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Trespassing
I do it a lot to check out interesting places... ruins, abandoned asylums, etc. But I'd also like to shoot models in some. Problem is, of course, most turn tail and distance themselves at the mere thought of doing something illegal. I now don't even talk about the concept until we've shot together already. Sometimes I can get permission, but most of the time I can't. I've slipped into amazing places undetected but I can't expect others to be willing to take this same risk. After all, what model wants to go into a "scary" empty structure with a stranger? At the same time, the imagery I've been able to pull out of these places is amazing. And in many cases, once you've gotten inside, you can often relax and take your time setting up shots without being rushed or having people get in the way. I remember booking a shoot saying it was at an old, vacant factory. She agrees but then arrives to see a huge, scary-looking, decaying building in front of her and then asks if it has a clean bathroom with a mirror. Well, she was very apprehensive and I didn't realize she could have mistaken my words, but then she ended up going in anyway and ended up loving it. I guess the bottom line is, how best to recruit for this type of shoot? Just post openly and see who's interested? I don't want to scare off anyone who I'd otherwise want to use in a normal shoot. I'm betting most of you find this type of situation a bad idea in many ways! Jul 19 06 11:21 am Link I usually ask if they have any outstanding warrants. That lets them know that we will be shooting someplace that we shouldn't be. Jul 19 06 11:26 am Link Well I think the best way to approach it is to just tell them the details. I have shot guerilla, and probably broke a bunch of laws in the process, but the model was completely down for it. Just be up front completely. I have found that for the most part, the models wont back out. Just make them feel assured and safe. -Rob Jul 19 06 11:30 am Link Whose insurance will be used if/when someone gets hurt or sued? How will you feel if a model gets hurt of killed? Jul 19 06 11:34 am Link Craig Thomson wrote: ...and THAT right there is why you tell them every detail up front and let them make the decision. Not to mention, I scout the location first to make sure there arent any obviously dangerous things going on. Jul 19 06 11:39 am Link I guess it would be much different in an urban environment, but out here in the sticks its pretty easy to get into places and back out without detection. There are old buildings/houses/fields etc. everywhere. Usually the only risk you take is your own personal safety. That, or some creepy-ish nosey-ass old farmer wanting to know why there's a girl prancing about in a swimsuit on his property, then not wanting to leave after you tell him everything's under control and apologize for not asking first. They don't even get mad! It's crazy, but I guess that's just Midwestern hospitality.  Jul 19 06 11:40 am Link Craig Thomson wrote: That is the clean, sanitized response I was expecting. Jul 19 06 11:56 am Link Craig Thomson wrote: Well, it would be the property owner who gets sued of course, Jul 19 06 12:05 pm Link I love 'Guerilla Photography'! Get in. Shoot. Get out before anyone knows you're there. With talent, it's all about trust and preparation. You have to know what you and your talent are getting into. And, as long as the talent have been clearly informed what they are getting into, it shouldn't be a problem. But you have to be extremely aware of any hazards. And be constantly aware and concerned for their safety. I only use talent that I've worked with before. And most of the time, they are up for the 'Adventure'. Jul 19 06 12:11 pm Link Touscany Photography wrote: This is exactly what I'm talking about. I shot nudes once on a pedestrian crossover on the 5 here in san diego. Cars were honking as they passed under, then a CHP went under and on came the lights and off to the off ramp. We hauled ass just in time and escaped unscathed. Every now and then, you need that little extra boost of adrenaline...its good for the soul. Jul 19 06 12:19 pm Link I am always looking for abandoned buildings and location to shoot at. Last fall, I shot in an old, abandoned amusement park / stable called Shireland about 60 miles NW of Chicago. It was built in the late 80's and was a miserable failure 0 it only lasted about 1 season, and had bee empty ever since. I had wanted to shoot there for a couple of years. I got a friend of mine (who also happens to be an adult model) to do the shoot with me. She was completely into it. All we did was nude, but it was very artistic, gorgeous shots. We were there about 2 hours, so as we kept moving from spot to spot, she got tired of constantly getting dressed and undressed, so she just ended up staying naked as we moved from spot to spot. We were doing our very last shots - about 10 minutes from leaving - when 2 deputy cars pull up. Turns out someone who leases the land from the owner was on the property and saw us, but was far enough away that he didn't realise she was nude. After about 20 minutes of explaining - our stories completely matched - they actually tried to talk the guy into not pressing charges. He did anyway, (the spot had become a haven for graffitti and vandalism, and he wanted to amke an example of us - though in fact, we had chosen the spot because it was so gorgeous and we completely respectful. That was the troopers reasoning for the guy to not press charges) and we were handcuffed, processed, locked up, the whole routine. But the deputy actually took us to an ATM before we got to the sheriff's office so we could get bail money. Of course, it didn't hurt that this model was gorgeous - she was very popular at the lock up! The complaining witness didn't show up in court 3 times, so the charges were dropped. The funniest part is, somehow word had gotten out that the model had done some adult work. So eventually, the story in the media became that a porn movie was being shot at the location, and residents started rallying that the place be torn down! But the images were so gorgeous, they made all the hassles worth it. Jul 19 06 12:45 pm Link As many others have said, just be honest and up front. Some models will go for it, some won't. I shoot almost exclusively in abandoned buildings, rooftops, utility rooms, etc. and I've never had anyone back out on a shoot because of the location. I always let them know right away where/what I intend to shoot and what sorts of dangers might be present. I do choose my locations very carefully though. I won't take a model anywhere that is unstable, dangerous, difficult to get into, or runs a high risk of getting caught in. So yeah, no barb wire fences, places patroled by police, bad floors, homeless people, etc. It's always a place that I've been to MANY times beforehand and know very well. I also won't ask models to do anything that I wouldn't do or that they aren't 100% comfortable with. I usually go through some questions with models beforehand to help decide what sort of location would be best to take them to. Usually questions include stuff like: *Do you have any phobias? (ie, darkness, small spaces, big open spaces, heights, bugs, mice, etc.) *Do you have a previous criminal record or outstanding warrants? You gotta kinda fit stuff to the particular model, you can't take someone that is afraid of heights to a huge powerplant with catwalks that run 15 stories off the ground. Definitely let em know that there is a always a chance you will get caught too. Although in my experience, most of the time you will just be asked to leave, especially if you are with a scantily clad model and are obviously not damaging property or tagging up or anything like that. Pretty much all the models I've shot have ended up enjoying the trips to the locations quite a bit as they are usually pretty interesting places. Some are a bit more timid and don't wanna get too dirty, and I've had others start climbing stuff and using the places as a jungle gym. It just depends on the particular person. Jul 20 06 11:24 am Link i can;t count how many times i've trespassed in abandoned buildings, old farms, etc. one of these days i ought to bring a camera with me. Jul 20 06 11:42 am Link All well and good. But if someone gets hurt, your insurance company will drop you like a stone if you were somewhere illegal. If you haven't done it yet, research what it will cost you in lawyers' fees to defend yourself, even if you are not at fault. You can bet on well into 5 figures. Ask yourself if it's really worth it. In my part of the woods, "No Trespassing" mans just that, and they will press charges. Lawyer fees again. Thanks, I will shoot where I have permission to shoot. Jul 20 06 11:55 am Link yaggy wrote: You will need to assess the risk/reward ratio as far as trespassing. Some good advice has already been offered by others. Don't dismiss a model's concerns about this or over-state your privledges to be on the property. Jul 20 06 12:45 pm Link No one has mentioned bees, which are probably one of the most common dangers at these types of locations. Jul 20 06 12:56 pm Link rp_photo wrote: YES! There are often mechanical dogs that shoot bees from their mouths. Jul 20 06 02:42 pm Link yaggy wrote: i had a shoot just last Saturday, and we broke so many rules haha. In my opinion, it's more fun to shoot in places where you're not supposed to be. It brings out more in the picture. just the fact that you're not supposed to be there brings out a slight adrenaline rush Jul 20 06 03:00 pm Link Gianna Sommer wrote: That may come back to bit you in the arse someday... Jul 20 06 03:56 pm Link |
