Skip to main content

Playing it Safe

I can't stress enough how important it is to have an escort or friend along when going to a shoot. If you're underage, then obviously you'll need to have a parent or guardian present but this isn't always the case if you're older and/or freelancing.

As I've stated in a previous post, networking or corresponding with any photographer for shoots, tfps/tfcds is a necessary building block for your portfolio and career, but until you meet that person, he/she is a stranger.

It's always best to play it safe and arrange to meet with the photographer in person BEFORE you shoot together. Everyone has busy schedules and there will be times when this is not an option but I've found that making contact with a photographer beforehand really makes things go a lot smoother.

Get to know him/her and ask to look at past work and use that time to ask any questions, as well as to let the photographer know what you will and will not do and what your comfort zones are. You should always meet in a public setting, like a Starbucks or other cafe/restaurant type of setting (never meet a photographer in his/her house unless you have someone with you, but even then you should insist on meeting in a public place).

This will serve you especially well if you can't bring someone with you to the meeting. Ask if the shoot will be indoors, outdoors or a bit of both. If you'll be shooting in a studio, ask where the location of the studio is. It could be in a building with other studios or it could be in the photographer's house.

When it comes time for the actual shoot, have someone with you for safety's sake. When it comes to freelancing or working with people not booked by your agent, there is ample room for something bad to happen. I highly suggest bringing an escort with you if you are under 21...or any age for that matter, but photographers with bad intentions tend to prey on younger, more naive girls under 21.

If you are going alone, let someone close to you (parent, sibling boyfriend/girlfriend, best friend) know the exact address or location of where you'll be at, as well as the name of the photographer and the photographer's contact information.

Be sure to mention to the photographer ahead of time that you will be bringing someone along with you. Do not ask if they allow escorts, simply say in casual conversation that you will be bringing someone and see how they react. If the photographer has no problem with it, then you're good to go. But if he/she hesitates or tries to assure you that you don't need to bring anyone, be cautious.

Sometimes photographers have their own people present at the shoot, like a makeup artist or assistant and that's fine but even then, most won't have a problem with you having an escort. The best photographers encourage models to bring an extra person along. This also helps the shoot because having an extra set of hands makes things go a lot easier. So prepare your escort/companion by telling them they may be doing some hands on work, but nothing physically demanding.

If you are bringing a boyfriend or girlfriend, please be sure that they are not the jealous type who will be more of a distraction than an asset on a shoot. Sit him/her down and explain the concept of the shoot, the outfits you'll be wearing and what he/she should expect.

No matter who you bring along, make sure it is someone you trust. There is no such thing as being too careful. It's always better to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. That's just the times we live in today, unfortunately.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Modeling and Weight

One of the first things I hear potential models ask is what the weight requirement for modeling is. Sometimes that is the main issue they worry about when it comes to pursuing modeling. Let me tell you right now that weight should NOT be one of those concerns. Obviously, the height requirement reigns supreme when measuring up to the modeling standards sought out by agencies. If you meet the height requirements--whether it's for fashion and runway or commercial/print--that is the first step towards starting on the path to modeling. How much you weigh shouldn't be your biggest fear. It is rare that anyone can look at someone and say, "Oh, my gosh, he/she looks like they are 5 pounds over our weight requirement!" It just isn't realistic. If you look at many modeling agency websites, they clearly list the age and height requirements--rarely, if at all do they list any weight restrictions. The general rule of thumb when it comes to weight is that for models who ...

Modeling & Pay Rates: How Much Should You Charge?

(This post is more targeted towards freelance models and not those with agency representation, although it may apply to those that have an agent but continue to find their own work.) A part of being a successful model is making money from the jobs that you book. However, being a freelance model comes with many challenges--figuring out what you should charge is one of them. I will say upfront that there are no established black and white rules when it comes to pay rates. Each modeling job is different, each client is different and budgets vary. Ultimately the factors that should influence what you charge should be the amount of experience you have, the strength of the images in your portfolio and the client's budget/needs. Not every client is going to pay what you want to charge. There may be times when you will be skipped over for charging too much or taken advantage of for charging too little. It's going to happen so be prepared for it and do not take it personally. It...

Want to Be a Victoria's Secret Model?

(*Due to the number of comments and questions I get from aspiring models about working for VS, please be sure to read my post on this very carefully. If you don't meet all of these requirements then you cannot become a model for VS. If you are not tall enough, if you are not signed to a top agency, your chances are not good.  If you don't meet the requirements, please don't be too upset about it. Find another field of modeling you may be good for. There are plenty of other modeling opportunities for models outside of being a VS angel. They may not be as good or as well-known as VS but it's better than nothing.) I know I’d jump at the chance to be offered a gig modeling for Victoria’s Secret (although I think they’d be irritated by Photoshopping my stretch marks HAHA, yeah, I said it, I’ve got stretch marks!). All silliness aside, the gals of Victoria’s Secret are probably the inspiration for a majority of aspiring models out there. Not only do they get to wear the s...