Melitza Guerrero wrote:
AM I THE ONLY TIRED OF THIS DISCUSSION??
SIMPLE ANSWER IF U R A MODEL THAT WILL ONLY SHOOT WITH AN ESCORT THEN DON'T LOOK FOR PHOTOGS THAT DON'T ALLOW THEM.
IF U R A PHOTOG WHO WILL NOT ALLOW THEM THEN DON'T LOOK FOR A MODEL WHO WON'T WORK WITHOUT ONE.
DUH!
For those models who have already decided that they are going to include an escort at their shoots.
(1.) Determine why you want an escort. If you are going to travel some distance, or if you are meeting someone for the first time, then you might consider having an escort. There are times when an escort will escort you to and from the door and that's it. I've had models who have traveled two or more hours one way, and I highly recommend they have an escort with them. An escort is a job determined by your needs.
(2.) Communicate with photographers as to if they allow escorts or not. Ask! There are many photographers who are escort friendly here. Not all photographers who don't allow escorts are bad and not all photographers who allow escorts are good. But always check first! Which brings us to ....
(3.) Never bring an escort uninvited! ANY person who shows up at a photo shoot or studio uninvited is trespassing. If you did not discuss with the photographer about bringing an escort before hand, then don't bring one. It shows that you don't trust the photographer enough to ask, and so you might as well not bother coming in the first place.
(4.) Talk with the photographer on the phone about his or her expectations of where this person who is escorting you to the studio can go or do while you are shooting. Some photographers will have a chair in the hall, or even a room they can wait in. Maybe the photographer is alright with escorts as long as they sit in the car outside. I have had models who were happy with these sort of arrangements for their escorts.
Then there are those photographers who might be alright with a whole lot more. I have been known to invite the escort to watch if it does not bother the model. I've had some models who brought models as escorts which turned into an even better session when I took pictures with them both. In those extreme cases, most likely we had talked already about it. If it's a TFP shoot, and everyone is fine with it, why not!
(5.) Consider who it is you are asking to escort you. If you have a jealous significant other, then maybe you best not invite that person. The only problem I have ever had was with a guy who just happen to show up at the studio when his girlfriend (one of the models) was being photographed. He being the weakest link ... had to leave. Boyfriends who insist that they be there to provide "protection" are not escorts! This could be considered stalking.
(6.) An escort is not there as a body guard. If you are afraid of the photographer, then don't work with that photographer. There are some photographers who might be afraid of escorts. I have absolutely no fear of people, so I'm different. But an escort is not going to guarantee that you don't get into an uncomfortable situation. Go with your intuition on people. If some guy with camera says he is a photographer but seems creepy to you, then don't shoot with him!
(7.) Some photographers welcome another person in the studio to help. Again, discuss this with the photographer. If you are doing a lingerie or nude shoot, then consider bringing a female escort to act as an assistant. I welcome it because otherwise I am going to consider having my own female escort assist you. I will do my best to avoid touching you. I will give you verbal direction, and perhaps use some mirror imaging to assist you, but I really like to have another person you and I both trust to assist us at more intimate photo sessions. In some cases, that can be your escort.
(8.) While on locations, some photographers might welcome someone who came as an escort to be security for gear or to hold things, etc. As a photographer, I would want to get to know your escort a bit before I would ask of such things. While shooting at a room in a large secure building in downtown San Jose, it was the security guards at a building who stole my backup camera. They were the only ones who had keys to the room besides me. When I walked the models out to their car, there was no escort to stand by and watch my gear. (Heck, an escort would have walked them to their car! I brought my main camera, it stays with me no matter what! The security guard was fired, but I never got the camera back. So I do utilize escorts who I know might come with you to make sure you get back and forth safely, but I will take your escort and put them to work if I really like them! But that's just me! Other photographers may not welcome this at all .... don't be offended if they don't.
(9.) Listen to the photographer. If the photographer allows escorts to the door, that is what it's going to be. If the photographer is alright with your escort sitting quietly in a corner of the room, then that is exactly what your escort is to do! Always allow the photographer to direct the situation. What destroys the relationship of photographers and models is if the model brings an escort who decides they should be more involved. An escort does not speak unless spoken to! An escort will not tell the photographer how to do their job! That is enough to have the escort be banished from ever escorting you again!
(10.) Absolutely make sure you have exchanged information as to when, where, and phone numbers with whom you are working with. Meet in advance if possible. Communication will ease fears. Get to know the photographer enough to be comfortable. Then maybe there wont be the need for an escort. Escorting is a responsibility. It can be done in a way that does not offend photographers or compromise the model.
Develop intuition. Communicate, ask questions!
