Jeff Mason wrote:
I know a photog who did 5 years in the joint for ignoring this detail. I'm guessing that he didn't check ID, or more likely didn't even care. Good post! Hope people wake up and tend to this business.

5 years in jail??? I mean, yeah, illegal photos of kids is wrong. But if what you're saying is right: that this guy simply didn't verify that the girl was legal age, and he definitely didn't think she was under age, how can someone get 5 years???? 5 years is the kind of punishment you give to someone who knowingly, wantonly, commits an act of crime. Not someone who doesn't dot his i's and cross t's. I mean, what is punishment? It's supposed to be for the intent of the act.

I dunno, seems like either there's more to what he did ie, he INTENDED to do it, or he got royally screwed for a big mistake on his part.

Doug Lester wrote:
So much fear. So much paranoia. I feel very sorry for several posting here and would suggest you might feel much safer photographing scenics.

Scenics? Ohhh nooooo. Didn't you hear about the new federal statute pertaining to the illegal photographing of public property without first verifying ownership? Oh yes, those seemingly innocent railroad track shots could land you in the pokey for 5 years.

Jake Garn wrote:
Moral of the story.  Check photo IDs and verify ages for ANY style of shoot for any girl.  If they are under 18 I require a notarized copy of the model release with their parent's signatures.  These two things will ensure that you are protected in case something crazy happens.

For all of those that claim that you just don't shoot 'under-aged' girls it would behoove you to realize that the photographers in question most likely DID think they were shooting a girl over 18.

Why isn't the moral of the story get IDs on models who look like they might be under 18? There is nothing in this tale that helps me understand why would I need the ID of some 26 year old to shoot with her...

Pixel Wave Productions wrote:
Why isn't the moral of the story get IDs on models who look like they might be under 18? There is nothing in this tale that helps me understand why would I need the ID of some 26 year old to shoot with her...

How do you know that she is actually 26?     

Jerry Nemeth wrote:

How do you know that she is actually 26?     

Haha. yeah! She might be 24! (but more likely 32)...