DAN CRUIKSHANK wrote:
You shouldn't even be allowed to write 'escort' in the forums anymore. It should be forbidden!

I did suggest that 6 years ago...

Looknsee Photography wrote:
Escort Pros:
...  Model feels safe.
...  Escorts can be handy (holding reflectors, for example).

Escort Cons:
...  Escorts & models have been known to beat up & rob photographers.
...  Escorts can distract and/or inhibit models.
...  Escorts can draw model's focus away from the photographer / camera.
...  Escorts can become visibly bored, distracting the people working.
...  Escorts have been known to wander around, opening drawers, invading privacy.

Escort Strategies:
...  Check the escort's references.
...  Have the escort drop off the model, look around, leave, and come back later at
     an appropriate time to pick the model up.
...  But by all means, discuss the presence of an escort before agreeing to
      the terms of the shoot.

Tony Lawrence wrote:
Wow... you do all that?   I mean I know you check models references but escorts as well?   Gee that seems like a lot of work for a photo shoot.   I'd rather just not have them there.   I guess there may be some comfort that someone knew them if they are a problem but why have them there at all.

It's usually not all that much incremental work...
...  Have any of you worked with Suzy?
...  Did she bring an escort named Charlie?
...  How was he?

Again, I have a distribution list of dozens of local photographers -- if I can't get people credited on the model's portfolio to respond, I can send out one message to (literally) tons of people.

As to my last line (bold & italic) -- I'm an "ounce of prevention" kinda guy.  You don't see starting "flake threads" or telling other disaster stories.

But the OP's question was to summarize the thinking behind escorts.  I gave Pros & Cons.  Those that say "I don't allow escorts" haven't really answered the OP's question (this last observation was generic & not directed to Tony).  I went a step further, suggestion compromise alternatives to any kind of escort drama (like the drop off - pick up strategy).

Krisna Fretwell  wrote:
Thank you to those of you that have actually answered my question
I'm not here to argue back with those that have a smart aleck response.
I appreciate the insight

My response wasn't a smart aleck [sic] response - I still think you can learn a lot from what has already been written on the subject rather than starting a new thread. Also, CLT's recommendation was for a reason and I'm sure you see that now.

ForeverFotos wrote:

How in the hell do you check the escort's references when 99 out of 100 models don't even know the "escort's" name an hour before shoot time?

Is that really true?  In my experience, escorts tend to be close personal friends and/or family and are known well in advance.  I've never had a model arrive with an escort that was a stranger to her.

Mick Porter wrote:
I've photographed a couple of younger models, I think it made a lot of sense that they brought family members, I thought it was a great idea.

Yeah, if the model is under 18, of course you want atleast family member there if not a parent or guardian.

Ken Marcus Studios wrote:
What a great idea for a forum discussion . . . .

Patrick Walberg wrote:
So photographers and models alike!   What would you think of charging spectators to watch you work?  Ken Marcus, I'd start with you!   I'd pay $50 to sit in on one of your photo sessions.   Maybe that wouldn't be enough for a seat in your studio?  How about $100?  Are you game for it?

My studio is a good sized room, but all the lighting equipment tends to fill it up quickly.  It's not really set up for spectating.  There really isn't a spot where a spectator can sit and be able to see what's going on.

I'm pretty sure that everyone in the room has to have a purpose, and that purpose has to be contributing to the production of the photographs.  Spectators will get in the way, look over my shoulder, and draw my attention away from the work at hand.  I wouldn't want it.  (Escorts, on the other hand, are there to make the model comfortable, and in some cases, a comfortable model is easier to work with).

A month or so ago, I hosted a little 'mini-workshop' -- I invited 3 photographers & one model in to show the photographers how to work with studio strobes.  It was great.  The photographers learned a lot.  But during the session, we photographers were talking together a lot, and we spent a lot of time looking at the images on our cameras' LCD screens.  As a result, we paid less attention to the model.  The model was terrific -- very attractive & experience, but we created a lot of "dead eyes" pictures because we weren't giving the model as much attention as usual.  I'm afraid something similar would happen if I had spectators at one of my shoots.

Fotographia Fantastique wrote:

My response wasn't a smart aleck [sic] response - I still think you can learn a lot from what has already been written on the subject rather than starting a new thread. Also, CLT's recommendation was for a reason and I'm sure you see that now.

+1

Danielle Hieronimi wrote:
You'll be fine. You're 20 years old. If I can do it, so can you.

ontherocks wrote:
had a great shoot yesterday with a model who had just turned 19. she said she was very nervous (first time she had worked with anyone beyond friends of the family). she didn't bring an escort (or driver) and wound up staying for 4 hours and we got some amazing shots. she said the pictures were much better than she expected so i think she's glad she overcame her shyness and fears. there's so much bad press these days we kind of overlook the fact that a lot of shoots happen without incident.





That's great! I love working with photographers that make me feel safe! Usually my escort meets my photographer with me and if I'm comfortable will come back after the shoot. If I shoot with them again I usually won't bring a photographer the second time around.

Krisna Fretwell  wrote:
I don't bring males (unless its my fiancé under certain circumstances but him being a llama he knows not to get I the shoot).

Well that makes it all better..

Did you know that almost every llama I've shot with who's escort was a problem turned out to be the guy she said won't interfere?

Krisna Fretwell  wrote:
If I shoot with them again I usually won't bring a photographer the second time around.

Why would you bring a photographer to a photoshoot?

Looknsee Photography wrote:

Ken Marcus Studios wrote:
What a great idea for a forum discussion . . . .

My studio is a good sized room, but all the lighting equipment tends to fill it up quickly.  It's not really set up for spectating.  There really isn't a spot where a spectator can sit and be able to see what's going on.

I'm pretty sure that everyone in the room has to have a purpose, and that purpose has to be contributing to the production of the photographs.  Spectators will get in the way, look over my shoulder, and draw my attention away from the work at hand.  I wouldn't want it.  (Escorts, on the other hand, are there to make the model comfortable, and in some cases, a comfortable model is easier to work with).

A month or so ago, I hosted a little 'mini-workshop' -- I invited 3 photographers & one model in to show the photographers how to work with studio strobes.  It was great.  The photographers learned a lot.  But during the session, we photographers were talking together a lot, and we spent a lot of time looking at the images on our cameras' LCD screens.  As a result, we paid less attention to the model.  The model was terrific -- very attractive & experience, but we created a lot of "dead eyes" pictures because we weren't giving the model as much attention as usual.  I'm afraid something similar would happen if I had spectators at one of my shoots.

I used to have a studio that I shared with three other photographers and my band as a co-op situation.  I don't recall the exact number of square footage, but it was something like 2,000 or more?   I had a kitchen to one side, a reception area and enough space to have two shoots going simultaneously!  The place was huge! 

Now that would have been an ideal place to do such a thing as hold workshops, or even put up some chairs to the side.  I was the one who found the place for our little group, and responsible for scheduling.  This was back in 1992, and the place was going to be demolished when the last tenants lease ran out, so it was a temporary situation.  Otherwise, I think a shared studio situation can work when it's a large enough place.

I don't mean to go off subject too much, but about your lighting, why don't you bolt it to the ceiling?  You are shooting with cordless, right?  If your lighting is making your studio feel crowded, there are solutions for that.  You've got me curious as to your set up is all.

New Century Studio wrote:
Grown ups please, be for escorts, or against them, and conduct your business accordingly, just don't write about it anymore.

How about we start charging people for writing about escorts?  People seem to LOVE this subject so much!  Someone would make a mint!  I still say we should start charging people who want to go watch a shoot. 

Naughty Ties wrote:
Wow, after the way the last escort thread you were in went you started another one? OP, it seems like you're looking for justification for the baby sitter mentality you have on the subject and you've seen how the vast majority of photographers feel so please either shoot with people who allow escorts or don't but please stop looking for people to agree with you by starting this up again.

Yes.

Naughty Ties wrote:
Wow, after the way the last escort thread you were in went you started another one? OP, it seems like you're looking for justification for the baby sitter mentality you have on the subject and you've seen how the vast majority of photographers feel so please either shoot with people who allow escorts or don't but please stop looking for people to agree with you by starting this up again.

I didn't write about escorts in a previous thread. Someone decided to spin what I was saying into something entirely different. Please read things thuroughly before jumping into a conversation. Thank you

Caitin   wrote:
Smart!

Amateur

John Jebbia wrote:
Amateur

Booger Eater

Patrick Walberg wrote:
How about we start charging people for writing about llama herders?  People seem to LOVE this subject so much!  Someone would make a mint!  I still say we should start charging people who want to go watch a shoot. 

I was waiting to see your response on this subject, Patrick. LOL

Krisna Fretwell  wrote:
I didn't write about escorts in a previous thread. Someone decided to spin what I was saying into something entirely different. Please read things thuroughly before jumping into a conversation. Thank you

"As for bringing an escort.. That is a safety issue and I will not by any means compromise my safety."

That was a quote by you in that other thread where you justify your many demands. So, yes, you did write about escorts in a previous thread.

Krisna Fretwell  wrote:
I didn't write about escorts in a previous thread. Someone decided to spin what I was saying into something entirely different. Please read things thuroughly before jumping into a conversation. Thank you

Michael Pandolfo wrote:
"As for bringing an escort.. That is a safety issue and I will not by any means compromise my safety."

That was a quote by you in that other thread where you justify your many demands. So, yes, you did write about escorts in a previous thread.

You are exposing her as being an active fear monger.  It's very sad that so many people are scared to death of each other!  It's almost as though the Internet was invented so that people could sit at home and frighten themselves over what they have learned "could happen" if they step outside their door.  A "safety issue?"  Believe me, times were never like this before the Internet!  All the places I've been, and things I've done!! I don't know how I survived so long!   

David Shinobi  wrote:
I will say this....

If theres one constant thing you can count on in Model Mayhem is theres always an escort thread.

Anyone got a running count on what number this one is so far this year?

24,7001.0005!

Krisna Fretwell  wrote:
That's great! I love working with photographers that make me feel safe! Usually my llama herder meets my photographer with me and if I'm comfortable will come back after the shoot. If I shoot with them again I usually won't bring a photographer the second time around.

Tony Lawrence wrote:
I've often found that models who constantly need friends and escorts to go to shoots with them are a bit immature.   Part of being a adult is doing things without the support of friends nearby and the safety net they offer.   Its also a tad selfish to tie someone else up for a hours long photo shoot and expect them too be cool with reading a book or playing on a tablet.   Have a friend drop you off and pick you up but unless you are a child do you really need someone you know watching you as you work.   These things tend too sort themselves out though.   Most models who demand escorts don't model much at least the truthful ones or they grow the fuc$ up and learn to do things on their own.

Very few here who require escorts model very long.

+1

David Shinobi  wrote:
Anyone got a running count on what number this one is so far this year?

I started counting but lost track at 17, I blame the public schools for my inability to count any higher!