Here's an idea for anyone unsure of a photographer
Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2009 10:03 pm
I know this is a funny old subject (my solution as well as the problem) but here's a thought.
Suppose someone is a new producer/photographer and can't very well provide great references and show off a successful website, what are they to do?
Why not accept chaperones as standard accessories for all models working with anyone who doesn't have gilt-edged refs?
I know the very idea of a chaperone pisses most people off but as long as it can be agreed that the person is out of the room/building and does not interfere with the shoot then what's the problem.
And before people who are experienced and fully ref'd complain about this idea - it wouldn't affect you because you have the very refs that models need.
If it was a choice between allowing a chaperone or not getting a model then I would allow a chaperone. Simple as that.
Yes, there are other issues like expenses and availability of mates to pop along to a shoot but since chaperones are generally not acceptable to pro's, the idea doesn't seem to ever crop up as a solution to working with amateurs or wannabe-pro's.
And because it doesn't crop up nobody will have thought about the possibilities of it.
Take a recent shoot that went wrong for a model who will remain nameless but included a guy who ran off without paying after a shoot that was not a shoot.
The mere suggestion of a chaperone would have made him think twice and although he seemed to have provided refs, it is obvious that any simple check would have proved them to be at least inadequate and so a chaperone could have been suggested.
Suppose someone is a new producer/photographer and can't very well provide great references and show off a successful website, what are they to do?
Why not accept chaperones as standard accessories for all models working with anyone who doesn't have gilt-edged refs?
I know the very idea of a chaperone pisses most people off but as long as it can be agreed that the person is out of the room/building and does not interfere with the shoot then what's the problem.
And before people who are experienced and fully ref'd complain about this idea - it wouldn't affect you because you have the very refs that models need.
If it was a choice between allowing a chaperone or not getting a model then I would allow a chaperone. Simple as that.
Yes, there are other issues like expenses and availability of mates to pop along to a shoot but since chaperones are generally not acceptable to pro's, the idea doesn't seem to ever crop up as a solution to working with amateurs or wannabe-pro's.
And because it doesn't crop up nobody will have thought about the possibilities of it.
Take a recent shoot that went wrong for a model who will remain nameless but included a guy who ran off without paying after a shoot that was not a shoot.
The mere suggestion of a chaperone would have made him think twice and although he seemed to have provided refs, it is obvious that any simple check would have proved them to be at least inadequate and so a chaperone could have been suggested.