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Im going to talk about a blog i read!
And.. i think you should read that too..
Selene's blog (Copy & Paste)
Disclaimer! The story I am about to tell is going is going to make a photographer look bad, which I think is fair considering what happened. This is not my story, but the model involved wanted to remain anonymous because she fears backlash from members on this site who like this photographer...me, not so much. So if you don't want to hear a story about a model who was treated badly, don't continue reading.
SPOILERS! (Click to view)
So, this model, not having a lot of money for fees made an agreement with the photographer. In exchange for not paying for her shoot in cash, the photographer would stay at her home for a few days so the money saved on hotel and food expenses would be equal to, or greater than, the fees the photographer charges. While staying at the model's home, the photographer was able to have free use of all the facilities and the model provided and prepared the meals as well. So they do the shoot and the model and photographer love the images and the photographer tells the model that there are around 60 pictures that could make a great set and everyone is happy.
Now a week or two goes by and the model doesn't hear anything. She contacts the photographer who tells her that the conditions were bad during the shoot and it'll take a while to edit the pictures. Then a month or two goes by without word so the model contacts the photographer again. She is told that the photographer is very busy and that all of the pictures taken for "paying customers" have to come before shoots that were "just for fun" so the model will have to wait until numerous other shoots are finished before hers' will even be looked at. Obviously, if someone stays at your home, eat your food and you make a business arrangement with them it's pretty insulting to later have your time and efforts referred to as "just for fun".
So when does the model actually get her pictures?? About 8 months later. Yep, she had to wait almost a year to get her pictures back...and how do you think they looked after all that time?? Not good.
So, you need at least 35 pictures for a set with most sets being between 40-60 pictures...the model was given less than 40. (so what happened to the 60 that were "perfect for a set"??) And the photoshopping done to the photos look amateur. The model says she only asked for a few minor imperfections to be "shopped" out of the pictures, but none of those things were removed and the color balance looked awful, the model actually had to CORRECT the photos herself and one of them was so bad she actually had to throw it away. What kind of a photographer does such a horrible job that the models have to edit their own pictures?!
THEN, to add another layer of insult to injury the photographer tells the model that the "conditions" were so bad, if the model decides to submit the photos, the photographer doesn't want to be named. That's right, she told the model that the pictures were bad enough that she didn't want anyone to know she took the pictures...that is just rude, in my opinion. (Naturally, the model is upset enough that she doesn't want any credit to be given to the photographer either.)
Now, in case you don't think this photographer is unprofessional yet, I have another quick story about their behavior. Another model I know, one with PERFECT skin, told me about her experiences. The first problem being that there was items in the shoot that she didn't want in the pictures and she was going to remove them, but the photographer said they could be removed with photoshop and to not bother...of course, they are in the set. The photographer also did such a bad job with the editing that the model's skin looked like plastic, which was especially disappointing considering how flawless her skin is. So, there are unwanted items in the set and she looks like a mannequin because of poor photoshopping, but guess what, she was also told by the photographer that the pictures were poor enough quality that they didn't want to be named and associated with the pictures.
AND when this photographer stayed at my boyfriend's house (months ago) she actually asked him for advise on using photoshop.
Why the hell is this photographer charging over $200 for pictures that are such poor quality that they don't want to be associated with them?! She also approached this model as a staff photographer, which was not the case. If this photographer were Staff, I would be petitioning SG to have them fired, but SG beat me to it.
I am angry with this person, of course, but more importantly I wanted to tell these stories so other models can have a "heads up" and hopefully avoid a similar situation. No one should have to pay hundreds of dollars to work with someone who might give you back pictures that not even they want to be associated with.
EDIT: I will tell her name if asked by individuals, but I don't want to say it outright because that could get me in trouble.
So.. i find this very disturbing..