Some of you are aware I've done a bit of modelling.

I recently came across someone who I didn't initially realise was a foul, arrogant person. Usually on this particular website, I'd get a message from a tog saying they like my style, and offering some ideas to a photoshoot we could work on together. That's the whole idea. You develop a working relationship (Pre-shoot communication) and exchange ideas to plan, while the photographer gives the inexperienced model as many details as possible so she/he feels comfortable.

With this one, I got an overly casual "I have a late cancellation for tomorrow and a free slot, fancy a shoot?". I responded wanting more information, I'd normally reject as anything less than a week is too short notice.

I replied with a few initial questions, where is it, what type of shoot, and what's expected of me with regards to clothing. He said "Well aren't you lucky, the studio is in MK." So I had to continue asking many questions while getting sparse responses. (Those situations where you ask someone two simple questions, and they only reply to one) It was irritating, as he had time to sit and think about how to reply. He didn't offer any ideas of his own. He said he wanted to do "Pin up", which I'm completely inexperienced with. I asked him about styles and inspiration, but he just said that my fringe is pin up... Note that on this persons profile, he states "Professional". I always make sure the tog is aware I'm NOT a professional, that it's merely a hobby, and I don't have that much experience. I said to him "I just want to confirm you're aware i'm not a professional, and can get a bit shy"... Which I say mainly as I expect the tog to make me feel comfortable with them, everyone else I've worked with I've said that to and they've explained how I've got nothing to worry about, and have offered that I bring a chaperone. This one replied "Not to worry I have a big stick that I beat the models with if they don't do as they're told"... I didn't find this mildly amusing. It only extended the fact that I was already intimidated by him. No communication, and an apparent joke. I even said "I hope that's a joke", as it sounded like a random message I'd get from someone on Facebook from India.

Feeling uneasy, I still tried to ask details (He's the only tog I'd come across that doesn't even have his name on his profile). After a while, I felt "What the hey, it's a challenge, and it'll all be over by tomorrow if I don't enjoy it." After he sent the message:

The Tog
either or, get fb alerts on phone anyway.
the main thing is we have a deal a shoot & you will be there.

Me
Okay. I'll text you if we get lost tomorrow.

The Tog
Ok, thank you very much for answering my call, I look forward to meeting & working with you tomorrow

I was aware we had confirmation, and packed everything I needed in the suitcase. I decided to send a message to the STUDIO, to ensure there would be someone there who could assist me. At studios there's usually a member of staff who can show props, make tea, or help me do up a dress. I said "Hey Saracen! Who will be at the studio tomorrow? I feel i'll need a friendly helping hand. I'm a tad intimidated by the photographer, i've never worked with him so don't know what to expect. I may also need help with clips on outfits etc. Is this okay?", Exact quote.

I didn't get a reply from them. HOWEVER, after about 10 minutes, I did get a message from the tog... "I have just had a rather strange call from my good friend Andrew at the studio saying you feel intimidated by me, is that correct?"... Which obviously puts me in an akward position. I'm a very honest person, so I tried to explain, saying "Yes, of course i do. I've never done a shoot on short notice like this.". He then responded "I don't quite know what to say, as for short notice I don't really see what that has to do with it.", I replied "Because i get to know the photographer BEFORE the shoot.". He then said "I don't want to make anyone feel that way, so I will withdraw my offer to you & leave the shoot. Thanks". Excuse me? He was cancelling the photoshoot 17 hours before it would take place. I didn't vent my anger, and simply replied by pasting my exact message that I sent to the studio, as clearly he thought I meant something different, and saying this is very unprofessional of him.

This was confirmed. So on his profile I put late cancellation, because he didn't have a valid reason, AND I was all ready for the photoshoot spending a long time getting ready. Late cancellation is posted if the shoot is cancelled up to 18 hours before the shoot. It was 17 hours, so it's correct to put it. I wanted warn others he's not as professional as he'd like to think.

Later that day, he'd put a message on his profile, saying "ignore the late cancellation, its just a disgruntled model who can't accept that I didn't want to work with her". Pardon? Don't flatter yourself! I went to my OWN profile, and put "If you've been directed here from the late cancellation, feel free to ask for details. He refers to himself as professional, though deems it acceptable to cancel a shoot within 17 hours as he feels like it. He is very arrogant and emits a feeling as though it should be a privilege to work with him, when quite frankly, he shouldn't flatter himself." Job done.

The next day, my emails said my account had been suspended. I knew what it was about, and emailed the admin to say the late cancellation is correct and that I can provide proof of his confirmation, AND cancellation, with his ridiculous reason for cancelling. They were having none of it, and apparently my feedback was uncalled for as I "Didn't use the website's official diary".. Apparently a late cancellation only counts if it's been put in the diary! I have never worked with anyone that's used this extra function.

The worst part of this was the wording in their replies. I wanted to know specifically what I'd done wrong. They accused me of lying about the cancellation, (Even though I can provide proof!). They used words such as "your attack", "malicious", "nasty", "unprofessional". They also said that because I show no remorse (I'm not going to be sorry when it's the truth!), they're not going to restore my account, because I "am a threat to other photographers who could get a late cancellation". Stunned. I even said "You can't come to a conclusion without speaking to the other party", and they said "Yes we can, we have found no evidence of the cancellation." RRRR!!

They still had the nerve to charge me for the subscription after I'd been suspended. It took THREE messages for them to respond to it, in which they said "Go to the FAQ's to find out how". NO, you're an ambassador for the website charging me, so YOU should have done it. (I had a similar Issue with Ebay who needed to refund a fee, but I had to go through Paypal, which they OWN!)

I feel like a political prisoner. Does anyone have a shoulder they can lend? Has ANYONE been in a situation like this in any sense?

I think I need a new hobby.

It does sound like you need a new hobby or to change expectations. The modeling world can be brutal at times. Although this guy does sound like a jerk. But it also seems he had undue influence on the inside track. The whole situation sounds unprofessional to me. You are correct in your gut feeling about wanting to know before you show up to a shoot who exactly you are dealing with. In today's world it can turn to a nightmare quickly. Just take it with a grain of salt and pass it on to lifes experiences. Its only a hobby for you so don't sweat it.