Thread: Help! Should I work with this photographer?

Hi everyone!

So long story short, I am emailing back and forth with a supposed photographer that is local to me. He says he is looking for a model to be his "muse" to expand his portfolio. I made it very clear right out of the gate that I do not pose nude or topless and he said that's fine. I said I had worked with a photographer who wanted something similar (which went wonderfully!) and he asked for some photos to look at. Sent them to him and he wrote back telling me I'm beautiful, giving me his cell number, asking to get together sometime to discuss details, then asking for my measurements. I responded by asking what type of photos he has in mind and for a link to his portfolio. He wrote back getting a little snippy, maybe I'm reading into it to much... but he said "As I explained I have a number of ideas for you. You can say not to anything. I am trying to really develop some diversity and a more creative style thus "Muse" " and sent me some links to his shutterfly page and a page on modelmayhem.com. I found his name, but when I googled I didn't find a website or anything. On his portfolio there are a lot of photos of sexy women being scantily clad, but not all.

I guess I just expected a professional photographer to be more open to discussing what he has in mind when he wants to do a shoot, so I'm a little thrown off. Is it normal for essentially "no name" photographers to act a little like a diva? He wants to meet to discuss, but I'm not meeting him until I feel more comfortable and even if I did I am not going to meet him alone in a private place. More like with my boyfriend, in a very public place, in the middle of the day!

I also have a friend who works as a 'body guard' of sorts and commonly escorts models to shoots. He said he comes across photographers trying to take advantage of models all the time, and that's why models hire him.

Anyway, I'd love some advice, thanks!

that sounds a little weird to me.

i usually give ppl a general idea if im doing something like that even if im not clear exactly what i want.

i would say bring body guard w u if u do it

?? I've never had a photographer ask for my measurements; I can't think of a single legitimate reason for that...

Originally Posted by Aslahan

?? I've never had a photographer ask for my measurements; I can't think of a single legitimate reason for that...

I thought it was odd too. At first I thought "oh well maybe he wants to know if I will fit into some clothing he has" and then I remembered... I'm a belly dancer. He doesn't have a stash of Bella's waiting for me to wear! What could he possibly want me to fit into? Then I noticed he even asked for my bra and panty sizes

My gut reaction is that the guy is not on the level, asking for your bra and panty size is a dead give away. I wouldn't have anything to do with him.

He's asking for bra and panty sizes and can't even produce a professional website?
Yikes.
That's total creeper material.
He has seen your photos and is not providing clothing for the shoot. There is NO reason for him to need any measurements AT ALL.
I highly recommend you buy this book
Amazon.com: The Gift of Fear and Other Survival Signals that Protect Us From Violence (9780440508830): Gavin de Becker: Books
... and you have red flags going off, listen to them!

No.
If the spidey senses are tingling, run.

Originally Posted by SamiraShuruk

He's asking for bra and panty sizes and can't even produce a professional website?
Yikes.
That's total creeper material.
He has seen your photos and is not providing clothing for the shoot. There is NO reason for him to need any measurements AT ALL.
I highly recommend you buy this book
Amazon.com: The Gift of Fear and Other Survival Signals that Protect Us From Violence (9780440508830): Gavin de Becker: Books
... and you have red flags going off, listen to them!

SamiraShuruk - You took the words right out of my mouth!
I am in the process of reading this book; you said my thoughts exactly!

Other than thinking about some things I've read in the book; I also remembered a model (Lind@ S0bek) that was murdered by a very successful professtional photographer.

Dima - Just from what you wrote; I have very BAD feelings about this photographer!!!!
I wouldn't go. Not even WITH a chaperone!!!!

This is so weird, because we were just talking about Dmitri the Lover the other day. Perhaps this photographer is him?

Originally Posted by Zumarrad

This is so weird, because we were just talking about Dmitri the Lover the other day. Perhaps this photographer is him?

That totally creeped me out!!!!

I work with a lot of photographers both on shoots as a subject and as a make up artist. I work with one gem all the time, a female photographer who is excellent and has a wonderful reputation (she has also done boudoir/nudes, and it is classy and comfortable, as it should be).

All of the ones I know are always up front, exteremly professional and lovely. Always take an escort at a shoot with a new photographer, it will be totally fine with him/her (even expected) - unless something is amiss. With the measurement requests - it appears he wants to take pics as you saw on the website.

This sounds like the classic "Guy With Camera" that a lot of the pro photogs joke about. It is a way to meet hook ups and to get pics to post on adult websites or even... you get the idea. Scarey, but it is certainly out there.

Please be careful, there are many classy, awesome photographers - it's that 1% that color your judgement. Your best bet is word of mouth in finding a good one for you. Oh - you might want to put out a warning so other dancers don't fall victim to his ploy. He may get turned down a few times and keep trying different tactics to lure people in.

Good luck sweetie!

I think you should trust the "red flags" that are popping up for you. If it doesn't feel right don't meet with him. It sounds creepy to me. Always err on the side of caution. If you do decide to meet with him make it a public place and have a friend near by.

I agree, a lot of warning signs here. I talked to my friend who escorts models to shoots and he thinks the guy doesn't sound like a pro, just a "guy with a camera" a Sahira put it.

My friend had some advice to give on the subject.

1) He said if you plan to do a shoot, always bring someone to be your Protector (that's the term for what he does) and make the photographer aware. If they tell you that you cannot have one, don't do the shoot. They want to take advantage of you.

2) Asking for measurements is not only unusual for the type of photos we do, but rude!

3) It's also unusual he isn't discussing what ideas he has for the shoot.

4) Always set your limit before the shoot. In my case, I said I don't do nude or topless whatsoever. But be prepared for the photographer to attempt to get you to go past your limit once the camera is on you. Some models are OK with this once they feel the photographer out, but sometimes the photographer will pressure the model when she still doesn't want to do it. That's also what your Protector is for. If the model says no, and the photographer pushes them to do it, the Protector steps in with a "the lady said no" and the photographer probably won't argue with both of you.

I am going to ask my friend to give me some more ideas and tips for dealing with this kind of thing and post it on my blog for other dancers to read (and on here, of course!)

In the meantime I am not sure how to respond to this guy. I was think I would tell him I am not comfortable meeting him until I know more about what he has in mind, but as my boyfriend pointed out that might just force him to make some stuff up to get me to meet him. Maybe I should drop a line like "once I know more and feel comfortable I will be happy to schedule a time my husband and I can meet you and discuss this further over some coffee" or something like that. I'm not actually married, but I already warned my boyfriend he would get an upgrade if I felt it might help keep creepies away

I wouldn't do it. The least creepy reason I can think of for him wanting your measurements is he wants to dress you in some awful fancy dress see-through harems and face veil ensemble that he thinks would be appropriate.

Originally Posted by Zumarrad

This is so weird, because we were just talking about Dmitri the Lover the other day. Perhaps this photographer is him?

OMG...exceptionally creepy. The 3pm deadline is unbelievable.

Update! So I responded by politely but firmly making it clear I would not meet with him until I knew what he had in mind, and then I would meet him in public with my "husband". I also asked him some specific questions like location and why he asked for measurements. I figured if he is a creep looking to take advantage of a naive model he wouldn't go for this, he'd just move on to some other model who's not so cautious. Instead he came back with more info about a type of picture he would like to do that would be pretty awesome, actually. He also said he asked for measurements because he has some pin up costumes in case I would want to use them, but that I could use my own costumes if I wanted. He also made it clear he would not mind my "husband" coming and addressing our concerns. So he seems to have straightened out a bit more, we'll see. I'm still proceeding with extreme caution and seeing what happens. He said he wants me to aid in coming up with some ideas, so I sent him some thoughts on how to best use the type of shots he wants to try with what I do and some other thoughts. I told him I am not comfortable with pin up style either, because I have a certain family-friendly professional image to uphold. I also told him I wouldn't be able to meet him immediately, if I did, to make it clear I wasn't going to rush into anything without thinking. So we'll see what happens.

As far as the type of shot he wants to do, it's a multiple exposure thing. So say I spin across the floor with a veil. The photo would show me in a few different shots throughout the spin, but all composed into one photo. Heck if this guy doesn't work out I should find someone else who can do it, cause that would be pretty handy! Imagine using something like that to advertise a veil workshop? Or even just dancing to advertise classes. Would be pretty cool!

Glad he cleared it up for you. Definitely go with someone, just to be safe and never do something you are uncomfortable with.

I had a call once from some 'sculpture artist' wanting me to model for him. After this whole long spiel, " after entering the room it would be like coming into the forest, I would disrobe get on some rotating pedestal " and there would be cameras to take my picture at all angles so that later he could still work when I wasn't there...LOL...He freaked me out!!!!

Originally Posted by Aslahan

?? I've never had a photographer ask for my measurements; I can't think of a single legitimate reason for that...

I agree! That is so odd that he wanted your measurements. That alone would have turned me off to working with him