need advice please help! people found this offensive!

[brennasg]

Okay... so in another post I was asking about a MUA issue. Well... I have a way bigger issure now. The hotel I was planning on doing my boudoir marathon in... just said they looked at my facebook ad and they are not going to let me shoot there!

a couple of things- I asked permission to do portraits in the room that I was paying for.. and they said that was fine.

- then randomly last night someone reported my link to my blog as offensive.... then this morning the hotel tells me days later that they are not going to let me shoot that type of thing. What in the world!?

- These boudoir marathons are going on all over the country and they all take place in 4 or 5 star hotels. There is nothing pornographic about them at all.

- So I called the manager and left a message havent heard back. I wanted to clarify any concerns that would make it an issue.


I am just really upset becuase I had already spent a week thinking about all the shots I could get with this particular room. My favorite hotel! I am also upset because I asked ahead of time.. I wanted to make sure I did everything the right way. So now.. I guess I have to find a new hotel. I am just really confused on how portraits would be okay.. but not sexy portraits.

Here is the link... do you find it offensive?? What did I do wrong?

http://www.sparklingsealphotography.blogspot.com/

[stax]

I don't find it offensive, but I don't live in Tennessee.

[ImageryMasters]

Well if memory serves me right you seem to live in the bible belt area of the country, no nasty pictures. Although in my opinon I see nothing wrong with it myself.

[DonJuanMair]

That sucks, come to Vegas instead :)
Just curious did you have many people booked?

[S-Man]

Couldn't you have not said anything and do as you please in the room YOU paid for?

[brennasg]

I don't find it offensive, but I don't live in Tennessee.

Well if memory serves me right you seem to live in the bible belt area of the country, no nasty pictures. Although in my opinon I see nothing wrong with it myself.

There will be no nasty pictures involved. Thats the whole point. I am in TN... but its NASHVILLE... its not like it some real rural area. I mean we have a Hustler store, and gay bars!
That sucks, come to Vegas instead :)
Just curious did you have many people booked?

It does suck! Well I just posted the blog post about 24 hours ago and I have filled 4 spots.. so I have 6 more. I am still doing the session, just not there.

Couldn't you have not said anything and do as you please in the room YOU paid for?

I know! That is what I am saying... furthermore...way worse things go on in hotel rooms than me taking pics of women in their 20's 30's most of which are mothers looking hot for their husbands. I was just trying to make sure I did the right thing by asking about their policy. Which they said portraits were fine... I guess just not Boudoir Portraits:(

[Absolutely Fabulous]

Hmmm when I was a model we shot at hotels all the time. Another option was people would rent fancy houses for a few days and share it with other photographers.

maybe explain to the manager, and offer an open door policy were they are welcome to watch , doubt they will but may show your not doing anything dirty? Will your wife be there? Not sure if that is another way of showing it's above board

[brennasg]

Hmmm when I was a model we shot at hotels all the time. Another option was people would rent fancy houses for a few days and share it with other photographers.

maybe explain to the manager, and offer an open door policy were they are welcome to watch , doubt they will but may show your not doing anything dirty? Will your wife be there? Not sure if that is another way of showing it's above board

Hotels are used all over the place for this type of thing. CRAZY. Well I sent both the general manager and the director of operations an email... trying to clarify and to get some clarification. Haven't heard back and I called them too... so I think they are giving me the big ill dis.

I tried to stop all of this before it started... I sent them to my website to show that I am not skeezy. I mostly am a baby photographer.. I am also female.. My clients are mostly mothers..etc. So.. just dont get it.

I also thought of sending them links to other photogs.. who do the same thing so they can see the type of pics. I just want an explaination.. and to not be treated like I am doing something wrong.

[Absolutely Fabulous]

Hotels are used all over the place for this type of thing. CRAZY. Well I sent both the general manager and the director of operations an email... trying to clarify and to get some clarification. Haven't heard back and I called them too... so I think they are giving me the big ill dis.

I tried to stop all of this before it started... I sent them to my website to show that I am not skeezy. I mostly am a baby photographer.. I am also female.. My clients are mostly mothers..etc. So.. just dont get it.

I also thought of sending them links to other photogs.. who do the same thing so they can see the type of pics. I just want an explaination.. and to not be treated like I am doing something wrong.


OHHHHH See I didn't know you were a girlie too! Now why the problem??? maybe they don't know your a girl? Should take the sleeze out of it no?


I saw you did mainly baby work when I clicked the link ;)

Hmmm how strange. Well I'd offer that open door policy still, shows you have nothing to hide and maybe ring and put your sweet voice on?

[stax]

I bet that it is not your project that is the problem, but rather hotel management's fear of what third-party prudes might say about your project that might tarnish the hotel's image.

It sounds like the hotel is pretty classy place and I am sure they want to maintain that image. After seeing your (perfectly sensible and inoffensive) Facebook post, someone at the hotel probably became worried that others might hear about your project and then start spreading ignorant tales of softcore porn shoots being run out of the hotel's rooms.

Sure, Nashville has a liberal core. Not everybody there is conservative. But it isn't San Francisco or Manhattan. Those inclined to support groups like the Family Action Council of Tennessee are just the type of people who would make noise about a hotel that facilitates perceived sins of the flesh. Remember, these types often don't care about the facts. Boudoir means XXX to some of these ol' bitties.

I am not saying that your project would cause this kind of controversey, of course, but I could see a paranoid hotel manager unreasonably fearing this kind of scenario after reading about your project on the "internets."

In any case, it sounds like you are getting a raw deal.

[mfharper]

I'm in Indiana which is in the bible belt too. Never, ever, ever ask for permission around here. Way too many prudes. Besides, it's always better to ask for forgiveness after the fact then to ask for permission before hand.

[brennasg]

OHHHHH See I didn't know you were a girlie too! Now why the problem??? maybe they don't know your a girl? Should take the sleeze out of it no?


I saw you did mainly baby work when I clicked the link ;)

Hmmm how strange. Well I'd offer that open door policy still, shows you have nothing to hide and maybe ring and put your sweet voice on?


Well they are aware I am female because in the email it was Ms. ...I am so irritated. They still never responded to my phone calls or to my email. Great Customer Service!

I bet that it is not your project that is the problem, but rather hotel management's fear of what third-party prudes might say about your project that might tarnish the hotel's image.

It sounds like the hotel is pretty classy place and I am sure they want to maintain that image. After seeing your (perfectly sensible and inoffensive) Facebook post, someone at the hotel probably became worried that others might hear about your project and then start spreading ignorant tales of softcore porn shoots being run out of the hotel's rooms.

Sure, Nashville has a liberal core. Not everybody there is conservative. But it isn't San Francisco or Manhattan. Those inclined to support groups like the Family Action Council of Tennessee are just the type of people who would make noise about a hotel that facilitates perceived sins of the flesh. Remember, these types often don't care about the facts. Boudoir means XXX to some of these ol' bitties.

I am not saying that your project would cause this kind of controversey, of course, but I could see a paranoid hotel manager unreasonably fearing this kind of scenario after reading about your project on the "internets."

In any case, it sounds like you are getting a raw deal.

haha.. I love it! I am sure you are on point! Thanks:)

I'm in Indiana which is in the bible belt too. Never, ever, ever ask for permission around here. Way too many prudes. Besides, it's always better to ask for forgiveness after the fact then to ask for permission before hand.

Yes... apparently I was being too professional... so much for that! haha

Well... anyhow.. I am still disappointed about not getting to use their hotel... but the show will go on. I think what is bothering me about it the most is... they are essentially making me(and my clients in a sense) feel like we are doing something wrong. I also do not appreciate the lack of respect by following up with me after emails and phone calls.. that were very nice btw. Then I read back over my email... and this is a total female thing I am sure... but the first email started with Hi Brenna.....sure you can use our rooms for portraits.. best regards. Then the last email said... Ms. our rooms are not available for such a thing... regards. haha I know I am a total girl! haha.. but still! How rude..

Thanks for listening to my rant!

[stax]

You might be too polite for this, but if it were me :p I would post the name of the hotel and hotel manager in this thread, maybe even post about it on FB, and then send links to the hotel manager. Give 'em something to cringe about, however small. But that's me....at least before I have a chance to cool off.

[philwillmedia]

Hmm...Wonder what they'd say if someone like "Vogue" or another high end fashion magazine rang them and said they wanted to use their hotel to do a similar shoot of someone like Meryl Streep/Nicole Kidman/Susan Sarandon or someone similar for a front cover and 4 page feature

My guess is they'd be falling over themselves to accommodate

Double standards methinks

[pcj]

You were as open and frank with them as you possibly could be - they chose not too go there. Did you just pay for the room for the day, or were there other charges involved?

I'd move on, find a new place, be just as open and honest with them too - it sucks, but you've done nothing wrong here.

As an aside, I love the idea of a boudoir marathon - I've been thinking of dipping my toes into boudoir in my local market, and I may keep this in mind for the future!

[brennasg]

You might be too polite for this, but if it were me :p I would post the name of the hotel and hotel manager in this thread, maybe even post about it on FB, and then send links to the hotel manager. Give 'em something to cringe about, however small. But that's me....at least before I have a chance to cool off.

Well, I don't really want them to know bummed I am to not to get to use them. However I am planning on sending both head peeps an email letting them know I respect their decision but not how they have handled my further inquiry into the matter.

Hmm...Wonder what they'd say if someone like "Vogue" or another high end fashion magazine rang them and said they wanted to use their hotel to do a similar shoot of someone like Meryl Streep/Nicole Kidman/Susan Sarandon or someone similar for a front cover and 4 page feature

My guess is they'd be falling over themselves to accommodate

Double standards methinks

Oh I am certain.

You were as open and frank with them as you possibly could be - they chose not too go there. Did you just pay for the room for the day, or were there other charges involved?

I'd move on, find a new place, be just as open and honest with them too - it sucks, but you've done nothing wrong here.

As an aside, I love the idea of a boudoir marathon - I've been thinking of dipping my toes into boudoir in my local market, and I may keep this in mind for the future!

Yep already moved on.. have another location:)

This is my first one..and I am sooo excited about it. I will post the pics I have permission to use and let you know how it goes:)

[jblaschke]

All you can do is cancel your reservation and get another room at a different hotel. This time, don't make the mistake of asking permission.

Sucks, but that's how it it. The Wife and I did an 8-hour boudoir shoot in a local hotel last summer. We just unloaded our stuff and the models came up as they arrived. Even did some shots around the pool at one point (though not in lingerie. Nobody said boo, but had we asked ahead of time, I guarantee the answer would've been "NO." :(

[Quizzical_Squirrel]

Maybe they've got the impression that this isn't a random one-off shoot in one of their rooms but more of a business use and they are either

1) worried about where this might lead (i.e. more similar sessions) and its long-term effect on their clientele or

2) I wonder if there's possibly an insurance issue with running a business thing in a hotel room rather than a licensed function room.

[brennasg]

All you can do is cancel your reservation and get another room at a different hotel. This time, don't make the mistake of asking permission.

Sucks, but that's how it it. The Wife and I did an 8-hour boudoir shoot in a local hotel last summer. We just unloaded our stuff and the models came up as they arrived. Even did some shots around the pool at one point (though not in lingerie. Nobody said boo, but had we asked ahead of time, I guarantee the answer would've been "NO." :(

Exactly! Well I learned my lesson thats for sure! Not the only one I have learned with this project thats for sure! haha

Maybe they've got the impression that this isn't a random one-off shoot in one of their rooms but more of a business use and they are either

1) worried about where this might lead (i.e. more similar sessions) and its long-term affect on their clientele or

2) I wonder if there's possibly an insurance issue with running a business thing in a hotel room rather than a licensed function room.

Could be... I wouldn't know cause they still havent responded;) Although they did say yes originally so they were okay with portraits...but not BOUDOIR portraits!! OH HEAVENS NO! ;)

However.. like I said I have gotten another room at another beautiful hotel. Now I just have to fill up more spots! Any advice on quick marketing?? My facebook is not biting like I thought it would... apparently most are tapped out after spending so much on xmas:(

[pcj]

However.. like I said I have gotten another room at another beautiful hotel. Now I just have to fill up more spots! Any advice on quick marketing?? My facebook is not biting like I thought it would... apparently most are tapped out after spending so much on xmas:(

For local area stuff, try Criagslist or local businesses (local gyms, hairstylists, nail salons for example)

[archosman]

Hope it wasn't Opryland!