Leone P wrote:
The 'escort' is a friend of mine who also llamas. She would have driven me to the shoot and been an observer.

Most photographers won't have a problem with somebody driving you to the shoot and even popping in, saying "hi" and having a cup of tea before you get started.

However, that person then needs to leave and come back at the end of the shoot (not before). They then qualify as a driver rather than an escort. However, for your peace of mind this can be a great alternative to binging an escort and serves most of the purpose for you (they will know where you are and be somewhere nearby) but without the downsides for the photographer.

And of course, if your 'driver' is also a llama, female and pretty then you'll probably find that a lot of photographers who would have balked at an escort will invite her to stick around anyway



Ciao
Stefano

www.stefanobrunesci.com

Rick Dupuis Photography wrote:
"For your own protection" implies that the photographer is dangerous. If you work at McDonald's do you bring an escort to work with you?

while i don't advocate escorts as noted on the previous page, this is an argument that should never be used.  the reason being is work environments include many people within the setting that don't include the possibility of work performance in various degrees of undress or clothing changes.

additionally, there are many corporations, including mcdonald's, that require a third party be included in private work-related meetings between employees.

-B-R-U-N-E-S-C-I- wrote:
And of course, if your 'driver' is also a model, female and pretty then you'll probably find that a lot of photographers who would have balked at an llama herder will invite her to stick around anyway

She is gorgeous and her image is very similiar to mine. Bright pink hair, facial piercings and tattoos so would have been perfect for the shoot too haha.

Leone P.

Farenell Photography wrote:
In the future, you'd probably be better served in relabeling them your "personal assistant."

Not really.

How many MM models will genuinely have a PA? I think most photographers will immediately see through such a ploy and realise that it's just another way of saying 'escort'.




Ciao
Stefano

www.stefanobrunesci.com

Leone P wrote:
She is gorgeous and her image is very similiar to mine. Bright pink hair, facial piercings and tattoos so would have been perfect for the shoot too haha.

Then just say your friend will be driving you and dropping you off but will happily leave and come back when the shoot is over.

I wouldn't have a problem with that, and as I said, you may find that your photographer invites your friend to stay anyway once he's met her Just don't go there expecting it.




Ciao
Stefano

www.stefanobrunesci.com

Leone P wrote:
She is gorgeous and her image is very similiar to mine. Bright pink hair, facial piercings and tattoos so would have been perfect for the shoot too haha.

Leone P.

This mentality, that the llama herder is a female and that she is gorgeous, etc..., is one of the most insulting reasons for an llama herder, IMHO.

I can see it now - you bring her to my studio, I take one look at her and say, 'Well, instead of paying you, you can just sit there, I'm paying your friend, cause she's hot!'

Still want to bring your sexy friend along?

salvatori. wrote:
I can see it now - you bring her to my studio, I take one look at her and say, 'Well, instead of paying you, you can just sit there, I'm paying your friend, cause she's hot!'

Still want to bring your sexy friend along?

Hmmm, perhaps not.

Leone P wrote:
Again, i apologise if i have offended anyone! Your right, im not very experienced. As I said before,all previous shoots have included somebody in the industry that I know.
I hadn't really considered how the photographer may feel to me bringing somebody whom they didn't know. Again, for that, i am genuinely sorry.

I don't think anyone is offended. Passionate, maybe, but not offended.

The stories you hear of models being assaulted is a tiny, tiny percentage of all the shoots that occur every day. If you search through the forums you'll even find stories of photographers who were assaulted by models and their escorts.

Tell your family exactly who you're working with and where you'll be. To my knowledge, most rapists and murderers prefer to remain anonymous.

Do your homework, then go enjoy the shoot.

Eric Jackson wrote:
For your safety?  Get out of modeling.

Why? Because i want to be safe, i should get out of modelling?

Leone P wrote:
I guess i'm just shocked. If I went to a shoot alone and something horrible did happen, how would my family feel. I would be chastised for not taking an escort and they would blame themselves for not insisting they come with me.
I have a husband and children to consider. My safety and peace of mind should surely be considered.

Leone P. X

If you are that worried, you need to find another line of work.

DJR Pictures wrote:
Come on guys, read the entire thread...It's not that long. She's clearly come full circle since several others have provided their knowledge/experience, so there's no need to quote her first or second post and bust her for it now.

+1

DJR Pictures wrote:
Come on guys, read the entire thread...It's not that long. She's clearly come full circle since several others have provided their knowledge/experience, so there's no need to quote her first or second post and bust her for it now.

Thankyou! I do regret posting this thread on one hand and on the other, i don't as i have had alot of useful advice. I do now understand what needs to be done and have contacted the photographer, apologised, explained that it had nothing to do with him as a photographer but my own misunderstanding.
I hope the shoot will still go ahead as he seems to be very professional and has lots of testimonials.

Modeling is something i enjoy but i am just starting out. I will make mistakes and i will learn from them just like everybody else.

Leone P.

model emily  wrote:
Why is working with a photographer dangerous?

+1 and a Happy New Year to you Emily

The Signature Image wrote:
Outside of that, do you take your BF with you when you go to work at your 9-5 job?

silly argument.  read my post above.

291 wrote:
work environments include many people within the setting that don't include the possibility of work performance in various degrees of undress or clothing changes.

And some work environments don't.  Just because it's different doesn't mean it's dangerous.

I was 17 at the time of my first professional modeling photoshoot (I wanted some headshots done), I showed up to my photoshoot without an escort and the photographer shot me in her studio, alone, I paid, and then I drove home.  There were three shirt changes, which were done in a private changing room.

There was no problem -- because this business in itself is not dangerous, or sketchy, or anything.

Leone P wrote:

Thankyou! I do regret posting this thread on one hand and on the other, i don't as i have had alot of useful advice. I do now understand what needs to be done and have contacted the photographer, apologised, explained that it had nothing to do with him as a photographer but my own misunderstanding.
I hope the shoot will still go ahead as he seems to be very professional and has lots of testimonials.

Modeling is something i enjoy but i am just starting out. I will make mistakes and i will learn from them just like everybody else.

Leone P.

This sort of mature and professional approach has no place around here... lol

Best of luck.

salvatori. wrote:
This sort of mature and professional approach has no place around here... lol

Best of luck.

291 wrote:
work environments include many people within the setting that don't include the possibility of work performance in various degrees of undress or clothing changes.

model emily  wrote:
And some work environments don't.  Just because it's different doesn't mean it's dangerous.

I was 17 at the time of my first professional modeling photoshoot (I wanted some headshots done), I showed up to my photoshoot without an escort and the photographer shot me in her studio, alone, I paid, and then I drove home.  There were three shirt changes, which were done in a private changing room.

There was no problem -- because this business in itself is not dangerous, or sketchy, or anything.

i didn't say it was dangerous or problematic. 

my post went to responding to "mcdonald's" employees (or even those working in other service or office environments) where working conditions are far different and don't fall in line with any real comparison.

Leone P wrote:
Again, i apologise if i have offended anyone! Your right, im not very experienced. As I said before,all previous shoots have included somebody in the industry that I know.
I hadn't really considered how the photographer may feel to me bringing somebody whom they didn't know. Again, for that, i am genuinely sorry.

Already you have displayed that you came to this forum with the right intentions.  You had a concern, wanted to hear what others would think of the issue and have genuinely considered their responses.  No defensive behaviour whatsoever.  No need to apologize - that's exactly what these forums are for.

Keith92883 wrote:
Do you use an escort at the gas station? The nail shop? Convenience store? Escorts are a distraction to the photographer. Trying to focus on a shoot while the escort is wandering through the house looking for something to steal is a loosing proposition. At least state up front that you insist on some useless escort so as not to waste the time of a photographer.

And here's a perfect example!

FlirtynFun Photography wrote:

this is where you need to pull your big girl panties up and decide whether modeling is for you or not. Like I said before, I've yet to see when an escort was "needed" on set. If you're concerned about your safety with any particular photographer- DON'T SHOOT WITH HIM/HER. If not, then treat this as any other job. Be professional, show up on time. Do a good job. Get paid. Leave...and possibly get other paying work/referrals.

+10

Natural Means wrote:
llama herders can distract models and photographers.

There is also a fear that they might steal equipment.

They can also be a big help and make good lookouts.

Its for each model and photographer to work out their approach to llama herders. Your nearly photographer obviously has worked out his.

1

Keith92883 wrote:
Do you use an escort at the gas station? The nail shop? Convenience store? Escorts are a distraction to the photographer. Trying to focus on a shoot while the escort is wandering through the house looking for something to steal is a loosing proposition. At least state up front that you insist on some useless escort so as not to waste the time of a photographer.

yup, gotta love people who don't bother to read the posts before replying.
I've thought about it and here's a reply.
"Keith (hope thats your name) Do you read all the posts? Trying to focus on the flow of the thread when random posts like yours appear is a losing proposition. If you insist on posting without reading please do it in off-topic so as not to waste the time of models and photographers".  how's that?

Rick Dupuis Photography wrote:
"For your own protection" implies that the photographer is dangerous. If you work at McDonald's do you bring an escort to work with you?

I don't personally encourage or allow "escorts" because I ask the model to do their homework and want to work and feel safe with me.


On the other hand, MM is a place filled with trolls. There is zero vetting to be on the site short of a couple of photos.  And even some of the folks on here who are who they say they are are freaks.   Like mental cases.  Or major pervs.

Most workplace environments have various forms of security and safety checks in place whereas 2 people hooking up on an online website probably don't.

So I do understand the notion of a model and a photographer wanting to be safe and the truth is, without vetting, any of the people involved in a shoot might actually be unsafe.

Leone P wrote:
Why? Because i want to be safe, i should get out of modelling?

OK, in one of the very, very, VERY rare cases where a model has been raped and murdered by a photographer, he overpowered the model AND overpowered the "escort" and raped and killed both of them. I can assure you, having a cute/sexy friend attend your shoot will do

-NOTHING-

...for your perceived safety.

Leone P wrote:
I guess i'm just shocked. If I went to a shoot alone and something horrible did happen, how would my family feel. I would be chastised for not taking an escort and they would blame themselves for not insisting they come with me.
I have a husband and children to consider. My safety and peace of mind should surely be considered.

The first problem in your flawed logic is that photo shoots are, by their very nature, unsafe. They are not. Do you have a day job at all? I certainly hope it's not in fast food. You could be raped there so I assume that if you work in fast-food, you bring an escort to your job, correct?

http://www.businessinsurance.com/articl … 7C304%7C92

Do you bring "escorts" on job interviews too? You'd better because you can be raped there too!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article … ds-newsxml

You see where I'm going with this? You can be raped or murdered on any job at any time. The number of recorded rapes or murders occurring of a photographer raping/killing the model can be counted on ONE HAND. In one of those cases, the photographer was proven to be falsely accused and in another, the "photographer" was actually not one. He was posing as one, met the girls (two of them...a model and her "escort") in a parking lot. He took them home and raped and killed both of them. A 30 second background check on him online would have revealed he actually wasn't a photographer at all.

The problem here is that you have a very bad case of Mean World Syndrome because your friends or family have planted all these "worst case scenarios" in your head that every photographer is out to rape or kill you on a photo shoot, and therefore having an "escort" will somehow protect you against this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mean_world_syndrome

Leone P wrote:
Especially given that i had been told that i should always take an escort with me.

And to whom was the person who told you this? My bet is, it wasn't a professional who's worked in this industry for more than an afternoon.



This chart couldn't be more accurate. It's funny, I know models who have been working in this industry, full-time, for over 10 years and if you would ask them about bringing an escort to a shoot their answer would be (after they were done laughing) "What, are you KIDDING ME? What model in their right mind would ever do that?", and these are models who have husbands, families, etc.

I've shot models who do full-on porn and not one of them ever feels the need to bring an "escort" to a shoot. Why? Because they know nothing bad will happen there.

Leone P wrote:
I do not in anyway,expect every photographer to be a creep etc.

Sorry, I don't believe you are sincere when you say this. The fact of the matter is, if you didn't believe that the photographer you would be working with was a creep then you wouldn't have any need for an escort to be there.

Leone P wrote:
She would have driven me to the shoot and been an observer

Great, an "observer". This tells me that over 50% of all photos taken would be ruined because you would constantly be looking over to your "observer" for approval. It's a constant problem with models who bring "observers" to shoots, especially new and inexperienced models. You spend more time seeking subconscious approval from your "observer" than you do actually working to create great photos with your photographer. For many of us in this thread, it's not our first BBQ, we've seen it all before.

The truth of the matter is:
- Escorts make shitty sandbags
- Escorts don't hold reflectors well
- Escorts distract the model in more ways than can be counted.
- Escorts need babysitting
- Escorts frequently cause shoots to end too soon because they are bored
- Escorts get jealous and have been known to cause fights on the shoot
- Escorts cause models to be late
- Escorts cause models to flake altogether
- Escorts interrupt the creative process of a shoot
- Escorts steal equipment
- Escorts frequently have no clue about anything that takes place on a shoot but always want input ideas.

The list goes on and on and on and on. And lastly, while it's real easy for you to do some reference checks on a photographer, it's almost impossible for the photographer to do reference checks ON YOUR ESCORT. That's one of those weird things that so many models with escorts fail to think through.

Here's some last food for thought for you...did you know that statistically you run a higher rate of being raped in the parking lot when you are buying cosmetics for your shoot than you do ON THE SHOOT and you run a higher risk of being killed while driving to the shoot than you do ON THE SHOOT. Just think about that.

Shot By Adam wrote:
OK, //...blah blah blah blah Just think about that.

Hey, just think about reading through the thread first!!!!



you coulda saved yerself like a couple hours of typing time.

RKD Photographic wrote:
If a model even once mentions 'her safety' in this context while we're setting up the shoot, I call it off as she obviously has the wrong idea about modelling. It's offensive to be classed as a potential rapist or mugger and if the model is going into a shoot with that mindset, it bodes ill for our working relationship.

This.

If you fear for your safety, don't shoot. Instead of bringing an escort, let that person stay at home. Call/text them when you arrive, and give them an ETA for when the shoot will be over. When the shoot is over, call them to let them know. If you don't call back, they will know something is wrong and can come to rescue you.

Patchouli Nyx wrote:

Hey, just think about reading through the thread first!!!!



you coulda saved yerself like a couple hours of typing time.

shhhhh. electrons have to eat

Leone P wrote:
Hello!

I was in the middle of arranging what sounded like,a fantastic shoot.
The photographer sounded great as did the theme.
However,when I mentioned I would have an escort,he said he didnt like escorts and would have to take a raincheck until I change the way I shoot.
I was really shocked.


Im pretty new to MM and thought it was common sense to take somebody to shoots with photographers I have never met.

So what is the deal with escorts?

Leone P. X

Escort for your well being great... art directors, business managers, etc... not so great... "friends" sometimes seem to think the shoot is their business. Let the photog know you have told the escort to keep quite. IMHO

paragonfl wrote:

Escort for your well being great... art directors, business managers, etc... not so great... "friends" sometimes seem to think the shoot is their business. Let the photog know you have told the escort to keep quite. IMHO

another one who didnt bother reading the posts before posting? yup.