WNY Models

Larisa · by **Larisa** on April 10th, 2004, 11:08 pm

Since I'm pursuing photography.... I recently posted up a note on museube stating that i'm looking for models for TFCD shoots.... I've recieved about 15 replys already. Now, I was appalled by the fact that not even ONE model asked me for references or to see some photographs (now I've just started so I don't have any to show.... but that's not the point =) . I am so extremly picky with who I work with - and I need referances! Or at least a portfolio to look over. Don't models educate themselves about this!?! About the dangers of meeting a random person... about identify theift and stolen images etc etc.... (this is stuff everyone should know... however, in this business you HAVE to, to be safe). I mean, one of the girls just started modeling - and she's 14. She's probably never seen my posts before, or my modeling work... she's never heard of me and she's willing to meet me for a shoot. For all she knows I'm a 40 year old perv that stole these images off a model's site.

Am I the one that's insane here?

Max · by **Max** on April 10th, 2004, 11:29 pm

Larisa, welcome to the camera side.

You are not insane, just seeing how it is from the other side of the camera.

You can understand the frustration many of us have with folks that want to be models so badly, they risk everything!

It is frustrating... The best thing you can do is be smart, do what you to know is right and hopefully those that work with you will appreciate what you have done for them. AND by you doing what is right, they will then know what is wrong...

Tiana · by **Tiana** on April 12th, 2004, 4:34 am

excellent rant though. it is frustrating when people don't look out for their safety. just yesterday i got pretty irritated, because a photographer in NYC contacted me...left a phone number, i called him. on the phone i asked for references...he said very rudely..."they're on OMP, where are yours?" i let him know i have a list on my OMP of many people i have worked with, and if he wants specific contact info to let me know. i look on OMP...no references, and even under the acknowledgements no one daid they worked with him. so i wrote back and said i was unable to find references, and to please e-mail them to me. he wrote back all upset saying "if you have a problem with shooting, then say so." so, asking for references most likely just costed me a paid job, and pretty much it is because he is used to having naive models not asking.
after a bad experience not too long ago i can not stress the importance of getting references enough. it is crucial to your safety.
furthermore...always always always let a few people know who you are with, where, and the photographers home phone number.

wnymodels · by **wnymodels** on April 12th, 2004, 11:40 am

I've come to the conclusion that there are just some really stupid people out there, and there is not much you can do for them.

Look around at other forums... occasionally you will see posts for Casting Calls, and within the thread 5 people say it is a SCAM, and there is always 2 or three people that saw the scam warnings, and then post a reply that they are interested in auditioning.

Or even Jeffery Winkler aka Rachelle Erickson, telling parents to send nude images of their pre-teen children to him and that it will enhance/skyrocket their career and that all child models need a nude portfolio. And people actually believe that crap.

In many cases, it takes less than 2 minutes to find out basic information about people, but some people get so caught up in the hype of "making it" that common sense goes straight out the window.

It's hard to believe, but even with the nearby Mississauga model found murdered in PA, people still think "it can't happen to me".

Godfrey · by **Godfrey** on April 12th, 2004, 12:25 pm

Unforturnately that's the reality of our world. This problem has been around but has been escalated by the net. It's the basic supply and demand theory, Phony photographer will supply the hype and the naive model will demand the dream. Tiana is definitely right that any model should at least look at 2 things. One is to feel comfortable in working with the photographer. This means you will need the photographer's phone number, a studio address (or the studio where the shoot will take place), additional people on the set, references, and permission to have a chaperone. A model will need to know what their comfort level will be by requesting some or all of the above requirements. The second thing a model should look for (especially for TFPs) is to look at the photographer's portfolio to find out if that's really the style you want in your portfolio.

Here's a recent piece of news that most young models should read:

http://www.pulse24.com/News/Top_Story/20040408-016/page.asp

Godfrey

wnymodels · by **wnymodels** on April 12th, 2004, 1:23 pm

Here's something interesting...

that photographer from PA that murdered the Canadian model ran a model safety site:
www.safemodelsnetwork.com

This just goes to show, anyone can be anyone on the Internet.

And even references may not always be what they seem... Unless you know what your doing, online references could be from the exact same person you are trying to get them on (justing posing as someone else).

Larisa · by **Larisa** on April 12th, 2004, 4:42 pm

yes I heard about that.... it was actually a model and photographer in the adult industry, but point proven about referances....

Here's some more links if you want follow-up info on the situation:

http://www.nbc10.com/news/2944340/detail.html

and here's the photographer's site:
http://www.frederickphotodesign.com/-/frederickphotodesign/

wnymodels · by **wnymodels** on April 12th, 2004, 5:05 pm

Larisa wrote:yes I heard about that.... it was actually a model and photographer in the adult industry,

Being a model or photographer in the adult industry really doesn't mean much. And that particular shoot was a simple bondage shoot (many of which involve little or no sex and in many cases no nudity is even involved).

If you ask me I think statistically you're in equal or quite possibly even more danger with the average glamour shoot than with doing full hardcore pornography. Primarily because your guard is down for a typical glamour shoot and those shoots tend to be more 1 on 1.

References need to be from proven sources... when it comes to the internet, people you know personally are really the best route.

And if it sounds too good to be true... i.e.: $900 for 20 photos... then you need not even bother with references...

This guy offered $900 for 20 digital photos. Let's say he's a mentally challenged individual and can only take 80 digital photos in an hour. He is basically offering about $3,600 per hour.

Many famous Hollywood movie stars shooting a feature film do not even make anything close to that amount. Mainstream hardcore porn stars with a "name" are lucky to bring close to even half that figure per DAY.

When it comes to safety, common sense is the best tool.

Edited By wnymodels on 1081809417

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