Working with Under Age Models

Working with underage models is easy 

if all the rules and regulations are observed before and during the shoot.

Maybe it's the school holiday season, or maybe even the onset of spring “when the dirty old man's fancy turns to photographing nubile chicky babes”, but the Internet forums have had more than their usual share of questions along the lines of: “What do I do when an underage girl approaches me wanting to be photographed?”

The stories of recent years involving illegally obtained mobile phones with ensuing exorbitant bills, and illegally  obtained tattoos should be a pretty good indication.

However it seems that rather than the photographer going to the trouble of finding out the law as it stands in his region, state, or country, the question is thrown open to Internet forums and Facebook friends in the hope that if a good enough number of “Internet experts” vaguely agree with what he wants to do anyway, then it somehow makes it the right thing to do.

The responses are always strangely predictable, and fall into the usual distinct groupings:

• total ignorance of the law.

• total contempt  for the law.

• an interpretation of the law based on what  an individual would like it to be, rather than what it actually is.

• an egotistical interpretation where the law applies to everyone else, except ‘me’

• the mantra of the latent criminal: it is not illegal unless you are caught.

• an occasional lone voice who recommends checking with the appropriate authorities.

As it is also technically illegal to give legal advice when you are not qualified to do so, and I am not: therefore it is sufficient to indicate that the law  which applies (in most countries – CHECK for yourself!) revolves around the age of majority and/or consent (it does not only have to do with sex, y’know) and the inability of a minor to ‘contract’.

Therefore if you are a photographer, rather than a guy with a camera (GWC), it is advisable to first check the law as it stands: most laws and regulations are very specific and unambiguous: laws are generally only complicated and onerous to those who do not wish to understand.

My personal rule of thumb when approached for photographs by teens who appear to be  under the age of majority:

• Ignore most of them: most are not serious, and few have anything of interest to a professional or serious photographer anyway. (Just as not everyone can or should be a photographer, not every girl with stars in her eyes has what it takes to be a model – rule of thumb: an amateur photographer uses his friends and acquaintances to learn and practice; a fauxpro is desperate to get anybody in front of his camera, and it shows in his photos; a professional picks, chooses and rejects everyone except those with real ability or potential, and goes with the one model who is most suitable for his current project or vision.)

• If there is genuine potential, as well as signs of genuine interest and dedication, the parents should be referred to at the earliest opportunity.  It is the parents or guardian who you will be dealing with for all contracts, transactions, model releases, and required legalities, including  the most important: their Parental Permission (preferably in writing) for the photography to actually take place.

(It goes without saying that the girls who say they don't want their parents to know about it, or want to see if they are any good before they tell their parents, or they want to surprise their boyfriend with a professional pic, and even the seemingly innocuous “go on take a picture of me” that happens at public events: are all potential trouble with a capital T.)
I would still not go ahead unless I could ascertain in person that the parents were fully supportive, involved and, fully cooperative: those who seemed to be uninvolved, uncaring, or worst of all, meekly controlled by the kid’s whims would be an instant deal breaker.  At the opposite  extreme so would be the obsessive stage mum.

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In praise of models

Models, Remember them?

They are the attractive thing which keep your photographs from being a picture of a blank white wall. (Oh no! I think I just spawned a rash of theme shoots!)

So why should I thank them: haven’t I already provided them with pictures for their portfolios? Haven’t I given them “exposure” for their career? Maybe I have even given them a few dollars in payment…so surely none of them need to be thanked again, let alone praised?

The girl who started it all, so many years ago

Being a good model has little to do with how pretty a girl is, how skilful she is at presenting and posing her body, how "cooperative" or  “malleable” she may be, or how many layers of clothing she is willing to remove to further a photographer's “art”.

There is much more to being a model than standing in front of a camera: anybody can do that. But it takes skill and ability to project a thought, an emotion, a concept or a personality down the barrel of a lens.

Modelling is hard work.

I have recently had the pleasure of working with three excellent models who not only know the difficulties of modelling and the hard work involved , but have lifted their modelling to an art form.:

Abbey Lee ,http://www.starnow.com.au/abbeycallton

Cassie Franklin, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008289011467&fref=tl_fr_box

and Rinny, who unfortunately (for photographers that is) has left modelling now to further her outstanding creativity behind the camera.

I have been photographing models for over thirty five years, and yet I will be approaching my upcoming shoots with Kerrie and Shannon-lee next week with the same anticipation, enthusiasm,  and trepidation as that first shoot so many years ago.

Experience has taught me that both these girls will be excellent, and will provide many wonderful and useful photographs.

It just pays to remember models are people too: they come from all walks of life. Some just model for the fun of it, some do it occasionally and casually, others do it only for certain photographers, and a few, a very few, take it to much greater heights than any of us could imagine, making it in a very competitive field, or as a lucrative career.

Collaboration is a much hackneyed and abused word, especially in the world of internet modelling, but models are the substance which makes or breaks your photographic results.  All the girls I have ever worked with, have been collaborators in the true sense, stamping their beauty and personalities on each and every photograph we have made together.

There are far too many to list here, but some of the memorable, and outstanding models I have worked with include:
Audrey Currie, Cathy Taylor, Donna Lynne Ralph, Elke Joris, Emma-lea Lawrence, Jackie Kirby, Jeanne Foxx, Jenny Mapperson, Joanne Dailly, Julie Govenlock, Karen Hoy, Karen Salaris, Kerry Ann Halvorson, Kim Verity, Kristine and Roslyn Brunt, Lisa Wells, Monika Gorecki, Narelle Rice, Patricia Rosario, Robyn Drew, Tonette Kelly, and Tracey Palmer, Adele Wilson,…and many more…

I have lost touch with many of these girls over the years, but if any happen to be reading this, I would love for you to get in touch.

And last but certainly not least I owe a great deal to Bronwen Creevey (nee Jarrett), the very first model I ever photographed, who not only went on to a great modelling career, but whose wonderful poise, charm, beauty and ability before the camera, and her terrific personality, convinced me that model photography was a pretty good way to make a living.

Remember, that all photographs accompanying this blog are Copyright (All Rights Reserved) and may not be used for any purpose whatsoever without written permission from the photographer.

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