MODEL SAFETY and RATES/CHARGES

Unfortunately there are many unpleasant characters prowling the model web sites like Model Mayhem. Many are what we call GWC’s – guys with cameras. These are people who want to use the pretence of nude photography to get a cheap strip show. In the old days, they didn’t even have film in their cameras. Usually an experienced model can spot them rather quickly by their asking inappropriate questions. Some models don’t have a problem with this so long as they get well paid but most feel used.

It should go without saying that no photographer should ask to take a nude image of any model under the age of 18 – there are very few exceptions but even a genuine and internationally respected photographic artist like Bill Henson can get into serious difficulties.

If you have any suspicions at all about a photographer, the best way to check them is as follows –

• Check their web site or online details – do they have good images? Who have they shot before?
• Ask them to describe their photographic concept – exactly what kind of image are they planning.
• Contact previous models through their ‘friends’ or image credits and ask for a reference.
• Ask them for the contact details of models they’ve used before and check.
• Go to the shoot with a friend (and let them know that you will do this) and back out quickly if you are not happy.

Equally there are some ‘models’ who are looking for an adventure with a photographer, or are selling their ‘services’ and a photographer should be able to reject anyone who shows up drunk, stoned or with a non-photographic ‘offer’ or a dangerous looking companion.

Generally a model should expect to get paid for a nude shoot. This may not be a huge amount for an inexperienced or amateur model and the ‘life model’ rate paid by art schools is fair (around $40-50 per hour at present) with a minimum of two hours. Some models ask ridiculous rates – an inexperienced model is not worth over $100 per hour, even for relatively explicit work, unless they have some particular characteristic – a pretty girl with a full figure might get high rates from the start for glamour work but that’s unusual. (2010 rates). Also some photographers may wish to split the costs by working with other shooters - if you do not wish to work with a group of shooters, say so - or otherwise quote a (higher) rate for small group work. In essence, it's better to get more work and repeat work by charging a reasonable rate and then raise it when you have experience and the images to prove it.

A model should regard request for TFP (model’s time exchanged for prints or image files) with suspicion. TFP (or TFCD) is usually regarded as a good way for a model to build a portfolio at no cost and get some experience – they model for free and get professional images while the photographer gets some practice or gets a free model for a concept or project. However, that is not appropriate for nude work unless a model approaches an experienced photographer whose work they admire and offers to work for free images. A photographer requesting TFP nude work should be regarded with some caution.

It is important that a model be careful about what sort of images they have online if they wish to offer nude work. It is best to use implied or reasonably demure images and then define the categories in which they are prepared to work. This reduces the requests from voyeurs, GWC’s and worse. However it is reasonable that a prospective photographer can see body shape and proportions clearly.