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How to deal with models who don't turn up on shooting day
The dreaded no-shows. It's often the most stressful part of planning a shoot: will my team actually show up? Here's what to do to prevent no-shows on set, and a plan of action should the inevitable happen to you.

Contact, on 15 November 2022
The Contact Team
You've booked a shoot with the perfect model. You send the call sheet a few days before the shoot, and can't wait to meet your creative team on set.
Fast-forward to D-day. It's been forty-five minutes, and your main model has yet to arrive. Frustrated, you call them, then their agent, only to learn the model won't show up. Or worst, you get ghosted.
It's now been one hour. Exasperated, you let your creative team pack their bags and go home. Then you find yourself contemplating the money and time you've drained down the table because one model you trusted didn't respect their commitment. What a bitter way to start the day, right?
No-shows are one of the worst things that can happen at a shoot. It can be emotionally jarring for a client to realise they won't be able to complete a photoshoot or project as planned because of a no-show. And few realise their impact on the people who organise - and do attend - the shoots. If one team member doesn't show up, it can jeopardise the entire project. Indeed, creatives on set are co-dependent: a shoot can't happen without team spirit, and no-shows can kill team dynamics.
Although models are usually trained to know they should always attend the jobs they sign up for if they care about their career and reputation, no-shows are still haunting the industry. So, what can you do the reduce the probability your model (or someone from your team) won't show up, and what should be your plan of action should it happen to you?

Why models sometimes don't show up
Unprofessional models will, unfortunately, ruthlessly ghost their bookers - and they might do so for many reasons. Maybe they found another job at the last minute with higher pay. Perhaps they've overslept. Or forgot. Whatever the reason, a respectable model should let you know in advance if they can't attend the shoot and respect their commitments. If you get no news, not even an apology, then it's a sign you shouldn't work with that model again.
Other times, models don't show up because of genuine reasons that prevent them from attending the shoot. An accident, a family emergency, sickness, mental health issues…However, these models will usually let you know something's happened or send you a message of apology shortly after.
How you treat no-shows will differ depending on the situation, the model's attitude, and the consequences of their non-attendance (ie; significant project delays and additional expenses.)
How to prevent no-shows on set
- Choose models you can trust: agency-represented models will usually come with a pledge of trust; should something happen, their agent will take care of the situation for you. Trusting independent models can be more challenging - they're their own bosses. They don't have an agent telling them what to do. Fortunately, platforms like Contact now have creative ratings, so you can reduce the risk when booking non-agency-represented models or models you've never met before. A 5-star rating shows reliability, professionalism and a positive attitude on set.
- Make the brief clear: although a brief may be clear in your eyes, put yourself in the shoes of someone who doesn't know much about your plan, brand and creative vision. Include important details such as location, access instructions, call time, and things to bring on set. Add a phone number your creative team can contact on D-day for urgent news, and a backup phone number if possible so there's always someone available.
- Get your creative team excited about the job: engage them in your creative vision. Share a "meet the team" email before the shoot to introduce everyone. Include their Instagram accounts to invite your team to get to know each other. Build excitement by giving them as much information as possible on the project. For example, tell them what impact they'll have through their work with you. This can help them understand why they must attend, and they'll be eager to meet everyone.
- Mention that you're here to answer any questions: some models can be shy - reassure them that you're here for them if they have questions.
- Send the call sheet a few days before the shoot and ask for a reply or confirmation text: The earlier you send the call sheet, the easier it is for the models to plan their trip to the shoot. Here's a tip to spot a no-show in advance: when you share the call sheet, require a reply from models to confirm they've received the call sheet. Add a time limit, such as the end of the day if you send the call sheet in the morning. You'll then be able to personally reach out to those that haven't replied to reaffirm attendance.
- Give an incentive: give something the model can look forward to after completing the job with you, such as a good reference that will help them find more work, or a networking opportunity with another client.
- Book the same models: if you work with models that show great professionalism on set and deliver outstanding work, booking them again will help prevent future no-shows.
- Spot the signs and have a backup plan: You can usually spot a model who won't show up to a shoot. Look at how they communicate with you. Do they take days to answer? If yes, this might show a lack of motivation, and they might have you as their plan B - they've accepted the job only in case they don't get another one. If you still haven't gotten any news and the shoot is days away, your best bet is to shortlist other models and have them come as a backup so they can step in last minute.

What to do if you get a no-show
You've followed all the steps above, but still get a no-show. What can you do?
First, confirm the model isn't running late - there's a difference between being late and not showing up at all. Call, text and email them as soon as the call time has passed. This will give you more time to find a backup if needed.
If the model doesn't show up at all, you should send them a diplomatic, professional email after the shoot expressing your disappointment and detailing the negative impact this no-show has had on your team. For example, how much it has cost to reschedule, and how much time you had spent organising the shoot. This might encourage the model to question their actions and help a future client prevent a no-show from that same model.
As soon as you get the confirmation that a model won't show up, or if your doubts are high, put all your efforts into finding a backup. It will often be less expensive than having to send your entire team back home, reschedule the shoot and book another location.
To quickly find a backup, you could:
- Advertise your shoot on social media.
- Call models you've worked with before.
- If you booked a model via Contact, immediately contact the bookings team (bookings@contact.xyz) - they'll do everything in their power to find a backup that closely matches your needs and prevent further delays.
Finally, adapt your creative vision to the new model once you've found a replacement.

No-shows are an inevitable part of anyone organising photoshoots. We hope these pointers will help you prepare and better deal with future no-shows.

Contact, on 15 November 2022
The Contact Team

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