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Have any of you had a photographer go too far?
Are there any photographers that we need to know about that have gone too far at a photo shoot? Any horror stories? You know, us women can never be too careful. So far, every photographer I've worked with has been a great gentlemen, but there could be the day! Feb 11 06 11:09 pm Link Yes I have one but i would rather not say it publicly on here if you email me directly I will tell you who he is...I was pregnant..and was doing some art nudes...the guy started touching me like he was trying to help pose me but i told him I could do it myself....so he stoped and backed off...a few minutes later he started again only got real close to me and started doing it more so and brushing up against my breasts and stuff( and saying i thought this is what you wanted) Finally i got so freeked out i pretended that the baby was hurting me got up and got dressed had him pay me left and have never talked to him since...so yes there are some perverts out there...just gotta be careful...make sure you do plenty of reference checks.... But thanks god this was the only bad experience I have had so far... Feb 11 06 11:15 pm Link Brandi Nicole wrote: Hi Brandi... Feb 12 06 12:15 am Link KayleeT wrote: I so cant stand photographers who do this. They obviously dont take their careers in a professional manner. I never touch my models but prefer to verbally direct them in what needs fixing such as in clothing or their pose not being quite right. In which I show them the pose and the correcting that needs doing. Physically taking the pose myself. Feb 12 06 12:33 am Link Brandi Nicole wrote: You sound like you're looking forward to it. Feb 12 06 12:36 am Link As a photo-artist who not only photographs the model but also helps with the body paint, or clay application if the assisitant needs help... its hard not to touch the body. So I am very careful in always asking the model if this is OK before hand. To date, I have not had any problems but I also only shoot and work with female models with another person present. Its a smart thing to do, keeps the model feeling safe... and my wife requires it!!! LOL MIke Feb 12 06 02:16 am Link Mike Hawkins wrote: That's probably the smartest thing to do, bring an escort. And I really respect the photographer that either Demands it or requests that I may. That way I know he is a gentleman. Then again, he could just be saying that to make me feel comfortable!! I guess if you are in this kind of business, strutting your stuff in front of the camera, you have to expect that it could happen. Especially if you really are something spectacular!! Feb 12 06 10:30 am Link Nerlande wrote: LOL!!, Not hardly!! Feb 12 06 10:31 am Link Brandi Nicole wrote: Anyone on any job should be cautious, but I wouldn't go quite so far as to say a model should expect this to happen. Certainly no more so than any woman should expect something to happen to her in another setting when she exudes sexiness on purpose (at a nightclub, for instance). Feb 12 06 01:43 pm Link I have shot everything fron teen casual to adult work, and I treat all my models the same - very professional and very respectful. I agree that if you need to touch a model for any reason - strand of hair, adjust clothing - always ask first. I recently shot a model who was wrapped only in a large sheet, and she allowed me to adjust the material so it very strategically covered her. I always told her what I was going to do first. At the end of the shoot, she said she really wanted to work with me again, so clearly she trusts me. I try whenever possible to meet the model beforehand to discuss ideas and at least get to know each other even slightly. The model can usually tell from this meeting that I am very respectful. Don't be afraid to push the boundaries a little - but ask in a professional manner, and always accept if the model feels uncomfortable that it is professional to not push it. I have worked with several models more than once, and they wouldn't come back if they didn't trust me. Feb 12 06 02:33 pm Link Raven Photography wrote: You've never worked with a deaf model, huh? Meet Adonia. Feb 12 06 04:44 pm Link I'm with you, Dave. Models naturally feel uncomfortable being touched by a photog during a shoot. Photogs should take that as a given. So, it is mostly NOT ok for a photog to touch a model, but it can be OK if (a) you and the model have established a good rapport and (b) you tell the model what you're about to do - e.g., "Suzie, I'm going to just move that size tag a bit..." - and she says "OK." But models vary greatly in that regard. Some are trusting, some are suspicious unto paranoia. Some have had bad experiences. The burden of proof of trustworthiness is on the photog. Feb 12 06 06:46 pm Link I worked with a photographer .. he was married, and I met his 12yr old daughter. He kept saying very complimentative boarderline sexual comments. At the end of the shoot we were going over the photos and he started trying to make out with me. ... I RAN out. ugh. Just ... too too much. Feb 12 06 06:48 pm Link BRING AN ESCORT!!!! I stress this with every model I work with. As a photog it also protects my reputation. How many horror stories have been on the news about models disappearing? Never go to a shoot alone. It is a poor choice for ones own safety. Also, check and ask for references. The old saying... trust but verify..... really fits here. There are some freaks out there and all the models need to be careful. Scott Feb 12 06 07:52 pm Link Raven Photography wrote: Its funny, I was recently watching the 6 DVD collection from Photovision on "Portrait Techniques - Styles and Techniques Of Portrait Photography" which includes all types of portrait work. But in EVERY one of the shots the photographers (there were 18 different ones) helped move the model by touching them (the photographers and models were both men and women). I probably wouldn't have noticed this but since this always brought up on here, I did. Feb 12 06 08:02 pm Link It is kinda strange... but how come you never find a super gorgeous female worrying about anyone making inappropriate approaches or the like? Yes, there are male and female photographers (male and female models too), who try to bring sex into everything, but maybe everyone should start doing background checks, get references on everyone they plan to work with, and bring escorts with us everywhere. I mean, even male photographers would be wise to bring an escort to a shoot to protect him from a female model with sex on her mind. And YES, neither myself, nor any of my photographers ever go to a shoot alone. My 2 cents Feb 12 06 08:07 pm Link Good advice, Marissa, except for that part about males being protected from female photogs seeking sex. That's OK, we'll take our chances. :-) Feb 12 06 08:17 pm Link William Coleman wrote: NO. It is male photographers protecting themselves from FEMALE MODELS with sex on their minds... or vice versa. Feb 12 06 08:34 pm Link My bad, Marissa. Got it now. Still, not feeling a need for protection. Who are these models who come on to photogs, anyway? Names? MM numbers? :-) Feb 12 06 08:42 pm Link One of the things that I hear commonly on these threads are models who feel threatened but remain at the shoot anyway, afraid of angering the photographer. I hope that if you find yourself in a situation that feels dangerous you will leave. It's only one shoot and not worth risking your safety. Especially with cell phones, just arrange to have someone call you a few times throughout the shoot. If things are going fine, just tell them you can't talk you're shooting. You can even have a code word that means "come pick me up" but so the creepy photographer won't catch on. A police officer told me once that women never report things that they should because they are afraid of what will happen if the perpetrator gets angry. So they stay in a bad situation, or don't report something threatening. Women, we must speak up and remove ourselves from danger!! Sharon Feb 12 06 08:50 pm Link Vivid wrote: Damn girl, thats some scary sh*t. Feb 12 06 08:52 pm Link Always bring a friend. Period. Feb 12 06 08:54 pm Link William Coleman wrote: On the contrary, I think Marissa has (unfortunately, but this is todays world...) a possible good point! Feb 12 06 08:56 pm Link Anyone had a model go too far? Feb 12 06 08:59 pm Link I've shot with almost 50 models in the last 3 years. Only one let me know that if I was interested, other services were available. Another hinted at it, or I imagined she did. It's pretty rare. 99% of models just want to model. Feb 12 06 09:12 pm Link Marissa wrote: If a model ever comes to one of my shoots with sex on her mind, I will give her whatever she wants. Then I'll pinch myself and wakeup. Feb 12 06 11:01 pm Link many times I've gone too far! Once I actually drove all the way to Death Valley just for the day to shoot 2 models!!! That was insane! As well I've gone to Mexico... and long trips to the mountains with models that were probably not worth the effort. So yes... I have gone too far! Feb 12 06 11:05 pm Link Mike Hawkins wrote: Mike to the same end... I have this for a project I was shooting... just to cover my ass!!!: Feb 12 06 11:10 pm Link i confess, that's me in the photo placing a clothspin on her tongue. and if you look at the full photo in my portfolilo you'll see that's my other hand... Feb 12 06 11:24 pm Link Even though I'm a photographer, I've still had other photographers try to take advantage. I've had more problems with male photographers than with male models. When I first started out, a male photographer who I'd met through a model told me that he bet since I was so carefree that I was like a flowerchild. He said he wondered if I shaved my p****. Since I was naive, I brushed it off at the time. He had also invited me to shoot at a fashion show. We were shooting the models on the runway when he put his hand on my thigh, and when I slapped it away he told me that if I wanted to hang out with him, I'd better get used to being touched. At that point, I told him exactly what I thought of him, he apologized profusely yatayatayata. Scum. Another male photographer invited me to hang out with him and get trashed for his birthday. When I mentioned that I'd be spending that day with my husband, I never heard back from him. I've been more and more strict, and if I sense anything out of line, I no longer give them a second chance. I think with these creeps (some of them have good work, not just babes & bikinis), it's a power thing. I'm young, I'm a woman, and maybe they have issues with women. But I am friends with some male photographers, so I know that there are bad apples but it does not mean every apple is bad. There are plenty of good apples there, and I like to remember them when I run into idiots. Feb 12 06 11:42 pm Link max black wrote: Well, if we're all gonna start confessing, then here's me trying to help out... Feb 12 06 11:52 pm Link great model release Steve.. I am going to use it!! The ones I had been using had nothing about the touching part... But all the models I work with know this is part of the process. In my work, I treat the body of both males and females as canvas. To date, I have been blessed with great models and helpers. They know how much I respect them as models and fellow artists. Feb 13 06 08:49 am Link Raven Photography wrote: Me, neither. Girl cooties. Feb 13 06 08:52 am Link Vivid wrote: WOW...make out with you now that is a little to much, kick him in the nuts and haul ass out of there! I havent had any bad experiences and I pray that I never do, but thanks to this I definitely know what to look out for! Feb 13 06 09:08 am Link I would like to point out that "being something spectacular" rarely has anything to do with sexual assault. Women of all shapes, sizes, and relative attractiveness are assaulted every day. Sexual predators more often look for signs that their prospective prey will be, for lack of a better term, easy. For example, a study was recently conducted (can't remember by who to save my life) on felons who are in jail for pretty much ever due to their sexual assault histories. Twenty photographs of different women on the street in real-world settings were given to a bunch of these guys, and they were asked who they would target. They all chose the same women. The reasons they gave were things like not being aware of their surroundings, looking meek and unlikely to fight or scream, body language that indicated a lack of confidence, etc. In other words, women who looked like prey already. Please know that I am not saying that women who get attacked, whether models or not, deserve it or ask for it or anything else like that. But it is possible with some basic self defense lessons (which all women should take, period) to learn some of these "tells" that you might have or do without even realizing it. And sometimes none of that matters, and the creep targets you anyway, whether in the street or studio. (Take Vivid's case for example. I'm so sorry you had to deal with that. Talk about totally inappropriate.) Be aware of your surroundings, no matter where you are, trust your instinct, no matter who you're with, and as a policewoman recently reminded me after having to help me with a creep who decided I looked like easy pickin's that day - carry pepper spray and an air horn. I really am tired of seeing this antagonistic and fearful attitude toward photographers being perpetuated, given that almost all of them are decent folks who just want to take some pictures. So check references, trust your intuition, use common sense, carry pepper spray and an airhorn, learn some self-defense, and check those references! I know, I said it twice, but that's key in the internet hookup age. Then go take some photos and have a good time. Feb 13 06 09:24 am Link Have any of you had a photographer go too far? Nope not yet but will keep you posted you never know Feb 13 06 09:27 am Link Steven Bigler wrote: I'm not one of those law..talking...guys, but I would worry about it not being in the slightest bit effective. Has your law dude approved it? Feb 13 06 09:28 am Link Greg Kolack wrote: Ditto for me.....photographers are like doctors and should behave like one. Feb 13 06 09:28 am Link Maybe and agree some what so in your opinion what are models suppose to behave like? small percentage cant follow directions, or Doctors recomendation Feb 13 06 09:42 am Link yes, i had a photographer go to far and when the shoot ended, I did NOT sign the release and had him delete the photos. So his behavior was nothing but a big waste of time. Feb 13 06 09:46 am Link |