How do you G&N Shooters protect yourselves from accusations?

[alabama1980]

I want to give this kind of shooting a go eventually once my skills are up to par and my dear girlfriend loosens up a bit to let me shoot someone else.

My question is during this kind of shoot how do you protect yourself in case the client decides to accuse you of something? I read somewhere a while back where someone said they videotaped the session as well to keep themselves out of trouble. Is that a common practice or does it mostly rely on the trust factor between yourself and the client?

[RDKirk]

There is safety in numbers.

[hawk911]

I try to shoot with an MUA there, and always welcome the models' chaperone. Other than that, you put a lot of faith in each other.

[Mark_Cohran]

Knock on wood, in 30 years of shooting models, I've never had that kind of a problem. But, if I can have a chaperone or assistant in the room, I'm always happy to have them.

[alabama1980]

thanks for the answers...although the question isn't applicable to me yet, the thought sprung to mind after seeing a story about a cab driver who transported three females and they refused to pay, he said he was going to call the cops, and they got out and began telling bystanders the cabbie tried to rape them. His only salvation was his dash cam...

Given the nature of this kind of photography, it just seems like it would make the photographer an easy target for such things...

Thanks again for sharing some knowledge!

[Fade2]

I have my female friend, who's also a MUA there plus if the model feels the need for her chaperon then they are more than welcome to join....as long as they know their place.

[Mark1]

Your first line of defense is to act professionally. No jokes, no tricks, etc..etc. Dont even act like they are "friends" till they act that way. A simple wrong look can make her feel uncomfortable and can trigger the mess if she is the kind to start trouble. I am almost cold (but still friendly) to models that will be exposing her parts when we first meet and start shooting. I have found that it makes them feel that we are there to make images not to oogle the boobies. Once you see how they can loosen up, you can get more friendly.

[AxxisPhoto]

The models I shoot usually bring an escort along, which I don't have a problem with as long as they stay out of the way.

[slivr]

Hey, Bama -
Get your girlfriend to assist on the shoot. She can help with handling the outfits, jewelry, or odd jobs to help out. Then you've incorporated her, she may gain some passion for it (or at least know what's going on at those sessions), you've got a third person there to prevent unwarranted accusations, and since it's another female - your model is far more comfortable as well.

I almost always utilize a female MUA -AND- my wife on the set, and then I don't touch the models myself. If I want hair or clothing adjusted ... I have my wife or MUA step in to do it, keeping the model more comfortable since they're the ones vulnerable and standing in front of a stranger with various kibbles -n- bits showing.

[AmandaMarie]

thanks for the answers...although the question isn't applicable to me yet, the thought sprung to mind after seeing a story about a cab driver who transported three females and they refused to pay, he said he was going to call the cops, and they got out and began telling bystanders the cabbie tried to rape them. His only salvation was his dash cam...

Off topic, and like two weeks old, but I just wanted to comment that I knew those girls and they are currently being sued. 60 grand each for defamation.

[charger912]

Off topic, and like two weeks old, but I just wanted to comment that I knew those girls and they are currently being sued. 60 grand each for defamation.

Hmmm... would've been cheaper to pay the cab fair, huh?

To the OP, as everyone has stated, witnesses, witnesses, witnesses. If it's just the two of you, then it's just your word against hers, and who do you think the courts are going to side with? A cute innocent looking girl or a GWC (in their minds)?

[Roy Mathers]

Help me out here - what is a GWC?

[Mark_Cohran]

Help me out here - what is a GWC?
Guy With Camera

[Roy Mathers]

Thank you Mark:)

[woodsters]

I've shot 4 so far and 2 of them had friends with them. Of course even if they bring someone, if they want to make up a story they can. I've worked in a female prison before and you had 2 jobs. One was doing your job and the other was covering your ass. Always made sure you were never in any place with one of them that you could not be seen. And in my law enforcement time, whenever we transported a female for whatever, we always called it in and gave a mileage. That way we covered ourselves there to. But thats not feasible in the photography world. Just don't let yourself be set up.