There are some unusual circumstances when a model will not be paid for their work.
All of these circumstances are extremely rare, but are listed here for the sake of openness.
Models will not be paid if the shoot is cancelled before it begins
Occasionally, shoots are cancelled before they begin (ie, the model has arrived on set, but the Shoot Producer decides the shoot cannot go ahead). There are a range of reasons for this, detailed in the What happens if I arrive on-set for a shoot, and it is cancelled or rescheduled? FAQ.
Our Model Liaisons and Shoot Producers do everything in their power to minimise this (like models, they only get paid for shoots that actually happen), but some aspects can only be controlled my models themselves. For example;
❌ Model Angela develops a serious acne breakout on her face a few days before the scheduled shoot. Insted of providing grooming images before the shoot, she pretends she never saw the request for new grooming images from the Model Liaison.
Angela arrives on-set for the shoot as if nothing is wrong – she’s deliberately mis-lead the company. The Shoot Producer knows Angela ignored the request for grooming images, and so is sensitive to possible issues.
The Shoot Producer consults with others in the company (our standard practise in these situations), and a decision is made to reschedule the shoot.
We acknowledge that models cannot control many grooming issues on their own body, but they can control how they communicate about them.
In situations where the Shoot Producer decides the shoot cannot go ahead today, the shoot will be rescheduled. In some cases, a shoot reschedule fee may be due to the model.
Models will not be paid if they refuse to complete a shoot
We have minimum requirements for each Type of shoot we produce, as defined on our Posing Levels and Shoot Types page. We are always open and up-front with models about the requirements of a shoot. What we publish on that page and what happens on set match exactly. The requirements change rarely (perhaps each ten years!).
If a model refuses to pose to the minimum requirements of that Shoot Type and Posing Level, a complete shoot cannot be made. For example;
❌ In Solo (Nude) shoot, the model refuses to show her buttocks during the video portion of the shoot. That’s part of the minimum requirements for Solo (Nude) shoots. The model would not be paid.
❌ In a Girl-Girl Hardcore shoot, one model refuses to give oral sex to her shoot partner. That’s part of the minimum requirements for a girl-girl hardcore shoot. The shoot canmnot be completed, so neither model will be paid.
❌ In a Guest Direction shoot, the model goes out on the street for a cigarette break, and does not return. She’s non-responsive to phone calls for the rest of the day.
✅ In a Video Masturbation shoot, the model asks to keep her socks on, because her feet are cold. While barefoot is preferable for our customers, this kind of compromise can usually be made, at the Shoot Producer’s discretion. The model would be paid as normal.
We work hard to pre-empt problems in this area by having open conversations with models about the requirements and expectations of shoots they are booked to appear in, and motivating models to be active participants in those conversations.
We encourage models to set boundaries for themselves, and to not give consent if they feel uncomfortable. However, all decisions come with consequences, and if consent is not granted for a minimum requirement of the shoot, the shoot will be cancelled.
The model(s) will not be paid, and any media captured so far will be permantly deleted (ie, no part of the shoot will be published).
Illicit drug use on set
See our policy on Can I have a drink (or, some other “pick me up”) for courage on the shoot day? Drinking and drug use on-set.
If a model is seen to be taking illicit drugs or drinking alcohol during a shoot, the shoot will be cancelled, and the model(s) will not be paid. Any media captured so far will be permantly deleted (ie, no part of the shoot will be published).
Refusal to sign the release
If a model refuses to sign a Release form or associated shoot documentation on a shoot, we cannot publish the shoot. It’s possible this is based on a misunderstanding, and the Shoot Producer will do what’s necessary (including organising a phone call with the Owner of the company) to resolve the matter.
If the matter cannot be resolved on the shoot day, we allow 48 hours from the end of the shoot for the matter to be resolved. If the matter cannot be resolved in that timeframe, the model refusing to sign is not paid (other models will be paid as normal). The shoot media will be permanantly deleted.
Inappropriate behaviour on set
If a model behaves inappropriately on set, the Shoot Producer may choose to cancel the shoot. Depending on the severity of the matter, the Shoot Producer may issue warnings about the behaviour before cancelling the shoot.
Examples of inappropriate behaviour include;
- Proceding with an activity when a shoot partner has explicitly not given their consent
- ✅ Jane: “Please don’t touch my left nipple, it’s quite sore this week.”
- ❌ Mary: *pinches Jane’s left nipple in the shoot*
- Violence, or threats of violence
- Theft
- Hate speach
- Verbal abuse towards anyone, including via voice call
- Taking images for posting to social media without receiving explicit permission (of crew, or other models)
- Bullying behaviour (online, by voice call, or in person)
- Uncontrolled emotional outbursts (eg, crying, screaming)
- Unsafe behaviour (endangering the model themselves, or others on-set)
- Damage to or destruction of property (owned by the Shoot Producer, other models, the location owner or occupant)
This is not a complete list, but serves as an example of the kinds of things we consider to be inappropriate on-set.
If a shoot is cancelled due to inappropriate behaviour, the offending model will not be paid, and media will be permanantly deleted. Other models on the same shoot will be paid.
End.
