Should models look at their watches during a paid shoot?

Oh, what a controversial topic that recently popped up on one of the photography-related Facebook groups

In a nutshell - a photographer was complaining that at the booking with 2 professional models, one was checking the time and wanted to end the shoot precisely when the paid time was out, and the other one didn't do so, and basically let the photographer work in his flow (gifting him extra half an hour of her time or so). And he will only book the one who doesn't care if the shoot will end up in time or not. But is it really a sign of a "true artist"?

I have so so so much to say about it.

ph https://www.instagram.com/madums69/

Of course, as a new model trying to figure out what works best, I was on both sides of the spectrum. And I saw other girls following either one or another strategy.

Spoiler alert - generous models, who wouldn't check the time at the shoot quit modeling much sooner.

So today, I will try to explain my current point of view on why the model shouldn't gift photographers extra time, at least not at the first photo shoot with a new person.

Because if you will ignore the watch (even given you are free the rest of the day)... you will BURN the fuck OUT.

How exactly does it work.

Little disclaimer: the only people who complain about models checking the time to finish shooting as scheduled are people who booked a minimal amount of time (for some models it is 2 hours, for some 3). There is never a problem with time at a half day/full day shooting.

And a 2-hours slot is often not enough if you are in a creative search process. Of course, if you have your idea prepared, your set built and your settings checked beforehand, you won't need even a full hour to shoot your idea. But most of the time it all happens on set (and it is totally normal).

 So when you want your professional model to not check the time, you want her to turn into a TFP model, so you can create art together for mutual benefit. But as you already paid her, you don't have same responsibilities as to a TFP model, so you don't feel obliged to send back the result of the photoshoot. And after a few situations like that a model starts to feel scammed "for art".

It happens because for photographers the process of the shooting is often the most fun part (not the post-shoot selection and editing). And for models it is actually NOT. It is physically and emotionally challenging (especially if nudity is involved). It is never a good room temperature, it is a lot of muscle work on an empty stomach, and it is being barely dressed in front of a stranger. Models feel happy about the shooting when they see the result of it. When they can add it to their portfolio. When they have a proof, that they've done their job well. Or when they receive money for that job :)

So what is the best solution, based on my current experience?

I think, it is important to know how the time is counted before starting the shoot (some models explain it in their work policy agreement, some photographers just ask before the shooting - what is included in a time slot, when it starts counting). Because it is indeed may vary with different professionals. Some include the make up time in a shooting time. Some exclude toilet breaks :)

And it is no problem to go overtime if you feel really inspired, BUT it needs to be acknowledged. What i usually do at the end of the shoot - i say that the time is over and ask if the photographer needs a few extra minutes to take some final shots (no problem for me as long as we both realize that now we are working overtime);

if it feels like we got it and the shoot is done;

does he want too book some extra time (like normally a half-hour or an hour).

And if I don't have any extra time available due to some other appointments, I will inform the photographer at the beginning of the shooting.

Of course we are not talking about extreme cases when the model is checking time since the very beginning of a gig and clearly only waits for it to end, or when a photographer wants to shoot extra time until the model literally faints of exhaustion.

But in a normal creative yet professional environment, I think it is absolutely fine for people to follow the schedule even though they are creating art.

What do you guys think? Have you ever been offended by a professional who ended their service (consultation, beauty/health treatment, class, lecture etc) precisely on time and didn't stay longer? How would you fix that?