Advice by Now-Retired Model Rachel Jay
Due to popular demand, here’s my blog for photographers, on preparing for your first model shoot. Models, I’ve got one for you too… that one’s here. Now, these are just suggestions and shouldn’t be taken as the end-all-be-all regarding doing a shoot. Certainly not all of the suggestions I have will work for everyone, or apply to all situations. But they’re all definitely worth making note of.
So Monday and Tuesday I blogged about escorts at photoshoots, and looked at the common arguments that both the pro-escort group and the anti-escort group typically rely on. In case you missed those entries, they can be found here:
Now, I suppose all of my responses to those arguments are, indeed, my thoughts on each and every one of those arguments. However, I never really explicitly said which way I waver when it comes to escorts. So, here you go 😉
As a continuation of yesterday’s pro-escort post, where I looked at common pro-escort arguments, today I’ll touch on some common anti-escort arguments. To make it easier, I’ve continued my numbering scheme from yesterday’s post.
Anti-Escort Arguments
This set of arguments is often used by those who don’t allow escorts. It’s also often used by those who don’t feel escorts are necessary themselves. I’ve broken them down and addressed each one individually, continuing the numbering system from above.
Ahh yes, the dreaded “E” word: Escort.
In the Internet Modeling World, an escort is an extra person who comes with to a shoot, for the model’s safety. It’s a subject that comes up often, is always a very heated debate topic, and will never change. I’d like to touch on a few of the common escort arguments, from the perspective of a seasoned hobbyist model. To make it shorter, I’m going to break it into 2 sections: pro-escort and anti-escort. Today I’ll start with the pro arguments, and tomorrow I’ll post the anti ones. Thursday I’ll give you my personal opinion when it comes to escorts on my shoots 😉
Before I start, there are very few instances where an escort might be required. A handicapped model, for example, who needs an assistant there to aide with health issues (such as the quadriplegic model Alex N from Michigan, who has someone there to help her at all times). Someone under the age of 18 might be required to have a parent or legal guardian there at all times. But really, other than that, there aren’t many reasons an escort must be present. I don’t consider hair stylists, makeup artists, or other related parties “escorts” as (provided they actually know what they’re doing) they actually add to a shoot.
Pro-Escort Arguments
This set of arguments is often used by those who allow escorts or wish to bring them themselves, either individually or combined in various ways. I’ve broken them down and addressed each one individually.
Just a quick note to readers regarding the products, shops and whatever else I have mentioned here in the past. I choose the items I do because I shop there and/or because I like the product (or, in some cases, because it’s as similar to something in a shot as possible–in the case of my “Get the Look” blogs). At this point in time, the links I use are not affiliate links (so if you click, I don’t make money). I’ve considered it, but I don’t really have the time to manage an affiliate program on top of work, modeling, house hunting, and having a social life. If it changes, I’ll update.
I haven’t received products to review, free or otherwise, and haven’t yet gotten requests to review products. The photographers I’ve reviewed, I’ve done on my own.
And of course, I plan on complying with the new guidelines in the future. So yea… just sayin’, so ya’ll know 🙂
In case you’re not aware, the new FTC guidelines became effective Dec. 1. For more info, here’s a great article: LINKY
Thoughts of a Hobbyist Model 