Model advice please

  • Thread starter Thread starter Slvrbck
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Slvrbck

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Hi all,
Wanting some practice at portrait photography, I asked a few friends at work if they would be wiling to pose for me.
A couple of guys said yes and then tonight I got a text from my friends younger sister asking if she could have some done.

I asked her what kind of shots she wanted and she said some glamour photos that she could use in a portfolio if they where good enough.

I outright said no because she is only 17.
She said she would still like some "normal" shots done but now I feel a bit uncomfortable.

I have known her sister all my life, go to festivals and gigs with her dad and have pretty much grown up with the family.

Should I feel like this? Should I do the shoot? What would you do?

Cheers for your help
 
I'd say, too close for comfort ... but I'm an old-fart .. may be in today's standards I'm a fossil?
 
No, if you don't feel comfortable doing it, then don't. They are your instincts and if it means something to you not to do a glamour shoot then politely decline.

If you are not comfortable doing it, then the pics are likely to reflect that. Trust yourself.
 
That's what i'm thinking Wail.
I think even if she was 18 I would say no, it's an area of photography that I'm interested in but it's still one of my best friends baby sisters!

The other part of me is thinking that a "normal" photoshoot is nothing more than what I have already done with her older sister and mom and dad!
 
How about agreeing to do the shoot with a relative there since she is underage? I'm not sure whether they might think this was odd if you are a family friend though.
Hmm, maybe invite her sister along if you are friends with her and take some of each of them separately and some together - the 17 year old can then use the ones of her alone in a non-glamour modelling portfolio, the Dad is chuffed with pics of his daughters together (late fathers day pressie!) and you have no risk of anything untoward going on - all round win.
 
Cheers Albi,
Sound advice and I think untill I am over feeling uncomfortabe, I am going to say no.
 
Glamour doesn't have to mean nude. You could always do the shoot with a chaperone. That way, everyone knows what's going on.

/edit too slow
 
CatB, that is great advice.....
I hadn't thought of that.
Cheers
 
Slvrbck said:
That's what i'm thinking Wail.
I think even if she was 18 I would say no, it's an area of photography that I'm interested in but it's still one of my best friends baby sisters!

The other part of me is thinking that a "normal" photoshoot is nothing more than what I have already done with her older sister and mom and dad!
Click to expand...

Another way of looking at it would be "Would you rather somebody she knows & trusts take the pictures rather than a tog that nobody has ever met before ?"

But seeing as one of my best mates has a 16 year old daughter who's been a model I know where you're coming from...

Steve
 
That's a point Jelster,
She has been talking about it for ages and she will end up doing it with someone else if I say no. While I'm sure 99.9% of people would be fine, I know some seedy fellas from the studio I have used a few times in the past.
 
Slvrbck said:
That's a point Jelster,
She has been talking about it for ages and she will end up doing it with someone else if I say no. While I'm sure 99.9% of people would be fine, I know some seedy fellas from the studio I have used a few times in the past.
Click to expand...

As it stands though at 17 she can't do anything nude/topless and it sounds like when you told her that she accepted it.
You could still take some glamour-esque shots - e.g. head and shoulders with her wearing a strapless top but it I still think it might be a good idea to have another member of the family there so they know the whole deal.When she's 18 if she still wants to do nude/topless and you are uncomfortable with it you can recommend someone you would trust.
 
Cheers CatB,
I have just been on the phone to her sister.
The family arn't happy about her wanting to do a glamour shoot but her dad has see if she still wants to when she is 18, they would rather it be me than someone they don't know.
Her mom and dad have also said that they would love some shots of her and her sister.

Problem solved
cheers for your advice all.
 
I'm happy that it's worked out fine in the end :) ... seems like her parents hold you to high repute & value :thumbs:, not an easy thing to shoulder :)
 
Good outcome. For under 18 models would need a chaperone but in my book glamour is a no-no at 16. There was a news release recently regarding a couple of male togs overstepping the mark with young female models and I undersatnd the cases have both ended up in court.
 
Is it illegal to *take* photos of seventeen year olds as well as publish them? I know the law changed recently, but I don't know the details. I've erred on the side of caution before and not even shot non-nude glamour-esque stuff with under 18s.

I think you've done the right thing.
 
I was told by a good tog friend (male) who specialises in glamour that the only way to safeguard the whole set-up is to have models 18+. With fashion photographs under 18, a chaperone and model release form with parents consent. Why leave anything to chance.
 
Aye that's what we do, although we do it because it makes the whole thing easier. It would be interesting to know what the law states.
 
Her older sister (19) will be at the shoot and her dad has signed a model release for her (getting her older sister to sign another one).
I don't think the model release forms will hold any legal value as they are just someting I found on google.
 
I think the law states something like it is illegal to take 'indecent' photographs of a child (under 18). as there doesn't appear to be a clear definitiion of what constitutes such an image, you are leaving yourself wide open to possible problems. You are dealing with children and no realese form will save you! This should be enough reason why young girls and glamour photography is a no-no period.
 
Yeah, how would the law interpret a father taking pictures of his 2 year old daughter playing in an outdoor swimming pool topless?

I think it's a very delicate subject ... and a very thorny one at that :(
 
Yes, I've recently shot some stuff with a model that the father didn't like. The mother was actually with her when they were done, and he has no problem with me, as I was doing as the mother asked.

The were fully clothed but with a little underwear showing, nothing more than that, which is a fashion these days anyway.

Anyhow, even though no blame was rested on me I wish I hadn't done them, I felt like I should have been apologising.....

Steve
 
a glamour shoot doesnt have to mean all boobs and flesh-but provocative sexy clothes-with no flesh showing maybe just cleavage
 
..... or even a provocative facial expression or pose can throw a fashion shoot into something totally different. I must admit Steve I didn't feel comfortable.
 
Treesie said:
..... or even a provocative facial expression or pose can throw a fashion shoot into something totally different. I must admit Steve I didn't feel comfortable.
Click to expand...

Hmm, I agree. Several years ago my (then) 15 year old sister did some modelling for a major hairdressing chain. They only showed her from the shoulders up and yet they managed to style and photograph her in such a way that not only were my parents horrified by the results but so was she! She had no aspirations towards glamour(esque) modelling and it thoroughly put her off modelling at all.

Still, it sounds like the OP has things under control.
 
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