Hypothetical Scenario: Extracting yourself from a deteriorating situation

[Bob Hubbard]

I'm working on an article on model safety and am looking for some expert advice.

Here is the basic scenario:
A model is alone with a photographer, who is pushing for things to go further than the model is comfortable. They could be in a remote location, or in the photographers downtown studio. The model is alone, and in a state of undress, possibly nude. Photographer is increasingly insistent on model shooting nude, shooting explicit, or engaging in sexual activities with him.

What are the models options, and what can they do to hopefully safely extract themselves from this situation?

Also, what could they do to avoid this from happening in the future?

 

[arnisador]

Talking him down, including by pointing out that a friend knows where she is and who she's with and when she's due back, and having a cell phone nearby and on, are the obvious bets here. Prevention is the key, including knowing who you're working with, not being in a remote location alone with someone, bringing a friend, and always making sure the other person knows that someone else knows where you are and who you're with and when you're expected back, and that that person will begin investigating if you're not back soon.

 

[Big Don]

On the physical end, did you see the recent news story about the attacker whose tongue was bitten off by the woman he was trying to rape?
A basic education of vulnerable points, eyes, throat, nose, groin, could go a long way to saving someone's butt, or virtue.
Making it a point not to go anywhere you could possibly foresee a problem alone is also a good idea.

 

[Xinglu]

My wife is a pro photographer and I provide a lot of personal security during model shoots - To prevent this, she should check out the photographer always be accompanied by an escort to "chaperone" and ensure safety. She should have a contract ahead of time that explains EVERYTHING EXPECTED. This provides her with legal recourse if the contract is breeched by the photographer. Finally she should meet with the photographer ahead of time (bringing someone with her) and meet all staff that will be present, also she should be told the location of the shoot up front and be allowed to check it out.

She should also provide her own transportation that way she can leave when she wants to, tell someone who isn't escorting her where she will be, and have a cell phone on and near by at all times.

Once she is in the situation, and let's assume worst case: she is alone, with no cell phone and no transportation: She should terminate the session as soon as the contract is breeched. If he gets "handsy," I believe all women should learn some jujitsu that way they can get a man off of them and she should leave the premises and get to a phone as fast as she can. She should then report him to the police and the modeling agency if one is used.

The best thing that any model can do is be proactive, never put yourself in a situation like this. They should ALWAYS have a competent escort who can handle any "rough stuff" should it happen. Someone should always know where she is going and how long she is expected to be there and CALL at a specified time to check in. If she doesn't answer, they should be instructed to call the police.

Another thing - my wife ensures that no men touch the model, if adjustments are needed or make up is needed it is done by a woman. Models should know this ahead of time, and meet them ahead of time (when she scouts the studio).

I hope this helps you Bob!

 

[Bruno@MT]

On top of the advice so far: I realize that this is not always an option, but bringing a friend along for company would go a long way towards keeping the photographer in check. If he is a real predator of course that will not work.

Learning to attack the couple of weak spots is great. She should practise this a couple of times every day: make a claw of her hand and push the fingers against a pillow / wall / ... in order to strengthen the fingers and ingrains the reflex.

Ancient wisdom from Sun Tsu: What she should under -no- circumstances do is push him in a corner. Things like yelling 'you're a pervert and I am going to tell everyone. your career will be over'. If she leaves him no way out, it could end very badly for her. She should leave him (the illusion of) a way out. When she is safe, that is when she can start to think about what to do. Until she is safe, her only objective should be to become safe.

 

[Xinglu]

On top of the advice so far: I realize that this is not always an option, but bringing a friend along for company would go a long way towards keeping the photographer in check. If he is a real predator of course that will not work.

There are plenty of personal security professionals out there that provide security exclusively for models. In fact more and more agencies have in house security for just this reason, they drive the model to the scouting and the shoot, observe the shoot, and escort her back to the agency. For models not going through agencies, they can still hire someone to do this.

Either way, models should invest in jujutsu training it will serve them well if the worst is to happen.

 

[still learning]

Hello, Proper verbage...should be taught....to say NO! ...and more etc..

A sign contract should be written... what is expected before the shooting...copies given to her Management agencies/ Mgr...(who,what,where,when..etc) ...

Alway bring a friend/ partners...to be close by! Prevention is better than cure!

Lastly a few self-defence moves...eye strikes, thoat strikes, groin, biting techniques, ear slapping, ..

Lots of materials and other sites on Rape preventions,tapes, videos, etc...the more you can research and study? ...the more ideas will come to you!

Police department is a good place for additional information..laws,safety, etc...especially from the police officers who handles rape victims...CONTACT THEM!

Aloha, prevention is the keys..

 

[David43515]

I`m sad to say that when I lived in the states, the custom knifemaker I worked for was contacted by a prosecuter`s office to provide a copy of a knife that was missing from a photographer`s possesion. They had proof he`d bought it from us, but the knife was nowhere to be found. They wanted to compare one like it to the wounds on one of his models that he was accused of killing.

This stuff happens. Prevention is worth ten times it`s weight in cure.

 

[Deaf Smith]

The model should never be alone with the photographer. Just as a doctor always has a nurse present, so should the model have someone there with them. Just way to risky being alone. Not only for the model but the photographer (they to can be accused falsely of sexual assault.)

It’s just not professional of either one involved.

Deaf

 

[Carol]

The model should never be alone with the photographer. Just as a doctor always has a nurse present, so should the model have someone there with them. Just way to risky being alone. Not only for the model but the photographer (they to can be accused falsely of sexual assault.)

It’s just not professional of either one involved.

Deaf

I was gonna say......If they don't already, think photographers need to vehemently support models bringing companions and whatnot, esp for riskier shoots (isolated locations, relationship between model and photog still being built up). A model isn't immune from exploitation, and a photog isn't immune from false accusations. Build responsible practices and the process becomes better for both.

 

[Bob Hubbard]

Just noting that I'm paying attention and appreciate the comments so far.

 

[still learning]

Hello, Time to time there are ADS in the Newspaper offering "so call modeling jobs" ....paying cash..etc...

No training needed....etc.....BUYERS BEWARE HERE!

Train your people...if it sounds to good to be true? ....be-aware...here..

Aloha,

 

[Xinglu]

I was gonna say......If they don't already, think photographers need to vehemently support models bringing companions and whatnot, esp for riskier shoots (isolated locations, relationship between model and photog still being built up). A model isn't immune from exploitation, and a photog isn't immune from false accusations. Build responsible practices and the process becomes better for both.

Most reputable professionals do vehemently support having her bring someone, and they also tend to provide other females there in the form of make up artist and photo assistants and stylists so that there is an air of propriety, and protection for him in case she makes up some bogus charge (happens more than you'd think unfortunately). Also if she needs help with wardrobe changes then it is another female helping her and not a male or the photographer himself. For nude shoots the makeup artist and the stylist should always be female if the model is female, and male if the model is male.

At models should already know this, but it is worth mentioning, the second they feel uncomfortable, they need to either speak up (if they feel that is safe) or if they feel that could lead to more trouble have their security escort take them back to the agency (or home in the case of independent models).

 

[zDom]

I agree with the above advice: the model should always bring chaperone to protect herself (or himself).

And the photographer should always have an assistant to protect himself (or herself) from allegations.

 

[arnisador]

I agree with the above advice: the model should always bring chaperone to protect herself (or himself).

And the photographer should always have an assistant to protect himself (or herself) from allegations.

I agree. On the other hand, not everyone is shooting for Sports Illustrated, and having an assistant/make-up artist present could bust the photographer's budget, and a person who models a lot may not be able to afford a hired companion but may outrun her ability to impose on friends to come along. This just isn't always going to be realistic. It isn't like a physician having a nurse present, where insurance pays the co$t.

 

[Bob Hubbard]

Photographers dislike escorts for a number of reasons. They are a distraction, they can be violent, jealous types. They can steal from the photographer. They can be a legal liability, and a financial drain. They can be a creative buzz kill. Etc.

Assistants are great, when you can afford one, and when they are actually useful.

 

[Xinglu]

I agree. On the other hand, not everyone is shooting for Sports Illustrated, and having an assistant/make-up artist present could bust the photographer's budget, and a person who models a lot may not be able to afford a hired companion but may outrun her ability to impose on friends to come along. This just isn't always going to be realistic. It isn't like a physician having a nurse present, where insurance pays the co$t.

This is simply not true.

Someone shooting Sports Illustrated is paid a flat rate, do not have rights to their images, and SI provides the model, security, any assistants, and artists.

With the current going rates being roughly $250/hour, and the average shoot being 2.5 hours.... She should be able to afford the security if none is provided by the client (not the photographer). Any model getting less than that (on average) is a fool.

Furthermore, make up artists are part of the bill. The client pays for all of this: The model, the makeup artist, the photographer, the photo assistant, usage (varies based on weather it is a local circulation all the way out to international circulation).

The photographers budget is includes his camera, lights, general equipment and nothing more. The photographers budget will not be "busted" by anything that relates to the models, assistants, stylists, or make up artists. Heck if it is a long shoot, the client pays for the catering!

To go an hire a photographer you will be billed for studio/location time, digital systems time, images, usage, stylist, make up artist, props that are needed, specific costumes, model, and food (for long shoots).

None of this comes out of the photographers pocket.

 

[Bob Hubbard]

Shoot rates vary. Nude work in WNY is free and up. But, we digress.

I've talked to models who checked references, got all the right answers, yet ended up creeped out, and in 2 cases raped. Now, the "big news" cases you hear about are rarely the casual "just met" internet model thing, but established folks, sometimes with history between them. So, there are alot of variables here to consider.

 

[Xinglu]

Photographers dislike escorts for a number of reasons. They are a distraction, they can be violent, jealous types. They can steal from the photographer. They can be a legal liability, and a financial drain. They can be a creative buzz kill. Etc.

Assistants are great, when you can afford one, and when they are actually useful.

1. Any photographer that gripes about a model being escorted quickly finds that no model want's to work with him.

2. Any professional model hires professional escort that act: professional. Otherwise her unprofessionalism will find her without much work.

3. Assistants are paid for by the client. The photographer bills the client for their time if they need an assistant. It is not about what the photographer can afford. And if the photographer can't find a competent and useful assistant, then that photographer is looking in the wrong places. Professional photographers (I define this as anyone who makes money via photography services and devotes time and effort into seeking employment as a photographer) belong to a professional photographers organization like: American Society of Media Photography, American Photographers Association , or Professional Portrait-photographers Association. Such organizations allow photographers to find assistants easily as well as provide legal advice and services on behalf of the photographer (to include collections). They even provide insurance for the photographers equipment in case it is stolen or broken. Any photographer that does not belong to such an organization is not a professional (as I defined it) and most likely a hobbyist. Models looking for credible work should do their due diligence and look into the photographer a bit. If he is is not a member of a professional organization, that should set alarms off and be a key indicator that said photographer is not any of the following (maybe all of them):
1. Professional.
2. Legit.
3. Credible.

Furthermore, any hobbyist who is looking to become pro and is building their portfolio should conduct themselves as a professional and provide services as such. Anything less is not only unprofessional but will make it exponentially harder for them to get work, build a positive reputation, and /or establish any credibility in the field.

 

[arnisador]

None of this comes out of the photographers pocket.

Not all of these situations involve the photographer being hired. Often he or she is doing it to build a portfolio/on spec. In that case it does indeed come out of his pocket.