Was I Being Set Up?!?

[710 Studio]

This happened in August of 2008, but as the warmer weather is right around the corner for us northern hemispherians, I'm going to run this past you... hopefully to protect myself in this year's beach-shooting season.

I had placed a notice that I was looking for models for a swimsuit shoot. A few details of the shoot followed, outlining the goal of the project, etc. Pretty typical stuff.

A model replied via e-mail with some sample images attached. She looked to have some decent experience, as swimsuit modeling was her specialty. I called her and set up a time for shooting.

A few days before the shoot, I got a call from the model asking about changing facilities. I mentioned that the location had some really nice changing rooms, so changing would not be an issue. And here is where it got strange...

The model said that she would feel unsafe changing in the public changing rooms. That said, she asked if she could use my car to change in. I asked why she couldn't use HER car. She said that she had too many "things" in her car, so there was not enough room for her to change. It had to be in my car. I reminded her that cars had windows, so it would be better if she just changed in the public dressing rooms. That didn't seem to bother her, as she said she would just drape towels over the windows. All the while I resisted her insistence on dressing in my car, I heard a male voice in the background pushing her to try to get me to allow her to change in my car. What really struck me is when she was answering the male voice in the background (who spoke wonderful English) in a whispered voice, her English was fine. When she spoke to me in her "normal" voice, she spoke with a very thick accent, as though she struggled to speak English.

Ultimately, I told her that if she felt that she HAD to change in my car, then I would feel better if we just canceled the shoot. More to protect myself than anything.

What do you think about this? Ever happen to you? Was this a setup to get me in some sort of legal trouble? The whole thing just seemed really odd...

[tfiorda]

I'd say it doesn't sound kosher. I think you made the correct call by going with your gut feeling. Mine's never let me down, but I haven't had anything like this happen at all.

Tony...

[coralnutz]

That sounds really odd, I think you did the right thing by following your gut.

[TooManyHobbies]

yes

[cdifoto]

It's not a set up I ever heard of but it definitely warrants a cancellation in my book.

[710 Studio]

TFIORDA - My gut was pretty strong on this one. I've made the mistake of NOT listening to my gut, before. Nothing that got me in too much trouble. This, I had a feeling, had the potential to land me in a LOT of trouble, so... she was quickly scratched from the books!

CORALNUTZ - It was a very strange bunch of events, for sure. Especially the voice mail that had the male voice in the background. I saved that voice mail in the event that I would need it as evidence down the road. As it turns out, once I canceled the shoot, I never heard from her, again.

TOOMANYHOBBIES - You sound very sure! Myself, I was fairly sure, but later questioned myself if I was just being TOO safe, if not a bit paranoid.

CDIFOTO - That is the one and only time it has happened to me. Most of my clients have been real pleasures to work with. This one... just flat out bizarre!

[Tommy]

I'm with CDI on this one... never heard the set up before, but would warrant a cancellation on my end...

And to add, it could have perhaps been a plot to steal things out of your car, or even the car itself... not necessarily get you into legal trouble... Anyway, it sounds seriously fishy...

[710 Studio]

TOMMY - heh heh heh... if that was a plot to steal things out of my car, she would have been SERIOUSLY disappointed (I carry all of my gear with me when I shoot on location). I think she could have gotten her hands on about 50 cents worth of pop bottle returns and possibly a receipt from Taco Bell... :)

But yeah... the whole thing just smelled of scam.

[cdifoto]

You could always use the ol' standby "Sure you can change in my car as long as the smell of cow dung doesn't bother you. I'm a farmer by day. Oh and watch where you sit. I used it to transport a pig to market the other week."

[MDJAK]

maybe it was a plot to steal your car, not things out of it.

Give her my number. I got a car I wouldn't mind her taking. ;)

Seriously though, did sound a bit scary. Good thing you dumped her. And him.

me

[710 Studio]

You could always use the ol' standby "Sure you can change in my car as long as the smell of cow dung doesn't bother you. I'm a farmer by day. Oh and watch where you sit. I used it to transport a pig to market the other week."

bwahahahaaa... I like that!

[Karl Johnston]

Sounds like you nearly got your car jacked.

[Mark1]

Def a scam. However I would have delt with it a different way. I would have followed up and said OK. But tell her I have a different car. Then just not show up. Totaly waste her time and gas. Then call her the next day and complain about her not showing up. Or show up just to see if they show up or not, if I had the free time. Since they are looking for a different car, they will neve "see' you.

[LowriderS10]

that's sketchy as hell...good job on trusting your gut

[tsilva]

TOMMY - heh heh heh... if that was a plot to steal things out of my car, she would have been SERIOUSLY disappointed (I carry all of my gear with me when I shoot on location). I think she could have gotten her hands on about 50 cents worth of pop bottle returns and possibly a receipt from Taco Bell... :)

But yeah... the whole thing just smelled of scam.

Yes, but what about your car registration, insurance information or anything else with your name and address that they could have found and used against you?? Could have turned very nasty in my opinion. You did the right thing.

[Karl Johnston]

Def a scam. However I would have delt with it a different way. I would have followed up and said OK. But tell her I have a different car. Then just not show up. Totaly waste her time and gas. Then call her the next day and complain about her not showing up. Or show up just to see if they show up or not, if I had the free time. Since they are looking for a different car, they will neve "see' you.

That's hilarious! bw!

If i were to have some fun with her, I'd show up and then have a friend hide in the back of the car who's RCMP lieutenant :lol: see how she likes stealing a car with a cop in it.

[iBeauty Photography]

I listen to the little voice in my head... sounds like you did too... if it doesn't feel good it won't go good...

[Dooms_day]

lol id get my car low-jacked then see if it does get stolen (mm just a 98% chance...) you can follow her back to her stolen car filled garage and report it to the police!

alternatively just take out the battery of your car and leave it in the trunk and see if she comes back changed and ready to shoot!

[flipstyle72]

trusting a gut? One would have to be a blatant fool to realize something fishy is going on. Especially with the whole accent and no accent thing. (i wasn't calling you a fool..lol)

could have just told her you were riding your bike to the shoot. Bicycle.

[ProsePhotography]

Any time there's a boyfriend or escort involved in any decision, my little radar starts to go off. I know, we don't this to be a "no escorts" hijack. but the whole thing sounded real peculiar to me, too.

[kenwood33]

what car you have?

[dsmPhotoCompany]

If it smells like a rat and walks like a rat - it mostly is in fact, a rat.

Good call on walking away. Way too many photogs, especially in the G/N arena, let their excitement to shoot a scantly clad women get the best of 'em and lose all sense of reason.

[M Powered]

I had models change in my car numerous times. If its a swimsuit shoot, what could she possibly have to 'set you up'?

[dsmPhotoCompany]

Have you ever had one insist on using your car even though there were better changing accomodations? And using a car at the request of her BF?