Learning From The Unpublished

It has taken me sometime to decide whether or not I should share this story, but I believe it should be shared as reference for other photographers out there as well as for my models and hair/make-up artists.

Back in the fall I had the opportunity to work with a well known local magazine. Understandably I was very excited. I was asked to provide models as well as hair and make-up artists as they had yet to acquire anyone available. From working with many wonderful models and stylists in past shoots, I was more than thrilled to pass along the opportunity to them especially since I knew first hand how great their work was.

I asked for more information from the coordinator, but didn’t get very far. I also found out that days before we were to have our photoshoot that the vendors we were to be working with were not aware of the upcoming shoot date or time. We quickly fixed that as the shoot was only days away.

It was an amazing session, my wonderful friend and make-up artist air-brushed away as our hair stylist tamed each models hair perfectly. Each vendor had chosen their own outfits they wanted portrayed and we had a blast trying them on.

Shortly after the shoot and after my models and stylists were promised a form of compensation for their time, I found out that the images we had taken were not going to be used. That they had decided to pull the shoot completely. I was devastated. NOT because they didn’t like my work, NOT because my work had not been used, but because I felt I had failed my team of wonderful stylists and models. They had worked so hard that day. Gotten up at the crack of dawn all for naught.

So the lesson learned – I should have had everything out in writing was my first mistake. When I found out the vendors were unaware of the shoot and the date was hazy, I should have reined in and said “Let’s wait and schedule out further.” However, we were rushed for time for the issue release.

As a photographer, your models and stylists are critical to your business and no doubt this experience has left a bit of a sour taste in our mouths.

Will I work with a magazine again in the future? ABSOLUTELY! 

But, only after everything is in writing, everything is planned and coordinated appropriately and EVERYONE is on the same page.

I NEVER want to put my stylists and models through that type of disappointment again. Their time and hard work is more valuable to me, than striving away to get published somewhere and their hard work deserves to be rewarded.

I couldn’t do what I do without them! <3