DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> Under age modeling?
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 25 of 28, (reverse)
AuthorThread
03/22/2007 01:44:05 PM · #1
I was asked by a mother to do some modeling shots of her 16yo daughter, including semi nude - nude photos! I declined as I felt uncomfterable with the idea and didn't even know if it was legal or not!

I found out it is leagal (as long as it has no sexual meaning) but I dunno still think it would be weird!

What about you all? Would you consider a nude shot with a 16yo (and parent present) Very artistic and all that!

This is the second time I was asked a question like this (although one of them was in the US so I didn't even consider that) and I don't know, it's leagal but I don't think I'd be comfterable with it, what if she regretted it later?!?! Is this becoming a comon thing?

I know there are some famus photographers that do that kind of stuff (like sally mann) but I don't know...

just want to get some opinions and discussions going...
03/22/2007 01:49:14 PM · #2
Wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole. Even if I were comfortable with it, there is way too much "social stigma" in today's atmosphere and too many gungho prosecuting lawyers looking to make a name for themselves.

Nope, won't do it and I have been asked quite a few times.
03/22/2007 01:52:06 PM · #3
"semi-nude" could be a swimsuit and I think that would be okay, but if she means bra & panties --- or less.......NO WAY!
03/22/2007 01:56:18 PM · #4
Sounds like you made the right choice. None of the parties (photographer/model/parent) should be uncomfortable with the situation. This causes tension that ends up coloring the session.

There are artists that can pull this off, but I think I'd find it very challenging.

At the very least, I'd also say the photographer should CYA by having an "Assistant" in the room the whole session.
03/22/2007 02:09:18 PM · #5
It would depend on a LOT of factors for me I suppose.... what kind of nudes they wanted (just shape and form) and who all would be there... most of all, I would be curious as to what they were going to do with the shots... if it were for a modeling portfolio I would be a lot less nervous about doing it than if it were gonna be put on MySpace... if Mom says okay, they might have decent intentions though...

As stated above, if you are uncomfortable, "Just say NO" :D

Just my 2 cents :)
03/22/2007 02:23:28 PM · #6
Originally posted by idnic:

"semi-nude" could be a swimsuit and I think that would be okay, but if she means bra & panties --- or less.......NO WAY!


INDEED! ... What Cindi said ...
03/22/2007 02:24:09 PM · #7
Before you take any pictures, you must have a model release specifically designed for minors (I think I have a sample somewhere), signed by both the model and the parent/legal guardian. You also need a written contract which includes indemnifying language, ownership, and terms of use.

These should all be standard procedure for any paid shoot, but would seem especially important in this type of situation.
03/22/2007 02:40:42 PM · #8
Stay well away from this request! I can understand a parent wanting some portrait or full fashion shot but semi-nude/nude at that age sounds very strange to me.

Mike
03/22/2007 02:52:26 PM · #9
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ... Nooooo ....Nooooooo

Yieks !!!!

The mother wants you to do nudes of her 16yr old daughter.....

Don't walk but RUN from that one !!!!

03/22/2007 02:54:11 PM · #10
depends a lot where you are. In Texas it would be illegal, even with the parent's permission (you'd both be guilty in fact)

Just requires the DA to want to press charges
03/22/2007 02:55:58 PM · #11
There are some strange human beings in this world.... why on earth does she want nudes of her own daughter... ? good advice from above RUUUUUUUUUNNN!!!!!!!!!
03/22/2007 02:56:59 PM · #12
Originally posted by Gordon:


Just requires the DA to want to press charges


Exactly.
03/22/2007 03:06:21 PM · #13
You live in Iceland, right? I don't know what the laws are there, but I would be very hesitant to get involved with the photoshoot. Even with semi-nude there can be a grey area, as evidenced by the controversy over some sexually suggestive Calvin Klein ads.
03/22/2007 03:36:48 PM · #14
It also depends on the culture and what their definition of semi-nude is. I mean, it could simply mean removing the burka and posing with bare feet.

That said, I think you probably did the right thing. Though I am not so much inclined to say run but rather take the opportunity to encourage a more positive direction.

Express that you (plural: photographer/model) can achieve excellent photos that portray the daughter's beauty without the need for nudity. Most advertisers are not looking for nude models but those that can portray beauty while marketing their garments and accessories.

So let's focus on that artistic avenue....
03/22/2007 04:01:43 PM · #15
I actually have a different take on this. I think as long as nothing is showing and the parent and child understand what they are doing, I can see it being as artistic as shooting any nude model. When most people think nude,(except on this site) they're mind instantly goes to "sexual", but I don't think it has to be that way if it's done well. Also, the girl is 16, it's not as if she doesn't know what she's doing.

As for the semi-nude issue, I personally define that as being nude, but having all the "naughty bits" covered. Besides, what's the difference between a bikini bathing suit, and a bra and panties? Visually, not much, it's only the meaning behind them that makes the difference to people.

Just my opinion *run's away screaming "don't kill me!*

Message edited by author 2007-03-22 16:02:20.
03/22/2007 04:05:00 PM · #16
In my mind it's more about avoiding any possibility of liability. Why take the risk?

edit to add: of course if they were paying millions AND it was done tastefully and legally, that might be different. Are they paying millions? :)

Message edited by author 2007-03-22 16:06:12.
03/22/2007 04:54:35 PM · #17
yeah semi nudes aka naughty bits hidden...but yeah appearantly they are a very..open family and want to capture the beuty of nudity just for personal use! I kind of undersand that but again I don't know if I'd be up for it due to the age! I like doing nude shots but dunno just don't want to be arrested or sum!

Btw if anyone here is from Montana would feel comfterable shooting a 16yo the other one wants a photographer...
03/22/2007 05:03:07 PM · #18
Originally posted by Blue Moon:

I actually have a different take on this. I think as long as nothing is showing and the parent and child understand what they are doing, I can see it being as artistic as shooting any nude model. When most people think nude,(except on this site) they're mind instantly goes to "sexual", but I don't think it has to be that way if it's done well. Also, the girl is 16, it's not as if she doesn't know what she's doing.


Unfortunately, at least in (parts of) the US, it isn't up to the photographer, the girl or the parents to decide what is 'okay'.

It may well be different in Iceland though.
03/22/2007 05:09:54 PM · #19
Originally posted by DogAngel:

yeah semi nudes aka naughty bits hidden...but yeah appearantly they are a very..open family and want to capture the beuty of nudity just for personal use! I kind of undersand that but again I don't know if I'd be up for it due to the age! I like doing nude shots but dunno just don't want to be arrested or sum!

Btw if anyone here is from Montana would feel comfterable shooting a 16yo the other one wants a photographer...


Well on that note I have been in a nudest camp/beach in Canada with everyone from babies to grandmothers buck nekkid and many carrying cameras, but I was not one of them.
03/23/2007 11:39:28 PM · #20
Hmmm. I'd certainly be careful about it. I'd want to discuss with both the model and her mother what sort of shots they were wanting to do well before the shoot. And having an assistant of your own, plus the model's mother, present during the shoot. I'd also have some sort of contract signed BEFORE the shoot acknowledging that I had been asked to shoot nude photos, and another contract reviewed beforehand but signed after the shoot covering rights etc. I'd also get some legal advice.

That said, I would be MORE comfortable doing a nude shoot of a 16-yo than doing bra-and-panties shots. Nudes can be artistic without being overtly sexual, but a bra-and-panties shot sounds far more sexualised to me, and more likely to veer towards the pornographic.

At one stage when I was looking for participants in certain images I was trying to create (and that required some nudity), one of the people I was talking to mentioned that a family he knew had had a nude family portrait taken of them together (two parents, three kids, can't remember ages about around the 5-15 range). He described it as very artistic and psychologically interesting (he's a professional counsellor), but he didn't consider it pornographic or otherwise deviant. The family was still careful about who they allowed to see it, though, understanding the nude=pornographic viewpoint some people have.
03/24/2007 12:15:23 AM · #21
Also, you'll probably have to print them yourself -- getting them printed at a lab would send up red flags skyrockets to the lab personnel.
03/24/2007 12:37:48 AM · #22
Sorry, too many possible legal rammifications for me, why bother? Tell them to wait two years and come back...sorry but your reputation is the most important thing you have going for you as a photographer, if it is legal it doesn't really matter if the rest of the paying public disagrees....you are SUNK!!! Run!!! far far away!! Just my opinion...
08/23/2007 02:24:20 PM · #23
i'm with blue moon, i mean if the parents ask you to do it and the model of course is also fine with that, then where's the problem. you're only going to give em to the family and nothing else right?
i think if the parents underwrite some sort of contract or something, then you should be fine, too.

and for the photography, i think 16 yo's can be really different, some are very mature and some behave like kids, so i think you should check her out first and talk to her anf find out if she is "ready" for something challenging like a nude shooting. but i got to know a lot of icelandic girls and their lifestyle, and in my experience most of those young girls were really selfconfident and mature for their age...;)

but who knows, just wanted to share my 00,2$...

ETA: ...and looking through your portfolio it should'nt be a problem to handle a challenging nude shooting for you neither...

Message edited by author 2007-08-23 14:26:45.
08/23/2007 02:38:48 PM · #24
yikes

Originally posted by DogAngel:

...but yeah appearantly they are a very..open family and want to capture the beuty of nudity just for personal use!
08/23/2007 02:54:15 PM · #25
The amount of jokes I could make right now is making my brain hurt, but I did receive a similar email from a 14 year old girl asking for me to "make her a model" by taking shots of her in her bikini and stuff. To me it just smelled like an episode of TO CATCH A PREDATOR waiting to happen so I told her to come back in a few years.
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 03/28/2024 06:00:44 AM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Prints! - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2024 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 03/28/2024 06:00:44 AM EDT.