Good Models vs Bad Models
When I mention good or bad models, it is about their attitude - not looks and figures. We can work with good makeup artists and hairstylists and choose flattering outfits and poses for the models, but we cannot change their attitudes. However, it does not mean a model with any bad modelling attitude as listed on this page is considered wicked or bad but it definitely shows lacking maturity, interest and professionalism.
Some of the points are meant more for models who do TFCD photoshoot. For a paid shoot, just remember to pay the money to the professional photographer and you can waste any amount of the paid time and also insist on any unsuitable outfit. However, I personally would reject uncooperative models no matter how much they are going to pay me because I want every photoshoot to become part of my portfolio. I do not go for a shoot just to date with the model and then ignore the quality of the photographs. An aspiring model can never make it in the modelling field with a bad attitude; unless she does not mind showing lots of skin for free, perhaps, some photographers do not mind taking the nonsense just for photoshoots.
The easiest way to judge a model is to look at her portfolio. If a model has done photoshoot for years and yet she can only produce one or two sets of good photographs, something must be wrong with her. Remember that producing a good set of photographs requires not only working with a good photographer but also being willing to cooperate and trust the photographer. Good photographers will tend to stray away from the model no matter how pretty or hot she is if she has a weird mentality. Lastly, models who cannot judge the quality of photographs are likely going to work with all sorts of weird photographers and thus they will have quality issues with their portfolios that they mistake are outstanding.
All Aspects
Enthusiasm in discussion
Good model: Enthusiastic throughout the discussion
Bad model: Slow replies (usually, after initial conversation)
Basically, everyone who lives in Singapore is busy with school, work, family, friends or hobbies. If a model claims that she is too busy with something and cannot confirm things like the date, time or outfit, she is just not committed to the shoot. It will take lots of time and effort for the photographer, hair and makeup artist to do planning before the shoot. So, if the model delays things such as sending the photographs of her outfits, the quality of the photographs will definitely be affected.
Due to such models, there are many times I have to stay up late just to confirm the shoot hours before the shoot. While some of my models are lucky enough to get hair and makeup artists involved initially, their slow replies have made the third members (HMUAs) change their minds.
There are also many models who have approached me "sincerely". They seem very enthusiastic but are never able to confirm the date for our shoot eventually. Soon, they go missing-in-action (MIA). It is very annoying for models to do that because of the time and effort I have to waste to plan the shoot and entertain them. Unfortunately, there are countless such "models".
Confirmation of date
Good model: Confirms immediately to an upcoming date
Bad model: Cannot confirm the shoot or postpones it afterwards
While the model has her personal commitments, the photographer and makeup artist have theirs too. It is very unprofessional for a model to postpone a photoshoot after confirming with the team.
I had encountered a girl approaching me for the shoot and after I told her the plans that covered what she wanted, she postponed the shoot twice. Her excuses were due to her driving lesson, which she could fix on another day since we had already agreed on the date before she made the booking, and then her piano tutor wanted to change the lesson to the new shooting date.
I also faced another weird girl who postponed our shoot just the day before and she did not bother to tell me until I texted her to double-confirm. On the next day, I saw her new photoshoot work on Facebook that stated done on the day itself, which meant that she had cancelled our shoot to have a go with another photographer. Months later, she contacted me again for a shoot again. When I asked her about the photoshoot she had done on our initially planned date, she seemed to have lost her memory and tried to brush it off by pointing to some photographs she was taken during an event. I tried to be nice since she bothered to approach me again but on the next agreed date, she told me she thought we were going to shoot the next week instead, just an hour before the shooting time when I tried to check her status. I did not bother her after that but she came back to me many months later again. I played along with her as she showed inflexibility in discussing the shoot.
In the darkness of my photography journey, the record was the postponement of three times due to various ridiculous reasons from a friend. As busy as she claimed to be, she actually had the time to do a casual shoot with an amateur photographer friend and yet did not have the time to try out the outfits for our professional shoot. On the fourth given date, I gave up - not only on the shoot but the friendship as well. It showed the character of the person - painting enthusiasm over her half-heartedness.
Discussion on flaws
Good model: Tries to rectify any flaw together
Bad model: Thinks she is flawless - unable to take feedback
No one has flawless looks. Unfortunately, most people, including me, are far from perfection.
As a photographer, I have to communicate with the models to get them to improve their looks before the shoot, especially when no makeup artist is involved. For example, if the model has flabby arms or thighs, there are certainly some outfits that are less suitable.
One of the most common problems with girls' looks is their eyebrows. Many girls can put on basic makeup but leaving their eyebrows unattended makes them more obvious. Very few girls are born with nice eyebrows while some are lucky enough that a little trimming would make a big difference. Sometimes when I try asking the girl to trim her eyebrows, I get replies like "What's wrong with my eyebrows!" and it would be followed by more attitude replies.
I'm frank but I always work hard to be diplomatic in my feedback to the models but there are times I know I cannot beat around the bush too much when the model does not seem to get hints. I have unintentionally offended quite a number of aspiring models, causing the cancellation of the shoot. Luckily, I don't see a point to help people who can't accept comments to help improve themselves. Moreover, it is very difficult for me to work with models who cannot accept negative comments because I have to watch my truthful words during the shoot. I want photography to be something happy and comfortable.
When I asked my MUA friend Tricia Lee how I could make my models-to-be believe me whenever I tell them about the flaws in faces, she simply told me I had to become a famous makeup artist. That means even with my years of experience working with models of all looks and shapes as a photographer, not all models would buy my critiques.
Mindset / Self-Esteem
Good model: Understands and thinks positively
Bad model: Gets provoked easily due to low self-esteem
People with low self-esteem tend to think more negatively and get provoked easier. This makes communication difficult since one must be careful in even the use of words in front of the person.
There was once when I did an art shoot with a girl who has very low self-esteem. An art shoot and a porn shoot have only a thin line in between and thus sometimes it is easy to cross over a little. After the shoot, I discussed the photographs with my mentor and she told me some of the photographs were a little "cheap". I felt glad, nevertheless, for she was an extremely fussy critique. However, after I told the model about it, she got very agitated for she thought my mentor was insulting her. No matter how hard I tried to explain to her, she refused to listen.
Photography is my passion and if I have to face people who think negatively most of the time, such that I have to be extra careful with the words I use, I rather not take up the project.
Flexibility
Good model: Accommodating
Bad model: Inflexible, full of excuses
There are probably just two things an inflexible model cannot do - this and that.
Photographer: What outfits do you have?
"Model": Obviously all those outfits I like most have been posted into my Facebook profile.
Photographer: Is this top (found in the profile) okay?
"Model": No, it's not nice.
Photographer: Let's shoot at this place near your house.
"Model": No, it definitely has many mosquitoes.
Photographer: How about that place (public transport available)?
"Model": SO FAR? I don't know how to go.
Photographer: So, let's finalised with this 3 outfits (wear 1, carry 2).
"Model": Huh? I don't carry big bag to go out one!
The above is my encounter with the exact same "model". I usually use the term "problematic" as there are many problems.
Respect and confidence
Good model: Follows instruction
Bad model: Bossy, over-confident
The basic thing the model can show to the photographer is respect. To avoid conflicts, I will not be interested in shooting with models who are insistent on doing things their way.
I had done a photoshoot with a model who had some experiences when I was new. She kept asking me to shoot at certain angles and places as if she was the photographer and I was not someone who liked to argue. She could have passed a camera over to her grandma to take it for her.
"Something nice may not necessarily suit everyone".
There was one hot girl who approached me when I was quite new. She was more into Korean's trends and drew her eyebrows like Koreans' pop stars (straight eyebrows). Both my makeup artist and I found it very unsuitable for her but she insisted it was nice. Luckily, she had a change of schedule on the shooting day itself and she did not return to me to fix another appointment.
There was also once when a dancer approached me. I wanted the photoshoot to be more interactive and livelier, and I suggested she dance during the shoot so that I could capture her in her most natural looks. However, she replied firmly that she would just pose directly. A simple reply could tell a lot about the person's character. I knew I was too soft to handle a model like her and thus had to give up the project no matter how hot she was.
One common play of over-confidence is that the model thinks her hair and makeup skill is "good enough" or even better than professional HMUAs (for her own styling). It usually turns out a little disastrous. Another situation is when the model thinks she suits a certain style and rejects the photographer's idea.
Photographer: For the theme I have in mind, I need you to wear a pinafore.
"Model": No, my style is tee shirt.
Ideas / Themes
Good model: Opens to ideas
Bad model: Thinks she knows the best
No one has the exact same ideas for everything. It is the willingness and trust of the models to try on any pose and location that their photographers suggest. Some models may think certain poses are funny and thus they do not want to try them at all.
Discussion of outfits
Good model: Lists and sends some photographs of the outfits
Bad model: Says she has "everything" or will bring a few pieces of clothes on the day itself
For most of the non-commercial shoots, the models are supposed to use their own outfits, unless the male photographer wears skirts too. Alternatively, unless there is a wardrobe sponsor or fashion designer who will be providing the outfits, the photographer definitely has to go through the model's outfits together before the shoot.
There are obviously some good reasons for the model to list out some of her clothes.
Firstly, the model may not have the type of clothes named. The photographer is likely not the model's boyfriend after all and needs not to entertain such nonsense. Coming out with ideas and getting "rejected" can be very irritating and time-consuming. It reminds me of a common story of couples:
Boyfriend: What do you want to eat?
Girlfriend: Anything.
Boyfriend: Curry rice?
Girlfriend: No, I have just recovered from cough.
Boyfriend: Chicken rice?
Girlfriend: Too oily!
Boyfriend: Japanese food?
Girlfriend: No! I have just taken that yesterday!
Boyfriend: Then what do you want to eat?
Girlfriend: I'm anything! You decide!
Secondly, the model is often able to surprise the photographer with some nice or uncommon clothes that the male photographer cannot come out with. Obviously, girls have many types of clothes and guys may not even know their names/existence to name them.
Lastly, by having the model suggest the type of clothes, the photographer can understand her taste and willingness to wear the outfit for the shoot. Imagine a similar situation:
Photographer: How about bikini?
Model: No, too sexy.
Photographer: Crop top?
Model: No, I have big tummy.
Photographer: A very long dress?
Model: No, I don't have!
It can be funny but I have faced such a situation many times. Please give the photographer a break, especially if there are many models who are approaching him.
The minimum thing a model can do is to take photographs of the outfits she owns to share with the photographer. The reason for showing the outfit is obvious - it is impossible for everyone to understand what exactly each other wants, and so, let everyone's visual ease all miscommunication. Nobody would want to depend on luck on the day itself.
Showing of outfits
Good model: Wear the clothes and take photographs for selection
Bad model: No time to take photograph
I have been shocked by my models a few times at the beginning of the shoots because the outfits are far different from what I have expected. These are times when I do not receive any photo at all or the outfit just lies flatly on the bed when it is taken and I cannot see the exact cutting and design; besides, different materials do give different feel when being worn. I have also missed out on some nice outfits. The photographs will help the photographer to visualise and plan the shoot for the best result.
Difficult to judge
I understand that the model has likely tried her outfits before buying or after receiving them from the delivery man (online purchase) and therefore, she has seen how exactly the outfits look on her body. Therefore, she may assume other people know it as well.
There was once when a model sent me a photograph of a tube top, I mistook it for a tube dress instead.
There is a reason why mannequins exist in retail shops.
Different body shape and length
Some outfits make the models look fatter or the cuttings simply do not fit them.
I had a model with excellent body curves customised two gowns with good material but after she wore them for me to see, I was extremely disappointed.
Malfunction
Many "models" are overconfident in their dress sense. I have encountered "malfunction" with the outfits of the models many times. Even though I'm a guy, my experience has helped me to learn a lot, including spotting errors.
There was once a model who wore a thin material top with a hard-wired bra that thrust forward and it made the model look like she was wearing an oversized bra. I had also experienced situations where the model's outfit was different from the style I was planning to do. On another frustrating night, the model's top was actually designed with a big opening by the sides and her bra was shown openly by around four centimetres, like a porn star.
There are too many stories about the wardrobe that has determined the bad quality of photoshoots right from the start.
Old photographs
If a model were to show her photographer an existing/old photograph of her wearing the outfit, it may not be the best although it is "better than nothing". The photograph may not be a full-body one and it may be a snapshot taken in bad condition. Moreover, the model may have changed the length of hair or even body size/shape.
It takes longer time to shoot
When a model is lazy, there can be hundreds or thousands of excuses. If a model cannot even spend a few minutes taking and sending photographs of the outfits to the photographer to see before the shoot, how would she have the time to go for the actual shoot that would require even more time?
The blame
It's a basic respect for the photographer, who is supposed to oversee everything and prevent any problems. During a commercial shoot, the photographer has to bear all responsibilities. Viewers of the final photographs will only criticise the photographers' decision and skill; they do not consider the fact that the models are the ones who have refused to cooperate to eliminate the flaws and errors. After all, the photographer should call the shot and demand the model for full cooperation.
I appreciate those models who spend the effort to try on every outfit and send me the photographs before the actual photoshoot. This is definitely tiring and most of the outfits will not be used eventually. It takes lots of patience and willingness to do it. I have been very touched by some of my models who do beyond the "minimum requirement" without giving them any instruction.
Personal activity before the shoot
Good model: Rest early
Bad model: Partying the night before
It is ridiculous if the model goes out to have fun the night before the morning shoot. The model is definitely showing a lack of interest in the photoshoot. If a model does not have a good rest the night before, it is easy for pimples to break out, skin to become dry, "panda eyes" to emerge and the model will not have the energy.
I had experienced shooting with a model who had gone drinking hours before the morning shoot. She was, of course, late for the shoot and did not send me the photographs of her outfits as promised. She looked tired and I could smell alcohol whenever I was close to her. It was a very bad experience.
Punctuality
Good model: Turns up earlier or on time
Bad model: Delays the shoot
This is a common problem and can only be judged based on individual situations. I do appreciate models who have to work till a late hour. There are also times when the models sleep late because they are discussing the shoots with me.
I'm a busy person and usually sleep late due to work. The most irritating thing is that if I drag myself to get up after having one or two hours of sleep while the model oversleeps, it is a waste of my effort. Waiting makes me very sleepy and will massacre any idea I have in mind for the shoot.
I had encountered shooting with a model who had decided to stay up the night just for mahjong games with her friends. We were supposed to shoot during the golden hour in the early morning when the lighting was more pleasing and fewer passers-by would photobomb us. In the end, we dragged the shooting to the afternoon. The shoot was arranged days before that and the mahjong session was a spontaneous gathering with her friends.
Endurance / Determination
Good model: Doesn't mind travelling and long duration
Bad model: Complaint of tiredness
For outdoor shooting, if we do not have a scout to find nice spots at the locations before the shoot, do expect to walk around to find a good background. If we are not doing any paid commercial work for any big client, do not expect the privilege.
I love exploring new places. I also do not have a photographic memory and thus, every model is expected to walk during the photoshoot to find good spots. So far, most of my models are really nice girls who have not complained about tiredness.
I have experienced spending more than 12 hours with models for our shoots. There was a time a model went into a forest with me and also climbed to the top of Mount Faber without making any complaint. I was totally mesmerised by her good attitude.
Trust in post-production
Good model: Trusts the photographer in post-production
Bad model: Demands to edit the photographs
Demanding to edit the photographs for the photographer is a big disrespectful act. If the model thinks she can do a better job than the photographer, she should not work with the photographer in the first place. As I have mentioned, advise her to pass a camera to her grandma to do the shooting for her while she can do the post-production job on her own.
Other than how the photographer prefers the use of lens and camera setting, post-processing work is a unique work of the photographer as well. I have seen works from various photographers who may not be using the minimum gear but their editing of the photographs makes a great difference in setting the moods of the photographs. It's about the personal style of the photographer - both actual shooting and photoshop editing come in a package. Of course, certain photographers may have their own settings preset and they can easily task a retoucher to do the post-processing work instead.
I have encountered a few such cases before. The models may know a little about PhotoShop or other more customised and simple software, but they are simply too over-confident about themselves. Of course, I would not consider them ill-hearted but immature and insensitive to others' feelings.
If you ever encounter one with a bad complexion and lousy makeup who simply blurs out her face and claims that she has done a better job than you, you probably will feel the stab.
I do hear about a few "commercial photographers" who "collaborate" with girls who are willing to strip down to underwear or none, and then they simply pass the raw photographs for the girls to edit. Of course, the supposed-to-be professional photographers are ruining their own reputation directly when the girls upload overly-processed photographs and credit them back to the photographers. Obviously, the motive for shooting with the girls is not to build up their own portfolios.
Patience after shoot
Good model: Understands good work requires more time
Bad model: Directly/indirectly rushing for photographs
The post-production work would definitely take longer time than the actual shoot and good work requires more time and effort. So, everyone should expect to wait for the photographs to be done.
If a model is paying for a photoshoot, the photographer would have given her a timeframe to return the photographs. If the deadline is over, the model can definitely rush the photographer. If it is a TFCD photoshoot, the model has no right to complain at all, especially if the photographer has stated the possible length of time. I do have experience with TFCD models who keep rushing me for the photographs. I would call them insensible. I have my work and I do not live for them.
There are times that I have to do a few photoshoots within a short period of time due to the availabilities of the models and there can be delays in the delivery of the final photographs. For example, I may be approached by foreign models who are staying in Singapore just for a few days or I may be creating a theme for upcoming festivals like Christmas, I have to go ahead to shoot regardless of the amount of work I have on hand.
I hate owing people things and it is very nice for models to be patient. I'm more anxious than anyone to finish the photographs and showcase them in my portfolio. I have been lucky because most of my models understand the time and effort required for post-production work and that I have a tight schedule. Thus, most of them do not rush me. In fact, I do warn my models when I still owe many others their photographs, but most of them do not mind going ahead to shoot and waiting a long time for the final photographs.
Expectation of photographs
Good model: Quality over quantity
Bad model: Quantity over quality
Some girls weigh quantity over quality because they do not know how to judge a good photo in the first place. They may want more photographs so that they can post to their social media profiles everyday. After spending a lot of time filtering the photographs, often in quantities of hundreds, it would take many hours to edit them, depending on individual situations. Making the photographer edit a lot of photographs is definitely taking things for granted unless the model is paying the photographer.
When I was very new, I experienced a model promising not to upload the raw photographs (for her keepsake) but she did not keep her word. It would definitely look bad on her when people get to see her flaws and it would also look bad on the photographer when people compare the edited and unedited photographs. From then on, I learned that I should never give any raw photograph away, except those "behind the scene" photographs and only after I finished the final photographs. It was a painful lesson.
Uploading of photographs
Good model: Uploads as they are
Bad model: Crops or adds filter before uploading, especially in Instagram
Once a photograph is cropped in any way, not by the photographer, the feel or focus of the subject will be different.
Unfortunately, it happens often, especially on Instagram. Instagram started with pure square ratio photographs but they relaxed on the rule a little, but still do not allow the usual 2:3 ratio of photographs taken by a normal camera, such that certain parts of the photograph will have to be cropped off. Photographs taken in landscape orientation (3:2) have no issue though.
One solution is to use another app to add borders to the photograph that is in portrait orientation to make it square before uploading.
Unfortunately, some people either do not know the existence of such an app or are just too lazy to do it. There are also some people who love square photographs and thus decide that they can do a better cropping job than the original artists/owners (photographers).
It is difficult to talk sense to these people, especially, after the photographers have sent them the final photographs. They do not care about the photographers' reputation. I have my own experience of showing bad work with models' fingers or ankles being chopped off and I suppose most of the culprits' fans do know I'm being framed with bad composition. One of the easiest ways to "solve" this problem is to suck his thumb and refuse to work with the person again if the photographer does not want to sour the relationship.
Waste my time
With some fame and a reasonably satisfactory standard of portfolio that lead to quite a number of "models" approaching me to request for TFCD shoot often, I do get abused.
Below are just a few of the stories of girls approaching me for a TFCD shoot that has not turned out well. I do not mean to insult anyone but some of the "models" are never the model quality in terms of looks and body, and most importantly, IQ and EQ.
Drunkard chasing for photos
When I was new to portrait photography, I agreed to work with a net friend who had quite a bad complexion. She went drinking just a few hours before the shoot and I could smell alcohol from a distance away. She was late and then decided to change the shoot to a bikini shoot. Somehow, she made me wait for more than an hour downstairs at her house.
During that period of time, my mentor was very busy and I had to wait for her to go through the album with me. The model insulted me with nasty words while trying to chase me for the photographs.
Immature, over-confident, arrogant
This model gave me extremely bad timing for the shoot after postponing it. The photographs didn't turn up as well as expected because my lack of experience couldn't battle the sun. Most of all, the insufficient time didn't allow me to set up my simple lighting equipment.
The model was late, claimed she was very thirsty (had to end the shoot soon to get drinks) and she had to rush off to meet her potential boyfriend.
After the shoot, I had to edit her makeup although I knew nuts about makeup, by re-doing and re-sending the photos to my mentor (HMUA) numerous times. In fact, the photos turned out much better than her existing outdoor portfolio but she wasn't satisfied. She even used her phone app, edited one of the original photos by just blurring her face and claimed that it looked much better than my final version. In the end, she did the most dramatic thing by commenting on the photo on my page that she didn't like it.
Years later, she returned to ask me to delete the photographs from my website and proposed to re-shoot with me. I wasn't interested even though she was pretty, tall and had very big boobs.
Everyone's also a model
A foreign "model" approached me to collaborate and I got my HMUA friend involved. However, this model dragged on and started discussing with me only just a couple of days before touching down in Singapore. Even though I had made her go through my agreement page for collaboration when she first contacted me, she refused to send us photos of her outfits that we would be working on.
I was annoyed by her arrogance and told my HMUA that I did not want to shoot with her. I did not reject her directly but luckily, she eventually told me she wanted to cancel the shoot. She told me she had worked as a model before but surprisingly she did not even know what "HMUA" stand for. She probably did not work with any HMUA before, such that she did not know the professionals would need details for proper planning. Of course, those 'photographers' who had worked with her before were probably not into details for their shoots.
Split personalities
A local "model" approached me for collaboration and asked me to compensate her. I ignored her ignorance. Months later, she approached me to collaborate on a bikini shoot that I had in mind. Her body was a little big frame and had a big manly face but her big boobs were good for a sexy bikini shoot. She was so open-minded to even suggest using lingerie to shoot in urban areas.
She wanted to do it the next morning but before we decided on anything, she went to bed without informing me, leaving me to stay awake to wait for her reply. She woke up in the morning and asked me stupidly whether we would still proceed when it was already a couple of hours to noon. We were discussing doing it on the coming Saturday morning but she suddenly claimed she was having her period and could not do it and asked me to do a fashion shoot instead, sending me photos of her low-cut short dresses.
Throughout the entire conversation since day one, I did not want to hurt her esteem and thus not mentioning about her looks, thinking that I could challenge myself to play with angles of face and lighting. Even for her 'oppositely shaped' eyebrows, I tried to put words nicely and she promised me she would do something about it. On the final night, I thought using similar sexy dresses was boring and that I could not find anything suitable in her Facebook photos. I asked her if she had a loose top and she started showing her attitude.
I did not want to mess with her anymore but she still approached me on the 'actual day' itself and even wanted to bring forward the time. When I asked her about her eyebrow and she threw me attitude again. Since I saw that she was very immature and well-pampered, I saw no point in talking to her anymore. I typed a long message in the nicest words I could ever use on her with the intention of getting her to give up, and she threw lots of nasty words at me. I was glad that I had decided not to work with her.
Plastic
This model had some nice tattoos on one side of her body, which made her suitable for an art shoot. From her Facebook albums, it seemed that she had been doing a lot of implied nude or even nude shoots. However, all of her photos were weirdly edited, such that nobody could judge her looks from any of her photos - her face was flat and seemed to be made of plastic like some "talking" dolls in horror movies. Some photos were watermarked with the copyright logo of photographers but all of them look similar and obviously, she had disrespected the various photographers and added in her own horrible filter, tarnishing the reputation of the talents.
Supermodel: Hi can u help me photoshoot
# I made some pre-judgement of her based on her language - my bad but I'm usually very accurate
Me: hi, do you have a recent close-up photo of yourself without makeup and without filter?
# I focus a lot on expressions and thus need to know her real look
* She sent me 2 photos with her usual filter applied, showing a flat face
Supermodel: Sorry i only have this
Me: oh.. i see.
# I confirmed she was lacking of intelligence
* 4 or 5 days later...
Supermodel: So can work wif u
Me: can you take a selfie without makeup and filter?
Supermodel: I ard send u
# No, she didn't send me a selfie WITHOUT makeup and her weird filter
Supermodel: I working everyday wif make up de
# Does she mean that she sleeps with her makeup too?
Supermodel: Nvm if u can't make it nvm
# It's not that I can't make it - she cannot make it
Supermodel: I will find other photographer
# She has finally shown her true colours that she's not that keen
Supermodel: Thsnks
Supermodel - NOT
This "model" did not have the look and shape and was unlikely going to make it big in any entertainment or modelling industry. No clear-minded professional photographer would want to use her as a model since her looks would not value-add to any portfolio. Of course, desperate amateur photographers might do TFCD shoot with her, especially for sexy themes. Later on, she seemed to be doing a lot of lingerie shoots anyway. I had seen her spam posts on Facebook and I knew communication would be tough.
Supermodel:
Hi,
Mr Chan,
I am keen for collaboration for creative theme photoshoot.
My Fb page....
under this link https://www.facebook.com/pages/xxx
Thanks a million....
I am a Freelance Talent based in Singapore,
Willing to travel ASIA (Malaysian/Hong Kong/China/Taiwan if budget and schedule is suitable)
I am also looking forward for(Paid Assignments).
-TV Commercial/Corporate Video assignments in Singapore/Malaysia/Hong Kong/Taiwan
-Modelling Shoot...
Theme such as Wedding/Fashion/Sexy Fashion/Hi-fashion/Blog shop/Bikini/Cos-play/Fantasy...
PS:
STRICTLY NO :(No Lingerie/Artistic Nude/Nude theme)
-YouTube Video
-TV Series
-On-line TV
-Short Film
-Student Short Film
-Role Playing.
-Child Party
-Short Skit
-Flash Mob
-Event Ambassador/Product Ambassador
-Road show Emcee/Game Host
-Events
Kindly Pm for any new ideas as well.
# It was probably a copy-and-paste spam with lots of unimportant information
Me:
Hi xxx,
Thanks for approaching me.
I hope you have read http://skaichanphotography.com/tfp-tfcd-photo-shoot-singapore.php before messaging me.
# Anyone who has read through my page would have instantly provided me with the details I need to qualify a model
Supermodel:
Sure. Actually I do Media industry such as acting, hosting, event for a living. However occasional modeling like stock photo and Photoshoot for additional income as my height and age hard seldom could do runway. However I am only doing TFCD for creative theme, such as high fashion, floating, special effects theme. I believe with collaboration with hmua, wardrobe from your side it can benefit both the parties. However I got another group of friends not looking to earn money instead looking to pay Photographer which is good for personal portfolio.
# She was "sure" but did not seem to make the effort to visit and read. She was neither pretty nor had any x-factor and yet she made high demands.
* She sent me three photos that were quite badly done
# She could have sent me better samples to show she has a better taste. Anyway, the shoot would require extra effort and time, and definitely not worth it to do it with just any model - she did not worth the shoot
Supermodel: Keen like this type
Not helpful
This plain girl is not of model quality.
Supermodel: Hey do u need a model for pictures? Just to promote Ur shooting skills? If yes pls contact me I'm interested
# I already have enough portfolio to showcase my skill and most importantly and obviously, her looks would not help.
Cheapo and desperate
Supermodel: Dear Skai Chan,
As a female model in Singapore working for a startup swimwear brand, I would like to collaborate with you on a shoot if you have any free time over the next week (until the 14th). I have a full wardrobe of swimwear and would like to shoot a few models (I can help style as well).
My number is xxxxxxxx if you would like to meet up and discuss a collaboration.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
xxx
xxx@xxx.com
Me: Hi xxx,
Thanks for approaching me. Will you be able to provide me with more information and perhaps, the plan to go about doing it?
Regards,
Skai
Supermodel: Thank you for your reply
Supermodel: I was hoping to do a collaboration so that we can both brainstorm and think of a concept that we would both like to shoot
Supermodel: I was thinking to do a glam style swimwear shoot
Supermodel: do you know any good locations?
Me: You're welcome! May I know what will be the use of the photos?
Supermodel: I will be using the photos for the swimwear social media
Supermodel: Instagram.com/xxx
Supermodel: and possibly our website depending on how the photos turn out
Supermodel: would you be interested?
Me: I see!
For normal collaboration with model friends, I'm pretty fine with anything.
However, if the work will eventually benefit a third party or a commercial company, we probably need further discussion.
# There's no such thing as free commercial work from professional photographer!
Supermodel: ok
Supermodel: I would be modeling as well
# She still didn't get it
Me: If it's just for your personal portfolio, we can work something out together.
Supermodel: It would be for the startup
Me: Alright! I will have to give this a miss then!
Supermodel: ok! Maybe we can collaborate on something else in the future
Thanks for your time
Me: No problem!
* 1.5 months later...
Supermodel: Hi I am interested in collaborating
Me: How long will you be staying in Singapore for?
Supermodel: 6 months
Supermodel: why do you ask?
Me: I thought you would be leaving soon
Me: Anyway, is there any specific theme you are looking at?
Supermodel: Yes can I send you an email?
Me: You can email me at xxx@skaichanphotography.com
Supermodel: sent
# After reading the email, I realised the shoot was for her company again
Me: I think we have discussed before that I won't be doing a free job for any company.
# Probably too embarrassed to reply me
True colours
This very open-minded model messaged me and sang compliments of my portfolio website which also provided many tips. So, she wanted to collaborate with me. I found her interesting because in her old photos, she looked very much like "ah lian" in her makeup and she had actually made lots of improvement over the years, including slimming down. Flattered by her nice words and that she had bothered to go through my lengthy website, we had hours of chat on Facebook. I shared some bad stories about models with her and she assured me she was nice.
As my very talented Japanese HMUA friend was coming over to Singapore, I was looking to get some models to collaborate with her to create some astonishing work again. On the second day, after confirming with my HMUA friend, I wanted to create a Whatsapp group for discussion.
Me: what's your number?
Supermodel: Why do you need it now?
# I was taken aback by her response to someone she's supposed to appreciate and trust and was seeking help (for the shoot) from
Me: for whatsapp
# Whatsapp is the most common chat messenger in Singapore and I use it to communicate with my Japanese HMUA friend all these while
Supermodel: No need la just talk here
# She suddenly didn't seem to be very interested in shooting with me or maybe she thought I was trying to stalk or harass her over the phone?
Me: Okay then I will have to tell my Japanese HMUA to use other models instead
# She has given up the great chance
Supermodel: Sure
Supermodel: You're not paying me anyway right?
# Speaking the obvious when she was the one asking me to shoot her
Me: I have never paid any model in my entire life
Supermodel: Mmm ya lor
# Now she recalls only clients pay me
Supermodel: So, I am not desperate to shoot with you
Supermodel: Let the other models have their chance
# Totally a changed person in such rude replies
Self-entitled, over-confident, no substance
Once, I posted an Instagram story about getting volunteers to help me to test equipment, shooting styles and themes with the possibility of not getting back any good photographs, a Vietnamese girl who came from the USA was positive about it and we chatted. She took quite a long time to reply and went missing in action for weeks.
Suddenly, she sounded as if I owed her some professional shoots instead of her helping me to do testing. She demanded I do some shoots she found in my portfolio and wanted me to do exactly the same for her, including at the exact location and with the exact pose. Therefore, the shoots basically wouldn't help me in my portfolio. I thought it was give-and-take and thus I would just take "one photograph" (to get something like what she wanted) for her and then she might try more creative stuff with me after that or at least move to another part of the location to do something else.
For the discussion of outfits, she was very insistent on choosing her own. When I told her I didn't want any outfit with patterns, which wasn't good for most themes, she refused to listen and made it sound like she was more experienced than me.
I was, in fact, very tired of her nonsense. Firstly, she was making use of me totally instead of helping me. Secondly, she was over-confident although she didn't have the substance - she had probably done a few shots before with hobbyists or at least, I didn't see any professional work in her Instagram account. Thirdly, she didn't want to cooperate and only wanted to do things her way. Lastly, she kind of insulted my professionalism.
One of the shoots she wanted to do was a close-up studio shoot, in which she would be showing her bare back (topless). On the actual shooting day itself, in our private WhatsApp discussion, she requested me to do a "semi-nude" shoot as well. So, I thought it would be good for marketing - sex sells - while I thought it was flattering to be trusted for even our first shoot.
I tried to get a professional hair and makeup artist (HMUA) to get involved because her makeup had big flaws (somehow, her eyebrows had two colours). In the WhatsApp group chat, she straightaway said her eyes (single eyelids) were difficult to handle and "offered" to do that part on her own. I was stunned because, in a way, she was doubting the capability of my HMUA friend.
My friend was a bit playful but busy at that time. She asked the model if she would like to do the entire makeup on her own as well and continued with her work. The chat group was filled with silence and thus I had to try to sort things out in private with both of them.
I told the model that what she had said was very insulting to the professional HMUA and she kept denying that she was rude because "it was common in USA" and that the HMUA had overreacted. She kept blaming it on the cultural differences, which was a big excuse for her arrogance. Clearly, Caucasians are more outspoken and straightforward in general but it doesn't mean they would use tactless words - there was no issue with culture. If she were to insist that Caucasians were more upfront, I would expect them to give her a slap if she sounded rude like this. Nonetheless, she was in Singapore and she should just be humble.
It was an impossible job to let her know her mistake so that she could understand why the HMUA had reacted in a sarcastic manner. After wasting my effort and time, she continued with quite a sarcastic tone that we could do the shoot without an HMUA. She killed the remaining of my tolerance. I told her the fact that any professional HMUA could have done a better makeup job than her, using a similar sentence structure as her sarcasm.
She was probably very pissed off and claimed that I was lecturing her since the beginning. I didn't bother to waste any more time replying to her.
Hence, I lost a very bold "model" who could have helped me to produce many artworks that not many girls would dare to do. Other "photographers" probably can't wait to suck up to such a "model" because they probably can get to see her nude or maybe get something more. Most of them wouldn't even try to get an HMUA to be involved and instead, would be happy to do the sexy shoot alone with her. However, in my case, I don't mix photography with my personal life.
It was ignorance of her that she had expressed her great admiration for my work in the first place but she didn't trust my planning - choices of outfits (for other outdoor shoots) and working with a professional HMUA.
The devil behind the angelic face
There's a model who approached my HMUA friend for makeup and my friend arranged for us to have a bridal shoot together so as to utilise her effort.
On the day, the model rejected my friend's request to work on her single eyelids, which was crucial for transforming her looks. Another shocking thing was that she only informed my friend on the spot that she had to rush off almost immediately after the makeup and thus we couldn't do any shoot for my friend's portfolio. It seemed like she was making use of my friend for free makeup and not for a professional shoot that would help my friend in her portfolio.
Since my friend said that this model was soft-spoken and courteous, she decided to give her another chance when this model approached her again and promised to allow my friend to do eyes adjustment for her. This time, my friend created a WhatsApp group for the three of us for the discussion.
The initial plan was to do a creative makeup shoot. The model sent us some of her outfits without putting them on and thus we couldn't really figure out the exact design and whether they would really fit her well. Before this, she had already agreed to the terms and conditions stated on my website, which required her to show us her outfits with her wearing them.
After my friend shared a photograph of a nice cheongsam, I suggested doing a Chinese New year shoot instead. The model suggested Chinatown and I highlighted that locations like Chinese Garden and Chinatown were most used for cheongsam shoots. However, since our schedules were packed during weekends and the model had to work during weekdays, we had to schedule the shoot for a few weeks later.
Just a week before our shoot, the model suddenly uploaded a photograph of her on her Instagram and it was a creative makeup shoot of her in cheongsam, taken at Chinese Garden. Both my friend and I were stunned as we were puzzled over why the model would do a cheongsam shoot with other people when she had already arranged one cheongsam shoot with us. Another frustrating thing was that doing creative makeup in cheongsam was originally proposed by my friend, while I listed the location.
The model acted as if nothing had happened and she sounded very easygoing and flexible in the group chat. At first, both of them were fine with my proposal of shooting at a location near the model's place. My friend thought it was far for her and we decided to use her initial suggestion to shoot at Chinese Garden instead. The model said she was fine with any timing as well, including before sunrise.
Just a day before our shoot, the model sent us a photograph of a shoot done by another model at the Chinese Garden; it somehow showed her enthusiasm like she was doing research on the place. Just when we were still in the fantasy that the model was very committed to the shoot, she suddenly told us that she didn't feel like doing the cheongsam shoot anymore.
She proposed to my friend in private to do other themes instead. I felt weird since she could have discussed the change of plan in the group chat instead. Then she gave an excuse for not wanting to do the cheongsam shoot - she was afraid of doing a shoot with a big shot (referring to me).
I thought putting on a fake front that she was super easygoing was bad and being fickle-minded at almost the "last minute" was terrible, but giving a stupid excuse was even worse.
Firstly, I wasn't a big shot. Secondly, even if I were a big shot, the fact that I had cracked childish jokes with them that might have lowered my status, made it obvious that I treated everyone equally. Lastly and the most obvious proof that she was lying was that she did try to propose other themes in private with my friend after her sudden mood swings. Therefore, the fact was that she simply wanted to do another theme before my friend, with my acknowledgement in private, called off the shoot; the reason for calling off the shoot wasn't because of her being afraid to shoot with her imaginary big shot (me, in this case).
A few days later, my friend saw the HMUA who had done the creative makeup cheongsam shoot had uploaded their photograph to her Instagram with the caption that thanked the model for "her" idea. The model still had the cheek to ask my friend to help her with free makeup for her other shoots.
Very busy due to trying to keep myself busy
M: I want to shoot! Will find the outfit tomorrow to show you. I can start next week.
*More than a week later...
P: Still busy?
M: A bit.
P: Oh okay...
M: I'm sorry.
P: When will you be available?
M: When I'm dead. Okay sorry I see how my schedule is because I kind of want to work during the holidays for the cash so that I won't be so broke.
P: When's your holidays?
M: Is now.
P: Oh..
M: Okay but I did something stupid in 30 minutes like just now.
P: Busy during holidays? What thing?
M: Yes trying to keep myself busy.
*showed some stupid photoshop stuff.
M: I did that. Yea I did a dumb thing.
P: You mean you are busy now because you are trying hard to keep yourself busy?
M: Yes, by finding a job.
P: Okay. Good luck.
M: I don't like staying at home. Thanks!
I can't wake up in the early morning
P: Let's do the shoot in the early morning for better light and blah blah..
M: No, I can't wake up. Let's do it in the afternoon instead.
Weekend> Crowded in the afternoon with photobombs. Makeup melted before sunset. FML.
Days after the shoot...
M: I'm having a shoot with another photographer soon! I need to wake up way before sunrise because he says the timing is important... blah blah...
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