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In praise of the escort
Okay, I know. Some of you hate escorts, and you have good reasons. I know that I have found two of them that just drove me nuts. On the other hand, they are always welcome at our shoots, for our own reasons. This is not to take away from the problems of escorts, but to celebrate those who get it right and end up being assets to the shoot: Like the husband that patiently sat, silently, until I invited him to put on a tux and then become the "boy toy" of his wife and gorgeous hair dresser/model-- he was a delight!. And the mom, who used to model with all the best, across Europe and New York, who gave reasonable and helpful suggestions to her daughter and otherwise kept out of the way, and the boyfriend, who took his computer into the kitchen and wasn't seen again until the end of the shoot, and the family of the very young model who was just giddy to be able to watch the young lady learn a few tips and tricks, and the other family, who carried, drove helped with hair and make up... Good escorts, I salute you. Oct 13 12 07:57 pm Link I just have to say Thank you! So refreshing to see something positive on here without people being rude. Great to see somebody that's glass half full Oct 13 12 08:03 pm Link With one or two exceptions, I too have had generally good luck with escorts. There was one case of theft (a cased pistol I kept in the room the model changed in) and another in which a boyfriend leaned on me after the fact for taking pictures he thought were too revealing. Not bad over several hundred shoots. Oct 13 12 08:04 pm Link I'm down with this for the most part. I allow escorts with certain limitations ( in my profile ) and most have been either helpful or nonintrusive. Just one stage mom had me offer to stop the shoot, then she went and sat in the car. Oct 13 12 08:05 pm Link I do not know much of this escort thing you speak of. But I wish you well. Oct 13 12 08:07 pm Link "The TogFather:" I too did not approve of this Escort thing, for years, I gave my models extra (prints, socks, food, whateva) so they would not bring the esorts. But, when a qualified model who gets hundreds of dollars an hour offers to shoot with me for free but also says she will not come without an escort, how can it be refused? In my studio, we would keep the escorts amongst the boyfriends, the sluggos and the suitcase pimps; they're supercargo anyway so let them lose their esteem. Never children as escorts or, children without escorts..that is an infamnia. Oct 14 12 01:00 am Link I got a good story! Model Laura Unbound accompanied me in Toronto to hang out while I shot with Neil Snape. We got a sexy shot together, she and I ;P https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/p … 8#29374558 Oct 14 12 01:34 am Link I've had great luck with models being escorted. I had one that was a former model that really helped her pose as well. The only bad was the impatient one who kept pacing and walking in front of my off-camera flash. Oct 14 12 06:16 am Link IDiivil wrote: Ah, well see, that's the reason why some photographers say that female escorts are welcome! Oct 14 12 06:22 am Link The Trousseau wrote: Honestly, all you've done is encourage bad behavior. So what they "kept" quiet...why are these people involved in the model's business? Whether or not they're "quiet" or not, a chaperone is still a chaperone. Oct 14 12 06:26 am Link The word "escort" as regards photography is a misnomer. The correct word is "bodyguard." I am insulted that a person thinks they need a bodyguard in order to work with me. I will change my mind when models begin taking their boyfriends to work with them. Oct 14 12 06:30 am Link There are good escorts out there but one bad apple makes the whole lot go bad in a lot of photographers' minds. It was escorting a model, yes she was my girlfriend/fiance at the time, that got me started down the path of photography (besides taking and developing B&W in scouts). I would in most cases help in some way if asked, holding reflectors, helping set up lights, ect... Now I'm the "director". Feels much better to be behind the camera. Oct 14 12 06:36 am Link I shoot a fair number of underage fashion models so its sort of expected that a parent ( sometimes a grandparent or older sibling ) comes along yesterday I shot with a phenomenal 16 yr old and her father came along Dad was an interesting fellow ...He had started working part time at Macdonalds as a teen , and then as a young adult had worked his way up their corporate ladder , and he presently owned 2 of their franchises ..but the interesing thing he told me is that he had been eating their food everyday for the past 35 yrs ... and he looked fit and healthy ( I am still thinking about that ) Oct 14 12 06:54 am Link The Trousseau wrote: +++! Oct 14 12 07:02 am Link Garry k wrote: Well good for you. I do not know of a responsible photographer who does not require an adult on site when shooting an underage model. Oct 14 12 07:07 am Link I have had good experiences with escorts. From posing suggestions to wardrobe and lack thereof. Oct 14 12 07:09 am Link I did one shoot with a young model who hoped to catch on with an agency. Mom just sat off to the side until we were finishing. Then she spoke up and asked her daughter if she didn't need some topless photos. Daughter just went .... mommmmm! Which I was quite happy about since model was 6 months shy of her 18th. Oct 14 12 08:31 am Link Thats nice Oct 14 12 08:32 am Link I have no problems with llama herders, but I put them to work! Oct 14 12 10:05 am Link The Trousseau wrote: Glad to hear you having great outcome.. Oct 14 12 01:23 pm Link GoldRoseMedia wrote: Haha, well, it helps she's also an experienced nude model! Oct 14 12 01:57 pm Link The Signature Image wrote: +1! My mind will change when women start bringing their boyfriends/others to doctor appointments (especially OB/Gyn visits), work, stores and anywhere else they go outside their homes. Oct 14 12 02:02 pm Link no escorts here, unless it's another beautiful naked llama. Oct 14 12 02:14 pm Link Lovely Day Media wrote: I don't drive so I usually have a "driver" take me to shoots. I also have them take me to the gyno, stores, etc. It's not all that unusual. Oct 14 12 02:32 pm Link Isis22 wrote: For me, there is a vast difference between a "driver" and a "bodyguard". A driver provides transportation and is necessary for a person to get to the location if the model doesn't have a car and the shoot isn't in their backyard. A bodyguard is someone who protects someone from bodily harm when someone expects to be bodily harmed. Oct 14 12 02:47 pm Link IDiivil wrote: She was a companion not an escort. Oct 14 12 03:16 pm Link All the models that I have photographed have never required an escort. Oct 14 12 03:18 pm Link Isis22 wrote: Photographers that do not allow llama herders have no problems with a "driver". Oct 14 12 03:20 pm Link Jerry Nemeth wrote: Yep. Oct 14 12 03:20 pm Link So when a photographer starts allowing escorts, how do ya know what kind ya gonna get? Kinda like hearing your neighbor got drunk at the bar and drove home without getting caught or getting into an accident. It's not going to make me change my mind - drinking and driving is still stoopid...... O_o Oct 14 12 03:21 pm Link Image K wrote: I photographed a model whose boyfriend drove her to the hotel and dropped her off. Oct 14 12 03:22 pm Link SPV Photo wrote: That's a great idea...until one of them drops an expensive piece of gear (and won't pay for it), or shatters their kneecap moving/holding something (and sues you)... Oct 14 12 03:23 pm Link I've been a model for a little over 4 years and I never needed an escort, ever. I'm still alive and in one piece. Oct 14 12 03:23 pm Link Bilsen Galleries wrote: That's a driver, not an escort. Oct 14 12 03:25 pm Link Jerry Nemeth wrote: I guess so. It was also not a requirement on my part - I was staying with her and it was offered that I could bring her along at the time. Oct 14 12 03:28 pm Link Is this where we post all our escort stories that DIDN'T end poorly? Then people counter those by posting their nightmare escort stories? Then we argue back & forth? Then there are about a page worth of "Hey, if you require escorts then work with photographers who allow them...no need to try to convince others..." Then someone comments there are 10,000 other threads just like this? Then someone comments, "Well excuse me but if you have nothing to add then go away"? Then someone says, "Oh I see...you only want people who agree with you to post?" Then a model/photographer comments that only pervs would have a problem with escorts? Then we argue the definition of a bodyguard/escort/assistant/chaperone? Then we argue about liability? Then people start hurling personal attacks? Then the thread gets locked? Just want to make sure this thread follows the Escort Thread Bylaws. Oct 14 12 03:29 pm Link The Trousseau wrote: I salute good escorts, as well. Oct 14 12 03:32 pm Link I am glad to see some balance on this topic - indeed, not all escorts are a negative. I do not mind a model bringing an escort / family member - whatever to a shoot. They are welcome to meet me and my production team, tour the studio, and I will find them a comfy place to wait.... Nonetheless I do not allow escorts to be actually on my set when I am shooting - We already have a professional wardrobe stylist or designer, a makeup artist, a hair stylist, and of course, myself and my model(s) on set - that is enough to manage. And perhaps someone's escort will make one or more of my production team people uncomfortable - I can't have that, as we maintain a focused and professional environment. For context - while I encourage my production team to keep an eye out for things that need addressed or adjusted during the shoot, I don't even want to know they are there when I am concentrating.... On a practical basis - the only models who have asked to bring an escort to my shoots have been newbies. I am sure that this is not always the case but it is my experience. The experienced fashion models I work with do not ask to bring escorts. I've had a couple show up being driven by a friend or SO - and that is fine - I like to have the opportunity to meet people. We've got books and magazines, quiet spaces and comfy chairs and couches for our guests... Oct 14 12 03:41 pm Link P I X I E wrote: ... and you are welcome in my studio at any time Oct 14 12 03:44 pm Link Michael Pandolfo wrote: Oct 14 12 03:45 pm Link |