Image K wrote:
Sure, we have all heard unsubstantiated rape/molestation "stories"

Rats...! We have moles in our yard....



.

Bizou Photography wrote:
Hey there,

I'm NEW to model shooting and have interest from someone I found on
facebook to do some TFP becuase we're both new. She's young and eager, and I'm.. well.. 35 and older and married. I really just want to take the best pictures I can and touch them up.

I've almost completed a basement studio in my home, but the model wants to bring an 'escort' with her. Her bf. We're talking very early 20's.

I feel uncomfortable with this. If I had a commercial studio space that would be one thing, but at a home studio, I don't like the idea of strangers entering my house. Especially young men. Where I'm from, you need to watch who you let in your house or 2 months later it's broken into. This kind of 'rules' stick with you when you get older.

I just don't feel comfortable letting young men into my house as I have a *lot* of toys. He'll likely want to see all of them (turntables and all that stuff).

Anyhow, how do you guys who have a home studio deal with escortes and what are your rules? Are the bf's usually nice guys? Or is he going to come in smelling like weed? Are these guys clowns?

What are your guys experience with the bf's.. especially form younger models?

"Thanks for dropping her off, she'll call/text when we're done"

surgicalsteel wrote:
While I understand where you're coming from, you also have to think of it like this:

"AM I going to let my girlfriend go to a strange older man's house and prance around being sexy for a few hours?" No. He is just as afraid of you as you are of him. In my experience the 'escort' is very quiet and minds their own business in the corner, commenting from time to time if something looks extra weird or extra nice.

I do think about it......those are exactly the sort of folks I avoid like the plague.

Sophie Edwina wrote:
I know when working with a photographer for the first time I always have an escort, it's a safety thing - I have had a bad experience that I don't want to relive. But in saying that, i would NEVER bring someone to the shoot that didn't have good "shoot etiquette", I only have a couple "go to" people to use as escorts - and they know when I am shooting they will be sitting out of the way silently, and won't cause any distraction or disturbance. Sometimes they have even been asked to help with lighting/equipment from photographers..... Just check with the model that this person is knowledgeable on how shoots work, and that they will not distract from the shoot.

and I'm just one of several photographers on here who'd pass you up when looking to hire a model.
At 49 years old, I've yet to be attacked when I visited my local mechanic without an escort, or local Dairy Queen, or tailor, or doctor etc.
I'd suggest if you want to stay safe...don't leave your home. There are FAR more dangerous things than photographers.

Abbitt Photography wrote:
If I ever choose to not allow escorts, I think I'll simply explain that my workplace and work is not open to the public.  Many work places don't allow workers or contractors to bring friends along into the work place.

Wow good point.

Hehe.. There's no chance I would be allowed to go to my wifes work and hang out with her for the day. I'd tell everyone 'I'm her escort'. Lol.. we'd probably both be kicked out building..

Eye of the World wrote:
You are new here so probably don't know this topic gets beat to death a few times a week. I would suggest doing a little research of recent threads by using the search function. But the bottom line is, it is your home and your shoot so who you allow in is up to you. Unless you have a spouse or SO also in the house, I would suggest the BF drive the model to the shoot but then stay in the car until the conclusion.

It's tricky when you're new yourself.  The above is probably close to my thoughts, and perhaps try to do a few shoots that aren't in your basement studio to get some references for yourself.

When I started out, I allowed escorts, and I was lucky enough to be able to use the studio of another photographer who was quite established.  In those days, I didn't shoot at my house though.

Sophie Edwina wrote:
I know when working with a photographer for the first time I always have an escort, it's a safety thing - I have had a bad experience that I don't want to relive. But in saying that, i would NEVER bring someone to the shoot that didn't have good "shoot etiquette", I only have a couple "go to" people to use as escorts - and they know when I am shooting they will be sitting out of the way silently, and won't cause any distraction or disturbance. Sometimes they have even been asked to help with lighting/equipment from photographers..... Just check with the model that this person is knowledgeable on how shoots work, and that they will not distract from the shoot.

I photographed a model that I just met last night at sunset in the desert.  She was nude and we were alone.  She is still alive.

Jerry Nemeth wrote:
I photographed a model that I just met last night at sunset in the desert.  She was nude and we were alone.  She is still alive.

Pics or it didn't happen. LOL

Eye of the World wrote:

Pics or it didn't happen. LOL

I don't have my CF card reader with me.  I can't transfer the photos to my computer.

It happens all the time.   

PennyL wrote:
Lots of reasons why models might worry about shooting with a stranger. Check out all these crimes. http://www.facebook.com/crimesagainstmodels

If you are afraid to shoot with me I don't need to shoot with you.  There are many other models that I can shoot with.

Jerry Nemeth wrote:

I don't have my CF card reader with me.  I can't transfer the photos to my computer.

It happens all the time.   

Oh, yeah, sure it does...



"Dear Shutterbug -
I never thought the letters you printed were real until last week!  I was out in the desert and came across this incredibly sexy nude model who asked me if I wanted to shoot her!  I couldn't believe my luck!  Then she pulled out a Leica M9 and let me use it all day with her!"

Heard it all before pal.... 

James S wrote:
I've had plenty of escorts in my home, and they've never caused any problems.

Completely agree.  I have photographed thousands of people at my residence, never had a problem.

Kevin Russo -Photographer
________________________________________________
Got Portraits?
Kevin Russo Photography
www.KR-Photos.Com
E-Mail: [email protected]
We look forward to working with you.

PennyL wrote:
Lots of reasons why models might worry about shooting with a stranger. Check out all these crimes. http://www.facebook.com/crimesagainstmodels

It's not a lot.  Considering it represents the entire world over several years, it a very small number.  More people die in car accidents within 60 miles of me in a typical week.

Also, some of those stories, including the feature story appear to have nothing to do with modeling.  It's more than a stretch to assume that a model who mysteriously disappears from her home one night means modeling is dangerous.  Even to the small extent it is, how does having a second person (second potential victim) improve things?

I actually have my current full time job because my predecessor died on the job.  It doesn't mean I bring an escort with me to work. Everything in life has some risk.  I've never seen any evidence to suggest modeling is any more dangerous than most risks people take all the time.  If you desire less risk, think more about the risk of driving to and from a shoot and stop using a cell phone when driving.

PennyL wrote:
Lots of reasons why models might worry about shooting with a stranger. Check out all these crimes. http://www.facebook.com/crimesagainstmodels

I'd be more worried about the odds of this. Millions of results.
http://tinyurl.com/633ef6x

PennyL wrote:
Lots of reasons why models might worry about shooting with a stranger. Check out all these crimes. http://www.facebook.com/crimesagainstmodels

Every weekend in America women go on dates with new to them men.   They may go to their homes and sometimes even have sex with these men all without escorts or friends tagging along.   Studies show its those casual dates that are most dangerous for women.   Yet some guy who wants to take your photos requires a NSA level background check and a escort.   Lets also face facts.   Someone who really means you harm will be ready to deal with your escort.   Which seems safer, a date with a stranger who you may only have a cell number for or a photo shoot with a photographer you can google, review their work, has a cell number and a address you can give to friends.

However, I'm not interested in trying to convince a model to shoot without a escort and I've had models not shoot because, I don't allow them.   What seems to happen is that models who insist on escorts don't shoot much and or have very amateur portfolios.   Yet that is their right.   I would rather spend my time on working with women who don't require or need them.

surgicalsteel wrote:
While I understand where you're coming from, you also have to think of it like this:
"AM I going to let my girlfriend go to a strange older man's house and prance around being sexy for a few hours?" No.

There are tons of photographers that have models for girlfriends, and they let them go to shoots unescorted all the time...including myself.

Again, if you do your homework, the photographer is not just a random stranger...and, statistically, more women are harmed by people that they KNOW, and not strangers.

And what does being OLDER have to do wit this scenario? Are older photographers/men more prone to inappropriate behavior around models?

surgicalsteel wrote:
He is just as afraid of you as you are of him. In my experience the 'escort' is very quiet and minds their own business in the corner, commenting from time to time if something looks extra weird or extra nice.

If that works for you, and you are comfortable with the safety, theft, and liability risks, continue to shoot escorted models.

If you participate in more escort threads on MM, you will hear more accounts of photographers being robbed, assaulted, battered by escorts...as well as shoots being ruined by obtrusive escorts, and expensive lenses "walking off" during escorted shoots.

By the way, since you are a female photographer, the dynamics of this scenario are quite different for you than they are for male photographers.

PennyL wrote:
Lots of reasons why models might worry about shooting with a stranger. Check out all these crimes. http://www.facebook.com/crimesagainstmodels

If you subtract from that number:

1. The crimes perpetrated on models by their significant others (husbands/boyfriends), which represents the vast majority.

2. Scams (since EVERYONE is victimized by scams, not just models...and there is TONS of free resources available online to help models avoid EVERY type of scam...which most models decide not to read).

3. Crimes perpetrated against models by men POSING as photographers, had no verifiable credentials as photographers, those with criminal backgrounds or bad reputations in the industry/community, and those that claimed to have contacts/connections in the industry that could not be verified.

If models employ sensible safety precautions, and due diligence, these "photographers" can be weeded out easily.

The number of crimes against models remaining after you subtract these is very small.

Tony Lawrence wrote:
What seems to happen is that models who insist on escorts don't shoot much and or have very amateur portfolios.   Yet that is their right.   I would rather spend my time on working with women who don't require or need them.

Quite true.

Sophie Edwina wrote:
I know when working with a photographer for the first time I always have an escort, it's a safety thing - I have had a bad experience that I don't want to relive. But in saying that, i would NEVER bring someone to the shoot that didn't have good "shoot etiquette", I only have a couple "go to" people to use as escorts - and they know when I am shooting they will be sitting out of the way silently, and won't cause any distraction or disturbance. Sometimes they have even been asked to help with lighting/equipment from photographers..... Just check with the model that this person is knowledgeable on how shoots work, and that they will not distract from the shoot.

If it was only a "distraction" issue, I would agree.

However, there are safety, liability, and theft issues, among others, that are also part of the picture that exist for the photographer that you are not seeing.

Isaiah Brink wrote:
As far as escorts are concerned I allow them to escort the model from home to the shoot and back but must find somewhere else to be during the shoot. I don't care if they wait in the car or go get coffee. I allow the escort to do just that escort. I don't need a hand with my end of things, an if I do, I hire an assistant. If the model has special needs, then I allow for an assistant. Myself like the majority undertake a photo shoot to take pictures and nothing else. We are not there to cause any harm to the model in any way shape or form and remain professional. If the model feels she needs a bodyguard she should let me know before hand, and if the situation calls for it, I will involve licensed professional secuirty and/or law enforcement prior to the shoot. If the model wants her boyfriend to be there because he is suspicious I will arrange for a different model to be there who has her "big girl panties" on so we can work and get the desires outcome accomplished.

Yep...that would be a driver, not an escort.

Drivers=yes. Escorts=no.

Matt D wrote:
damn right about the getting broken into, this happen to me with a model and her friends, 1 month later i got broken into, 15k worth of jewelry, handguns, computer equipment and all my photography equipment gone, good thing her friends got caught and most of my stuff was recovered, i couldn't press charges against her due to the fact that she has been in my pad already but her friends didn't and their fingerprints were found on a CD case, I knew it was them because the address that came back when they ran the fingerprints was on the same street she lived on,. just careful who you bring into your space and trust no one..

This also happened to a photographer that used to shoot escorted models in his home.

Luckily, the thieves took the equipment that was stolen to a local pawn shop, and he was able to recover it.

Image K wrote:
And what does being OLDER have to do wit this scenario? Are older photographers/men more prone to inappropriate behavior around models?

Lol it's quite the opposite if they think old men are more aggressive. I'd wager that the photographer that was young and single has a much higher chance of 'inappropriateness'. Not a home owner who is older etc.

I think men in general learn their lessons from women in life and learn to keep a healthy step away from getting too close.

I know it doesn't agree with the ego's of a lot of women.. (especially many models I'm guessing) but a lot of men aren't really out to get with them.

Actually they used to have this Playboy TV show where they would get playmates to try to seduce men. They got them to show their boobs, aggressively hit on the men. Almost always the men would chicken out be like 'no.. stop'.. most of them were even in their 20's and 30's. They totally backed off these silicon women when they had it handed to them on a silver platter.

Men aren't these horny predator dogs like a lot of women think. The women who usually chase those kinds of men are the women who like them like that and then begin to believe that all men are like that. Hence not wanting these types of dudes in my house. After this thread and pm's (thanks to those who pm'd), I can indeed verify houses do get broken into. And I'm happy I asked.

Now picture fat, ugly, balding photographers who are older, and somehow, the models think that these people are more likely to be inappropriate or want to try to jump on them? I mean.. I think there's a better chance of lightning striking.

Where I'm from, women can end you up in jail and court dates and men learn to proceeded with caution. Men learn their lessons from women in life. I've been more fortunate though. I think when these models maybe get older, they'll see that there was nothing to be afraid of and it was all in some fear.. that maybe the media or our society created?

RGKBoston wrote:
Oh, yeah, sure it does...



"Dear Shutterbug -
I never thought the letters you printed were real until last week!  I was out in the desert and came across this incredibly sexy nude model who asked me if I wanted to shoot her!  I couldn't believe my luck!  Then she pulled out a Leica M9 and let me use it all day with her!"

Heard it all before pal.... 

We had been discussing having a shoot for a year.  She even picked me up at the hotel.
Today and tomorrow I am attending a shoot with 24 models at an old movie set in the desert.

I have a sunset shoot with this model tonight   

18+
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 2#20276662

Here are 2 more that I will be shooting today.

18+
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 5#20276565
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 2#22748292