Escorts?

[Ava des Mortes]

I've always taken a dear friend of mine to a photoshoot with me or if the shoot is at my apartment my boyfriend is usually there. One thing I CANNOT STAND is when photographers say "No Escorts!". Wanna know why it p***** me off? I've been taken advantage of before and it wasn't pretty and we'll just say the police were involved and lots of therapy.

So tell me, why do photographers still say no escorts even IF some models have been taken advantage of? My escorts never butt in or say anything... what are they so paranoid about?

[Cassie Wanda]

This seems smart. I like it.

NolaChick said:

I've never had an escort. I always check referenced (more than one) and I always meet with the photographer before the shoot. Also, I give the address of the place I will be to a friend of mine. I call him when I'm done and he's been instructed that if he doesn't hear from me within 2 hours of my scheduled shoot, he is to go over there and check on me or call the cops. It sounds way more convuluted than it is. LOL. I have never had any issue at all and most of my shoots have female assistants or makeup artists, so I don't worry about it.

[Cassie Wanda]

oooh I just remembered more stories of why I don't like them Hahah

Pin-ups Hair Design Inc. said:

Escorts are a fine idea if it makes the model comfortable. It shouldn't bother anyone, as long as the escort doesn't tell the photographer and the stylist how to do their job! Escorts take note. Let the professionals do their job and all will be wonderful.

[Cassie Wanda]

I think so!!!

Pin-ups Hair Design Inc. said:

Cassie Wanda said:

oooh I just remembered more stories of why I don't like them Hahah

Pin-ups Hair Design Inc. said:

Escorts are a fine idea if it makes the model comfortable. It shouldn't bother anyone, as long as the escort doesn't tell the photographer and the stylist how to do their job! Escorts take note. Let the professionals do their job and all will be wonderful.

Ha Ha! Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

[Vivien V]

I could do with.or without escorts depending on the situation. I've been fortunate.

I work with this one photographer, most have their own 'people' but he does stuff in his appartment sometimes, I act as an escort to him as a means of making sure that things aren't said concerning him or his behavior possibly -

Except for occasionally moving a light, even if I think *maybe* I have something constructive to add I just keep my trap shut, paint my nails, read a book, be wallpaper.

I think if you really want to shoot with someone ask if you can bring "hair /makeup" (if that's a no that's kind of concerning I would think)but nothing is worth doing something that doesn't feel right.

[Eye of Ra Photography]

I always allow escorts, but I understand why some photogs have a policy against them. I've had escorts who are always talking to the model and escorts who just stay in the room next door. I've had escorts who help out quite a bit, and I've had escorts that I have to keep working around...

As a photog, I truly appreciate models who "train" their escorts in proper behavior. Of course the personality of the photog makes a big difference. I'm easy going, so no one has really ever pissed me off. But it's quite likely that a disruptive escort shows through in the shots from that session.

My recommendation is to never deviate from what makes you comfortable. If you always want an escort, don't compromise on that. Make sure the escort knows how to keep out of the way, and also tell any apprehensive photog that they can contact other photogs you've worked with to see how the escort behaved.

The only thing I general recommend when people ask about escorts is that you don't bring a significant other unless you know for sure that they've bought in to your style of modeling. Nothing throws off the rhythm of a shoot more than guilty glances and uncomfortable silences. Most models in my experience bring friends, and when they have brought husbands (never had a boyfriend...) the husbands knew exactly what style of shoot he was going to. In the end, you know your SO best, so you have to be fully comfortable with what you're doing, and them knowing about it. Frankly I don't recommend hiding it either, that will just end up with trouble all around!

Well, that's my photog perspective at least...

Rahul

[Jonathan]

I have no problem with someone wanting to be a model. I would think that if a company is really wanting to be someone you as a model would go back to, that they would want someone there, just so there is no question. As a father, when my daughter is old enough, if she wants to try modeling that is fine by me, but i would expect the company taking the photos to be a bit more respectful. Women are to be respected and loved. When I was single, I had no problem getting dates, so why is it that some men need to trick women into sleeping with them. I say boycot those who say "no escorts" because it is clear they care little for the women they are working with.

[Monkeyboy]

Like a number of you in this discussion I'm of two minds when it comes to escorts. Generally I'm all in favor but I have to say that at times boyfriends and husbands have acted irrationally. It's important that the models work out issues with their partners before they arrive at the studio. Respect is the key and if there isn't any interference from an escort there isn't any problem. I do prefer when female models bring along a friend who they aren't romantically involved with. They can be a real asset in helping as a dresser, with make-up, hair etc. Sometimes just another pair of hands to hold a reflector.

[FantasyPinups.com]

My wife and I work together as a photographic team most of the time and either shoot at our studio or on location. We've never had an issue with the models bringing an escort and, in fact, recommend it for the first time we work with a new model. This is for several reasons, the most important being security for both the model and ourselves. The second reason is that a nervous model does not provide a good subject and we would end up wasting both their time and ours.

I will point out that we request their escort be a woman such as a friend or mother...we've even had one bring her grandmother. This provides a safe secure environment for the model as well as reduces the concerns of her family members.

The problem we have had with male escorts is that most of the time the model is concerned with how they are reacting to the shoot and that is a distraction we do not need. I have to add that on a few rare occasions the model has insisted and managed to convince Judy the guy would be fine, however, even then there's only about a 50% success rate. One of those successes being a girl that brought her father...both of which were very happy with the process and results.

[Ava des Mortes]

Did everybody just over look the fact that I said I had been raped and still you badmouth escorts? Even Dita says to always bring an escort.

[Cassie Wanda]

I don't think they mean it like that- they're just expressing their own problems with escorts. Which was one of the questions you asked in your original post "So tell me, why do photographers still say no escorts even IF some models have been taken advantage of?"
But I really do see your point and agree that if you aren't comfortable working without an escort, don't work with photographers who refuse. I always think twice when I can't bring an escort as well!

Bunni M said:

Did everybody just over look the fact that I said I had been raped and still you badmouth escorts? Even Dita says to always bring an escort.

[Rachael Robot]

I can see the argument on both sides.. models feel they are at risk by going alone, and photographers feel that they are at risk by allowing escorts. I think that if a photographer wants to work with you, and is not willing to let you bring a escort.. or if you have checked their references and still don't feel comfortable shooting with them, then it's just not the right photographer for you to shoot with!

I am so sorry for what happened to you, that is obviously a horrible thing to have happen! But for every model that gets taken advantage of, there's a photographer who has been stolen from, mugged, or had photoshoots ruined by escorts (sooo not as bad, but you get the point!). It's an endless cycle, and that's why you just gotta find photographers that are willing to work with your needs! :)

[Edson Carlos]

Its not called being "paranoid" when disturbances have happened to many many MANY photo shoots. I can count 3 times where it has happened to me. Personally I suggest escorts, but I also suggest they not be your bf, any other friend will do. Most BF's just cannot handle their girls looking hot, if yours can fine for you, you have the option of not shooting with me just like you have the option of not shooting with those who say No Escorts at all.

Your choice is made in your mind already it seems. The option is yours as it is also the photographers to set their rules. It shouldn't piss you off, you should just move onto the next photographer and do what you feel is right for you, however it doesn't make anyone else wrong.