I usually prefer to bring a chaperone with me to shoots as there's allot of strange people on the internet so I feel allot safer. Also I usually bring my boyfriend as I trust him, and my family don't really agree with what I'm doing. Also I always explain my boyfriend love cameras and he wishes to be a photographer as well as a cinematographer so it's a very good convenience to bring him along to operate the lighting. I also don't get why they don't understand why I must have a chaperone, do they not understand how dangerous the internet is?

TopMember

I agree totally, there is nothing wrong with chaperones at all, and there are lots of weirdos on the internet....BUT. To ask a professional photographer to let your boyfriend operate the lighting is just bizarre. Sorry, but no boyfriend is going in my camera bag, or messing with £10,000 worth of lighting!

The only problem with chaperones is when there is more than one model booked. In this instance, why should the other model be forced to work whilst your boyfriend is sat there watching? That is totally unfair. To me, chaperones are more than welcome to come to the shoot and meet me and see what is going on. If you are on your own, they can even sit in, but not if 2 girls are in the studio at the same time. You could save yourself and the photographers a lot of hassle and bring your best friend along as she won't be threatening to another model. Never ever an issue with female chaperones, had plenty of problems with boyfriends.

Hmm interesting subject....Chaperones are ok but they can cause problems and like PerfectPink has said no ones going to mess around with my photography gear either but theres another side to all this if a model brings a chaperone would they mind if i brought my mates along too!!! photography and a model is based on trust if you have no trust then to me whats the point in even working together..it always amazes me when i book a model i always offer both my home number and also my mobile number and ask the model to contact me few rarely do yet they will travel to meet a guy they have never spoken to dont know what and happily take all their clothes off infront of you in less time than it takes to drink a cup of tea!!!!..in the past i have banned chaperones from even comming into the studio because of interference while the shoot is in progress comments like "why dont you do this" "why dont you smile" i am sorry but if i need help posing a model and i dont know what i want from a model then i will gladly give up photography.
When a model is booked its up to her to do her own homework check references of the tog your planning on working with and dont take whats written on their profile as gospel as in my own experience models are reluctant to leave negative feedback on someone thats got a 100% track record approach the models that have left the feedback in a private message and ask them what the tog is like..take every opportunity to get as much information as you can about the person that expects you to pose topless or nude or whatever before you actually meet...and if a tog gives you contact numbers never call when he is expecting you to call leave it a day or two when its completly unexpected and then call him...i have had models say no if im shooting more than one model and the other model has asked or brought along a boyfriend..the one problem in bringing boyfriends along is this when i book you as a model i book you not your boyfriend not your mum not your lover my contract is between myself and a model end of... if a boyfriend is presant then im my own experience you wont get the best out of the model because she is always looking at her partner for approval if asked to do something then theres always the other side of the coin..if im alone with a female do i need a chaperone????? but we wont go there today.

Premium

I think the comments above pretty much cover this, and i agree with much of what Fabiano and Perfectpink have said.

However for me, Chaperones are a big NO.
I used to allow them but was increasingly getting frustrated and annoyed by their unwelcome interference, and the fact that i could not Chaperone them when the went walk about around my property on the excuse to go to the bathroom.
But the last straw came when some of my equipment went missing, along with a small amount of cash that was left in my office.
Neither the cash or the equipment were recovered.... so sorry, but NO Chaperones here.

As for whether you can trust a photographer or not, surely you would do at least a basic check on his/her credentials...
Look at samples of their work, do they produce the style/quality of work you are looking for?
Check other websites similar to this one to see if there are any negative comments, how public are they?
On my website you can find my full contact details, Landline & Mobile phone numbers, full postal address....
You can even talk to my wife.... if i were some kind of Pervy Lech, she would definitely not be leaving me home alone with naked women...

"Google" there name and combination of names..ie;
"Mannering Media"=686,000 hits
"Ian Mannering in Telford"=102,000 hits
"Ian Mannering Photographer"=1,830,000 hits
The search results should give some indication as to how long they have been going, if they are shady characters..etc.
Follow through on some of the "Google" references, to ensure they are about the person you are searching on.

What are they asking you to do... are the requested modelling styles/levels within your stated limits?

Then, if that is not enough ask to contact models he/she has worked with in the past.

The bottom line has to be... If for any reason you do not trust, or have doubts about a photographer (or Model)... do not work with them.

Well that's my 2p worth....

Be safe, use common sense, follow your gut instinct, enjoy what you do.

Premium

I'm saying nothing ,on the grounds that I may incriminate myself .

TopMember

How I look at it is.... if I do not trust the person why would I want to work with them.... I travel all over the country to shoots, mainly on my own not unless my husband has a shoot not far from where I am shooting but as he has his own studio I am on my own. I do my back ground checks first, contact models that they have worked with in the past, build up good communications and always speak to them on the phone more than once before hand. A photographer is as vulnerable as a model, I would not like him to have a chaperone there watching me work. Just my opinion though. Hugs Annmarie xxx

Premium

I don't mind chaperones, in theory, (although it does make me think twice about booking) but I do get a bit annoyed when the model announces she's bringing one the day before. I've also had some requests for increased travel ex's to cover the chaperone. you can guess the response!
I do think that as a pro you should be able to do your job under most conditions and be able to comunicate to an extra body on set that they should stay out of the way.
Then again, I am a six foot, fifteen stone, skin-head.

TopMember

Another thought.. I know we all need to protect ourselves but if modeling was not your full time job would you be able to take a chaperone to your other place of work and watch you and your boss work ?

Manager

I welcome the idea of a chaperone, especially if its going to make a model feel more comfortable. The only issue I do have is when the chaperone acts unprofessionally/inappropriately or doesn't know their place.

I've had several "nightmares" with chaperones, where one model brought her mother along. The mum was a nice lady, but once the shoot started, she decided to stand next to me and kept saying to her daughter, the model, "What would Tyra (Banks) do? Would she do that?" etc etc. The shoot was a waste of time, as the model became very unsure about what she was doing and was constantly looking at her mum and not where I was telling her to look.
I once had a shoot where the model brought 2 mates along to the shoot. Once the shoot started, her mates decided to stand next to me and started taking photos on the mobile phones and generally getting in the way. This completely put the model off, and knocked her focus. That shoot too was a waste of time.

But its not always the chaperone, I had a shoot a few years back where the model brought along her nan as the chaperone. The nan was the perfect chaperone, as she just sat in the corner minding her own business and let us get on with it - but - the model was clearly put off by having her nan there, and so there was no real focus from her as she kept looking over towards her nan.

Ultimately, its down to the model to make sure the chaperone knows their place (i.e. you're entering a professional environment, so be professional), and also to take along an appropriate chaperone.. so if you're going to feel awkward in front of your nan, you don't take your nan.

Of course, I've also had perfect chaperones too - such as mothers and boyfriends who have just sat in the corner/outside/chatted with the studio owner and let us get on with the shoot.

James

I've never had anyone bring a chaperone. I've never said no, no-ones ever asked. I wouldnt object if I knew they'd just sit quietly out of sight (something thats not easy to guarantee), not sure I'd want someone there trying to be helpful whilst shooting.

However I'm sure you've noticed the difference between the replies on this site and on Model Mayhem, as a wise man said, dont wrestle a pig, you'll both get dirty and the pig enjoys it.

Paul

TopMember

Aha, several of the threads here have bizarrely missed the fact that many models are naive, inexperienced girls with no common sense. They are happy to turn up to a shoot, only knowing a togs alias and with a pay as you go mobile number. I give them all my details, including my landline numbers ad get them to google them. Amazingly they all come back with my details verified, my phone number verified, my websites verified and my commercial claims verified. Seems to work fine from there on in! I met a girl today who was going to work with a major agency next week called UKFiregirls who offered the following rates "cash in hand at the shoot". Lingerie, £20 an hour, topless £35 an hour, nude £50 an hour and adult £3,000, all based on a 2 hour shoot. She thought they looked fantastic, and £3,000! When i looked at the website with her it was free hosted website and the boss had an @hotmail e-mail. To make matters worse, the primary domain name is fully available as a .com and .co.uk, so there was no need for the free .webs.com hosting. There were no contact details - just a fill in web form. They claim to be in the UK, Germany and the USA, but there were only 15 crap pictures on the site, and it said the agency had 5 members. Polaroid pics of 3 girls with "no additional images" of any of the girls. Yet all she saw was £3,000. Again I reported a photographer (yeah right) on here last week who was contacting models to get them to do loads of modelling and promo work for him. Not only did he invite me (thinking I was a model) but his contact was a pay as you go mobile with specific instructions in his email of "do not ring me on this number ever, just text me and I'll get back to you"! There are lots of problems out there, but a bit of digging and common sense is far more protection than a chaperone!

"a bit of digging and common sense is far more protection than a chaperone!"

Agreed

Premium

+1 to PerfectPink.

Slightly off the topic, but I recieved a reply to a message I sent a model on Mayhem about 9 months ago offering me a 'lifetime' membership to a modeling site with free access (no shoot fees) to all the girls for a one off £325.00. For an extra £200 I could get a bit more 'involved' with the shoots.

Anyone want to be my chaperone?

This whole chaperone debate has been done to death on the various modelling/photographer site forums and ultimately there's no definitive answer.

Each model and photographer must choose for themselves.

Personally I find the chaperone argument ridiculous. To what other job would you take a bodyguard? Who's going to protect me from your bodyguard? Do I need witnesses present to protect me from potential false accusations? It goes on and on.

If you're unable to make a simple judgement call (based on research and references), for whatever reason, then perhaps you shouldn't be modelling (on the internet) at all.

...and finish with a smiley

TopMember

"Who's going to protect me from your bodyguard? Do I need witnesses present to protect me from potential false accusations?"

That's simple, every shoot I do is video'd with audio by a small cam in the corner of the studio, and the model is made aware of this and can have a copy if they want. Everyone is safe, and these days, that's important....

Quoting Perfectpink from post 15

That's simple, every shoot I do is video'd with audio by a small cam in the corner of the studio, and the model is made aware of this and can have a copy if they want. Everyone is safe, and these days, that's important....

I remember a thread about studio CCTV cameras on another site. If I remember rightly, it turned in to a train crash...

TopMember

CCTV definitely bad, this is separate, agreed with the model before the shoot and only covers the shooting area in very wide angle. Strangely enough, every model agrees that it is entirely sensible and in everyones interest.

TopMember

I have recently started modelling and i have never had a chaperone with me, I have never felt the need and any photographers who i have got a strange vibe off speaking to before a shoot (via internet) i have refuse to work with, I always check references and look at there work before hand etc and never had problems, To be honest i think i wouldn't give my all and be as comfortable if someone was there whom i knew and knew nothing about photography and modelling. I also believe you have to build a bond (shall we say) between yourself and the photographer and if say your boyfriend is there thats just not possible, i enjoy talking and joking with the people i work with as it produces better images the more relaxed you are and if my mum etc was there i know i would become shy and un-focused on the job at hand.


just remember if it seems dodgy don't do it and uses your head and check people out before you end up with a gwc

Hummm? waah I'm new to all this and as nice as it would be to have a chaperone I am with out one:( so could some one tell me how to investigate or do my research on some one to know if it's safe? I'm a bit worried and i know the whole not every ones out to get you but still there are people out there who are and I've been on the phone to people asking me to model for them but i have no last name? no website? no other details or picture's to go on?

What should i do?
how do i check some one out? (research about them) :(

TopMember

Google them first off most of the time there dodgy there is something up about them and if there not dodgy theres most of the time millions of feeds about them,
secondly ask them for some details of the models they have worked with if they have nothing to hide they will happily give them and thirdly most photographers have feedback on there profiles always read it.
And most of all use your common sense if something seems not right don't do it ....I have not had a problem since i started and i have never had chaperone,

hope this helps

Its a while back but I once had a project in a London Dungeon and we were shooting with more then 10 models at a given time, models that are now either pensionada's or still going strong now, beginners like Ulorin Vex and her sister, morgana,kataxenna and more established models like Morrigan Hel ,industrial bitch etc etc
at certain given moments we had 10 models 5 photographers and 2 MUA's and added to that about 8 chaperones all in a 2 room studio and a kitchen bathroom
Thats when I decided when it comes to groupshoots , no chaperones ever....
when it comes to 1 on 1 or 1 on 2 shoots;
get some references make some inquiries, then decide if you want to be chaperoned
but het what ever makes you feel good goes.

Premium

I won't allow chaperones in the studio, if a model brings a friend the friend sits in the waiting room, no exceptions. They can sometimes be useful on location for carrying stuff and being a lookout but to be honest I much prefer not to have anyone else but me and the model.

Chaperones ....

A model should do her checks ... absolutely ! If she's in any doubt whatsoever ... don't do the shoot !

That is the most important point in my honest opinion "Doubt' means 'Don't do it !'

Why won't I allow chaperones ?

Because they don't contribute anything to a shoot that I am paying for .... they contribute absolutely nothing - therefore they shouldn't be there ... and won't be at any of my shoots ... its my place of work.

I work at Adult level (video projects) and need absolute silence when I start to shoot ... any noise other than that expected may cause a retake ... I will not risk movement or noise from anyone who is not employed to be there.

So please do you checks girls / boys ... absolutely, couldn't agree more !

But photographers / videographers have sound professional reasons for not wanting chaperones in attendance ... and that, in the main seems to get ignored.

Everytime i book a model i give them my contact numbers and most choose not to use them if your given this choice then use it speak to them over the fone..girls wont give out their numbers yet will happily turn up and go topless in front of a stranger in less time it takes to drink a cup of coffee...one point made above....if you look at a photographers profile dont take what models have put as gospel contact the models he has worked with in a private mail and ask them what hes like.

Premium

Thanks Guys, Now how will I ever get a shoot if models do all them checks . lol .

I reckon any thread with "Chaperones" " No shows" "Payed shoots " text speak etc should be banned they've been done to death ..

TopMember

Paul with some of the models you have worked with your the one who needs a chaperone heard that linzi and linda are the worst :P haha x

Premium

Yeah ,still got the scars to prove it ,Note to self ,Must hide those whips ...

Premium

"I reckon any thread with "Chaperones" " No shows" "Payed shoots " text speak etc should be banned they've been done to death .."

+1

Maybe a separate forum for "commonly debated topics" or a separate sticky for each of these more heated topics. No one will ever agree on these things and they generally just turn into rants.

I like the forums here at the moment as they're more positive and productive than on other sites I won't name (ahem). It would be nice to keep them that way.

"I like the forums here at the moment as they're more positive and productive than on other sites I won't name (ahem). It would be nice to keep them that way."

+1

Premium

Quoting PaulGood from post 29

+1

This topic has been done to death...

Manager

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