Anna Bai wrote:
Should the model bring a escort to every shoot for her safety & who should be an escort?

Hell No!

JessiKaos wrote:
what about photographers who have no references/are new etc?

Don't work with new photographers.  Its been proven that they are all serial killers.  Maybe that is why so many model accounts have been in active for over a year.  (lol)

Risen Phoenix Photo wrote:

Don't work with new photographers.  Its been proven that they are all serial killers.  Maybe that is why so many model accounts have been in active for over a year.  (lol)

I know you said this tongue in cheek.
But it made me think about when I first signed up for some of the modeling websites (OMP and a couple others) - I had no model references, even though I'd been working with some major fashion agencies for almost 10 years. But I wasn't about to give my agency contacts to web models to check up on me for a couple reasons (embarrassment - agency would say "why the hell are you bothering with those when you can call me", and 2nd. I didn't want web models bothering my contacts trying to get signed. Luckily (I guess) no models challenged me on references, but it didn't mean I was not legitimate.

Anna Bai wrote:
Should the model bring a escort to every shoot for her safety & who should be an escort?

Meh

I'm safe, and I really don't need to prove myself otherwise to every new model that comes along. Not that I wouldn't mind an escort if they are the perfect model for the project - but - my ambition to do a project falls fast when they demand to bring an escort.

All in all lately I've rather opted to go for drinks somewhere or at home rather than deal with a photoshoot that requires an escort.

Darren Brade wrote:
I skipped most of the comments because I tend to find these threads are really about justifying getting one's own way. I want to take an escort, he won't let me, how can I convince him?

Forget it, you're wasting his time, go and work with someone that allows escorts.

Great response!

thigpenimages wrote:
I am not deadset against them... But some models are influenced by the "escort." May just be on a subconscious level... But it can still affect the quality of the images from the shoot. I try to avoid them.

This.  I've only heard of one bad incident and that was a photographer being robbed and murdered in Florida by a model on here named Amanda from Georgia and her escort.

Personality Imaging wrote:
This.  I've only heard of one bad incident and that was a photographer being robbed and murdered in Florida by a model on here named Amanda from Georgia and her escort.

He was NOT a photographer, he was a owner of a tattoo shop.  She was being paid to participate in a porn video at the tattoo parlor and celebrate the owners release from jail.  Amanda was leading a double life.  I had even spoken to her about doing a shoot when she was out here in California.  I had no idea that she was also living a drug fueled life of a porn actress.  She was married to a police officer, had a daughter, but due to drugs, she took off with a boyfriend and ruined her life.  The murder and robbery that she and her boyfriend committed had nothing to do with photography or escorts here.  It had to do with criminal behavior.

Mica Hopkins wrote:
Hello! 

I think bringing an escort is up to you and your photographer! I feel like you can never be too safe and there is nothing ever wrong with asking. I have personally brought an escort to my shoots and have not ran into any problems. This is just my experience and opinion, if you ask , I think your photographer would respect that and in return give you a respectful answer. 😊

I enjoy people!   I'm really sorry that the term "escort" has evolved into a different meaning than it had before the digital age with the Internet and all.  What we did back in the ancient times was speak on the phone.  Meet at a coffee shop to check each others books out.  We might bring someone along if it's the first time meeting, but we always asked first. People weren't so paranoid back then. 

Check a photographers references.  Study their portfolio and what they write about themselves.  Then be willing to exchange information and in particular .. phone numbers.  Although many people like to depend on texting and instant messaging, be willing to speak on the phone at least once.  Don't shoot with any photographer that gives you the creeps when talking to them over the phone.   If I don't know the person, I wont consider a photo shoot booked unless we've confirmed over the phone. 

Then ask if you can bring a friend.  Someone who can do hair and make up is ideal.   Or if we are going on location, someone who can carry our stuff around and watch it for us while we are shooting.  Maybe a driver or gofer to cater for us.  I love to give people things to do.  DO NOT bring someone because you feel like you need a body guard.  Just don't shoot with a photographer if you don't feel safe with them.  I was kidnapped by two women.  One was posing as a model, the other her "escort" ... and this was in 1992.  Long story short, I got over that!   I had made some mistakes, but I learned.

Anna Bai wrote:
There's still crazy people out here lol, what's to hide? How do you supposed to protect yourself in a situation?

So, using your mentality, shouldn't I be just as afraid of you, as you are of me? Shouldn't I also have an escort? I mean, I'mm 55 and you could probably kick my ass - if you bring a 6"3" sluggo to protect you from my perverted ass, shouldn't I also have someone to prevent your potentially crazy escort from stealing my camera, money, and if we shoot at my place, my cat?

Jesus, I can't believe I couldn't stop myself from 'contributing' to this thread...

Personality Imaging wrote:
No, unless the escort is a female way better looking than the model and wants to model too.

I have had plenty of models who enjoyed working with me so much, they've brought me other models too!  I love putting people to work!

Most important thing about this entire thread is to communicate with each other!  If you don't trust the photographer, it is going to show no matter who or what you bring to the session.  NEVER bring someone without speaking with the photographer first!!!!  That goes likewise for photographers like myself who enjoy having an assistant or make up artist handy.  I let the models know my intentions, who i will have there if anyone, and also answer any questions to the best of my ability.  People are welcome to my shoots as long as they are not strangers.  If a model feels like she does not know me well enough to shoot, then I suppose we can meet at a public place first.  She can bring someone to meet me then too.  I'm just tired of women wanting to kidnap me and take me home because I'm as little cute guy! 

Also, I do love to put people to work!   Oh I already said that!    It means that I love to have a make up artist, hair stylist, a gofer to carry our stuff or bring coffee, an assistant to myself and the model as sort of another set of eyes.  I also love to make money for both myself and the model, so in cases where people are standing around watching, we charge them $100 and split it.  No seriously, charge spectators!  It's a great way to make an income if you are theatrical enough to put on a show like I do! 

Disgaldrar wrote:
I've only brought my boyfriend on a shoot when it was particularly requested by the photographer, which has happened on three occasions due to the nature of the shoot regarding health and safety.

On other occasions, I have sometimes asked out of curiousity but never taken anyone along, and sometimes I do not ask at all. I have a safety net of precautions in place, so I often don't feel the need to hike my other half's ass here there and everywhere if he would, by some opinions, get in the way.

I am therefore as happy taking someone along as I am not, depending on if it is the photographer's preference.

One of the 'precautions" you can do is to let someone know exactly where you are going.  Perhaps even getting a ride if necessary, and being dropped off.  I bet you do that already! 

Patrick Walberg wrote:

One of the 'precautions" you can do is to let someone know exactly where you are going.  Perhaps even getting a ride if necessary, and being dropped off.  I bet you do that already! 

Correct Some of the time I've been picked up/dropped off by the photographers but, still always keeping the channels of communication open on all sides.

Deep Visions wrote:
Why is this ridiculous thread even still alive??? A mod should lock it down so it never sees the light of day again.

Just because you don't like this thread does not mean it has to be locked.  It's not "ridiculous" to some new model who has questions about the subject of escorts.  Certainly you and I have seen it all before, but for some people, it's their first time seeing it.

Jen B wrote:
fatty
Ha!
Evveryone knows, (right?) that the only blood brain barrier crossing substances are the 5, (glucose, alchohol, nicotine, caffiene and opiods)

Carbohydrates break down to glucose in the end, protien breaks down into amino acids, and fat is broken down into atp for energy via a conversion resulting in fatty acids, (which do not cross the blood brain barrier.) In order for fat to get converted into glucose a second step of conversion is needed. So eventually techically fat could lead to a chain of conversions into glucose, the yield isn't great. Still fat does not cross the blood brain barrier. At least...not in a natural systemic way.

Excluding trauma.
Jen

I know this is an old post, but this isn't actually the case. Your brain runs on ketones, not glucose.  Even when you ingest carbohydrates for energy, your brain does its own conversion of your fatty stores into ketones for operation. It cannot, and will not run off of glucose.

Fat does not directly cross the blood/brain barrier, but ketones do - in a completely natural systemic way.

- JB - wrote:

I know this is an old post, but this isn't actually the case. Your brain runs on ketones, not glucose.  Even when you ingest carbohydrates for energy, your brain does its own conversion of your fatty stores into ketones for operation. It cannot, and will not run off of glucose.

Fat does not directly cross the blood/brain barrier, but ketones do - in a completely natural systemic way.

This is so interesting are you a doctor?  Perhaps a biologist with a doctor's degree?  Nice

Risen Phoenix Photo wrote:

This is so interesting are you a doctor?  Perhaps a biologist with a doctor's degree?  Nice

I also find it interesting because Jen is a nurse.

Jerry Nemeth wrote:

I also find it interesting because Jen is a nurse.

I know Jen, I've worked with Jen and I totally agree.

MatureModelMM wrote:
This has been discussed hundreds of times. The answer is NO, you should not bring an escort to EVERY shoot. Some models want to have someone with them the first time they work with a photographer or artist. Some photographers and artists encourage models to bring someone along. Most will not allow it, and will not even work with a model who requires one at every shoot.

You have to discuss this ahead of time and reach an agreement on whether it is allowed, who it will be and where the other person is going to be during the photo session.  Usually the person bringing the model drops her off and leaves after meeting the person they are working with, or remains nearby outside, at a nearby coffee shop, but not in the studio.

If you feel unsafe, then you shouldn't be working with that photographer or artist in the first place.

Most photographers are not comfortable with a model bringing a male along with them, so in cases where you have reached agreement that you can bring someone, it should be a female who isn't going to compete with you for attention, and they should still leave the area you are working in and remain nearby.

If you truly feel that "someone is trying to get at you" is a possibility, then with all due respect you should NOT even think of being a model until you can get past that. Check references of other models who have worked with that photographer or artist, and use your judgment on who to work with.

Awesome advice here, and I am so glad it came from a model.  I really think you hit right on the mark when you said that "if you feel unsafe, then you shouldn't be working with that photographer or artist in the first place"