🚩 Photographer Red Flags: Part Two: The online collaboration Period

So this post was going to wait another few weeks before I posted it but in light of what has gone in recent days with a certain photographer, that even I myself shot with, I think its a need to continue this series as promptly as possible ☺️

(Please be aware too, not all of the scenarios I name have happened to me personally but have been taken from what I've been personally told by other models)

So for part two I thought we should talk about the communications you receive both before you start collaborating and during the online collaboration phase.

What is the online collaboration phase?

Before shooting with any photographer it is important to begin your collaboration online. This is when you are planning your shoot, your themes, your outfits and also your inspiration. This should be a time for you and your photographer to be working together on finding a shoot that suits both of your wants and needs and is also a time for either party to back out if the shoot is not as they intended it to be.

🚩Red Flag One: Their first communication is pushy, non-professional or seems generally off

As I've stated in the last post, once you start shooting semi-nude to nude, every photographer wants to shoot you, for wrong and right reasons. You can tell from the very start with some photographers whether your shoot will be enjoyable or whether this person wants something that you just don't do or aren't will to do just for their own portfolio.

Common red flag first messages to me (That weren't discussed last time include);

🚩 'Hey, I saw you worked with so and so and I really love your work. I was wondering if you would like to come shoot with me sometime? I was thinking we could do some nude?'

For your own safety, do not start with someone nude. You don't know what they want those images for just yet and you don't know if they're genuine yet. When they reach out straight away for nude, whether they have a large following or not, can be a red flag. Most professional photographers will understand the need for a professional relationship before you start taking clothes off in front of them.

🚩 'Hey, so and so is a good friend of mine and recommended you to do some boudoir photography at my house, I live in...'

1. Are they really a good friend of your friend or are they just a follower? These can mean two very different things and this is a time for you to check with the named friend. Sometimes they will recommend you but not always.

2. Different models different perspectives, I myself will shoot boudoir first shoot, after some clothed 'test' shots. This is the time I work out the person and the use for the photos. But doing boudoir in a private establishment such as their house is a very very risky practice.

3. Some photographers can be very straight forward in what they want, but sometimes when they want a boudoir or lingerie shoot this can be a red flag that they may try to progress the shoot further with nude during the shoot so make sure to establish the shoot time beforehand to make sure this can't get mixed up

🚩 'Hey, I want to shoot nude photos with you. Its for my website and portfolio'

For me, professionalism includes how you also approach your clients. This sort of crass approach can turn me off and make me question the photographers validity as well as the reason for their want to take photos. The use of manners would also go so far in this situation and more of an introduction would be a great start too.

🚩 Red Flag Two: They send you inspiration or a mood board that is nothing like what you have agreed to shoot

This is a straight red flag. This means when you get there that is what they want to shoot. The inspiration photo with the girl with the legs wide open, yep hun they want you to do that. The inspiration photo of a girl with a see-through shirt and nipples even though you said clothed only, yep there is a definite risk you'll get there and they'll want that shot.

The inspiration photo of a girl and guy in shower naked pressed up against each other with no other model named or included, yep self-timer lovely, thats their inspiration of you two peas in a pod.

Look at the inspiration they send you. Clarify the parts your confused about, I.e. 'You don't want my bra off though right?'. And say no if they send you any straight pornographic images when its not what you're looking for.

🚩 Red Flag Three: They do not supply or will not sign a contract

I know, its a collaboration, what could go wrong?

Wrong!

Having a signed contract between both photographer and model/s is safety for both of you. It ensures that you're photos won't be published where you don't want them, it ensures that you will get paid the amount agreed to (if its paid), it allows you a chance to discuss hard limits and have them on a written contract and it also ensures that you're safe throughout your shoot.

I've had issues with a photographer trying to throw a contract back on me, asking why I don't trust them, when I'd never met them before. The contract I was making was nothing that was going to stuff him over, it was for my own safety and I straight away stopped communications with this person.

Some photographers will also have you sign contracts as they post content to their own subscription services or sometimes in magazines or in competitions or whatever the case may be, so you need to check yourself that you're not about to end up where you don't want to be. This isn't victim blaming, its being smart about written, signed, legal documents and the effects they can have if things go sour.

🚩 Red Flag Four: They're pushy about shoot dates or keep changing their mind

People get busy and I know that but theres a few scenarios where I believe it shows red flags on both models and photographers ends.

🚩 You're genuinely sick and can't make a shoot so you postpone. The photographer gets angry with this.

If you are genuinely sick and cannot shoot it should be in both peoples interests not to shoot. Not only do you get photos of people with sick eyes or tired eyes or bags or whatever it may be but its also a health and safety issue for you both.

When the shoot has been cancelled many times, I get it can be frustrating, but this when photographers and models alike need to decide on whether this is the shoot they actually want to take part in or not and also learn to have patience with one another.

🚩 They constantly ask for dates or days that you cannot do

When you've already discussed your availability but they keep pushing for days or dates you've said you can't do, thats a red flag to me. The fact that they think they're shoot is more important then whatever you have on speaks volumes. If it's a paid shoot and needs to be done by a certain date it is understandable, however if its an unpaid opportunity it is not worth cancelling your own plans for period.

A professional should be able to work around you or they should be able to decline the shoot based on conflicts of calendars.

🚩 You are unable to contact them days before your given shoot

To me, if you are unable to answer me or contact me days before a shoot, its a cancellation. Communication is key and if they cannot have the decency to keep in contact and keep you up to date with the plans then I would not continue.

🚩 They constantly cancel on you, for weird reasons, late or its happened more then 3 times consecutively

Things happen, we have to cancel sometimes but if the photographer or model seems as though they are genuinely avoiding the shoot date, their communication is lacking or there seems to be no remorse for the constant cancelations then that's your sign to find someone else to work with. Sometimes our mental health makes us feel as though we can't or can't be bothered to shoot and this can be hard in itself, but in these situations you still need to be professional and provide reasons. It's then up to that person if they want to continue to organise dates with or whether they move onto another project.

🚩 Red Flag Five: They ask for examples of your works, but ask for uncensored or photos that you don't usually share

Your Instagram can very well count as your portfolio of previous works and there is no need for them to see anymore then that. Asking for someones uncensored works is like messaging and asking someone to send you a nude selfie to them and there is literally no need.

When you ring the gynaecologist or doctor and discuss problems down there do they ask to see a photo of it before you attend?

When you begin messaging someone new and they ask for a nude before meeting you or having any sexual encounter with you, do send it? (dependent on the person I know 😂)

No, so why should a photographer need to see your nipples or downstairs before shooting you? This is a straight red flag for me.

This can also be counted if a photographer asks straight out for your private (Onlyfans, Patreon etc.) pages and asks if you are okay with them following. Ill talk more about this in detail on my next post but their is no professional need for a photographer to be purchasing your private photos and works.