SsinUrn wrote:

yeah, but how many models do you know that can run fast enough away to not blow herself up?

You haven't seen me run!  ;P

HurtMeSo wrote:

Well he's french, I can PM you his name but I'm not giving it here.

Yeah sure send me a PM

Steven Barrett wrote:
I shoot at my place.   Don't models understand the risk I am taking in inviting strangers to my home?   When I'm working with the model is her escort stealing stuff?   Or just casing the place.   At the very least there is several thousand dollars worth of photo equipment there.

(Sigh)


If you feel creeped out after meeting the guy in person, trust your gut.

BTW, how much info is on the web about you.

Sure, we both take risks. I get that.

Anyway, I trusted my guts, as I always do. The main point of my question in fact was: is it normal/usual that a legit pro photographer not to have anything about him on the web?

There isnt my real name, nor my adress or phone number on the web for sure.

C R Photography wrote:
Don't trust the French and most of all don't trust French Photographers

This is a very bigoted thing to say and I find it very offensive. It's a well known fact that you can't really trust Chinese photographers. A French photographer usually offers the model a croissant or tasty baguette at the photoshoot.

azdave wrote:
What good is an escort if he's not at the photo-shoot?
self-defense classes are not enough......better to bring the one who teaches the self-defense classes as an escort.
I've had three models leave guns behind when they left the photo-shoot.
A big freind of mine was getting something out of his girlfreinds purse.
He triggered her stun-gun by mistake......sure droped him to the ground.

This seems to be a common problem. Models, please be responsible enough to not leave your firearms at the shoot. A little kid could find it and there could be a tragedy. Also, sometimes a model feels more comfortable with an escort at the shoot. Oftentimes, a model feels most comfortable posing with the escort in the photo. You can always crop the escort out in post production.

Class Act Photography wrote:
This is a very bigoted thing to say and I find it very offensive. It's a well known fact that you can't really trust Chinese photographers. A French photographer usually offers the model a croissant or tasty baguette at the photoshoot.

Yeah, God knows us Chinese will offer you something like pickled pigs' ears or thousand day old black eggs (which I happen to love) or something tasty and weird like that ...

I would've been such a shoo-in for Fear Factor.

UnoMundo Photography wrote:

Did that once,  she would turn and ask the guy if each pose was OK.

Never,never , never again!

I guess logic doesn't apply when dealing in this industry.  When one goes to an interview for secretary for any firm, one doesn't bring a swat team. When one goes to work for Burger King, one doesn't bring a swat team.  

Escorts are good to protect the model from the crowd, but, not to protect the model from those she works with.  Those who feel they need the escort are not going to make it in the industry.  Modeling requires self confidence.  Bringing an escort shows you have none.

Look for testimonials, look for references, contact model that worked with him, basically do your research.  It is little different than reading a newspaper ad for a secretarial position.  You call, check to see if the company is real, ask people about the company, and then go to your interview (if you are lucky enough to get one) by yourself.

I have traveled many times with a secretary or executive assistant.  On some of those ocassions, I was the one who needed a body guard.

It is a two way street.  Just do your homework and realize that some of us Photographers have decades of professional experience.  We are not in the slammer, so we must be doing something right.

God Bless,
Outlaw

Saryn Angel wrote:
I work out of my house, I have models come over all the time... I never tell a model not to bring an escort.  If nothing else they can sit in the living room and read (I provide all kinds of reading materials).  I specify if they bring someone it is someone who won't interfere or interact during the shoot.



~S

If I don't interfere with anyone, would you mind if I came over, hung out and read for a few hours?

Class Act Photography wrote:

If I don't interfere with anyone, would you mind if I came over, hung out and read for a few hours?

This seriously sounds like an offer.  Do you offer a cold drink too? ;P  It's looking real good!

Britni Hall wrote:

This seriously sounds like an offer.  Do you offer a cold drink too? ;P  It's looking real good!

I think you should go too. I could pick you up and I'll bring maragarita mix, tequila, and a blender.

Britni Hall wrote:

This seriously sounds like an offer.  Do you offer a cold drink too? ;P  It's looking real good!

Actually, strike that. You're only 18 and I would be contributing to the delinquency of a minor. I'll bring lemonade.

HurtMeSo wrote:

Well he's french, I can PM you his name but I'm not giving it here.

Go away you silly english keeniegits or i shall taunt you a  second time

Ann Marie wrote:

ditto.  even and especially professional photographers NEVER EVER EVER have a problem with someone staying.

think of it this way - when an advertising company HIRES a photographer to shoot for them, they are in the room, as well as makeup artists, stylists, assistants, etc...and the photographer is still able to capture a good image.

if this photographer can't do it - if he thinks you'll "be distracted" - WHATEVER - ditch him.  it's worse to be uncomfortable than distracted. 

Professional photographers often do have a problem with escorts.  I do not allow escorts in the studio while I am shooting.  They can go get a cup of coffee or sit outside the studio, but if you are not a member of my team you are not in the studio while we are shooting.  If a model does not feel totally comfortable working with me, she has no business coming to my studio in the first place.  If you feel that you are in such iminent danger that you require an escort/bodyguard you should not be shooting with me.  That being said, I have never had a model ask to bring an escort to a shoot, so I have never had to deal with saying no. 

On the topic, I think you made a good choice not to shoot with him.  I would never imagine not bringing my portfolio when meeting a model for the first time and if it doesnt feel right, dont do it.

Ken Mierzwa wrote:
A lot of the models I've worked with in this genre have brought escorts, and it's never been a problem.

I have found that some models are so scary that I bring an escort so I feel comfortable.

Eric Tragedy wrote:
Why not ask for some references? I can't believe nobody has mentioned it yet.

Too easy. Weapons are better!

Class Act Photography wrote:
I have found that some models are so scary that I bring an escort so I feel comfortable.

Exactly!  I insist on the models bringing their excorts and I am allowed to have mine too!  We have a party!

One time I had three professional photographers (including myself), one assistant, two make up artists, and seven models!  It was at my studio that I rented from a dance company.  We left too much evidence around for kids to find in the morning so the owner took my key.    No more wild parties!

wolff wrote:
As worked up as you are, I would just cancel, the shoot would be tense and stressful on you, I always invite the escort, but either they work with me as a prop or reflector holder or sit far enough as to not interupt


Mac Wolff

Thanks. As I've said before, I _have_ cancelled. Everything's ok now.

absophoto wrote:
I personally recommend taking self-defense courses for all models, experienced or aspiring, it's very practical and gives you some actions shots for future use.

This is a great idea! 

Also there are too many photos of innocent looking models looking sexy and helpless. If more models took self defense we might see more shots with attitude, models about to go medieval!

Ladies, keep'em in line!

Tikal wrote:
Yeah the no escort thing is really weird, I have had a photog say like "if they cause a scene or constantly disrupt I will ask them to leave but otherwise its fine" but to say no not at all, is weird, and on another note google isnt the most reliable, it doesnt give you other language searches and i googled my main photog and it said that his address was that of a hedge hog breeder so I thought for sure he gave me some weird fake address and then I went with my escort and if turned out great, it happend to be an old profession of his. Also alot of times the photog is listed on the picture as part of the jpeg in the picture itself so it might not come up in google if the its like written on the actual pic? right? but still the escort thing is weird. I hope that made sense

I am one that doesn't like escorts.  Do you think it's because I want to attack the models?

HurtMeSo wrote:

Err... I've done that this morning.
"I first met a photographer this morning who wants to shoot with me."
He seemed rather uncomfy and didnt bring his port, which I found rather suspicious.

Neverming, I'll pass.

Of course he did not bring his portfolio to the meeting, those amazing ads you mentioned were not his shots.
I have often seen photographers who have amazing stuff (like guy had Michael Thompson Rosiblu ads, Davidoff Cool Water ads, and many amazing tears with mediocre test shots mixed in).
Even if I did not know who shot those ads, that kind of inconsistency raises red flag. People, use your common sense.
-big shot photographer usually has a rep
-those kind of people use agency models for most part
-If you see amazing fashion images mixed in with shitty work – HE IS STEALING!
This moron I mentioned, after being confronted claimed he was art director for these shoots. Even has a nerve to keep those stuff on his website, but now with very confusing little disclaimer, that he shot some and art directed some. Now his art direction was reported to Jed Root and they never heard of the guys. Needless to say, some of the websites went down very fast. If it was up to me, I would go medieval on people like that. Strap them on pole of SHAME!
Some people have no shame and I feel sorry for models stupid enough to eat up their lies.
Especially when they put such a BIG campaigns that are recognizable to EVERYONE!
Follow your gut feeling.

Outlaw Photography wrote:
I guess logic doesn't apply when dealing in this industry.  When one goes to an interview for secretary for any firm, one doesn't bring a swat team. When one goes to work for Burger King, one doesn't bring a swat team.

What a ridiculous argument to make. Do you not see a difference between a job in a public place, where there are many employees and customers around at all times, and working as a freelance model, where you are frequently expected to pose scantily-clad or naked in the private residences of total strangers? Especially for a fetish model like the OP... Would you feel comfortable going to a stranger's house and letting him tie you up, knowing that there would be no one nearby to help you if anything should happen?

Steven Barrett wrote:
I shoot at my place.   Don't models understand the risk I am taking in inviting strangers to my home?   When I'm working with the model is her escort stealing stuff?   Or just casing the place.   At the very least there is several thousand dollars worth of photo equipment there.

If it's such a risk to shoot at your house, try renting a studio. Not to minimise the risk photographers take, but weighing the risk of being robbed and the risk of being raped and murdered, I'd have to take the second one a little more seriously.

That said, I don't bring escorts to shoots, because if a photographer makes me feel uncomfortable enough to feel like I should bring one, that's a sign that I shouldn't go through with the shoot in the first place. Listening to your instincts is key - but a lot of people aren't so skilled at that, so I can see why they would feel more comfortable with an escort. It's one thing to complain about escorts if they really do get in the way and cause problems at a shoot, but when I see people whining about how bringing an escort shows that the model "lacks confidence" or is "unprofessional," that just shows their own lack of professionalism, not to mention empathy. IMO.