...Stop watching movies that show photographers as slezy low lifes.....

You just touched on something that I often think about:  Did you ever notice how photographers are almost always depicted on TV and in movies as preadators, child-molesters, pornographers, casting-couchers or various other unsavory types?  What's up with that?

Posted by Melvin Moten Jr: 

...Stop watching movies that show photographers as slezy low lifes.....

You just touched on something that I often think about:  Did you ever notice how photographers are almost always depicted on TV and in movies as preadators, child-molesters, pornographers, casting-couchers or various other unsavory types?  What's up with that?

Becasue there is truth to it. but it's those few  that do break the bounds of professionalism in the industry and it makes for good imiganation to have those types in movies....the clean well manner photographer does sell in a driven world of reality..unless you are watching the Courtship of Eddie's Father with Bill Bixby

Posted by Melvin Moten Jr: 
You just touched on something that I often think about:  Did you ever notice how photographers are almost always depicted on TV and in movies as preadators, child-molesters, pornographers, casting-couchers or various other unsavory types?  What's up with that?

True. But models are always typecast on TV and in movies as ditzy sluts. Look at the best modeling film ever - Zoolander. I love that movie. Hysterical. But, it just goes to show that models suffer from an unfair and inaccurate stereotype just as much as photographers do.

Posted by Alex Alexander: 

Posted by Melvin Moten Jr: 

...Stop watching movies that show photographers as slezy low lifes.....

You just touched on something that I often think about:  Did you ever notice how photographers are almost always depicted on TV and in movies as preadators, child-molesters, pornographers, casting-couchers or various other unsavory types?  What's up with that?

Becasue there is truth to it. but it's those few  that do break the bounds of professionalism in the industry and it makes for good imiganation to have those types in movies....the clean well manner photographer does sell in a driven world of reality..unless you are watching the Courtship of Eddie's Father with Bill Bixby

There's probably at least one model murdered per year.
..and you may say this is GWCs, but should a model be willing to bet her life on the professionalism of a photographer she's never worked with.(or in some instances, has worked with in the past).
Time to leave the ego at the door. Models should ALWAYS take an escort, and the escort should also behave in a totally professional manner. - CH

Posted by Herb Way: 
Wading through the BS consumes a lot of energy.  I wish there were some way that the dingbat, ego tripping model wannabe's with attitudes and the lecherous GWC's could only connect with one another and leave the rest of us alone.

We need a Dingbat/GWC detector.

Posted by Melvin Moten Jr: 
Did you ever notice how photographers are almost always depicted on TV and in movies as preadators, child-molesters, pornographers, casting-couchers or various other unsavory types?  What's up with that?

Maybe they read the topics in here.

Posted by John Swoger: 

Posted by Herb Way: 
Wading through the BS consumes a lot of energy.  I wish there were some way that the dingbat, ego tripping model wannabe's with attitudes and the lecherous GWC's could only connect with one another and leave the rest of us alone.

We need a Dingbat/GWC detector.

Great idea!  Tyler, are you listening?  LOL

Posted by * Visual Mindscapes *: 
um, is she hot or what?  answer me dammit!  lol

Is who hot?

My start to this thread made reference to about 6 different models. I dunno which one you are asking about.

Actually, they were all hot, except for one.

Posted by EricMuss-Barnes:True. But models are always typecast on TV and in movies as ditzy sluts. Look at the best modeling film ever - Zoolander. I love that movie. Hysterical. But, it just goes to show that models suffer from an unfair and inaccurate stereotype just as much as photographers do.

You mean they aren't? WOW! LMAO...

Whoever that girl is she should probably be arrested for impersonating a model.

Posted by Angie Rae: 
I had one photographer who was fixing my dress in the back, and I stepped backwards on accident, and right into him, hehe..and he had a hard-on. This guy was married and had 3 kids. I just ignored it and did the rest of my shoot with him..but do you think I will work with this guy again....um..no! He also kept telling me that he needs to take a "cold shower"..well, duh! 

Well don't hate him cuz he found you extremely attractive and his little friend is awake. The REAL question is did he perform his duty in a professional manner. You have no idea how many new photographers we've had on set who REALLY need to take a cold shower after shooting stuff for us.

Its really become a joke around here now. And I think we do it now to mess with them more than anything else. LOL

Posted by Classichorror: 

Posted by Alex Alexander: 

Posted by Melvin Moten Jr: 

...Stop watching movies that show photographers as slezy low lifes.....

You just touched on something that I often think about:  Did you ever notice how photographers are almost always depicted on TV and in movies as preadators, child-molesters, pornographers, casting-couchers or various other unsavory types?  What's up with that?

Becasue there is truth to it. but it's those few  that do break the bounds of professionalism in the industry and it makes for good imiganation to have those types in movies....the clean well manner photographer does sell in a driven world of reality..unless you are watching the Courtship of Eddie's Father with Bill Bixby

There's probably at least one model murdered per year.
..and you may say this is GWCs, but should a model be willing to bet her life on the professionalism of a photographer she's never worked with.(or in some instances, has worked with in the past).
Time to leave the ego at the door. Models should ALWAYS take an escort, and the escort should also behave in a totally professional manner. - CH

I have no problem with a model bringing an escort -- actually I prefer it.  My comment was just concerning an overriding stereotype in film and television.  As for one model killed every year, many more gays, lesbians and minorities are killed in hate crimes than that every year, but I don't see the media stereotyping those criminals.

Posted by Angie Rae: 
I had one photographer who was fixing my dress in the back, and I stepped backwards on accident, and right into him, hehe..and he had a hard-on. This guy was married and had 3 kids. I just ignored it and did the rest of my shoot with him..but do you think I will work with this guy again....um..no! He also kept telling me that he needs to take a "cold shower"..well, duh!

Wait. You won't work with a photographer again because he had an erection?

Okay, I don't want to break this down into 8th grade anatomy class for you, but, you DO know how the male genitals operate? Right? Just because a man has an erection does not automatically mean he is sexually aroused. And, even if he WAS sexually aroused on a sexy shoot - who cares? It might mean he's a creep ... It might ALSO just mean you were doing a damn-fine job of looking seductive and alluring. Why is it considered unprofessional or morally reprehensible to find someone attractive?

I'm 100% heterosexual. But if I were modeling for a gay male photographer, I wouldn't be upset if he had an erection. I'd be happy that I was able to elicit such a reaction. As long he takes good photos and doesn't whip out his lil' friend and show it to me, what's wrong with him getting a little excited?

Posted by EricMuss-Barnes: 
Wow. This one is a LONG rant. But here goes ...

I completely respect a model who voices her limits. For example, if a model says she won't do nudes, that is cool. Fine. I respect that. I understand it. No problem.

But now and then, some models post STRANGE things online. Many of these strange things seem to prove that these models have worked with far too few legitimate photographers and have instead just been lecherously ogled by GWCs one too many times.

What strange things are these models inspired to post? Here are a few gems I've spotted on various profiles ...

"I will not tolerate PUSHY OR HANDS ON PHOTOGRAPHERS. Please act in a RESPECTFUL and PROFESSIONAL manner when working with me."

Okay, kid, listen. If you actually feel the need to explain the behavior you expect, there are only one of 2 explanations:
1 - You are far too uptight and have some serious issues if you feel violated by the touch of fellow human beings.
2 - You are working with too many sleazy photographers who are trying to sexually cop-a-feel from you.

Okay? It's one or the other. Either you are a weirdo freak with issues or you are making bad judgements about who you work with. Pick one.

I think I have touched just about EVERY model I've ever worked with at one point or another on a shoot. And not ONCE in a decade have any of them complained or gotten freaked out by it, because there's never anything inappropriate behind my physical contact. 9 out of 10 models offer me huge hugs at the end of a shoot.

This different model has a real odd statement ...

"I am engaged to be married to the most wonderful man in the world so please don't send me any messages of THAT nature."

Any messages of WHAT nature? Marriage proposals?

Look here, sweetcheeks, don't get me wrong, I understand that beautiful women DO get weirdos online sending them marriage proposals by email. It's happened to many of my friends. But, honestly, if you're trying to be a legitimate model, WHY do you feel the need to post a disclaimer like that? It just makes you sound like a nimrod.

Here is another good one from a random model ...

"Not here to get into a relationship besides friendship only."

Again, an appropriate statement on MySpace or Match.com. But on a site where you are networking for modeling? Why? Let me explain something to you, dollface:
1 - Legitimate models and photographers who are NOT looking to date you in the first place don't need you to clarify your stance of not being interested in dating.
2 - Those who ARE looking to date you are gonna try to get in your pants regardless of whether you put that sentence in your profile or not.

This anonymous model really blew my mind ...

"If you have an attitude and are a jerk to your models because they won't sleep with you, Please don't message me. I don't work with jerks and I don't sleep around."

Woohoo! You hear that? Take note, boys. Don't be a jerk. She doesn't sleep with jerks. The only way you're getting in her drawers is if you are a gentleman. So bring flowers and wine to the first shoot and charm her right out of her britches.

WHAT IS THIS CHICK TALKING ABOUT!? Like some jerk who is trying to scam models into sex will read that and say, "Oh, damn! She'll be wise to my trickery in no time flat! Drat! Foiled again! Better avoid that one!"

Riiiiiiight.

Finally, we have things like this ...

"I will bring a friend with me to all shoots, for my own protection."

Tell you what, sugarbuns, you have 3 options on a photoshoot:
1 - You pay the photographer to build your portfolio.
2 - A client pays you because you already HAVE an established portfolio.
3 - You do a free test shoot just for fun and to add a shot or two to your portfolio.

If you do #1 why don't you try hiring a hairstylist, makeup artist and find a good clothing designer to help you with the shoot? That crew will provide plenty of people for your "protection" from the mean, scary photographer. Handle your shoots like a professional production instead of a gradeschool fieldtrip, where you have to bring your little boyfriend or your mommy along. Mmm'kay?

If you do #2 then the stylist, makeup artist and designer should all be provided already by the client. End result is the same as scenario #1 - more protection than the Corleone family.

If you do #3 then you and the photographer should collaborate on having the rest of the crew available. Find a stylist, makeup artist and designer who will also want to do a free shoot. Again, being around a large group like that should help you feel "safe" on your fieldtrip.

But, of course, the most perplexing are those poor, clueless models who say things like this ...

"I am new to the modeling industry ... I am looking for limited exceptional TFP shoots to help build my portfolio and of course paid work. If you are more than 2 hours away I require travel reimbursement of .12 cents per mile + tolls if applicable."

TRANSLATION: I'm a carpenter and all I've ever built is a desk. I am not willing to pay any money to learn more skills in my trade. Please hire me to construct your house.

Bravo! I couldn't agree more with you any more...but that post about .12 and all that is obviously from the photographer that shot her first and put up the page...hmmm...have to make sure he's not "managing" her, we don't want that type of garbage here...I've seen that mileage and toll thing on at least two model's pages.

Posted by EricMuss-Barnes: 
"I will not tolerate PUSHY OR HANDS ON PHOTOGRAPHERS. Please act in a RESPECTFUL and PROFESSIONAL manner when working with me."

I'm shooting with this model tomorrow.  She is very new and, as I understand it, hasn't done any shoots with photographers other than some friends.

I never touch a model at a shoot period.  If they don't understand what I'm saying, I'll demonstrate myself rather than move them.  If something needs to be fixed that they can't reach, there's usually someone else around to do it.  If all those options are exhausted, I'll ask them first but it's never come to that.  Even if your intentions are purely innocent, it's too easy to be missinterpreted.  And many models won't speak up when they feel uncomfortable, especially if they're just starting out and don't really understand how things work.  You can't expect models to jump into this knowing everything right from the start and I think a little compassion would be appropriate.

I just remmebered, I did touch a model once, but I wasn't the one shooting her.  She was trying to get her belly button jewelery in but it was too small and her nails were to long.  Another guy tried to help but he was an older guy and his eyes didn't work very well so he couldn't see it.  So finally I answered her cry for help

Posted by Gary Davis: 
Even if your intentions are purely innocent, it's too easy to be missinterpreted.  And many models won't speak up when they feel uncomfortable, especially if they're just starting out and don't really understand how things work.

I've said it before and I'll say it again:

Context. Context. Context.

Touching a model is NOT wrong.

It is the HOW and WHY that make it acceptable or improper.

As I said in another thread, grabbing a model by the wrist and roughly pulling her towards you would usually be considered inappropriate and wrong under any conditions...

But ... what if you were shooting on a loading dock and she slipped and started to fall?

Suddenly, grabbing her wrist and roughly pulling her towards you is a GOOD thing, because you saved her from falling off and breaking her neck.

It's wrong to stab someone in the back with a knife ... unless you're a surgeon trying to save the life of a patient.

Context is everything. It's not WHAT you do. It's WHY you do it.

It bugs me when people make blanket statements like "I would never touch a model" because that's just ignorance. Like I said earlier in this thread, even models I've just met for the first time almost always initiate hugs at the end of shoots. We pal around. Have fun. Act silly. Playful. It's good times. If innocent human affection and contact is unprofessional, I strive to be an amateur forever.

Posted by Gary Davis: 
Alright, sure, never say never. Take it easy.  Understand what I mean, not what I say...

But if a model I'm shooting slips, I'm not going to be close enough to grab her anyway....

My point is simply that the context can be subjective.  Something like straightening a piece of clothing can lead to an inadvertant brushing of a breast which the photographer may not even realize he did but the model may interpret as "groping".  I'm not saying I'm going to run away if a model offers me a hug after a shoot.

Yeah. I hear where you are coming from. It is true that things can be too-easily misconstrued.

Once, when I was newly-dating a girl I was going to visit her at her apartment. She lived an hour from my place. Because of time constraits, I'd most likely be leaving her place late with a long ride home. And I said, "Well, but you'll just roll over and go to sleep. I have to drive. And I don't mind."

Months into our romance, she confessed that she almost cancelled our plans that night because she thought "just roll over and go to sleep" meant I was planning on having sex with her that night!

I was freaked out! I had NO IDEA that I almost ruined my shot at our entire relationship before it even got started! My simple figure-of-speech was misconstrued.

She said the only reason that she agreed to see me was because we had talked enough that she felt like I "wasn't that sort of guy" and it was "probably safe" because she suspected that maybe she just misunderstood me.

... Gee, that was a long-winded tangent.

Point is, yes, one does need to be careful about how things can be misunderstood.

Posted by EricMuss-Barnes: 
Wow. This one is a LONG rant. But here goes ...
*funny stuff snipped*

Man...someone accused me of having way too much time on my hands. heheheh.

Posted by * Visual Mindscapes *: 
um, is she hot or what?  answer me dammit!  lol

ROFL!

Posted by DeLuxe Image: 
Meet with the photographer PRIOR working with him,
Starbucks?!

I usually meet my models at Hooters.  No joke.

Posted by RFAphoto: 
No one touched on my Favorite, The one with nothing but nudes in her portfolio and in her profile she state she does not do nudes.... I really get a kick out of those!

Yeah, the "DUH" factor!  LOL

Posted by RFAphoto: 
Bravo Doug!

I think there are an Astounding number of GWA (Girl With Aspirations) out there who simply put up a few crappy pix and figure Revlon, SI, or the Ford agency are going to see that webcam pic and come to knock on their door with a pile of cash. Or maybe it's do they can say "Look I'm a model" I honestly don't know. I just know it's frustrating to try to sepeate the Wheat from the Chaff so to speak.

Amen!  Amen!  You hit right on it!  I like that term, "Girls With Aspirations."  From what I've seen of web "models" so far, a great many appear to have considerably more ego than looks and talent (let's not talk about brains) and should be begging for TFP opportunities instead of demanding ridiculous fees for their "services."