chapa wrote:
i posted this in another forum...but it's probably just as appropriate here...

i love how people keep referring to the "creepy", "perv" GWC's(which is the dumbest tag ever, considering that ALL photographers are either a Guy with a camera or a Girl with a camera(as opposed to the HWC-Hermaphrodite with camera)...some are just more experienced or better) versus the "pro", "talented", "legit" and "published" photographers, as if there's no possible way that the latter could EVER be "creepy" or a "perv"...i can think of two pro/legit/talented/published photographers in central texas in the last year who have overstepped their boundaries with a number of local models(improper advances, either verbally or physically), and considering that i've disconnected myself from the local "scene" as far as my contemporaries go and know NOTHING about he, she or it, that's TWO too many...

and what about the MM photographer(published with supermodel creds) who messaged the MM model with a work opportunity, that began with compliments about her ass?!?!

would it be safe to say that most people are pervs and some 1.aren't afraid to admit it, or 2.are afraid to admit it, and 3.either have a hard time distinguishing their peversions from their professionalism or 4.don't have a hard time when it comes down to it???

surely it's possible for someone with sub-quality work NOT be a perv or creepy, and vice versa???

as for the neverending debate on escorts-your prerogative...no one can MAKE you do otherwise...

from MY past experiences, there are NO good escorts, male or female...they're ALL just as disruptive...

bad male escort example #1-model brings boyfriend...BF doesn't want model wearing ANY clothes other than the ones she showed up in...and then ultimately talks her out of modeling period...distraction

bad female escort example #1-model(against three documented emails and two phone conversations boycotting her idea) brings girlfriend who over the course of the next five hours a)tries to bogart her way into the shoot,  b)get's in a fight with HER BF on the phone in the middle of the shoot,  c)get's in TWO fights with the other model, and then d)pouts like a little baby because she's having a not so good night...distraction

bad male escort example #2-model brings escort that ISN'T a BF or SO, and consequently, is self-conscious that he's there...tells him "not to look" at her several times...the tell-tale "staring off set look" is evident in most of the photos that we DID take...she ultimately says she's uncomfortable with him there and calls the shoot off...seriously...distraction

bad female escort example #2-model A brings model B to "watch", because she's interested in working with me...model B can't tell model A enough times how "fat her ass looks in those pants" or how "saggy her boobs look in that top"...distraction

bad male escort example #3-model brings BF to meet me at a public place prior to shooting, then decides she wants to shoot with me...BF wants to come along, but model doesn't want him to come along...BF then storms out of public place, "steals" model's convertible, while model proceeds to beat him over the head with her 8" heeled boots several times, until he stops convertible and slaps her from the driver seat...distraction

bad female escort example #3-model brings friend who cracks jokes the ENTIRE time we are shooting...even after i asked her to shut-the-hell-up...the photos end up being a joke...distraction

i won't even get into how many times i've been ripped off of several miscellaneous items by other escorts...

needless to say, i don't like or allow escorts, and it hasn't kept me from finding models...

in theory, it's a GREAT idea, concerning the safety and security of the model, to bring an escort...but if the model does her homework(checks references, meets the photographer at least once, if not more BEFORE the shoot and more importantly, goes with her gut feeling) then there might not BE a reason to bring an escort...

my two cents...

i think these models just  need better boyfriends/girlfriends. I would never date a person who would act so idiotic. Come on,....jeez/

area291 wrote:
The depth of this thread goes to the vast difference between modeling and picture taking sessions. 

The modeling industry clearly doesn't have time or effort to deal with this topic.  Picture taking on the other hand, with no intent or purpose other than self gratification for both the subject and photographer thinking they are part of the industry is what brings this topic front and center.

Those that differ, well when you get out there and start dealing with client based work that defines the role of models and photographers I can only say, you'll see.

This was well written and so true. I've never even had a model ask if they could bring anyone to an actual commercial shoot, but then again I only use really experienced, professional models for those.

SomeStranger wrote:
Greetings,
I have thought about this subject many times and the way the question is presented on here is a categorical NO! IMHO it's not unprofessional for the model to want a person to come to a shoot with them in fact if it makes her more comfortable then the shoot will be even better,  it is however very unprofessional for a photographer to give an opening speech that include the rule of the model not bringing a person with them,
Allow me to explain my views on this,
The sad fact is too many men get into photography to meet and hopefully score with women,  GWC.....see ever a term for it,
All the female models I know have horror stories.
It's fact not fiction that these kind of men exist and use photography in this way
So for the person who is a true photography/artist with no ulterior motives & wants to break free of that stigma they have to first accept this is true and understand there are scary things out there, when a model meets a photography for the first few times, if he is not established as a reputable photography with credentials, he must be very open to the model bringing Mom, dad, boyfriend girlfriend, as to help build himself a good reputation in the industry.
It should not matter at all to a good professional photography who is there at the shoot, lets face it big shoots could have 100's of people there.
I hear the rebuttal that boyfriends/husbands screw up the shoot, well then don't do a second shoot with her,
If the photography starts right off on the song and dance that a person there will cause this or cause that and mess up the shoot he just placed an uneasy thought in this models mind, "Why isn't so & so welcome to come with me? What's this guy really up to"?
My point is I don't believe it is good for the Photography to make the rules about only shooting girls alone, especially when he isn't established with different ways to check on him being a total professional in his field.
Word to photography's out there if the girl/model wants to bring someone say "Okay" because when you start on why you don't like it, you will look and sound like you have other motives.
SS.

Earth Angel 555 wrote:
depends on the relationship i guess the bf/gf have. But yo be safe, i would say no. They can  get distracting.i know if i were to ever bring a bf to a shoot,i wouldnt preform my best and id be worried about the poses b/c your bf is watching you, so its kinda nerve wrecking not to do ne thing too provacative. To be on the safe side, id say no they shouldnt come along. A gf is always a best choice

Totally agree with you that a g/f is the best choice.  I have found g/fs to be most helpful with wardrobe and make-up.  If a g/f doesn't come along, I still prefer that the model bring an escort that she is comfortable with.  Makes the shoot easier.

KM von Seidl wrote:
I think models who need their boyfriend at a shoot should bring another model with them who doesn't need a boyfriend at the shoot.  Then after quick introductions and goodbyes, the model who doesn't need a boyfriend holding her hand, stays.

*snicker*

Kristen Clark wrote:
I think that it really depends on how mature your realtionship is. If your boyfriend supports you, it can be really fun to have him along, but if he is really protective and jealous, it can be a very negative thing.

the problem with this is how do you know if he's mature or jealous/protective/blahblahblah???
he can say all he wants that he is or isn't, but you run the risk at the expense of the photographer(and his time) and your reputation if he turns out otherwise...

singale wrote:
it doesnt matter

THAT's the attitude!  seriously all, this thread has been going on way too long...

KM von Seidl wrote:
maybe this thread could be merged with the audrey thread so the question becomes either, should audrey bring her boyfriend to a shoot, or should a model bring audrey to a shoot?

then the thread can go on forever....

Ohhh I`m shooting Audrey and her Boyfriend......and yes, Audrey can bring a model with her too. everything Audrey does is kool with me..........

mollie_lane wrote:
NO...
This is BUSINESS; this is PROFESSIONAL...NOT social hour.

Unless you are under 18 years old you should not NEED an escort.
If you do NOT feel comfortable or safe about the shoot UNLESS you bring a boyfriend...then do NOT accept the shoot.

Simple solution.

Mollie is so wise, so sensible, so right, so beautiful...

Forget professionalism and lets expect simple common decency and respectful behavior from one another. If that doesn't exist at the core of a person then no label is going to change the behavior.

ladyd wrote:
for example some fetish shoot or hardcore G/G & G/B shoots or even asphixation some one should be there to make sure nothing funny goes on,

That's a bit of an oxymoron isn't it?

KoolGirlieStuff wrote:

Ohhh I`m shooting Audrey and her Boyfriend......and yes, Audrey can bring a model with her too. everything Audrey does is kool with me..........

oh god, you're also a member of the audrey cult?