I knew when I re-released that blog (“Who The Fuck Are You?” https://dallasjlogan.com/blog/who-the-fuck-are-you/) from my archives that I was going to receive a lot of responses towards it (most of them were in private). I got a lot of praise for telling the truth and I even got one “You are a douche bag.” Really? I guess you told me. Try telling me something that I don’t already know. I expected not to be liked when I speak the brutal truth. The truth isn’t for everyone. In the immortal words of Jack Nicholson: “YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH!” When you decide to express your own opinion, you will never make every one happy. It is a fact of life. I just wish when people leave such messages, be man enough to leave a real email address. This is my arena. This is my blog. It is my area to express myself. If you don’t like it, don’t read it, but please, if you going to insult me stand by your insults (but that is another blog for another time).
Back to business. There is nothing more enjoyable for a client to hear than delivering a project earlier than anticipated and even more so “under budget”. The business of photography is just like any other business, and the bottom line is just as important to us as it is to a Fortune 500 company. As a matter of fact, a lot of our work is based not necessarily on our ability or artistry, but how much we may charge for a particular project.
When you cannot delivery on time, or over budget, guess what? You will be replaced. There has been times where I was up for a job and got pulled and vice versa. I have removed members from my team on particular projects because they could not deliver and we didn’t have time for them to catch up (you are as strong as the weakest link). And most often when a model cannot perform, guess what? They can be replaced as well, hence the title of this blog.
When you work in the commercial industry, sometimes you are lucky to work with clients that want your input regarding model selections. This is a wonderful thing, because most often (but not always) clients are AWFUL at model selection. They tend to have these preconceived notions as to what they want, and they will take this preconceived notion over the ability of the talent. (Again, another blog for another time).
The reason for this blog is because I was in the process of shooting this clothing line and the client asked me for input regarding models. He (the client) had expressed exactly what he was looking for. A particular height, a particular build, a particular race (even down to the complexion). When I presented him with the laundry list of models meeting his requests. Then I decided to send him models outside of the realm of his selections to see what he thought.
Needless to say, he fell in love with one of my choices and I made the connection happen. This is where the story takes a turn. The client made an appointment with the model for a fitting, he was excited with the model and it appeared to even have the job in the bag (or so I thought).
I receive an email from the client with his model selection and it wasn’t the model I sent him. I asked what happened. His reply? “He had to reschedule his fitting.”
He had to reschedule his fitting? So because of this, the client went with someone else. “I really liked the guy” the client lamented, “however, I can’t wait and I can’t fear that he will be a no show for the shoot.” Models. I cannot stress this enough, this is a business and there are THOUSANDS of other models out there. And when you are a model of color, you are already in an industry that doesn’t really want to be bothered with you any way. Don’t give them yet ANOTHER excuse not to hire you. If you want the job, you don’t have the luxury of trying to fit work into your schedule. If you are not serious about work, then you need to get out of the business, there are too many other models out there trying to get the job.
If you don’t get it together, you can and will get replaced.
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