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DPChallenge Forums >> Business of Photography >> Sanity Check - Shooting models with escorts
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 02/20/2008 08:38:01 AM · #1
I need a sanity check to make sure I'm not just going crazy or making a mistake that could make the model uncomfortable (we know that if a model is uncomfortable it shows in the camera). So here is the situation.

I set up a shoot with a model. The shoot is in a motel room, covering a couple of styles. Where basically I left it from Fashion down to what she is comfortable shooting because the series I'm shooting could cover all stlyes (except playboy or erotic nude type shots). Mostly editorial and artistic fashion, lingerie, glamour ectera. So once we set up the shoot, date, location, etc. She asks can she bring a escort. Of course I have no problem if my model brings an escort at all...as i told her, as long as she is comfortable shooting in front of the escort and they don't interfere with the shoot. I also mentioned that the motel room will probably be small, so the escort will have to move alot and may be required to step outside at times. Her next email names two escorts she will be bringing.

If I'm worried about one escort being in the way, shouldn't she think two would definitely be in the way. Am I wrong for asking her to narrow it down to just one escort....especially the two escorts are her mom and her fiancee two of which have the potential to make her nervous??? (Oh yeah, she is a new model).
02/20/2008 08:42:19 AM · #2
I think she probably freaked at the motel room. Give her some references, this may get her escorts down to 1 at least. I would so say no on the Mum though.
 02/20/2008 08:42:27 AM · #3
Let her bring them, especially if she does not know you well as it will make her feel MORE comfortable. Learning that you will be in a small motel room could potentially be disconcerting for both her and her significant others who will have a huge impact on her decisions to continue modeling.

Your mission is to help her feel as comfortable as possible in this situation and with your professionalism so that next time she will feel comfortable enough to fly solo and trust that the camera is not just a prop for some other intention.

(ETA: ...but make sure her entourage is not coaching or interfering with your direction...they need to be silent observers.)

Message edited by author 2008-02-20 08:44:26.
 02/20/2008 08:45:36 AM · #4
Do you know these people? It sounds to me like maybe YOU need an escort in that situation.

02/20/2008 09:29:28 AM · #5
Citymars offers some good NYC advice there! ;-)
 02/20/2008 09:36:56 AM · #6
Well...I guess I should put a message in here on how we got together for this shoot. I'm on a website that gets models and photographers together, in which i have many many more photos up ( //www.onemodelplace.com/hawthora ) . On my profile it had a couple of ideas that I was looking to shoot. One of them being the motel shoot. I saved her as a model that I wanted to shoot with. She contacted me later saying she wanted to do the motel shoot. So all the location and everything was discussed ahead of time.

I always like to make my models feel comfortable. And many of my models I have worked with more than once (as you can see even in my dpc profile. I've entered the one model Raissa in about 10 different challenges over 2 years). Make sure again, that I have no problem with escorts. Just too many escorts will be an issue of having room to shoot. I did a similar shoot (with the model Raissa...go figure) and the two of us in the room was a chore for us having enough room, stepping over cords, and knocking lights over (i only use work lights or natural light...no studio lights). So trying to fit 4 people in a small room....you can imagine my concern.

What if I told her that her escorts (at least one) needs to stand outside (in 23 degree weather)?

haha...she's already said her mom will be living vicariously through her....BAD SIGN!!!! And the fiancee on top of that...I think I'd feel more comfortable if she just hired some big 300lb gorilla of a man to be her bodyguard...lol.
02/20/2008 09:39:39 AM · #7
Sounds like a lot of hassel, what if the shot you want invovles nakedness? The Mum or the boyfriend may object. Maybe you should just look into getting another model?
 02/20/2008 09:41:20 AM · #8
Needing an escort comes down to lack of trust. If a model trusts you she wouldn't need an escort. You need to resolve what's missing in your conversations with your model(s) that they are insecure.
 02/20/2008 09:46:02 AM · #9
And you need two friends (gorillas) who can come with you and hang outside the door just to make sure you are safe. Citymars has a very good point.
 02/20/2008 09:54:14 AM · #10
Originally posted by JulietNN:
Sounds like a lot of hassel, what if the shot you want invovles nakedness? The Mum or the boyfriend may object. Maybe you should just look into getting another model?


Nakedness would be up to the models comfort, which was also in the discussion ahead of time. At this stage, even if she is comfortable with nudity, I'll probably be uncomfortable with 4 eyes glaring at me. My concern is the glamour shots more than nudity. I doubt she'll even consider that in front of her mom.

And I hate cancelling shoots last second. I had to cancel a series of shoots in January because my job sent me on travel.
 02/20/2008 09:57:37 AM · #11
then i dont see that you have much choice really
 02/20/2008 09:58:54 AM · #12
Get someone you trust to accompany you. If you are alone and the model and her two escorts start making false accusations against you for whatever reason, you are in deep shit.
 02/20/2008 10:54:52 AM · #13
Originally posted by doctornick:
Get someone you trust to accompany you. If you are alone and the model and her two escorts start making false accusations against you for whatever reason, you are in deep shit.

That's a good point, but MAN, that room's getting crowded!
 02/20/2008 11:00:31 AM · #14
Originally posted by Louis:
Originally posted by doctornick:
Get someone you trust to accompany you. If you are alone and the model and her two escorts start making false accusations against you for whatever reason, you are in deep shit.

That's a good point, but MAN, that room's getting crowded!

Make them all stand in the shower?
 02/20/2008 11:01:15 AM · #15
I think you're going to need a suite, not just a room.

Maybe you can make up the additional cost by selling tickets.
 02/20/2008 11:04:38 AM · #16
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
I think you're going to need a suite, not just a room.

Maybe you can make up the additional cost by selling tickets.

Not like to get an amateur to shoot nude/glamour in that case which means you have to hire a 'professional' to keep your ticket holders happy...
 02/20/2008 11:10:36 AM · #17
I have worked with models from Model Mayhem in the past and most of them request that they bring an escort. I have had no problems with this and everything worked out fine. However I also asked the models for references and contacted the photographers they worked with. This is when it may also be a good idea to hire or see if you can get a MUA to do a TFCD deal. That way your covered in case of any false accusations plus you get the bonus of make up for your models making you look more professionals and capturing better images.

Jsut some thoughts.

Message edited by author 2008-02-20 11:39:05.
 02/20/2008 11:38:44 AM · #18
Just so you know. It was easier than I thought. Just told her that the room was too small for two and she'd have to choose just one escort. She said no problem....at least for now.

I've worked with models from Model Mayhem and OMP and have never had a problem. I've even worked with models in other countries and never had a problem. Not to say that in the future there may not be a problem....but so far no problems at all. Especially since most of my shots are either outside or with an open window. This shoot won't be much different as I plan on having an open window and maybe an open door(because I don't have studio lights).

I don't mind new models bringing escorts. Never have. The model is supposed to be a MUA and i always (at least try) give quality photos, so they are happy. It's hard or near impossible to ask for a reference when working with a new models....because well they may not have worked with a photographer before. For small locations like these what i probably should do is invest in a video camera to have in the background and record the shoot.

I do eventually want to work with MUA's, but it's pretty hard finding MUA's willing to work on a TFCD basis. I'll save that for when it's warmer out or when I'm working in a larger environment.

Spazmo99 - shots from a hotel suite in canada to be coming soon. Preview could be the photo titled keeping cool on my profile....but the next ones will be fully edited.

eug - what if I'm shooting in the shower???
02/20/2008 11:56:31 AM · #19
Originally posted by albc28:
I do eventually want to work with MUA's, but it's pretty hard finding MUA's willing to work on a TFCD basis.

[...snip...]

eug - what if I'm shooting in the shower???

Have you tried contacting local cosmetology schools? There have to be a few students that would be willing to do TF* for their books.

That'll be one crowded shower, eh?
 02/20/2008 12:19:50 PM · #20
Don't assume that a mother and/or a fiance will be an inhibitor. I've seen both push/help the model just as often as I have seen them become a problem. I usually hand them a reflector and make them work.
 02/20/2008 01:30:55 PM · #21
Originally posted by _eug:
Needing an escort comes down to lack of trust. If a model trusts you she wouldn't need an escort. You need to resolve what's missing in your conversations with your model(s) that they are insecure.


I totally disagree. I do not have near as much experience as the OP in model shooting, but I do know that it is for the protection of BOTH the photog and the model to have someone else there when shooting a female subject. I always suggest it to the model myself.

I certainly do not need a person I have never met before (perhaps looking for attention or whatever issue you want to insert here) going around after the shoot saying that I came on to her or presurred her or worse.

I would look at the escort as a blessing, but would try to get it down to just one. I would simply state that there will not be room for two escorts, but that either one would be welcome. Hopefully she chooses the bf instead of the mother. :)

Let us know how it turns out.
 02/20/2008 01:44:28 PM · #22
She did choose the fiancee instead of the mother.
 02/24/2008 06:42:57 PM · #23
Originally posted by albc28:

I set up a shoot with a model. The shoot is in a motel room, covering a couple of styles. Where basically I left it from Fashion down to what she is comfortable shooting because the series I'm shooting could cover all stlyes (except playboy or erotic nude type shots). Mostly editorial and artistic fashion, lingerie, glamour ectera.

. . .

I do eventually want to work with MUA's, but it's pretty hard finding MUA's willing to work on a TFCD basis. I'll save that for when it's warmer out or when I'm working in a larger environment.


That probably has something to do with it. MUAs and hair stylists need to be able to benefit from the shoot in order to consider trade. Your description is vague and all over the map - it doesn't tell anyone anything about what you're intending to produce or how it can be used.
 02/24/2008 06:59:00 PM · #24
I'm not experienced in this, but I know of people who do this. The photographer prefers a female escort. It gets a little hard to handle when a model brings her boyfriend along and you ask her to do some poses the boyfriend isn't confortable with.

Also, you should have a female escort too, just to cover yourself in case there's a dispute.
 02/25/2008 12:09:13 PM · #25
OKay...the shoot was done. Her fiance was cool and played video games the whole shoot. I was still worried about her poses, but it turned out to be okay and we got some great shots in. And he wasn't bothersome at all. Turned out to be a fun shoot.
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