John Jebbia wrote:
I've dealt with this too. Check out this shot in a model's portfolio:

Nudity Warning:
https://www.modelmayhem.com/pic.php?pid=28442

There was a photographer going around telling other models that I "sneak labia shots", based on that photo. Now, I ask you.. If I had snuck that, why the hell would SHE have it in her portfolio?

John,

Truly amazing. Did you ever find out who this photographer was? Did the models who heard this rumor believe what they were being told, or did they think for themselves?

Jelani

A Twisted Mind wrote:
John,

Truly amazing. Did you ever find out who this photographer was? Did the models who heard this rumor believe what they were being told, or did they think for themselves?

Jelani

Yes. I found out who it was. One of the models he told this too happened to be one of my regulars. He didn't know. And she promptly forwarded the e-mails to me.

I used to get really pissed off when something like this happened. Sometimes making an ass out of myself, even though I was the one in the right.

I find that it's better to just not say anything and let the models make their own decisions based on my actual references and people who actually know me.

A Twisted Mind wrote:
John,

Did you have a chance to confront the photographer?

Much as I'd like to simply leave the situation alone, the photographers slandering me have made things a little difficult for the model that I shot nude with by asking her some very personal questions that aren't any of their business.

I have reason to believe that they get models to shoot with them by slandering other people's work.

Also, other models have really been asking her about these rumors constantly, so I decided to address the issue once I found out about it.

I posted about my situation at MP, since a number of the models that have shot with me have profiles here as well as there.

Jelani

If it's not true, then it's not true. Why lose sleep over it?

What are you going to do, kick his ass?

If a model would shoot with someone, or not shoot with someone, based on these rumors, are they really worth shooting?

Let it go. It's drama that you don't need.

Unless you like drama.

A Twisted Mind wrote:
Now, any experienced photographer would be expected to be able to tell if the models in the pics on anyone's profile were coerced or not.

In my opinion, none of the models in this port look "coerced" it looks like some even had fun.

I tried to see your portfolio on your website, but none of the links are working.

Not giving you any portfolio critique, but you write in your MM profile that you refined your technical skills for 10 years. I am curious what those skills are and where you posted the images (again, I checked your website but your portfolio is down). I am  just asking.

Also, don't you think that asking for the SS# and drivers license # and proof of residence for 7 years of someone who escorts the model is a little bit overboard, or do you do this to discourage escorts even to show up? That would be an efficient strategy I'd say.

A Twisted Mind wrote:
based on rumors told to you by photographers who are so insecure in the quality of their work, that they have to make shit up.

So let me see if I have this straight:

You are asserting that there are photographers out there somewhere who are so intimidated by the quality of your work that they have to "make shit up" about you to keep models from flocking to your door?

Did I get that right?

I took a look at your portfolio, so I'll ask again:  did I get that right?

Cristina Ashley wrote:
Ha.

I agree. This is some funny Sh!t! people. grow up. this is like reading a thread on Facebook!

A Twisted Mind wrote:
Models:
If, after meeting me in person, reviewing my work, and contacting some of the models that I've already shot, before a proposed photoshoot, you feel that we aren't suitable to work together, I'll have no hard feelings, and hope that you'll find a photographer more towards your liking.

Just about anybody with a negative/off the cuff attitude will be shunned.

Maybe rephrasing is in order

A Twisted Mind wrote:
Cristina,

Whatever works. I have a home office. With thousands of dollars worth of valuable computer and other equipment. Nuff said.

I wouldn't EVER give out that information to a guy who can't even crop a photo right.

Cristina Ashley wrote:
I wouldn't EVER give out that information to a guy who can't even crop a photo right.

I never said I was a professional photographer. I also didn't comment about your experience as a model.

Insulting the quality of my work doesn't invalidate my point. Let's stay on topic, please.

The prospect of a potentially hostile stranger in my home office is disturbing enough that I've taken measures to prevent it.

A Twisted Mind wrote:
based on rumors told to you by photographers who are so insecure in the quality of their work, that they have to make shit up. Good luck with that.

Whose to say these photographers are 'insecure' about their work?

I've had photographers tell me to not work with other photographers-not because of the way they might act during shoots but because of the quality of photos. I looked at it as them looking out for my best interests as a 'model'.....and that doesn't mean they are slamming other people so I work with them instead.

Maybe they stepped out of line by saying the models were coerced. But maybe instead of attacking these so called 'insecure' photographers....you should have the models who you have worked with back you up with a good reference.

Cristina Ashley wrote:
Whose to say these photographers are 'insecure' about their work?

I've had photographers tell me to not work with other photographers-not because of the way they might act during shoots but because of the quality of photos. I looked at it as them looking out for my best interests as a 'model'.....and that doesn't mean they are slamming other people so I work with them instead.

Maybe they stepped out of line by saying the models were coerced. But maybe instead of attacking these so called 'insecure' photographers....you should have the models who you have worked with back you up with a good reference.

Well, their asking unwarranted, off the cuff, questions about the model's sex life, which isn't any of their business, based on their perception of how she willingly posed with another photographer seems like a big clue to me.

So, there was never a discussion about the quality of my pics. If so, these people could have left me a tag, commented on the pics or sent me a private message.

Instead, they are speculating on how many of the models that appear in my profile that I might have had sex with. Seems to reek of insecurity to me.

People are making assumptions about her character based on these rumors. I didn't address it earlier because I had no idea that this was going on.

This doesn't strike me as these people looking out for her best interest.

I guess you haven't had that happen to you. Not a pleasant experience.

I've already stated my reasons for atacking them, so I'm not going to repeat myself.

TXPhotog wrote:

So let me see if I have this straight:

You are asserting that there are photographers out there somewhere who are so intimidated by the quality of your work that they have to "make shit up" about you to keep models from flocking to your door?

Did I get that right?

I took a look at your portfolio, so I'll ask again:  did I get that right?

Lol...oh TXPhotog...you took the words right out of my mouth. Get off your high horse pal...no one would be intimidated by your work. That blows that people are lying about you...but for real...you're making yourself look very foolish.

A Twisted Mind wrote:
Here's my contribution:
A group of photographers have been spreding rumors about me, claiming that I've been forcing the models shown in my profile into posing in ways that they are uncomfortable with, in addition to tricking models into posing nude.

Some of these same photographers have also harrassed a model that posed for me nude, asking her if we'd had sex.

As a result of some models believing this bullshit, I've had sudden no-shows after contacting models about paid work for one of my websites.

I seriously question the quality of their work if they've got the time to try to get models to pose for them by making shit up and slandering me.

I'm waiting for an opportunity to find out who these photographers are so I can confront them.

This is a very serious story. But I'm not quite following some of this... how do you know that photographers have told models this?  If the answer is "the models told you" then do you mean you haven't asked the models who the photographers were?  I don't understand how you know all that you do without knowing who the photographers are.

So this is slander. You have a business. It's impacting the conduct of your business. What has your attorney told you? (please don't tell me that all this is happening and you haven't consulted your attorney!!!)

Tony Lawrence wrote:
Twisted mind I just read some of your replies.  I'm not intrested in those
who asked the questions or made the comments but how you responded.  Pretend
for a moment you were someone else and read those words, what would you
think.  To me some of your reponses are shrill and defensive.  If you've done
nothing wrong move on.  Forget letters to people.  Forget contacting people
unless again you know for sure what was said and by whom and then just ask
them.   There may be things you are doing that are adding to the problem.  Here
is a old saying, where theres smoke theres fire.

Exactly!

Please, go and get an attorney. He will laugh you out of his office! In court, you have to PROVE your case. And, then, you have to prove DAMAGES. Good luck with that.

You can't live your life worried about what people are saying behind your back. You will go insane.

The "defending a false rape charge" analogy is a bad example. I would be forced, BY LAW, to defend a sexual assault, which is a serious crime. You have been accused of something far less serious.

You need to grow a thicker skin. This is just a little drama, dude.

Let it go.

A Twisted Mind wrote:
As for models who've heard these rumors and flaked out on me as a result: go ahead and miss out on paid work based on rumors told to you by photographers who are so insecure in the quality of their work, that they have to make shit up.

Oh boy does this kinda (rumors and propaganda) shit ring true.  I was approached by a photoday model a few years back who told me an 'interesting story'.  Seems she was confronted by a photographer who had a genuine dislike for 'Gary at Select Models'.  He informed her that ALL photographers attending his photoshoots have lengthy prison records, with previous convictions of murder, rape and child molestation... LMAO...  

If the truth be known, I have actually banned two photographers and one model from attending our events.  One photographer (in Orange County) ended up selling thousands of T-shirts, coffee mugs and calendars (off his website) of models he shot at our events WITHOUT a model release or financial compensation for the model.  The second photographer (in Malibu) lured models to his beach house with beautiful photos of the coastline and forced them to dance around like fairies, posing in transparent clothes and slingshot swimsuits before the front door was unlocked, allowing them to leave.  One model (a rather tall, body building dominatrix) lured several 'short statured' photographers to her apartment in Chatsworth, forcing them to strip nekked.  She had 'her photographer' shoot photos of her torturing our photographers (a few of them have been known to be clueless GWCs) with whips and fetish gear while they were chained up in her dungeon...

Miz Beth wrote:
let me say one thing, i think your photography sucks.
(though i'm sure with practice you can get better)
and i suppose one of the models you worked with, you made her feel uncomfortable in some and she told others, so that you would not make them feel uncomfortable.
it's probably not photographers because from what i've observed is the phtogs on here don't give flying f*ck about anyone elses work (except models and those that are role models to them ofcourse).
so this post was pointless in my opion. you should've just found out who was spreading the rumors privately and dealt with it in a more adult manor.

Well, Beth don't hold back tell us how you really feel.

Tony Lawrence wrote:

Well, Beth don't hold back tell us how you really feel.

lol
i always said honesty is the best policy

Miz Beth wrote:

lol
i always said honesty is the best policy

You tell 'em, Beth!

Image K wrote:
Please, go and get an attorney. He will laugh you out of his office! In court, you have to PROVE your case. And, then, you have to prove DAMAGES. Good luck with that.
....

I encouraged him to see an attorney earlier.  More, I was assuming he would have given the nature of the problem and waiting for his answer.  I think seeing an attorney is 1) prudent given the perceived nature of this and 2) the best reality therapy a person can get (whether you have a case or not).

Ranting about it here will serve little purpose.

"...unintetionally coerce a model into something she wasn't comfortable..."?

Considering how carefully I screen the models that I actually shoot with, either the model is comfortable with shooting with me, or she chooses to work with another photographer.

Tony,

I didn't realize you were a battered man. How long has your wife been beating you? There are men's rights groups online that are available to help you. I can put you in touch with them if you send me a private message. lol....

"...Don't start asking models to respond for you..."

You know, that blow to your head from your wife may have affected your reading comprehension. Have you seen a doctor yet? lol....

I never asked models to respond for me in this thread. I'm asking the photographers who made these statements to contact me.

...If they say models are telling them these things then don't start asking who and when....

I don't think it would be prudent of me not to investigate the matter, in order to get as many details about this situation as is possible. These people essentially attacked me covertly and I'm seeing overt results.

What's to stop people from assuming the truth of these rumors if I don't address them? Again, I ask, and granted, this is an extreme example, would you remain silent in the face of false accusations of rape or child molestation?

Curt Burgess wrote:

I encouraged him to see an attorney earlier.  More, I was assuming he would have given the nature of the problem and waiting for his answer.  I think seeing an attorney is 1) prudent given the perceived nature of this and 2) the best reality therapy a person can get (whether you have a case or not).

Ranting about it here will serve little purpose.

That's life in America for you!

When in doubt, sue!

Alleging something is one thing. PROVING a silly "he-said, she-said" allegation like this is something else entirely.

HELLO, are you in court facing rape charges, are you?