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How do you handle 'escorts' in a home studio?
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? Oct 20 11 09:46 pm Link I generally dont like them but I don't mind if a model wants to feel safe. So long as the escort stays out of my way and/or help around then all is ok. But if they want to have an input in the shoot then it's a no go. Oct 20 11 09:50 pm Link I've had plenty of escorts in my home, and they've never caused any problems. Oct 20 11 09:59 pm Link i would keep them caged up! Oct 20 11 09:59 pm Link 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. Oct 20 11 09:59 pm Link I wouldn't do it. That's your space and your gear. Tell the escort to go get a bite to eat, or go sightseeing during the shoot time. Oct 20 11 10:03 pm Link I meet with all of my models prior to a shoot to let them get the feel for who I am hence no escorts allowed unless it's a parent and even them I use them to hold my light stands :-) Had a case long time ago where the "escort" was actually their friend who wanted to learn photography and of course they forgot to mention the fact. Don't know about you but if I'm gonna share my knowledge, I'd like to at least know that I'm doing it. Oct 20 11 10:07 pm Link Yeah my wife is in the house. She doesn't like the idea either. It's just the dudes are young and I was young too. I don't want the bad boys in my house. But maybe I have it all wrong and the guys are really nice normal guys that the models like to date? Oct 20 11 10:09 pm Link Had plenty and never had problems, for the most part they bring in female friends and it works out if working with a female, as they can help adjust , hair, makeup, hold reflector etc. - Shoot well, Joe Oct 20 11 10:10 pm Link Seville Media wrote: That's terrible they brought someone to get you to give a lesson. That must have been distracting lol.. Oct 20 11 10:13 pm Link Escorts (and models) enter my house through a door that leads directly to the "studio" and they stay there for the duration. There is nothing for them to see or "play with" at all so no reason to worry they will be back to take the toys. Bizou Photography wrote: Oct 20 11 10:15 pm Link It might be much less expensive to hire a real model than to replace what the guy rips off while his g/f is distracting you in the studio. And the real model would be more likely to help you develop your photography skills as well. Oct 20 11 10:15 pm Link Maybe find a model that wont bring one.. I dont necessarily blame her it is your home.. not a public place.. Maybe set up a lunch so she'll feel ok to come alone when its time to shoot. Sometimes you just have to have a little faith. I understand being careful but.. I dont mind escorts as I always put them to work.  But there has been some BF's around for other shoots I was on MU for and he got pissy at the shoot.. But I also have a studio.. Oct 20 11 10:18 pm Link Howick Image Studio wrote: I'm actually very open to this. Could you tell me a rough ball park how much I should be paying and for how much time would I need? Oct 20 11 10:19 pm Link Bizou Photography wrote: Post a casting call describing what you are looking for: Oct 20 11 10:22 pm Link You said the keys already. You are not comfortable with the idea and YOUR WIFE is not comfortable with the idea. IMO, that is enough all by itself. I understand some models want escorts so they can feel safe, but YOU get to "feel safe" also. If you are spending your time wondering whether the escort is going to cause a problem in your home, you wont be able to do your best work. Politely decline or suggest a location shoot. My $0.02. Oct 20 11 10:23 pm Link Main question to ask yourself......Does your insurance cover an escort if he gets hurt in your home? Most homeowners insurance will not cover someone at your home for business such as a home studio. I also have a home studio and had to get seperate insurance to conduct business in my home, even TF is considered a business transaction according to most home owners policies. My home owners wouldn't cover a model or anyone that got hurt in my home studio. Do you have a bathroom in your basement? If not and the escort needs to go then you are allowing someone unescorted to roam your main home. Not a good idea. Not sayng escorts are thiefs however one never knows. On another note, escorts are always a bad idea in a studio cause they can trip over equipment, get in the way, hurry the model, be an ass, tend to want to direct the model and so forth. Boyfriends are the worse. Of course all models claim that their BF's are the best, supportive, won't get in the way and blah, blah, blah however most of us here know that is not the case at all. Another point, you are allowing a stranger to know where you live and who knows. He may come back when you are not home and rip you off. It has happened. Another question, what if he has drugs on him and decides to go out in the yard and fire up a fattie? I had that happen and my neighbor who is a cop was out in his backyard. Didn't need the cops however I got them anyway. Alot to consider when allowing strangers into your home that have nothing to do with modeling except being some white knight. I stopped allowing escorts in my home studio a long time ago cause most of the time it was simply a hassle. Oct 20 11 10:34 pm Link Bizou Photography wrote: If you're that concerned about her escort, then bring your own escort and you should feel safe. Oct 20 11 10:54 pm Link Bizou Photography wrote: They don't get in the door Oct 20 11 10:58 pm Link I had the escort on dog duty. they both fell asleep on the couch. Oct 20 11 10:59 pm Link I think it is a good idea that he see what she is shooting so they can make sure everything is ok with the both of them as far as "limits" go and plus some couples like to have " fun " together by doing glamour shoots and tagging along. Have him help out ! Worst thing you can do is have her boyfriend jealous or think you are " talking " her into something. I have even heard of boyfriends to try and get the girls to do more " frisky " photos ! Oct 20 11 11:09 pm Link have them hold/stand behind a very very large reflector. keeps 'em busy, and blind. Oct 20 11 11:10 pm Link If you are so worried about someone with bad intentions , don't shoot in your home period. You will have happen to you what you believe. Since you are starting out, you are likely dealing with less than professional models, and all sorts of good and bad things can happen. You're not confortable with it, then you already know what to do. You might want to reconsider models too though as they can also scout out locations for their BFs. Oct 20 11 11:21 pm Link Cherrystone wrote: OK I've actually been reading over model profiles (not just looking at pics) and they very angirly say that they MUST have an escort with them and promise they won't get in the way. Oct 20 11 11:31 pm Link I've shot in my home for 7 years. main floor room 16'X30'. lots of escorts, all kinds. plenty of spouses and BF's. I keep everyone in the studio unless they go to the Bathroom. all other doors are closed and locked. I have both the model and the escort sign my 'model agreement' [which was written by a lawyer]. the MA states that the model and escorts are responsible for any injuries that occur.period. I reinforce that aspect of the shoot verbally and highlight it on the agreement with a yellow marker. SO far I have had no problems. Oct 20 11 11:31 pm Link Bizou Photography wrote: You ought look at more profiles. Oct 20 11 11:35 pm Link Cherrystone wrote: Yes thank you for reminding me. Oct 20 11 11:39 pm Link I just noticed you've been on MM for one day. I'll make some suggestions. You have no references, so if your trying to work with lesser experienced models that are not saavy at checking folks out, you could run into brick walls. Find some well known & experienced models in your area and hire them. Hire them as in pay them. Trust me, it will be $$ well spent in a number of ways. They you have some actual model images in your port, and someone you can use as a reference. The snowball for you will then start rolling. Good luck. Oct 20 11 11:44 pm Link Bizou Photography wrote: Asking if their images are representative of their CURRENT look should be a question you ask earlier on. Oct 20 11 11:48 pm Link If you want to shoot with a particular model and they are firm about bringing an escort, try these techniques: 1. go to the next model 2. give the model references to check--which the model should be doing anyway 3. go to the next model 4. do a location shoot with that model and bring a friend of your own 5. go to the next model 6. offer to let the escort come into the studio for 15 min, then leave and come back to get the model when the shoot is finished. 7. offer to let the escort come in for a few minutes and the model to call the escort after the first set you shoot. hopefully the model knows how to use a 'safety word' that tells the escort if she is in trouble. That technique is used in a lot of 'stranger meet' situations--example--dating online and meeting a date for the first time. 8. go to the next model. 9. I send all models a 'info sheet'-pre written and stored in my documents--I paste and copy to the model in a msg. the sheet includes several comments about the escort 'working' during the whole shoot,being 18 with a photo ID which will be copied, staying in the studio, being a gofer for everything, if they disrupt the shoot the session is cancelled, etc. 10. go to the next model. 11. and GO TO THE NEXT MODEL. hope one or more of these 'tactics' help. Oct 20 11 11:48 pm Link If your house is the studio location, you will have to accept that many models will not be comfortable there. You have zero modeling photos or model photography experience and eliminating all models that would reasonably want an escort will be very limiting. You will likely have to pay, be more flexible, or find a different location. There is no good reason that an emerging model will shoot with you vs the 1038 other photographers in your area. Oct 20 11 11:49 pm Link Cherrystone wrote: damn, I FORGOT to check the OP's info/portfolio AGAIN----good advice! Oct 20 11 11:49 pm Link If he's a hipster, give him a slice of pizza. It will fascinate him for hours. Hipsters like triangles for some reason. Oct 20 11 11:49 pm Link 'Escorts' to my home studio must a) Mow the lawn, trim the hedges, and edge the yard. Perhaps wash my cars if the shoot runs long. b) Not show up. Pick one. Oct 20 11 11:52 pm Link I often let the escort run the music--like a DJ. plenty of other 'jobs' for them to do but the DJ thing keeps them busy and they feel 'important'......[grins] Oct 20 11 11:54 pm Link Micyl Sweeney wrote: A very legit concern that is often overlooked by those that say, "Well, I have allowed escorts, and never had any problems". Oct 20 11 11:54 pm Link Awesometographer wrote: best i've seen in an escort thread. thanks Oct 20 11 11:55 pm Link Neil Snape wrote: doesn't this also apply to the model that insists on bringing an escort "just in case"? Oct 20 11 11:56 pm Link Micyl Sweeney wrote: Main question to ask yourself......Does your insurance cover an escort if he gets hurt in your home? A very legit concern that is often overlooked by those that say, "Well, I have allowed escorts, and never had any problems". Allowing escorts can bring some unique liability/safety risks that many are understandably unwilling to accept. As I stated earlier, my model agreement was written by a lawyer. There is a paragraph that addresses the injury thing in thick legalese. both the model and the escort read and sign the MA. both must be 18 with photo ID. I have had several businesses in my home before and used a similar signed document each time. I'm 54, never had an injury in my home or a problem. I also worked in medicine for 30 years and never had a patient injury on my watch--its a matter of being prepared NOT to have injuries, being totally focused on safety to begin with, and keeping the proper documentation religiously. Its always possible for shit to happen, but keep the odds on your side and have paperwork to support your position. Oct 21 11 12:01 am Link Image K wrote: Glad you're here, take over with the other questions I just didn't feel like answering about the E word. Oct 21 11 12:04 am Link |
