Justene Aliciehy wrote:
How do you feel about bringing your own security/body guard to photo shoots, especially those ones out of your resident state? I have training in MMA and can defend myself, but don't want the distraction of keeping an eye on things while in model mode.

Do a search on "escorts" before posting another thread on this topic.

This is one of the great MM topics.

Pissing matches, stupidity, endless rage filled nonsense, it's got it all.

As to my opinion. You have the right to be accompanied by a bodyguard at all times. I have the right to completely ignore people who think they need bodyguards. I choose to do this, nullifying your need for protection.

Now everybody is happy.

AJScalzitti wrote:
Well I never have seen an agency send private security with any llamas they send, I wonder why that is?

Would an agency be willing to send a llama to the shooting space of every photographer on MM? Serious question.

Justene Aliciehy wrote:
How do you feel about bringing your own security/body guard to photo shoots, especially those ones out of your resident state? I have training in MMA and can defend myself, but don't want the distraction of keeping an eye on things while in llama mode.

If you're that unsure about llamaing, you may want to find something else to do.  I, for one don't need a babysitter at my shoots.

Justene Aliciehy wrote:
How do you feel about bringing your own security/body guard to photo shoots, especially those ones out of your resident state? I have training in MMA and can defend myself, but don't want the distraction of keeping an eye on things while in model mode.

If you're worried about "keeping an eye on things," bring a military-surplus duffle bag and close it with a combination lock.

Now you know how photographers feel about having non-essential personnel on the set. I've had three shoots from which I've had equipment go missing; never when it's been me and the model or me, the model and a hair/MUA specialist. Only when family, friends or an llama herder were along. Go figure. Thankfully, so far it hasn't been big-ticket stuff such as cameras or lenses.

AJScalzitti wrote:
Well I never have seen an agency send private security with any models they send, I wonder why that is?

For that matter I can't believe the girl at my local Starbucks never has one?

The girls at Starbucks don't have their own web site where the can talk about all the robberies, carjackings and assults they have to endure on a daily basis.

Creative Image wrote:
Before it all hits the fan here: most photographers don't like escorts.  Most models don't bring them  The advice you will get is to do your research and ask other models about the photographer.

+1

AJScalzitti wrote:
Well I never have seen an agency send private security with any models they send, I wonder why that is?

G Images wrote:
Would an agency be willing to send a model to the shooting space of every photographer on MM? Serious question.

The agency would do what a freelance model should do: vet the clients before accepting the job.

DBVE Imaging wrote:
People keep mentioning a "right" to bring an escort (or whatever one wants to call them). Can someone tell me where this "right" is written?  If it is a "right", then the photographer has no say in the matter.  Freedom of speech is a "right", but I have never heard of an escort "right"

They certainly have a right to ask.

But all this talk about the right to bring an escort basically implies that no one else has a say in the matter.

So they have the right to ask, and as you said, others have the right to say no.

Designit - Edward Olson wrote:

AJScalzitti wrote:
Well I never have seen an agency send private security with any models they send, I wonder why that is?

The agency would do what a freelance model should do: vet the clients before accepting the job.

Exactly right.

Justene Aliciehy wrote:
I have training in MMA...

Like, carrying the sign?

Bodyguards are for people who have thousands of people hounding them a day, like fans, or stalkers.

I don't think you have that yet.

Justene Aliciehy wrote:
How do you feel about bringing your own security/body guard to photo shoots

In recent months I've loosened my no-escort policy for models who don't know me and we're shooting in an isolated area. Anyone else gets an offer of a shared shoot with other models or a hair/MUA in attendance. Any model who doesn't want to be alone with evil ol' me and dismisses the option of a shared shoot where she won't ever be alone with me simply gets passed up. She needs to get a new hobby.

DBVE Imaging wrote:
People keep mentioning a "right" to bring an escort (or whatever one wants to call them). Can someone tell me where this "right" is written?  If it is a "right", then the photographer has no say in the matter.  Freedom of speech is a "right", but I have never heard of an escort "right"

People have the right to ask for whatever they want to ask for. And other people have the right to say, "No."

Whether photographer or model, we all have the right to work how we choose to work. We just have to deal with the fact that not everyone is going to want to work with us the way we want to work.

Justene Aliciehy wrote:
How do you feel about bringing your own security/body guard to photo shoots, especially those ones out of your resident state? I have training in MMA and can defend myself, but don't want the distraction of keeping an eye on things while in model mode.

I think it a terrible idea and it would prevent me from booking you.

Why?  Answer: Who will protect ME from You (and your MMA training) and your bodyguard?  How am I to know if your "bodyguard" is really little more than a thug intent on casing my studio and the 10's of thousands of dollars in contains?

You can and should perform a level of due diligence on the Creatives you work with but a "bodyguard" is likely going to prevent you from working with many talented and established photographers.

Out of curiosity, will you also be taking your Bodygaurd with you on your dates?  If the answer is "no", you really should consider the statistical instances of crime on dates vs crime committed by someone posing as a photographer.  I think that you will conclude that you are more likely to need a Bodyguard for a Date.

Oh, and let's not forget that, statistically you are far more in danger from the people you know than any stranger you meet (including all those photographers you are scared about).

All that said, you should ONLY do what is comfortable for you.  If a Bodyguard is a "must have" for you, then do it.  Just don't expect a lot of photographers to agree to shoot you under those terms.

Justene Aliciehy wrote:
How do you feel about bringing your own security/body guard to photo shoots, especially those ones out of your resident state? I have training in MMA and can defend myself, but don't want the distraction of keeping an eye on things while in model mode.

So, you're worried about keeping your eye on a minimal value of stuff while you're preoccupied with the process of shooting. Imagine how the photographer feels keeping an eye on your security person, to insure that his/her 'probably 10-50 times the value' stuff doesn't walk off with your 'security'.

Justene Aliciehy wrote:
How do you feel about bringing your own security/body guard to photo shoots, especially those ones out of your resident state? I have training in MMA and can defend myself, but don't want the distraction of keeping an eye on things while in model mode.

If you feel so physically threatened that you need a "bodyguard" prior to (to say nothing about training for MMA), why are you even shooting w/ that person to begin w/?

(please tell me this is a joke thread)

John Allan wrote:

So, you're worried about keeping your eye on a minimal value of stuff while you're preoccupied with the process of shooting. Imagine how the photographer feels keeping an eye on your security person, to insure that his/her 'probably 10-50 times the value' stuff doesn't walk off with your 'security'.

+1