Safety Tips for 'Models'

Safety is a major concern for female models, particularly if you are a freelance model working online. The Internet allows anyone to portray themselves in any manner they choose with virtual anonymity. Many profit from the dreams and aspirations of naive young women. Sometimes their motives are not as presented.

 

 

An amateur photographer can pose as a prominent professional or a guy working out of his basement with an elaborate website can claim to be an agency or model management company. Many of these individuals will offer models high pay, free photos with unrestricted use, free websites, paid travel etc...Due to the intimate nature of this business, some of these individuals may also have other motives than creating beautiful images or helping models succeed. Legitimate photographers or companies rarely offer amateur models anything for free, except perhaps a test photo shoot if they believe they have real potential.

 

  

Regarding both on and offline ads seeking female models. Anybody can publish those ads and pretend to be a photographer or agency. Often, these ads offer high pay with "no experience necessary" to lure unsuspecting young women into posing for explicit hardcore pictures. Some of these ads are legitimate and posted by companies in the adult film industry.

 

  

Below are some safety tips that may, if strictly followed and accompanied by common sense, help you as a freelance model avoid a dangerous situation.

 

Don't let anybody intimidate you into making a compromise. Follow these model safety tips every time.

 

• When looking for a photographer, if the individual or company has an online presence, check to see what kind of modeling they represent and how professional their work looks.

• Always ask for and check professional references.

 

• Be suspicious of extravagant claims that promise great pay with no experience necessary.

 

• If meeting for the first time, make sure it's in a neutral public location and notify a friend or family member of where you are going.

 

• ALWAYS bring a chaperone with you to all non-public meetings.

 

• Do not give out personal information or accept a friend request on your social networking profile until you have determined the legitimacy of the individual or company.

 

• Do not be persuaded into posing in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable no matter how great the money is.

 

• Prior to the photo shoot you may be asked to sign a model release. This is common and required for most photo shoots. Make sure that you understand what you are signing and don't be afraid to negotiate and ask questions. If you're uncomfortable, ask that it be amended or don't do the photo shoot. You should review the model release during the initial meeting with the photographer.

  

 

Don't be discouraged from pursuing your modeling aspirations. Many photographers, whether advertising online or in the local newspaper, are legitimate and conduct themselves professionally. The above model safety tips will help you determine which photographers or companies to consider.