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An alternative to having an escort in the studio
NOTE: This is NOT a pro-escort or anti-escort thread. Please don't bother posting if you have something to say about the merits or demerits of having an escort in the studio. That horse has been beaten to death in MM, and in all forums of social media. To help alleviate some of the anxiety of not having an escort to a shoot, I decided to install an internet accessible WiFi camera that can be accessed by anyone with the link and the password. (I shut off the camera after each shoot, and change the passwords for each shoot.) The model is free to give the link and password to anyone they would like to be able to "check in" on the shoot. So far, the response has been pretty positive, and no one has balked at the camera being a compromise. The one newbie who said that her bf has to be there, I just referred to other photographers in the area and did not use up any time or effort trying to convince her. Like I said, this is not a thread to argue for or against escorts. This is just an FYI on an alternative that I made available to my clients. Cost was $40 for a D-link camera, and access to the internet, which my studio already had. Mar 20 15 12:58 pm Link Interesting idea. I am not sure of how protected the internet link is but it sounds like an interesting alternative. I would make one suggestion that you have a form for the model to sign noting that she is aware of the camera and the internet link. Save possible hassle later. Mar 20 15 01:05 pm Link Yeh no. That sounds like the beginning of a really cheesy horror film. Edit : By no, I mean it doesn't appeal to me, not that other people can't do what they want if all agree. Mar 20 15 01:15 pm Link You're probably going to have some models worried that you're filming "behind the scenes" voyeur-type footage to use/post/whatever. People get weird about stuff like that. They just do. Mar 20 15 01:19 pm Link Interesting idea but to me the main problem with escorts is that the model limits her range of emotions and poses to please the escort. If she knows that the distant escort could be watching it seems like the main problem is still present. Mar 20 15 01:25 pm Link Koryn wrote: That, or someone who isn't supposed to have access being able to watch and save the video. Since I have no control over it, then it becomes a huge red flag. Mar 20 15 01:27 pm Link A lot of trouble. It does seem that avoiding any sort of extra work with webcams and forms and all that stuff is probably the easiest way to go, and the best way of avoiding all that extra work is to say something that the OP doesn't want talked about. Mar 20 15 01:36 pm Link Lots of models who shoot implied are way more than implied between shots and would not be comfortable with a camera rolling. Mar 20 15 01:36 pm Link I let the model bring a gun instead of an escort. She feels safe and their are no distractions. Mar 20 15 01:36 pm Link Happy it works for you but that sounds like you are just trading issues. Better to cast differently and avoid drama Mar 20 15 01:42 pm Link Personality Imaging wrote: Not only that, but models who are comfortable doing full nudes are just as likely to show more than the photographer's camera will see in the process of getting into poses and changing poses. Some of us are quite casual about nudity and don't ever bother to cover up between poses while the photographer is changing lights or moving things on the set. Having a monitor set up online would make the model need to be much more careful when she's not directly being photographed by the photographer. Mar 20 15 01:42 pm Link GNapp Studios wrote: In Jersey? jeez. That is risky. Mar 20 15 01:44 pm Link Uh... oh... there seems to be some confusion. The camera can be or not be turned on, and it's up to them. The link will be shared by THEM to whoever THEY want, and it is setup with only the shooting area visible. They are fully aware of the camera being there, it is something I mention when discussing the shoot, and it's up to them if they want it turned on. Mar 20 15 01:48 pm Link Francisco Castro wrote: How can you prove to me that it is in fact Not turned on and I'm not being watched by a third party at the click of your shutter? ( techno-tard here, legitimate question) Mar 20 15 02:03 pm Link Amadea T wrote: This. Mar 20 15 02:10 pm Link How about if you shoot outdoors on location(s) Mar 20 15 02:11 pm Link Amadea T wrote: Good point Mar 20 15 02:16 pm Link A decent idea, but it's a moderate amount of bother. Another alternative: An escort can bring the model to the location, take a tour, and then leave, returning at a predetermined time. Another alternative: Have a waiting room / area between the shooting area & the entrance (without a view of the shooting area) where an escort can wait. Another alternative: Check the escort's references as thoroughly (or more thoroughly) than the model's. Alternative referred to in the OP: Thank the model & refer her elsewhere. Mar 20 15 02:18 pm Link Amadea T wrote: You mean orher than the fact that the camera is sitting on the table unplugged? Mar 20 15 02:20 pm Link What happens when the model gives the link to someone she trusts who then proves to be untrustworthy by giving the link to someone else who captures the video and puts it on line for the whole world to see. I think a lot more negative stuff is possible with an arrangement like this than positive stuff. Why bother with this at all when there are so many professional models out there looking for work that don't require an escort. Mar 20 15 02:50 pm Link Even though one can do a thing, it does not mean one should do a thing. Mar 20 15 03:00 pm Link I have a great alternative to having an escort in the studio. It's called, "hiring a professional". It works great too, is very easy to use, requires very little technology to operate, and best of all, it makes every shoot run smoother as well. Mar 20 15 03:31 pm Link Well, what I said I didn't want to happen, eventually, happened. The pro/against escort argument has popped up. Just goes to show that you can't have a mature discussion on here. There will always be those looking for the negative and those who are just waiting for something to be offended by anything and everything. Mar 20 15 03:42 pm Link I think the security camera opens up a whole new can of worms. It's also likely to be seen as very creepy. My solution to the escort issue is simple, I choose another model. Newbie models in my area are not in such short supply that its ever been a problem. Mar 20 15 04:07 pm Link Francisco Castro wrote: I'm not sure what you expected by starting the thread. Mar 20 15 04:16 pm Link Negative doesn't mean immature. My experience with escorts is that the ones that are a problem are usually only a problem because they want to talk and be part of the process. So from my experiences, your webcam idea would solve that issue perfectly. That said, I'd still never use it. There were some laws passed recently to combat 'revenge porn', and I don't know the specifics. Granted, it'd be pretty tame porn,and the chances of it happening are near zero. But in the event that there is actual nudity, and somebody with the feed posts it online, I don't want to be involved in any way. A consent form might keep you from being charged, but the cops are still going to want to see you studio, see all the photos you took, and maybe even take your negatives if you shot film. They may even request that you take down anything you have online from the shoot, or even bar you from using the images at all, even if you paid the model. All without you being a suspect, or even an accomplice. It's incredibly unlikely that would happen. But it's a lot more likely than if there were NO webcams running. Mar 20 15 04:19 pm Link OP I'm glad you found something that works for you. Pretty creative I thought. Francisco Castro wrote: I look at it a little differently. I think one can have a mature discussion on MM but not everyone will participate in the way you want them to--be that maturely or without defaulting to the horse's maggot-infested carcass. I just ignore those stinkers. Mar 20 15 04:25 pm Link I don't think it would 'alleviate some of the anxiety of not having an escort to a shoot'. How does the model know others don't have the link or password? How does the model know the password is changed? 'So far, the response has been pretty positive, and no one has balked at the camera being a compromise.' Is that response from models who required an escort and then were persuaded to this alternative, or models in general? Mar 20 15 04:28 pm Link Model thinks to herself: "hmm. this photographer is pretty handy with little wireless surveillance cameras. Wonder if there are any hidden somewhere...like the bathroom" Mar 20 15 04:56 pm Link As others have pointed out, there are many potential pitfalls to be overcome with your suggestion, but, with enough care, I think you could make it work. However, with that being said, is it really worth the effort? In my experience, models from MM who start with the presumption that you are likely be an unsavoury character who needs to be monitored are rarely worth working with. Mar 20 15 05:28 pm Link Francisco Castro wrote: What on Earth did you think was going to happen? This is an open forum and the Pandora's box you opened with this thread was begging to turn into this type of debate. Just goes to show that you can't have a mature discussion on here. Your entire concept is based on an immature and inexperienced premise. Calling people "immature" when they disagree with you is silly. There will always be those looking for the negative and those who are just waiting for something to be offended by anything and everything. I wasn't offended by what you said. I just though tit was a ridiculous concept to a problem that doesn't exist when you work with professionals. When you work with amateurs or people who have little or no actual experience in this industry, then perhaps it might be an alternative, but again, there are easier solutions to this issue than surveillance. Mar 20 15 05:32 pm Link It's an interesting technological response to the problem. However, it's just easier to not deal with those kind of models at all to begin with - problem solved, rather than trying to appease a questionable group. Mar 20 15 05:35 pm Link Remote escorts, what an awesome idea!!! Mar 20 15 06:00 pm Link Francisco Castro wrote: Oh, stop. You propose a solution that is fraught with pitfalls and then you whine when people point out the plan's weaknesses. You bring up an escort thread and then bitch about people discussing the escort issue. Mar 20 15 06:18 pm Link James Ogilvie wrote: +1 Mar 20 15 06:27 pm Link Amadea T wrote: I'm too lazy to find and link the meme, but ... It's a trap. Mar 20 15 07:40 pm Link Shot By Adam wrote: Yes, this works for me as well! Mar 20 15 07:50 pm Link While it wouldn't be something that I'd personally be interested in, I can applaud the OP for trying a new approach. Isn't "outside of the box" thinking and experimenting how major progress is eventually made in just about every field? Mar 20 15 08:25 pm Link I see no reason to do it. It still boils down to, if you don't feel safe stay home. Mar 21 15 07:56 am Link Its a creative idea that may work for a few, but mostly your just trading one kind of distrust and potential problems for another set of problems. Finding comfortable models works best, hassle or not........thanks for sharing your alternative................W Mar 21 15 08:10 am Link |
