Potential Legal issue.

LivingLargeLivingLarge Registered Users Posts: 120 Major grins
edited December 18, 2008 in Mind Your Own Business
So...male photog taking shots, in todays culture and sexual harrasment enviroment can get into a tight pinch (no pun intended) When I want to make small adjusments to hair, clothing etc...what should I say and cover. What are some examples out there, verbatim please? I want to make it habit with EVERYONE I shoot so that I can show a pattern should someone try a he said, she said. I also want to avoid any issues with members of the gay/lesbian community as well. Even other hetro males may feel uncomfortable with me making an adjustment that is needed for a cleaner pic. I can see what needs to be done but they cannot! :huh :dunno
“He who works with his hands is a laborer.
He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman.
He who works with his hands and his head and his heartis an artist.”

Comments

  • AngeloAngelo Super Moderators Posts: 8,937 moderator
    edited December 17, 2008
    assuming you're shooting personal portraits and not working with pro models:

    the first best defense is to have someone else in the studio - a witness

    just be straight forward, matter-of-fact and professional: with each viewfinder verification walk to the subject saying what you're going to do -

    "I want to move this strand of hair, it's causing a shadow, Thank you"

    "Your shirt collar is riding up, let's have you pull it down" - "like this, Thank you"

    "Your pant leg has a funny fold, I'm going to adjust it from the cuff, Thank you"

    "Miss, your blouse is open a tad too much, I'd like you to adjust it, Thank you"

    "Your make-up is really awful, go home and try again" (NO - just kidding) rolleyes1.gif


    Don't be too hung up on this stuff. Don't be intimidated. It'll show and disturb your concentration on the work at hand.
  • Candid ArtsCandid Arts Registered Users Posts: 1,685 Major grins
    edited December 17, 2008
    Angelo wrote:
    "Your make-up is really awful, go home and try again" (NO - just kidding) rolleyes1.gif

    That was hilarious. I was like WTF!!!...then I saw "(NO - just kidding)"

    Nice one.
  • LivingLargeLivingLarge Registered Users Posts: 120 Major grins
    edited December 17, 2008
    Good points all...is it better to have the client make the adjustment or for the photographer (me) who sees what needs to be done. I can understand not makeing all of them ie: miss, your bra strap is showing, would you please adjust it, Thank You. BTW, I really like the "Thank You" after each request. Having a witness is good advice, but sometimes not feasible. I want to build a solid pattern so a "he said, she said" can be refuted by handing over my list to the DA and saying, "Please call each of my previous clients and ask if I ever did anything in appropriate"

    Any other input?
    “He who works with his hands is a laborer.
    He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman.
    He who works with his hands and his head and his heartis an artist.”
  • ChatKatChatKat Registered Users Posts: 1,357 Major grins
    edited December 17, 2008
    yes..two people
    I almost always have a friend of the subject. It makes the shoot more fun - you can put them to work too - holding a reflector, telling them to watch for things that you could miss. I too always ask if they mind if I adjust anything and when it's appropriate have them do it. If you describe the adjustments it helps alot. I prefer to have someone else there at the shoot to protect me. My husband works next door to my studio and I ask him or the assistant to check in too.
    Kathy Rappaport
    Flash Frozen Photography, Inc.
    http://flashfrozenphotography.com
  • clemensphoto'sclemensphoto's Registered Users Posts: 647 Major grins
    edited December 17, 2008
    Another thing thay you could also ask the client is to bring a friend to help with outfits, makeup and other touchups. I know that there is a post floating around here about senior photos suggesting to always have a parent present so that there aren't any surprised parents when the photos are ordered.

    I guess an extream thing to do is video record the session when no one else is available if you're that worried about it???
    Ryan Clemens
    www.clemensphotography.us
    Canon 7D w/BG-E7 Vertical Grip, Canon 50D w/ BG-E2N Vertical Grip, Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L USM, Canon 18-55mm, Canon 580EX II Flash and other goodies.
    Ignorance is no excuss, so lets DGrin!
  • BlakerBlaker Registered Users Posts: 294 Major grins
    edited December 17, 2008
    I want to build a solid pattern so a "he said, she said" can be refuted by handing over my list to the DA and saying, "Please call each of my previous clients and ask if I ever did anything in appropriate"

    Any other input?

    Don't rely on evidence of your "solid pattern" to refute a claim . It's not gonna work. Just because you didn't "come on" to 20 clients doesn't mean you didn't come on the the 21st.
    I wonder if you haven't been accused of something in the past to make you so wary now?
    The best way to protect yourself is to have an assistant in the room, especially if you are already envisioning being called by the DA!!
    Get an assistant to be in the room with you.
  • Cygnus StudiosCygnus Studios Registered Users Posts: 2,294 Major grins
    edited December 17, 2008
    I guess that you are working with unexperienced or internet models.
    The "thank you" will go a long ways. I always ask the client to straighten first. This way they know what to expect when I say, here move it like this.
    If you are 100% professional and move with authority, there would be no confusion.
    Even experienced models can't read your mind and understand what vision you see. If you are directing the pose, making an adjustment with clothing will just come as a natural part of the process.
    For what its worth, I understand the cautiousness. Today more people understand that threatening a lawsuit has better odds than the lottery.
    Steve

    Website
  • LivingLargeLivingLarge Registered Users Posts: 120 Major grins
    edited December 17, 2008
    Thank you all. Since I am just starting out I wanted to start things out right. :D
    “He who works with his hands is a laborer.
    He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman.
    He who works with his hands and his head and his heartis an artist.”
  • TrevlanTrevlan Registered Users Posts: 649 Major grins
    edited December 17, 2008
    Angelo wrote:
    assuming you're shooting personal portraits and not working with pro models:

    the first best defense is to have someone else in the studio - a witness

    just be straight forward, matter-of-fact and professional: with each viewfinder verification walk to the subject saying what you're going to do -

    "I want to move this strand of hair, it's causing a shadow, Thank you"

    "Your shirt collar is riding up, let's have you pull it down" - "like this, Thank you"

    "Your pant leg has a funny fold, I'm going to adjust it from the cuff, Thank you"

    "Miss, your blouse is open a tad too much, I'd like you to adjust it, Thank you"

    "Your make-up is really awful, go home and try again" (NO - just kidding) rolleyes1.gif


    Don't be too hung up on this stuff. Don't be intimidated. It'll show and disturb your concentration on the work at hand.

    Angelo's points are all spot on. But one thing you can't do, is make the model feel uncomfortable because you are being stiff and nervous. If the photog is nervous, the model will be nervous. Just act natural, but don't touch without permission! You'll do great. Now post some of these pics!
    Frank Martinez
    Nikon Shooter
    It's all about the moment...
  • Scott_QuierScott_Quier Registered Users Posts: 6,524 Major grins
    edited December 18, 2008
    Trevlan wrote:
    Angelo's points are all spot on. But one thing you can't do, is make the model feel uncomfortable because you are being stiff and nervous. If the photog is nervous, the model will be nervous. Just act natural, but don't touch without permission! You'll do great. Now post some of these pics!
    This is key!!! The first time or two that you need to adjust something, ask permission, "I need to move your [insert noun here], may I?" This is something I learned when I was teaching a physical art - ask first - saves all kinds of heartburn.
  • Art ScottArt Scott Registered Users Posts: 8,959 Major grins
    edited December 18, 2008
    Angelo wrote:
    "Your make-up is really awful, go home and try again" (NO - just kidding) rolleyes1.gif

    Actually I have sent models away for terrible make up...even on shoots of t/p [noooo not toliet paper...time for pics....].....I have even asked paying clients to dampen their make up (dampen = tone it down...not make it wet).....I especially hate glittery powder on the face.....uggggh terrible

    Actually if you act nervous you seem as if you have already done something wrong before with another client and like you may be trying to get away with something with this client........

    gotta stay cool and calm .................

    If you ahve anssistant always present then it just goes so much easier......
    "Genuine Fractals was, is and will always be the best solution for enlarging digital photos." ....Vincent Versace ... ... COPYRIGHT YOUR WORK ONLINE ... ... My Website

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