Gabby57 wrote:
Specifics would be important of course, as in liability, safely and reputation concerns.  It would certainly be good for the photographer to have an assistant present for the shoot, and no sword play with depressed models I think.

I wonder what the response would be if the diagnosis was on the other foot, ie models shooting with photographers who openly discussed mental issues. . .

I'd venture out and say the majority of photographers have mental illness issues.  Most people who are creative and think outside the box often are able to do so because their brains don't function like the "normal" person.  That's just a guess of mine not based on any facts.

Frann Lazzari wrote:

That is very true but, i have seen a lot of people on model mayhem posting they have physical health problems (I mean like asthma or arthritis) which won't affect the final image per se.

You also need to remember that, seen a lot of times in the modelling industry, eating disorders are also mental health problems and even though you don't need to know (or perhaps they aren't aware they even HAVE this problem?) I bet if a girl fainted on set or lost so much weight by the time you wanted to shoot her you'd call it different.

Its better to out than in. As Shrek always says

---Talk about it with your friends and loved one's definitely--In the work place people don't want to know, and WILL hold it against you. It's human nature.

Gabby57 wrote:
I wonder what the response would be if the diagnosis was on the other foot, ie llamas shooting with photographers who openly discussed mental issues. . .

I would love to know that too.

I have a shoot booked with a photographer who suffers with mental health and i don't find this to be a problem at all.
That being said, i think if something 'occurred' or he didnt show except for a reason that it was the mental health acting up. I think i would find that more acceptable than a tog hiding his true self.

I feel like great pictures can be based on a good relationship.

Sometimes you can have an amazing llama and an amazing photographer but if they don't connect or click the outcoming shoot won't be as good as it could have been.

Just my opinion.

New Art Photo wrote:
---Talk about it with your friends and loved one's definitely--In the work place people don't want to know, and WILL hold it against you. It's human nature.

I hate human nature, 99% of the time...

Frann Lazzari wrote:

I would love to know that too.

I have a shoot booked with a photographer who suffers with mental health and i don't find this to be a problem at all.
That being said, i think if something 'occurred' or he didnt show except for a reason that it was the mental health acting up. I think i would find that more acceptable than a tog hiding his true self.

I feel like great pictures can be based on a good relationship.

Sometimes you can have an amazing model and an amazing photographer but if they don't connect or click the outcoming shoot won't be as good as it could have been.

Just my opinion.

My favorite photo shoots were with a close friend of mine.  Connection does matter.

Frann Lazzari wrote:

That is very true but, i have seen a lot of people on model mayhem posting they have physical health problems (I mean like asthma or arthritis) which won't affect the final image per se.

You also need to remember that, seen a lot of times in the modelling industry, eating disorders are also mental health problems and even though you don't need to know (or perhaps they aren't aware they even HAVE this problem?) I bet if a girl fainted on set or lost so much weight by the time you wanted to shoot her you'd call it different.

Its better to out than in. As Shrek always says

Asthma and arthritis are likely relevant to a higher number of shoots than most mental disorders, the former affects a persons ability to physically model. Photographers often ask us to hike a few miles into a location, climb stuff, jump around, dance, or we wind up in stuffy dusty dirty locations, and other things that would easily trigger someone's asthma. Ditto to the hiking, dancing, posing, etc with arthritis. A lot of models I know have fibro and that regularly impacts their ability to physically do modeling well.

Those things aren't quite like anxiety or depression, etc.  A lot of people with mental problems can put them aside enough to make it through a shoot alright, people with the physical problems may not be physically capable to even show up that day, no matter how bad they try.

Gabby57 wrote:
I wonder what the response would be if the diagnosis was on the other foot, ie models shooting with photographers who openly discussed mental issues. . .

My response is more relevant to photographers than models.

In short I don't care so long as no one and nothing is in danger and I can still do my job.

Laura UnBound wrote:
That's not something I need to know unless its got the potential to ruin a shoot. I also don't need to know if you're single, if you like dogs, or have high cholesterol....unless its somehow going to screw up a shoot.

If you post personal info like that, that would otherwise have no bearing on the shoot, I'm going to assume you're telling me it because it will cause a problem, in which case I have no wish to work with you.

This. If you really feel the need to say it to the photographer, just tell it to him/her in private messages when the first contact has previously been made. This way, if you ever have to cancel a shoot due to your mental health problems, the photographer has already been warned of your condition.

I would NOT state your mental health problems on your public profile. It is not an essential information for a successful collaboration, and because of the mental health stigma, it will undoubtedly affect people's will to work with you, whether they consciously realize it or not.

Risen Phoenix Photo wrote:
I would never work with a model with depression issues and is on meds. So but I don't need their drama.

Never say never.  You probably have worked with someone who has depression and didn't even know it.

Jhono Bashian wrote:
the last thin I want or need is goofy llama wigging out when the strobes start firing off.  Ive read about bi-polar, epileptic and photo sensitive people either fainting or going crazy and tearing up the place once over exposed.   No Thanks!!

That is, might i say, what you've read and not seen.

Risen Phoenix Photo wrote:
I would never work with a model with depression issues and is on meds. So but I don't need their drama.

I don't understand this at all. It just doesn't make sense, are you missing words?

Jim McSmith wrote:
I wont work with a model unless she has mental health problems. In fact I can honestly say, with more than 20 years in the industry, that about 8 out of 10 models I've worked with were mentally unstable. But to tell you the truth, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Interesting.

In other words, you seem to be saying that 8 out of 10 models would need to be mentally unstable to work with you.

Risen Phoenix Photo wrote:
I would never work with a model with depression issues and is on meds. So but I don't need their drama.

DougBPhoto wrote:

Interesting.

In other words, you seem to be saying that 8 out of 10 models would need to be mentally unstable to work with you.

Absolutely! The simple fact of the matter is that models with mental health issues tend to be more creative than mentally stable models. Why? Because those models with mental health issues have bottled up lots of creative energies and those unspent energies is the force pushing them towards the brink of insanity. As a photographer you can release those energies for the benefit of your project and the well being of the model, the former experiencing a sense of release and gratitude once those energies are spent.

Risen Phoenix Photo wrote:
I would never work with a model with depression issues and is on meds. So but I don't need their drama.

Haha wow. Right, because mentally sane people are drama-free.

Frann Lazzari wrote:

Perhaps its not a career in the first place?

Whether it's your career or not isn't the point.  The point is that it speaks to your maturity (specifically a lack thereof) if you mention things in your bio that are not directly related to modeling.  Other than you having a "health problem" that is something like all the sudden you can't control your bladder at any given moment, then that's one thing- but if you have the ability to see ghosts and they haunt you at night, that doesn't affect me as long as you can keep yourself together during a shoot and that's the bottom line.

Hear voices all the time?  Fine.  Does it affect your modeling?  No?  Then don't mention it because it's irrelevant.

Now if you're looking for an online "support group" that's one thing, but a mature,  intellectually reasonable adult knows when and when not to speak about personal business.  It's (usually) not an acquired skill, it's just common sense.

One poster near the beginning of this thread mentioned a few things that speak to one's maturity (e.g. escorts, etc...) which is generally (read  *overwhelmingly*...but not always) true.  Profiles typically say a lot about a person's maturity and many photographers at the hint of an immature model, are quick to pass on those profiles.

It (immaturity) is something that a photographer doesn't have to contend with when there are hundreds of thousands of mature, willing and able models to choose from.

It's like choosing a fighter pilot.  Why take a gamble on a person without a university degree who might not understand advanced concepts later in training, WHEN there are a surplus of very stable, mature people with engineering degrees and stellar grade point averages who are biting at the bit to be the next "jet jock"?

I think that if you want to talk about mental illness and get something meaningful out of the conversation, this really isn't the most ideal fora, but most reasonable people would already know that.

ontherocks wrote:
isn't like half the US on depression meds? i tried prozac once but it gave me a headache.

At any given time 1/3 of the population is treated with medication for regular depression.  When you add in the people treated for other things, it's way more than half.

DougBPhoto wrote:
My concern would be when mental or physical issues are mentioned in a very ambiguous non-specific manner.

Simply saying I have mental illness or I have physical handicaps does not really do anything other than encourage photographers to quickly move to the next profile.

Saying something like "Note: I have anxiety issues, and it can be relevant to a shoot in the following ways..."

If you just leave things vague and up to people's imagination it will work against you.

If you are honest but make it clear that it is not a big deal, then it makes it a lot easier for it to not be a big deal.

I agree with this!

Frann Lazzari wrote:
I was wondering. Would you consider to shoot someone with a mental health problem if she posted it clearly on her bio?

Knowing that a model has mental health issues would actually encourage me to shoot her for a personal project. I like the unconventional.

However, I would not use such a model if it was a professional project with a deadline, someone else's money on the table and my reputation on the line. Too much risk. Certainly, it would also depend on the specifics.

4 R D wrote:

Knowing that a model has mental health issues would actually encourage me to shoot her for a personal project. I like the unconventional.

However, I would not use such a model if it was a professional project with a deadline, someone else's money on the table and my reputation on the line. Too much risk. Certainly, it would also depend on the specifics.

Clinically depressed doesn't mean unproductive and non-functional. I have a pretty good job in a reputable financial institution.

Teila K Day Photography wrote:

Whether it's your career or not isn't the point.  The point is that it speaks to your maturity (specifically a lack thereof) if you mention things in your bio that are not directly related to modeling.

"isnt the point."

It was my point?

I also specifically asked at the start of this thread that it was just a general opinion NOT that it was directed at me.
It wasn't a question for my own being but i see that you're directing it at me.

You've offended me by saying i lack maturity when i didn't say anything to you, and only asked a question via a thread.

I'm not even going to defend myself because this thread isn't about me :')

P I X I E wrote:

Clinically depressed doesn't mean unproductive and non-functional. I have a pretty good job in a reputable financial institution.

I guess that would mean you should talk to the photographer/model involved though.

Some people can't be productive when they are depressed. My grandfather had to leave his job.
Some people can be productive.

Its not only about your illness but also your personality, i guess.

Frann Lazzari wrote:

I guess that would mean you should talk to the photographer/model involved though.

Some people can't be productive when they are depressed. My grandfather had to leave his job.
Some people can be productive.

Its not only about your illness but also your personality, i guess.

There is plenty of help available out there...

Jim McSmith wrote:
Absolutely! The simple fact of the matter is that models with mental health issues tend to be more creative than mentally stable models. Why? Because those models with mental health issues have bottled up lots of creative energies and those unspent energies is the force pushing them towards the brink of insanity. As a photographer you can release those energies for the benefit of your project and the well being of the model, the former experiencing a sense of release and gratitude once those energies are spent.

So no true "artist" can be completely sane.  There are many different types of mental health issues and different levels.  I think that models and photographers with mental or physical issues that may effect their ability to do a photo shoot should communicate that as precisely as they can.   It could be important. 

However, if it is something which is not visible, and under control, then perhaps it's best to not mention it?  There are a lot of reasons I may or may not decide to work with someone.  Mental health issues could go either way with me based on other things that have to do with the models look, experience, etc.

P I X I E wrote:

There is plenty of help available out there...

Indeed but sometimes help isn't good enough.

Rick OBanion Photo wrote:
Yes, but i want an escort.

You're one of the few!

Patrick Walberg wrote:

So no true "artist" can be completely sane.  There are many different types of mental health issues and different levels.  I think that models and photographers with mental or physical issues that may effect their ability to do a photo shoot should communicate that as precisely as they can.   It could be important. 

However, if it is something which is not visible, and under control, then perhaps it's best to not mention it?  There are a lot of reasons I may or may not decide to work with someone.  Mental health issues could go either way with me based on other things that have to do with the models look, experience, etc.

Go with the flow! There is never a need to mention it. It's just there. Work with it as you would a blob of plasticine or clay. If you detect it then exploit it. Let the energy flow. In actual fact there is no such thing as mental illness. There are differences between individuals. People respond to circumstances in different ways. Because those people don't adhere to our recognised norms doesn't mean they are mentally ill. We should look to ourselves. Perhaps we are the ones who are mentally unstable! Either way find a way to work with people who don't meet your expectations of normality.

AJScalzitti wrote:
Honestly no, any sign of drama (mental health, llama herders, weird demands) and I click next.  Just way too many choices to waste time with anything that could jeopardize a shoot that I have invested money into.

Pretty much the same for me, although given that we all have mental health of one sort of another, very little of it completely problem free, I generally reserve judgement until I've at least met the person and determined to my satisfaction whether or not we can work out whatever problems exist in a way that will allow us to work effectively together.

You see, it's not about you and it's not about me.  It's all about WE and what each of us brings to the project, both good and bad.  If either of us has a condition, physical, mental or social, that prevents a good working relationship and that can't be worked out, then there's no point in going any further.  But if we can work out those problems, or if we also bring positive qualities that outweigh the negative ones, then why not? 

All IMHO as always, of course.

Frann Lazzari wrote:

Indeed but sometimes help isn't good enough.

It's not easy to find the right help, but it is worth the effort.

/threadjack

P I X I E wrote:

It's not easy to find the right help, but it is worth the effort.

/threadjack

+1

Frann Lazzari wrote:
I have found, after posting a recent thread, that many photographers on Model Mayhem will not shoot a model if she has 'i have mental health problems' stated on her bio.

I was wondering. Would you consider to shoot someone with a mental health problem if she posted it clearly on her bio?
[...]

Nope.

I do this for fun. As a minimum I expect rational, professional behavior from the model. Modeling is very demanding, requiring excellent communication skills along with a very sturdy self image. (A thick skin)  If a model is accomplished enough at her art to make it look effortless, as though she is really having fun, that would be considered a huge bonus.

Almost everyone has some mental health "baggage". If your (anyone's) "baggage" is so intrusive that it needs to be mentioned to prospective employers, modeling is probably a poor choice for a career/hobby.