Dipping a Toe In

I promised, and boy do I deliver. This week's post is just what I foretold: a run-down on how to separate serious photographers from those who are looking for cheap thrills. There are those posing as professionals who are out to to get you to remove your clothing under the guise of a legitimate shoot and then use your material for ill, or worse. Sad, but true. If you go waaay back to my first article, you'll discover that I've been in one such sticky situation. And, like any good leader, I would rather you learn from my mistakes than go through the exact same thing. Therefore, you need to approach online photographer-model interaction the same way you'd approach internet dating: cautiously, and with your wits about you.

Spotting a Professional

So you've been approached by a photographer. The first step is to find out what they want. Do they have an idea of the kind of photographs they want to shoot? Ask about genre. Ask about wardrobe. Ask about rates, whether they are looking to pay or charge you. A professional will have answers to these questions...even if the answer sounds like, "Is there a look you're lacking in your portfolio? Let's shoot that."

Look at Their Portfolio

You want photographers to look at your pictures, right? Well, they want the same thing. We all create these online portfolios for one reason, and that's to show off what we can do. Pay attention to things like tacky or unflattering poses, bad lighting, and cluttered backgrounds. Sometimes these touches are for effect, but often if you see a reoccurring theme it could be a sign of amateurism. 

Check References

A wonderful photographer in North Jersey drilled this into my head. In fact, he's drilled it into other models' heads, too, even refusing to work with them until he verified that they had checked at least three of the references he provided. 

Why do this? You can learn a lot about a photographer's habits and behavior when talking to models they've worked with before. Models tend to be very forthcoming about things like inappropriate touching and speaking...just the way they're vocal about photographers with whom they love working. 

To Bring an Escort...

The subject of an escort is in hot debate, and both sides offer compelling arguments. It makes sense when you're working with a new photographer (and by new, I mean someone with whom you've never worked before) to bring an escort. Someone to watch your back and help you bail if the shoot goes downhill. It makes even more sense if the wardrobe includes you being lingerie-clad/naked/tied up. 

Some photographers like having a third set of hands on set for jobs like holding lights or making adjustments that would be awkward if done by a stranger (think of body parts that need to appear...well...perky.). Some photographers will even insist that you bring an escort, to reduce their liability in the event of a misunderstanding.

Just remember when bringing an escort that unless the photographer requests otherwise, their sole purpose is to be a presence. They should not be a voice, a nuisance, or a participant in any way, or you'll find your shoot cancelled in a big fat hurry...and you'll likely not be invited back. And if you paid for the shoot, you may be out of luck in getting your money back. After all, you're the one who breached protocol.

Or not. 

The biggest reason you'll be asked not to bring an escort is because many photographers consider them a distraction. For instance, the aforementioned photog prefers his models come alone because he shoots out of his home. And he can't focus on the model if he's wondering what the escort is doing unattended in another room. (It's one of the reasons he's so adamant about reference checking.) 

If a photographer balks at your request of an escort, find out why. Someone with professional intentions will have a good reason (such as the one above) and will provide you with many ways to prove their trustworthiness. On the other hand, someone who is trying to get you alone will be unwilling or unable to do this. See the red flag.

Going to the Shoot

Map out the location. Google street view is a brilliant tool for staking out a shoot. 

Tell someone where you'll be and what time you'll be done. Remember to check in with them when you're finished.

Have fun! If you've done your homework, you should have a very good idea of who it is that will be shooting you. But if for any reason you're uncomfortable, get out of there. Your sixth sense is usually the sharpest.