Having worked as a pro all summer I have just moved to Scotland to live with my fiancee, and decided to make some cash to put towards setting up my own business by doing a regular job - surveying buildings. I'll cut to the chase, I was surveying a sports centre with a colleague and I took along my portfolio to show him, he liked it.
I was chatting to the girl behind the counter at the cafe during my lunch break and mentioned I was a photographer, she had a look at my portfolio and she liked my work, I mentioned that I was always looking to improve and suggested that if she was keen and had creative ideas she could model for me on a paid basis to do portrait and fashion work. She was really keen and we exchanged numbers and arranged to meet to discuss clothes etc at a later time at her flat which she shares with her sister and boyfriend.
The following day I apologised for losing her address and she gave it to me again, we then discussed ideas and black and white photos etc and I gave her a link to more of my work (www.jerseyphoto.co.uk
) so she could let her boyfriend know what I do before we met up.
This morning she said the boyfriend wasn't keen, and she couldn't do it, I said no worries boyfriends are sometimes like that. I thought ok well that saves more forking out for a model I'll wait for some TFP!
Two hours later we are all ordered off site without reason. I called my manager who said that the sports centre manager had made a complaint to his superiors about innappropriate behaviour by me. The email read as follows:
"It has recently been brought to my attention that a contractor has been acting in a matter which I would deem innappropriate and pass to you to resolve
it appears the contractor has approached a member of staff and asked (I dont know how or in what manner) if they would model for them in a photoshoot. I'm guessing as a hobby or part time venture. This has been the only reported case, however myself and my colleagues are concerned that other members of staff and customers may also be subject to the same type of questions.
I find this questioning intrusive and inappropriate considering the type of work that should be taking place and have a duty of care to those within the facility.
I hope you can assist in controlling this type of behaviour."
So work stopped on all jobs for the rest of the day while myself and my contracts manager met with the client's senior representative, I explained what happened and handed over my portfolio to evidence that I am not a perve. We concluded that this was a silly misunderstanding and would not go any further.
I have found all this quite upsetting and expect that the girl told her pals who then got jumpy and told the boss, nor do I know if she made a specific complaint however I strongly doubt it as she was very enthusiastic before her boyfriend wasn't happy.
I think it would have been a different story if I'd said: "I'm a rock climbing instructor" (true) and she said "I always wanted to try that" and I said "ok if you like I could take you out for a climb on Sunday". No one would have cared - but because I'm a photographer I am a pervert!
I just want to know what is the great big crime I have done?
has anyone else had a similar experience?
Thanks guys
