"Hey, you stole my idea!"

[NolaChick™ {Madam}]

So, recently I was talking to a photographer about doing a "semi-original" shoot. I say "semi-original", because it has been done before, but I had a certain different way of doing it. A "Twist", if you will. Anyway, I discussed the shoot idea with the photographer and he was totally down for it and all we had to do was pull a few details together. Well, today I log onto Model Mayhem and discover that he has not only stolen my EXACT idea and shot it with someone else, but he has NO INTEREST in shooting the same idea with me! I'm majorly pissed! Now, if I try to execute the idea with another photographer, it will look like I copied off of this photographer's work with another model! Grr!! It's so frustrating! I was really digging my unique concept, and he totally jacked it!

Has this ever happened to anyone else? Any suggestions for protecting shoot ideas??

[Donovan's Darlings]

Personally I would have had them sign a Nondisclosure agreement (NDA) prior to sharing your idea which would include sketches and a full written description. If they won't sign you don't want to work with them anyhow.

[Miss Jess {★}]

I agree with Candace on that, I'm very guarded about the details that really make or break a shoot until we get to the final stages if I'm working with someone I don't know very well. I do have 2 photographers who I would trust with my life, so I'm totally comfortable doing concept/brainstorming work with them, as I KNOW they won't double cross me. I'm so sorry to hear about your idea being stolen, but I second everyone else that you should go ahead with it and just do it 100% better!

[Delyssia LaBelle {Madam}]

OMG, what a douche! im sure that you would have rocked it much harder!

[Desirée {PL Team}]

Man! That sucks! But they're right, girl. ROCK IT!!

[NolaChick™ {Madam}]

Thanks for the advice, guys! The only "plus side" is that the photog lives in Mississippi, so I guess not everyone in this city knows him, but still...enough models are familiar with his work around here to put the connection together when they see any "saran work" I would be doing (the idea was a saran wrap, space agey thing.)

[Succotash]

Hww to protect original ideas? It's impossible. Theres no true way to do it, unless you have money like Prince does...he protects everything. You can always put a trademark on it!

[Lil_Bit {★}]

OHH GURL ! I'd go kick his butt! JK
I'd agree with DC! Make yours ROCKHARD!
Do it and tell him to go to......you know

[Edson Carlos]

Just do it, different girl, different photog, different outcome. Make his look like s***, modify your idea to be better and rock it NolaStyle!

[Candace Campbell]

you have to find a photographer you trust will be loyal to you with your ideas or just leave the details until the day of the shoot. that makes it harder to brainstorm though. I come up with alot of original ideas and mine have been stolen by photographers, and models. unfortunately you have to keep your ideas to yourself or between you and your trusted photographer.