Photographing a 16 Year-Old Girl

That's a far different situation. We couldn't do that even in the military--you don't tell women at work they're "hot," period. They've been telling us that since the 70s--where have you been?

That is rather silly to say on the "Business of Photography" forum where we take pictures of minors quite frequently as a matter of business. You have a parent or guardian present, they sign a model release--done and done...every day, all over the US.

RDKirk wrote in post #11735266
I agree with this. Folks, it's not impossible to photograph young girls. In this case, the OP does need to back away just a bit from the girl and make contact with the parents from now on.

But I agree that being a photographer is not a crime--it's not an indication of either terrorist or perverted tendencies, and we've all got to stop recoiling from what we do as though we're afraid of being Mr Hyde.

"I'm a portrait photographer her in town, and I think you would make a wonderful subject. Here is my card--you can see the kind of work I do on my website. I'd like to talk to your parents about making your portrait. Would you mind giving my card to them and asking them to call me? This would be at no cost to you."

How do you think high school senior photographers get student reps? The reps need to be juniors in high school to be effective--which means they're minors. This happens all over the United States.

I like that approach. Give them the card and then if they call, they're requesting more info. If they don't call, it's not for them and no biggie. Thanks. My other idea was to meet her father on my own through the somewhat likely chance I'll meet him in the business I'm in.

I'm gonna sleep on this. It blows my mind that some people instantly equate photography with molesting kids regardless of the type of pictures being taken.

RDKirk wrote in post #11735285
That's a far different situation. We couldn't do that even in the military--you don't tell women at work they're "hot," period. They've been telling us that since the 70s--where have you been?

Been living in the real world, how about you? It's not a far different situation at all, it's a perfectly fine example of how something so trivial can come back to bite you.

RDKirk wrote in post #11735285
That is rather silly to say on the "Business of Photography" forum where we take pictures of minors quite frequently as a matter of business. You have a parent or guardian present, they sign a model release--done and done...every day, all over the US.

Nothing silly about it mate - we actually aren't even talking about photography specifically anymore in case you hadn't noticed. The bigger issue here isn't photography at all - it's people's perceptions and the OP's approach to what could have quickly become a very dangerous situation. He needed to start with the parents not by befriending a minor child and I think that's been made abundantly clear to him.

Except it IS about photography and photography is not inherently wrong, creepy, or evil.

Clear it with the parents, have them sign and stay, and you will have no problems.

Guess what? I have 1100+ people on my facebook. At least 80% of them are still in high school. The other 20% are either my school friends and/or those kids' parents.

I make my teenage clients look and feel like models. Not only do they love it, their parents do too.

cdifoto wrote in post #11735400
Except it IS about photography and photography is not inherently wrong, creepy, or evil.

Clear it with the parents, have them sign and stay, and you will have no problems.

Are you passionate about that?

photoguy6405 wrote in post #11735412
Are you passionate about that?

No, but the paranoia amuses me.

cdifoto wrote in post #11735400
Except it IS about photography and photography is not inherently wrong, creepy, or evil.

Clear it with the parents, have them sign and stay, and you will have no problems.

Guess what? I have 1100+ people on my facebook. At least 80% of them are still in high school. The other 20% are either my school friends and/or those kids' parents.

I make my teenage clients look and feel like models. Not only do they love it, their parents do too.

Thanks for your clarity of thought. The bottom line is if the parents are comfortable with the shoot and I do as you suggest, there's no problem. If they don't want the shoot, I'm not going to press them for it. And they would be winners in this because they could end up with photos of their daughter that they'll cherish.

I'm still going to sleep on it. The shoot with the 25 year-old would be less complicated to arrange, but she's been photographed before.

My "in" with the senior portraits was a gorgeous young lady who had recently turned 16. I contacted her directly.

I also do all of my coordination with the person I'm photographing. We text back and forth about outfits and locations. Mom just takes care of the business aspect.

You'd think parents would be uneasy about this, but they think it's awesome. One parent stated publically on facebook that she thinks the fact that she had minimal involvement is why the session went so well. She loved it.

These kids are on the cusp of adulthood, and this is a small way for parents to ease their kids into making important decisions and communicating with adults in an adult way.

Again, don't cut the parent out altogether, but don't be afraid to put some responsibility on the girl too. Ask her if she wants to do it. If she says yes, ask the parents if they're cool with it too and can bring her in. Then you can start discussing hair/makeup/outfits with the girl.

99% of the time this would be a fun shoot, with benefits for both you and the girl..

I have done stuff like this in the past without any problems.. What I'd do is have a parent or guardian of the girl present and another person (female) you know well like a girl friend, wife etc..

You need a minor release, often people use their model release but swap the words around a little to make it work and add a section for parental name, signature, date. There should be plenty of templates on the internet for you to modify.

If you don't mind me asking, how old are you? If you're like 17 (your probably not) or something it wouldn't be as much of an issue. Not that it is one, just make sure the parents know whats up.

I agree with this

cdifoto wrote in post #11734894
Geez, lighten up people! Your reactions are precisely why the general public thinks photogaphers are creepy.

Photography is not sex! Photography is not dirty! There's nothing "weird" about photographing a 16, 14, hell even 6 year old unless you make it weird!

We don't have any hope if our own kinda are even weirded out about it.

cdifoto wrote in post #11735400
...and photography is not inherently wrong, creepy, or evil.

You're right. I don't disagree with you at all. However, your potential fatal flaw (key word: potential) is in thinking logically. The human species can be, and quite often is, extremely illogical. Especially when emotion is injected, as usually is where underage kids are concerned.

On virtually any issue similar to this I'd be right there with you, but there are two areas where I choose to play it safe not take any chances that might cause serious negative backlash... taxes and approaching underage people for anything. 99 times out of 100 it'll go fine, but that 1 time where it doesn't can have horrid effects that can last for years.

Having said that, I do recognize that these things are done all the time. To me, the main difference here is who approaches who. If the girl (with her parent's knowledge and approval) approach the photographer, all is cool. If the photographer approaches the underage girl (again, key word: underage), then that's where the 'creepiness' factor comes in, deserved or not.

With the assumption you'll likely follow through and do the shoot with the 16 year old and have all other things in order with parental consent, releases and such, if the mom or dad are going to be there anyhow, why not try to include some daughter with mom or dad shots to help build a more diverse portfolio. It may help put the parents mind at ease as well if you do something like this and could serve as some good word of mouth references for future shoots.

tkbslc wrote in post #11735003
I'm actually a parent of a 16 year old girl. If a male photographer approached her to take her picture I would assume the worst and not be happy about it. I would only shoot minors if you are asked by their parents. Its the only safe and proper way to do this.

Honestly, the fact that you are facebook friends with a 16 year old you met at the supermarket and thinking about photographing her means you are probably already asking for trouble.

As the parent of a 6 yr old daughter you are the exact person I warn my daughter about NOW. I'm not accusing you of anything. I don't know you from Adam. But as the PP stated the fact that you are approaching a 16yr old and are on FB with her sound exactly like the signs of a pedo grooming to me. You may be the complete opposite. I dunno. But there is not a rats chance in hell I would take the chance with my daughter. No way. No how.

If this was my daughter and I found out you were chatting her up at work and on her FB page. My very large and rather ominous husband would be paying you a friendly visit. If you continued I would definitely file a report with the police. I'm sorry if you think this is extreme but I would never even risk [even the teeniest tiniest bit] with my daughter.

try asking her out for a drink first, then see where things go from there!

Mark_48 wrote in post #11737830
With the assumption you'll likely follow through and do the shoot with the 16 year old and have all other things in order with parental consent, releases and such, if the mom or dad are going to be there anyhow, why not try to include some daughter with mom or dad shots to help build a more diverse portfolio. It may help put the parents mind at ease as well if you do something like this and could serve as some good word of mouth references for future shoots.

I think this is a great idea.