Kristen Shoot

Kristen Shoot

A few years ago I was working as a network admin for a law firm called Adorno & Yoss. I have good memories from back then. One of the attorneys working there was Kristen. I always wanted to ask her for a shoot, but being an employee there I felt that asking one of the attorneys to pose for me may come off as...rude? So I never bothered.

A few years ago I was working as a network admin for a law firm called Adorno & Yoss. I have good memories from back then. One of the attorneys working there was Kristen. I…

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Golf Balls, Pretty Things, Snow Queen, and Blu

Golf Balls, Pretty Things, Snow Queen, and Blu

It has been a long time since I have shot with Katie. Too long in fact. We always have fun when we shoot. A shoot was due! Katie mentioned that her friend, Jenna, was coming…

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Lost Pants and Weird Mask

Lost Pants and Weird Mask

So Monika. I haven't shot her in years. We caught up again on Facebook and she told me about an idea she wanted to try. Me being open minded about concepts, agreed to try it…

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Shoot with Anonymous

Shoot with Anonymous

So two weekends ago I shot a model who asked me to remain anonymous. She did not want people knowing that she likes to model on the side...

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Diana Photo Shoot

Diana Photo Shoot

So two weekends ago I shot Diana. She had an interesting look which I generally look for in models. We went to Miami beach to try some test shots in swimwear, since swimwear is extremely…

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Melani Shoot

Melani Shoot

I know I am a little delayed in posting this, but better late than never right? This was a shoot I did when Elena and I visited New York. I posted a casting call for…

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John's Headshot

John's Headshot

So my friend John asked me for some head shots. I promised him I would so I did it this weekend. I needed a white background and decent lighting. Well, when I went to pick…

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Amanda Beach Shoot

Amanda Beach Shoot

Amanda loved the photographs I took of Jaribay. She contacted me shortly after and hired me to do something along those lines. You know, sunrise with nice colors in the back and such? Great! Time…

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Playing with Grain

Playing with Grain

I am always picky about quality. I always like shooting at ISO 100 to make sure I get crisp and clear photographs. Tonight I was playing with grain and wondering about whether or not it's…

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Truffle Swimwear Shoot

Truffle Swimwear Shoot

I was hired again by fashion designer/model Katie Eastman. She is the owner of Truffle, her fashion line. Originally I pitched to her the idea of a bikini shoot with lighting along the lines of…

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Karina Test Shoot

Karina Test Shoot

I recently blogged about my shoot with Sonju and Jessica. I mentioned that I was meeting a model that same day for additional test shoots. Karina is from Russia and like Jessica, is also extremely…

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Test shoot with Sonju & Jessica

Test shoot with Sonju & Jessica

Last weekend I had the pleasure of meeting Sonju of Sonju Photography. I have been following her work for almost two years now. Every now and then we would talk about photography but never met...until…

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Jaribay Beach Shoot

Jaribay Beach Shoot

About two weeks ago I wanted to try a beach shoot with someone that has a bikini figure. I asked Jaribay if she would be interested in shooting. She seemed excited and told me that…

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Death of a Mermaid

Death of a Mermaid

I was looking through some of my unpublished work the other day when I come across this shot. It was a bikini/swim wear sunrise photo shoot. The problem was that the clouds completely blocked off the sunrise and as such I was forced to try other things, other camera angles to try to salvage the morning. In this particular shot, I asked the model to lie down on the sand for some shots, when she recommended perhaps doing a topless concept, but being covered with sea weed. Winston, my assistant, was with me so I take a look at him. I felt a bit shy about the notion since there were people at the beach and I'm not used to shooting implied in public places. I said go for it.

I was looking through some of my unpublished work the other day when I come across this shot. It was a bikini/swim wear sunrise photo shoot. The problem was that the clouds completely blocked off the…

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Amy Training

Amy Training

Amy is a co-worker with a background in graphic design. Often times, when I used to work in her office, she would come along and show me and another IT Co-Worker some of her work. Never failing to impress us, she one day showed me her photographic work using a point-n-shoot camera. Since then I have encouraged her to purchase a DSLR for her photography. She finds out later on that I shoot photographs for fun.

Amy is a co-worker with a background in graphic design. Often times, when I used to work in her office, she would come along and show me and another IT Co-Worker some of her work.…

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Katie Shoot

Katie Shoot

I had the honor of photographing a lead clothing designer in South Florida recently, Katie from www.ShopTruffle.com. The original intent of this shoot was to shoot simple shots with a white background to add to a web catalog. Nothing fancy was required. I did go ahead and did the simple white background thing, but while editing I noticed how colorful her clothing line was, so it sparked an idea. Why not make the background a bit more interesting and augment the colors she is wearing in the shots? Paint! I have also been experimenting with a different editing technique on the skin. Keep in mind, she made the clothing herself. Enjoy.

I had the honor of photographing a lead clothing designer in South Florida recently, Katie from www.ShopTruffle.com. The original intent of this shoot was to shoot simple shots with a white background to add…

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www.ricardosevilla.com Personal Blog Last minute cancellations

Last minute cancellations

I have always said that if a photographer cannot handle cancellations from a model or anyone else involved in a shoot, then perhaps the photographer should begin considering other subjects to shoot. I'm pretty sure a bowl of fruit will not cancel.

Same with models. If a model cannot handle photographer cancellations, then it may be a good idea for the model to buy her own camera and tripod. In fact, I know many models that have done just that and have taken great photographs.

Cancellations happen. I know. I understand. I get it. What really disappointments me are the last minute cancellations.

I had a photo shoot scheduled with a model named Alicia Tripp this past Sunday, between 2:00pm to 7:00pm. This shoot was a free shoot. We agreed to meet up in Ft. Lauderdale at noon, to then begin shooting at 2:00 (long drive to our location). The day prior, I called to confirm and she said all was in order that she is looking forward to the shoot.

Sunday arrives, noon comes, and I call. No answer. 30 minutes pass, I receive a call and she tells me ”OMG, I forgot that I have a job interview today at 2:00. Can we schedule for next weekend or something?" I told her that I will have to call her back on that one. She then tells me she can "bring more girls to shoot", but again I tell her that I will have to call her back on that one.

So, what we have here is a model who canceled at last minute. This type of behavior has a term in the industry called, "flaking". For example, I could tell another photographer, "So yeah. I had a flake this past Sunday."

According to www.urbandictionary.com , a flake is:

n. An unreliable person; someone who agrees to do something, but never follows through.

I suppose people forget about job interviews all the time.

It’s one thing to cancel on another with a 48 hour notice, or even a 24 hour notice. It’s another to cancel right at the agreed time. I give her this, at least she did not give me the "My grandma is in the hospital" excuse. She marks the 7th person that has ever flaked on me since I began shooting.  Needless to say, I never call back flakes, and I will refuse any offers for a shoot with flakes, regardless if it's a free shoot or a paid shoot.

Lucky for me, I made a few calls and Yadira was more than happy to shoot. Pictures and blog about my shoot with Yadira are coming soon.


P.S - Here is a funny image I found online :)

 

Comments  

 
0 #2 Ricardo Sevilla 2010-05-25 10:41
Laz,

I see what you mean, and I believe you are right. There are times where one just wants to give flakes a second chance because the model is really good. I agree.

However, I have said the following on multiple occasions:

"It is easier for a good photographer to find a pretty face, than a pretty face finding a good photographer". -RS

So, what I try to say by that is that there are far more options for photographers to find, than there are for models. Which would explain the reason why the model used in your example “begged” to re-schedule the shoot?

As far as my experiences go, I can honestly say that I am satisfied with my portfolio. This portfolio was created using models that have had little to no experience. It seems that I have been relying more on looks than actual modeling capabilities.

Because of this, I do not hesitate to blacklist any model that flakes on me, no matter how good she may pose. I just need a pretty face and interesting clothes. I can help or guide my model towards their poses.

The irony here is that the same model who flaked posted how good my recent shots were via a posting on Facebook image comments and even went ahead asking for a date for our "re-scheduled" shoot. I blocked her. I want nothing to do with her. She is a pretty gal, and I am sure she can find other photographers to work with. She will just not work with me. If she would have cancelled with atleast a 24 hour notice then she would fall on my "She Flaked, but we can try again" list. I wish her the best of luck.
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0 #1 Lazarus Black 2010-05-25 08:41
We've had a couple of flakes over the years, but one model was particularly disappointing because when she does show up - she rocks the house down. But on two separate occasions she not only didn't show up, but vanished from thin air. No call or anything (one turned out to be for another gig, and the other was for a supposed car accident). I hear what you're saying about dumping models after one infraction, but good models outside of the major markets are really hard to find... so we gave her a last chance. She did show up... but left during a break and vanished again. You'd think that would be the end of it - but no. She begged and begged for a final chance at her own expense. After a few weeks of begging she has shown up bright and ready to work solidly for two sessions. Moral? There isn't one... If you can afford to dump a flake - DO! But there are times when you can't and in this nightmare scenario we found someone who dug deep and pulled herself out of flakedom-hell.... for now.
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