Guidelines for Models Or "Welcome to the Model Protection Program" by JJ MacCrimmon 2008, 2010, 2011-18 Revised 2017 Presented at: Frolicon 2012-18 as “Modeling and Photography 101” Essential guidance for new models and photographers working with them. Guidelines for Models or “Welcome to the Model Protection Program” Getting Started and Why Back in 2006 while shooting professionally in Los Angeles, CA, I was struck by how many aspiring models were essentially wary, broken and burnout about working in the area. With few exceptions, the recurring theme of being used, lied to, cheated and even assaulted by others in the ‘business’, had made them either fearful or left them too distracted to further pursue modeling. After many of these long discussions, I finally decided write down some of the basic principles and maxims to guide models in getting started, staying safe and keeping focused. I don’t claim to be an expert, but following these very basic tenants of behavior will help keep potential models (and photographers) safe, while helping them to better market themselves. What is the basic goal of model photography? Artistic expression? Money? Potential business opportunities? Dreams? It’s all of these and many more reasons. For all parties in a photo shoot, these hopes and goals come into play in some manner. But who makes it as a model or photographer?.. With the exception of a few models and photographers at the higher levels of the industry, this is not a lucrative business. Most models, photographers, make-up artists (MUAs), hair stylists and the like; don’t make a substantial income from this. They break even or find ways to parley their skills, appearance or hobby into other areas of acting, advertising, and other careers. A select few can and do make a living as traveling art or nude models. An even more select group manages to break into runway and print modeling on the national or international level. For all participants there is the hope that ‘the right people’ in front or behind the camera will notice their work and get their big break. It does happen from time to time, but it’s as much more the result of careful self-promotion, careful management of their name and reputation, contacts developed in the business, or just dumb luck. This article isn’t meant to rain gloom on the parade. This article is to show participants wanting to enter this industry ways to recognize the odds and turn them a little more in your favor. This article is also a way to warn newcomers about ways to avoid scam artists, stalkers, sexual predators and Human Resources personnel from connecting you to the persona you work as. I cannot caution models and photographers enough to guard themselves against situations where their photography activities can adversely affect their lives. Scam artists play on dreams and hope to prey on the people hoping to break into the industry. Stalkers can and do (dangerously) obsess about the looks of a model or skills of a photographer enough to put them at risk. Predators looks at some modeling sites and portfolios as advertisements for potential targets. People have been denied potential employment or terminated from an existing job because a business’s human resources representative discovered an associated image on-line that could (remotely) damage the company’s reputation in some round about manner. One of the best ways to protect yourself from this is to build a buffer between your personal life / employment and your activities in this field. Something as simple as creating modeling persona / name, creating a separate e-mail for modeling activities and not publishing personally related info (except where legally required, such as releases and contracts) goes a long way to protect you. Never publish a phone number unless you’re completely ready and able to walk away from it. Never publish an e-mail address that you use for your family or business (day-job) activities. Consistently advise the industry people you work with not to associate your persona to your real identity. Getting started – Build an Identity So you’ve decided you want to model. You’ve gotten some great family portraits, amazing senior pictures or found a friend who’s taken some racy snap shots that make you look incredible. Friends, family and co-workers tell you you’re a natural model, ham, photo whore, etc. Before you plow into the web and posting these no your blogs or apply to one of the many modeling trade sites, stop and think about who or what you want to be known as. Normally I advise all models I’ve worked with to establish a modeling “persona” name. It could be a nickname, a variation on a first or middle name, or something related, but never use your real first and last name. Considering privacy and safety, a persona identity in modeling can also provide your potential audience an insight on what you’re willing to model. Do a little research before publishing anything. First check the name to see if it is already in use through a Google ™, Bing ™ and/or Yahoo ™ search. Also check variations on the name. If someone is using that name in the region you live in, drop it and move on. As a warning, don’t use names that give association to certain alternative modeling agencies such as the Suicide Girls ™. They are bad news and will cause you more trouble than they are worth. Web Presence: Once you settle on the name and/or persona, then it’s time to develop the web presence. In years past, a model would develop a written portfolio of their images and send off copies to agencies, media and businesses. While a print portfolio is still a good thing to have with printed tear sheets available to send off in correspondence, most professionals now maintain a digital portfolio showing their range of abilities. There’s three major on-line methods to put your image, presence and availability out there for people to see and to contact you for work: social media, professional media and individual website. Basic Web Contact: Establish a distinct e-mail address where you can have electronic correspondence sent to or from. It should be close to whatever modeling name you decide on. It should also be completely unlike any personal e-mail accounts. From a security aspect, make sure to use a password that isn’t easily broken or that is merely your modeling name (I’ve seen it done). Social Media / Networks: This includes any type of blog or social networking website. Balance the good versus the bad with these media / Networks. Sites like MySpace ™, Facebook ™, Tumbr ™, Blogger™, Deviant Art ™ and others offer direct opportunities to put your image out for public view to a potentially very large and diverse audience. With the size and diversity of the audience, the quality of the feedback is not assured. Your audience will likely be people outside the industry and people who may provide compliments or feedback that will increase confidence. Until you develop a fan base and a solid group of trusted contacts, take everything (good and bad) with a grain of salt. Don’t let criticisms become personal or the commenter may escalate. Trolls, predators and other trouble makers lurk in the shadows of social networking sites looking for candidates to bully, harass, or take advantage of. Likewise, do not let gushing comments and heaped praise go to your head either. It could very well be a predator or fraud artist using social engineering to get you to make mistakes with your information or place yourself at risk. Sites such as Photobucket ™, FlickR ™ and others are mainly for photo storage and web use, but also frequently have forums where images can be commented on. These are sites where you can also take digital images and get them printed and mailed to you (or directly to agencies or publishers). In establishing an account on these sites, remember the privacy suggestions previously mentioned. If you already have a personal blog, create a new one associated to your modeling. Do not interlink your personal blog and your modeling blog. Maintain your privacy further by limiting photos, profile info and plans to things that do not relate to your personal life (job, family, travel plans, social life and such). Profile Guidelines: • Note who you are (persona) • Where you are (City, State/Province & Country) • What kind of modeling interested or willing to do • Any Restrictions (no nudity for example) • Any requirements (escort required for shoots) • Compensation - Many models note whether they only do paid work and/or whether they will ‘Trade for Product/CD’ and under what conditions. • Post a social warning - Unless you really want to be hit on, announcing that you aren’t there to date, hook up or otherwise, is smart. • Lastly, interlink this blog to other <u>modeling</u> related websites you maintain. Another note of caution, Facebook, MySpace, Photobucket and other sites are (very) subjective about what they deem as offensive images. They can remove pictures they feel are “improper” and can lock out or delete accounts. Be aware of the rules and expectations of these sites. Just like you there will be others there self-promoting so be very careful about who or what you friend or allow to friend you in these sites. Their reputation can be an enormous plus or negative. Think of it as guilt or adulation by association. Professional Media / Networks: Professional media and network sites allow professionals to market themselves and their skills to like-minded folks in the industry. Sites like Model Mayhem ™, One Model Place ™, Miss Online, Model Underground and the like, are great for further promoting your availability and skills. These sites frequently include discussion forums and allow for HTML customizable pages to some extent. Some of these sites are free, while others charge a substantial fee yearly for their service. Just like the social networking/media sites mentioned, limit personally identifiable info and post according to the previous profile guidelines. Much like social networking sites, professional media / networks are usually better policed by their moderators and customer service reps. Although memberships in these sites are screened by content or through fees to keep out riff raff, trouble can still occur. They still have their fair share of stalkers, trolls and scam artists. Be careful and take care with personal information. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Scam artists are well known for representing themselves as talent agents or representatives of legitimate magazines and will ask for “reservation” or “booking” fees in advance of a shoot. Research the company they say they are representing and contact the company’s office or agents through their published e-mail or phone number. Adult & Fetish Networking Sites / Media While shooting the human figure exposed in some manner is potentially one of the most expressive, artistic and thought provoking; it is also the least forgiving of mistakes. This style of photography is one that most beginning models and photographers should avoid until they have at least a year of experience in more vanilla styles. Model photography is hard enough starting out. Photographing or being photographed for intimate imagery is perhaps the most challenging, most dangerous (in many ways personally and professionally) and most easily failed material to work on. With very few exceptions, most new models are often uncomfortable or mechanical in showing off their figure, face and expressiveness. Add in nudity or fetish related poses / scenes, and even experienced models can have trouble getting into the frame of mind needed to look relaxed, confident or otherwise. For photographers, this style requires absolute and uncompromising professional behavior. One wrong word, gesture, suggestion or inappropriate (physical) behavior could irreparably destroy a reputation at the least or result in legal action at worst. Likewise, the control and publication of images in this style not only requires legal releases from the model but proof of age which must be maintained. Sites such as FetLife ™, Zivity ™ and others offer models and photographers outlets where they can post and advertise their skills. As has been said, Model Mayhem ™ is a place where models and photographers can hint at their kinky skills. FetLife is a place kinky folks can hint at their modeling/photography skills. In most cases, these sites are more for dating, fetish activities or similar interests more than photography opportunities. This is a small, specialized and secretive 'market' that can be lucrative if it can be broken into with high quality material. Conversely, be very thoughtful of any material put out on these sites or services. Once on-line, this material is out there forever and may come back to haunt the publisher.