying too hard, let your work speak for itself and make it better if you feel you need to!
John

Wild Art wrote:
I appreciate the critique and yes I was dumb to allow her to bother me. I did not chew anyone out fyi.. Maybe too polite...lessons learned. I am not a fan of social media either. I think it is a time waster.

I don't think that it is possible to be too polite.

peter vic wrote:
How does someone flake 8 times?

Excuse me, but Wild Art has left the website.  He took rejection personally. 

I have been photographing people for over 40 years, and have been rejected,, critizied, hated on and flaked on.  It takes thick skin and a sense of humor to photograph people.  The rewards are that even with those rejections comes successes and love from those who do appreciate what we do.  Yet the most important opinion of our work comes from ourselves.  If we depend on others opinions of us, then we might as well go focus on photographing landscapes and still lifes.  I am absolutely serious about this!  Complaining about models flaking or being rude to you will not bring more models to you.


Again, Wild Art has left the building, but I am still here.