Model
Taylor Pollard
Posts: 11
Lebanon, New Hampshire, US
Please don't be harsh on me. I'm interested in modeling, but recently..I got contacted by a photographer, who gave me some "tips" then later on he told me I need to put together some Polaroids that include me in a bikini and a few nude. I'm only 17, as far as I know isn't that illegal? Just seems very fishy to me and I am not interested in nude modeling, so why would I need those style photographs? Is that a scam? It seems very odd to be to be telling a 17 year old who is brand new to all this that I need nudes taken..
Photographer
Leonard Gee Photography
Posts: 18096
Sacramento, California, US
Taylor Pollard wrote:
I got contacted by a photographer, who gave me some "tips" then later on he told me I need to put together some Polaroids that include me in a bikini and a few nude. Just because we are a "photographer" doesn't mean any advice we give is good.
You are using your common sense, that's good. Keep using it - and read up by yourself - and seek better, more competent advice.
I am reminded of another post, where the "agent" needed to do a "nude body check" to see if the model would meet "requirements". Let's just say they are taking advantage of "models". I would have a slightly different name for it.
Model
Taylor Pollard
Posts: 11
Lebanon, New Hampshire, US
Leonard Gee Photography wrote:
Just because we are a "photographer" doesn't mean any advice we give is good. 
Model
Taylor Pollard
Posts: 11
Lebanon, New Hampshire, US
Leonard Gee Photography wrote:
Just because we are a "photographer" doesn't mean any advice we give is good.
You are using your common sense, that's good. Keep using it - and read up by yourself - and seek better, more competent advice. Thank you. I just had a gut feeling and all my alarm bells are ringing
Photographer
Random Image
Posts: 335
Pocatello, Idaho, US
It is a scam.
Strictly speaking, nude work by minors is not illegal per se, but it is a very slippery line and almost no one would risk it.
I am glad to read you are trusting your gut, thats the best thing you can do!
(But on the other hand, I do usually have a pre-shoot list I send to newer models, but most it can all be found here on the forums, but I assume most models dont read them.)
Photographer
Michael DBA Expressions
Posts: 3730
Lynchburg, Virginia, US
Taylor Pollard wrote:
Thank you. I just had a gut feeling and all my alarm bells are ringing You got a good set of alarm bells there, sprout. Never fear questioning EVERYTHING. It's only the BS peddlers who cannot take questions.
Model
Laura UnBound
Posts: 28745
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
You were right to question it.
Being a newbie, people will try to pull that stuff on you hoping you'll just assume that what they're saying is correct. Eventually they give up, usually after you no longer appear new and impressionable. Sad truth. Try not to let it get to you, report it, and trust your gut if it seems off.
While a no-makeup non-posy set of shots of your face and full body, in clothes or a bikini (IE: the "polaroids" mentioned) can be somewhat helpful to the people booking you (they're able to make sure that you weren't just photoshopped or makeup-ed to death in your other photos, that you really do look like your photos when you show up to shoot) you dont NEED them and you certainly dont have to have nudes, at 17 or any age. Only do what you're comfortable with.
You can also report the message to the moderators, in the bottom left under your reply box.
Photographer
Trisha May Photography
Posts: 308
Colchester, Connecticut, US
The guy is a creep, you're right not to listen to him. We're not far from each other, if you're looking for photographers to shoot you i'm up for it (i'd rather put models in gowns than bikinis).
Photographer
The Grand Artist
Posts: 468
Fort Worth, Texas, US
Keep following your gut and your instincts it will do you go in life.
Also if you wish to be a model you are going to have to prepare yourself for the onslaught of request to shoot nudes. The simple truth is that a number of people on this site and even those who are going to post on this thread are simply waiting until your age says 18 before they start giving you the same advice. For many being a model and posing nude are one and the same.
Make sure to surround yourself with people you trust and who have your best interests in mind and you will be just fine.
Best of luck to you in all you do.
Photographer
David Stone Imaging
Posts: 1032
Seattle, Washington, US
Scam. I'd suggest reporting the person.
I do a lot of nude work, and I would never tell a model she needed to have nudes done...unless she had already decided she wanted to do nude modeling...and she would have to proved she was 18+ before I got involved.
If someone is interested in swimsuit or lingerie...then these should be done with an editorial, non-sexual look to them.
Photographer
KMP
Posts: 4834
Houston, Texas, US
Taylor Pollard wrote:
Please don't be harsh on me. I'm interested in modeling, but recently..I got contacted by a photographer, who gave me some "tips" then later on he told me I need to put together some Polaroids that include me in a bikini and a few nude. I'm only 17, as far as I know isn't that illegal? Just seems very fishy to me and I am not interested in nude modeling, so why would I need those style photographs? Is that a scam? It seems very odd to be to be telling a 17 year old who is brand new to all this that I need nudes taken.. Trust your gut and don't do anything you're not comfortable with..
Regarding this @#$@ He's an idiot, if not a predator.
If they are from Model Mayhem. contact a Moderator..
Photographer
Patrick Walberg
Posts: 45198
San Juan Bautista, California, US
Taylor Pollard wrote:
Thank you. I just had a gut feeling and all my alarm bells are ringing And that is a GOOD thing! 
You are just getting started, and at 17 years old, you don't want to be shooting nudes ... legal or not. Anyone claiming to be a photographer and wanting "nude poloraids" from you is suspect. The images you have up now of you in a bikini show enough skin for us to get an idea of what you look like. That should be enough info for a photographer to decide if they want to shoot with you.
Photographer
Vintagevista
Posts: 11804
Sun City, California, US
Your gut feeling is right on - I wish there were more people with your common sense.
Anybody out there blatantly soliciting for underage nudes to be sent to them, is creepy in the extreme - if you got this from any MM member - report it to the mods and that will be the end of them here.
good job on your part to see thru this BS!
Photographer
ontherocks
Posts: 23575
Salem, Oregon, US
there's no requirement to show nudes to be an active member of this site. all the nude stuff is totally optional and not everyone chooses to participate in that. you should never feel pressured to take off any clothes.
and for our part we only do age-appropriate shoots with minors. i'm even hesitant to shoot 18 year olds nude because they might be showing the shots off at their high school.
there are some people here who have a more european point of view on these things. but that point of view could land you in jail here.
Photographer
Mike Collins
Posts: 2880
Orlando, Florida, US
"You need to get some "Polaroids" ??? What century is this guy living in?
Photographer
Patrick Walberg
Posts: 45198
San Juan Bautista, California, US
Mike Collins wrote:
"You need to get some "Polaroids" ??? What century is this guy living in? That's a good question! 
Photographer
DELETED-ACCOUNT_
Posts: 10303
Los Angeles, California, US
Mike Collins wrote:
"You need to get some "Polaroids" ??? What century is this guy living in? Probably the century where "Polaroids" is the colloquial term that is understood to mean unedited photos of a model, usually against a plain wall, hair pulled back, blah blah blah....and is still used to this day in a particular industry. As a "fashion" photographer I would have expected you to know this...
That being said, OP: there is no need for nude polaroids unless you're being hired for nude work (which I should hope you're not, considering your age). CAM it.
Photographer
Looknsee Photography
Posts: 26342
Portland, Oregon, US
Taylor Pollard wrote:
Please don't be harsh on me. I'm interested in modeling, but recently..I got contacted by a photographer, who gave me some "tips" then later on he told me I need to put together some Polaroids that include me in a bikini and a few nude. I'm only 17, as far as I know isn't that illegal? Just seems very fishy to me and I am not interested in nude modeling, so why would I need those style photographs? Is that a scam? It seems very odd to be to be telling a 17 year old who is brand new to all this that I need nudes taken.. In my opinion...
... He's probably a perv wanting to see you naked.
... Unsolicited advice is usually not worth what you pay for it.
... Posing nude is a big decision, on par with deciding to get a tattoo;
it's a decision that will follow you around for a very long time.
... (Nearly) nobody uses Polaroids anymore.
... It probably is illegal for some stranger on the Internet to solicit
nude photographs of you.
It might be a good idea to turn over that message to your local police.
If you are interested in modeling, build your portfolio with established photographers, and learn how to spot the legitimate ones & filter out the creeps. Checking references is always recommended.
Photographer
DougBPhoto
Posts: 39248
Portland, Oregon, US
Taylor Pollard wrote:
Please don't be harsh on me. I'm interested in modeling, but recently..I got contacted by a photographer, who gave me some "tips" then later on he told me I need to put together some Polaroids that include me in a bikini and a few nude. I'm only 17, as far as I know isn't that illegal? Just seems very fishy to me and I am not interested in nude modeling, so why would I need those style photographs? Is that a scam? It seems very odd to be to be telling a 17 year old who is brand new to all this that I need nudes taken.. You are correct.
It is odd and inappropriate. If this conversation took place on MM, you might want to consider flagging the message and report the person to the moderators.
Photographer
udor
Posts: 25255
New York, New York, US
T-D-L wrote:
Probably the century where "Polaroids" is the colloquial term that is understood to mean unedited photos of a model, usually against a plain wall, hair pulled back, blah blah blah....and is still used to this day in a particular industry. As a "fashion" photographer I would have expected you to know this... I was very surprised that he didn't know this very common (fashion-) industry term...
Maybe someone hijacked Mike's profile???
What I am guessing is that this guy (perv in question) knows from ANTM or similar shows... or online, that this term is used in fashion.
To sound legit, he is asking her for polaroids..., as an agency would.
If that guy is on Model Mayhem, report him to the administration at www.modelmayhem.com/contactamod and take screen shots of your exchange.
Model
Jules NYC
Posts: 21617
New York, New York, US
Yes, Polaroids of bikini, front/straight-on, side and back is normal.
Asking for nudies, no.
Photographer
udor
Posts: 25255
New York, New York, US
Mike Collins wrote:
"You need to get some "Polaroids" ??? What century is this guy living in? Patrick Walberg wrote:
That's a good question! Nnnoooooooo... not you too, Patrick!!!
Polaroids
" polaroid
instant photos
can't be manipulated
in the fashion industry, modeling agencies use them to authentically represent the models.
also called polas
"i thought it was a case of retouching, but then i saw her polaroids- her skin is really that flawless!" "
Model
Jules NYC
Posts: 21617
New York, New York, US
I literally own an old school Polaroid which is cool.
Where is that damn thing?
lol I made my fake driver's license with one years ago.
Was so good, it faked the police:)
Photographer
Ken Warren Photography
Posts: 933
GLENMOORE, Pennsylvania, US
Taylor Pollard wrote:
Please don't be harsh on me. I'm interested in modeling, but recently..I got contacted by a photographer, who gave me some "tips" then later on he told me I need to put together some Polaroids that include me in a bikini and a few nude. I'm only 17, as far as I know isn't that illegal? Just seems very fishy to me and I am not interested in nude modeling, so why would I need those style photographs? Is that a scam? It seems very odd to be to be telling a 17 year old who is brand new to all this that I need nudes taken.. Taylor, you don't need nudes, period. If you were "of age", you might want a nude image or two in your portfolio if you wanted to shoot nudes, but you don't need it even then, you'll get swamped with offers if you just check that box.
Since you're not of age, I would question the photographer's motives. No reputable photographer (amateur or pro) is going to hire someone your age for nudes.
Photographer
The Grand Artist
Posts: 468
Fort Worth, Texas, US
udor wrote:
Mike Collins wrote:
"You need to get some "Polaroids" ??? What century is this guy living in? Nnnoooooooo... not you too, Patrick!!!
Polaroids
" polaroid
instant photos
can't be manipulated
in the fashion industry, modeling agencies use them to authentically represent the models.
also called polas
"i thought it was a case of retouching, but then i saw her polaroids- her skin is really that flawless!" " Why are they still calling them Polaroids though? Are these a bunch of old people or just a NYC fashion thing?
Model
Jules NYC
Posts: 21617
New York, New York, US
The Grand Artist wrote:
Why are they still calling them Polaroids though? Are these a bunch of old people or just a NYC fashion thing? It is standard lingo, not an 'old people' thing.
If you literally have one, a Polaroid that is, you know there's no Photoshop but if you have a digital with no makeup, no 'makeup that looks like natural makeup', then it's still a 'Polaroid'.
On that note, there are people over 21 that are um, successful in modeling and still make money from this profession.
Model
Taylor Pollard
Posts: 11
Lebanon, New Hampshire, US
Thank you everyone. How do I report him on MM? He had added me on my personal FB, where he got even more pushy. When I told him off, he blocked me telling me I am not serious enough about my career.
Model
Taylor Pollard
Posts: 11
Lebanon, New Hampshire, US
Vintagevista wrote:
Your gut feeling is right on - I wish there were more people with your common sense.
Anybody out there blatantly soliciting for underage nudes to be sent to them, is creepy in the extreme - if you got this from any MM member - report it to the mods and that will be the end of them here.
good job on your part to see thru this BS! Thank you.
Photographer
udor
Posts: 25255
New York, New York, US
The Grand Artist wrote:
Why are they still calling them Polaroids though? Are these a bunch of old people or just a NYC fashion thing? It is a fashion industry term that is used by every agency all over the country.
Similar to "xerox those documents" for making photocopies..., or other terms that are a stand-in out of tradition.
Photographer
udor
Posts: 25255
New York, New York, US
Taylor Pollard wrote:
Thank you everyone. How do I report him on MM? He had added me on my personal FB, where he got even more pushy. When I told him off, he blocked me telling me I am not serious enough about my career. As I wrote to you above:
www.modelmayhem.com/contactamod
Photographer
Andrew Thomas Evans
Posts: 24079
Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
udor wrote:
What I am guessing is that this guy (perv in question) knows from ANTM or similar shows... or online, that this term is used in fashion.
To sound legit, he is asking her for polaroids..., as an agency would.
If that guy is on Model Mayhem, report him to the administration at www.modelmayhem.com/contactamod and take screen shots of your exchange. I think he is a perv, but is more of a scam artist type who will try to sound/talk big in order to get people to pose for them. See it all the time really. People who claim to know a lot about the industry or claim they can help new models, when in fact their photos suck and all they want to do is cheesy nude/fashion/pornish type shoots.
The sad thing is I'm sure it works and I'm sure a lot of people could have wasted a bunch of money with them or and maybe just as worse blindly signed a release to him.
Not sure why someone would ask about nudes from a minor, unless they didn't notice her age but then the followups and stuff would have made that clear.
[edit] I'm assuming there were followups where she stated her age, and I'm sorry if I missed that in this thread. But, sometimes facebook doesn't show a persons age and if it was a fan page or something it may not have been obvious. Also, with email replies on here there is no age, so if he missed it once it would be really easy to stay oblivious. Not standing up for him, but I can see how it could be a mistake on his side.
OP - just report him, let the mods here sort it out, report him on facebook, and move on.
Andrew Thomas Evans
www.andrewthomasevans.com
Model
Jules NYC
Posts: 21617
New York, New York, US
Andrew Thomas Evans wrote:
I think he is a perv, but is more of a scam artist type who will try to sound/talk big in order to get people to pose for them. See it all the time really. People who claim to know a lot about the industry or claim they can help new models, when in fact their photos suck and all they want to do is cheesy nude/fashion/pornish type shoots.
The sad thing is I'm sure it works and I'm sure a lot of people could have wasted a bunch of money with them or and maybe just as worse blindly signed a release to him.
Not sure why someone would ask about nudes from a minor, unless they didn't notice her age but then the followups and stuff would have made that clear.
OP - just report him, let the mods here sort it out, report him on facebook, and move on.
Andrew Thomas Evans
www.andrewthomasevans.com This.
Photographer
Llobet Photography
Posts: 4915
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US
Taylor Pollard wrote:
Thank you everyone. How do I report him on MM? He had added me on my personal FB, where he got even more pushy. When I told him off, he blocked me telling me I am not serious enough about my career. These people will always try to belittle you into doing what they want.
If you're under 18, don't take nudes pictures of yourself at all.
If you're over 18 there is no need to shoot nudes of yourself unless you are going to shoot nudes.
If you're being asked for "Polaroids" then get them shot of you with a natural look in a bathing suit. No need to show more skin than that.
Model
Laura UnBound
Posts: 28745
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Taylor Pollard wrote:
Thank you everyone. How do I report him on MM? He had added me on my personal FB, where he got even more pushy. When I told him off, he blocked me telling me I am not serious enough about my career. You can use the Contact A Mod link that Udor posted above me, or if he did message you on MM, you can go into that message and in the bottom left corner, below your reply box theres a "flag this message" option, that tells the mods they need to look at that specific message.
Photographer
Loki Studio
Posts: 3523
Royal Oak, Michigan, US
Yes - this photographers advice was very unprofessional and may be a crime. You should not consider any lingerie or nude work until you are 18 if at all. If this happened via messages on MM you should report this person to a moderator at https://www.modelmayhem.com/contactamod Unfortunately people, even those with professional titles can give very poor or dangerous advice. Use very careful judgement, trust your instincts, check references, and involve your parents in your modeling decisions and who you work with until you are older. Luckily as in this case, many idiots out themselves quickly with stupid behavior. I hope the rest of your modeling life will be more positive.
Photographer
Patrick Walberg
Posts: 45198
San Juan Bautista, California, US
udor wrote:
Nnnoooooooo... not you too, Patrick!!!
Polaroids
" polaroid
instant photos
can't be manipulated
in the fashion industry, modeling agencies use them to authentically represent the models.
also called polas
"i thought it was a case of retouching, but then i saw her polaroids- her skin is really that flawless!" " Hey Udor, you should remember that I'm just a country bumpkin who's never been to New York, never even been inside the office of a top agency, much less hired a model through one. Salinas is where I grew up ... it's a trucking town for the agriculture industry. This is where you lose your lover in that song 'Bobby Mcgee!' "One day up near Salinas, Lord, I let him slip away" ... She was singing about my town ... "up" just a ways from Monterey, CA. New York fashion industry is like a foreign country I hear about. And THAT my friends is why I'm so thankful for the Internet! We can learn things everyday!
Photographer
Julian W I L D E
Posts: 1831
Portland, Oregon, US
You're only 17 and you're figuring this stuff out. Looks good on ya!
Photographer
Patrick Walberg
Posts: 45198
San Juan Bautista, California, US
Taylor Pollard wrote:
Thank you everyone. How do I report him on MM? He had added me on my personal FB, where he got even more pushy. When I told him off, he blocked me telling me I am not serious enough about my career. You are welcome by all here. You seem serious enough about your career that you thought to ask. That's a good thing! Best wishes!
Photographer
Patrick Walberg
Posts: 45198
San Juan Bautista, California, US
Julian W I L D E wrote:
You're only 17 and you're figuring this stuff out. Looks good on ya! I suppose YOU had everything figured out when you were 17?
Photographer
Andrew Thomas Evans
Posts: 24079
Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
Loki Studio wrote:
Luckily as in this case, many idiots out themselves quickly with stupid behavior. A lot of the people who "con" or fast talk women into posing for them that I know of have been around for years. Sure, they out themselves as idiots, but, there are always new "models" coming up, so it's easy for them to stick around.
That and some of the really vocal people online (or in person) who need to use words more than the quality of their work can get a huge following and get really rude and act like a bully when called out. So although weird, his behavior when called out or declined does fit in with the bully mentality.
Also, I'm not so sure he knew her age. It would be very very stupid to go around for a long time asking minors to pose nude or send nude images, which makes me think it was an error on their part more than anything. Again, not an excuse for the behavior but it does explain things.
Thankfully though, unless a person did a shoot with them and signed a release (I never suggest models do that with crappy photographers) they can't really do much, just full of hot air, and no one online really can ruin a persons career. So in the long run they are a bump in the road and pretty meaningless.
Andrew Thomas Evans
www.andrewthomasevans.com
|
