Before You Accept the Booking

Know more than the date and the fee before you say yes. Ask about deliverables, usage, exclusivity, when you actually get paid, cancellation terms, travel, wardrobe, who approves what, and who has the final say on set.

Get it in writing. The deliverables should be spelled out. You should know exactly who the client is, what they can do with the work, and when your payment lands. Vague terms tend to favor whoever has more leverage in the room, and that is rarely you until the contract says otherwise.

Preparation is not just about how you show up creatively. Bring the right materials, set your expectations before you arrive, and know your own boundaries going in. People remember professionalism because it makes their job easier and lowers the risk for everyone in the room.

The nearest booking is not always the best one. A room with the right terms can do more for you than a calendar full of compromises, and it is worth learning to tell the difference before you say yes out of habit.