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Saturday,
July 1, 2006
Should We Warn Them?
We have
noticed certain "professional" models lately praising unethical
photographers about their work and begging to work with them. While we
could go out of our way and state the obvious, or rather, what should
be obvious to these professional models, the question is should we? Should
we contact these models and warn them that they are about to make a mistake?
We shouldn't have to tell anyone what is right or wrong. We shouldn't
have to say bad things about anyone, even if there is proof that it is
true (my opinion is that bad-mouthing anyone is unprofessional, so I really
have to walk a tightrope and balance things when I have to voice my opinions
about anything negative, as sometimes it is necessary and it is the lesser
of two evils). In the case of at least two of these photographers, there
is proof that they have sold images of models to escort services, 900
lines, and porn sites without the consent of the models involved. Most
of these models had no clue about the intentions of the photographers
or what the pictures would be used for. Many of these models are pissed
off. They have a right to be. Sadly, though, few will do anything about
it, and are afraid to stand up for their rights. Come to think of it,
though, isn't prevention supposed to be far better than fixing an issue
that could have easily been avoided in the first place? It would not have
taken much effort on the part of the models to check out these guys and
their references before working with them. Models who are either too stupid,
too lazy, or too desperate to book work to look before jumping into something
are partly to blame for what happens. Models who refuse to read the releases
that they are working under or who work without a written agreement are
reckless and deserve what they get.
So, the answer is no. We refuse to warn them. We refuse to state the obvious
and make ourselves a target for liability. The tools and information needed
to see these jokers for what they really are are easily available on this
web site. These tools and information are available free of charge and
are easy to use. We teach them how to do it. They simply must be professional
about it and do what they have to do. In most cases, however, you could
forget the tools, as it really comes down to simple common sense. We refuse
to put ourselves at risk and help those who do not help themselves. Models
must work on prevention rather than a cure for the problems that they
cause by being professionally irresponsible. Should a model accept every
paying job that is offered to them? While I shouldn't have to say what
I think, I will. The answer is of course not! Good photography and paid
work does not make it legitimate. As a matter of fact, some jobs that
pay quite well do so at the expense of the career of the models that they
use up. There always is a trade-off. This is why legitimate modeling jobs
that pay well and help build the career of the professional model are
precious and a little harder to find at the present time (which gives
agencies leverage). Just remember that if it seems too good to be true,
it most often is and must be investigated before the model puts themselves
and their career at risk! This is a great reason why models should not
do any nude, racy, sexy, or glamour work with any photographer unless
they have worked with them before, they know them well, and the photographer
has earned the trust and the respect of the model. I also recommend having
an attorney involved with the releases and the contracts involved with
such work- NEVER work without a release and booking contract, especially
if the work can pose a risk to your modeling career! To my knowledge,
some of the best paying "model jobs", such as teen
modeling web sites, have destroyed the lives and the reputations of
many models. The models were paid very well for selling out, and like
most things that are too good to be true, they never last and the models
keep paying the price long after the money stops coming to them. The money
was great for a while, but in the end the models end up paying the price
as the con artists seek out and use up new victims.
The irony is that those who lie, steal, and cheat always have what they
do catch up to them. They delude themselves if they think that they are
too smart to get caught doing their unethical and unprofessional practices.
Since you are what you do and you are who you associate with, do you want
to be associated with these people when their crimes catch up to them?
When that happens, some victims may find themselves getting burned twice
for making professional compromises simply by being connected to these
people. I surely would not want to be in the portfolios or in the books
of these people.
One more thing. If any agencies out there are representing these characters
and are referring models to them, I'm here to tell you that you are sell-outs
and are playing games with your professional reputation and maybe even
your modeling agency (Florida State Statute 468.412
Talent agency regulations (7) No talent agency may send or cause to be
sent any person as an employee to any house of ill fame, to any house
or place of amusement for immoral purposes, to any place resorted to for
the purposes of prostitution, to any place for the modeling or photographing
of a minor in the nude in the absence of written permission from the minor's
parents or legal guardians, the character of which places the talent agency
could have ascertained upon reasonable inquiry). That's my professional
opinion. Do you wonder why more and more models lose faith in modeling
agencies and do not trust them? Sometimes, model and talent agencies do
not have the best interests of the models that they represent in mind.
It doesn't matter to me, though, as what will happen to the local agencies
in 2007 will be something that they deserve. I won't lose any sleep over
them losing business, and they will only have themselves to blame when
more and more of them realize that the business that they are losing out
on is going to the models that they find themselves competing with. Some
people will be forced to clean up their acts or they will find themselves
out of business, and I'm beginning to think that this would be a good
thing for the professional integrity of the modeling industry.
Will enabling models to find good jobs on their own help change all of
this? I think so. When good jobs are easier to find and attitudes about
working without an agency become more enlightened, the temptation to make
compromises will be greatly reduced. Empowering models and making jobs
more plentiful are the best way to fight model scams and professional
conflicts of interest, and these steps will do the most damage to those
who do not have the best interest of models in mind.
Most have no clue to what is coming. I have seen a glimpse of the future,
and it is a bright one for models. Great things are beginning to happen,
and it is about time!
~ Danielle Cooper, Editor
Tampa Bay Modeling
Clearwater Beach, Florida
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