Important Information for PurplePort members aged 16 and 17

If you are a PurplePort member aged 16 or 17 (regardless of whether you are a new model or already have some experience in the industry), your age will restrict some of the work you can undertake, both on PurplePort and in terms of UK Law.

The information provided below is also important to anyone arranging shoots with a PurplePort member aged 16 or 17.

PurplePort operates under UK Law

There is a piece of UK legislation you need to be aware of called The Protection of Children Act 1978, which is:

"An Act to prevent the exploitation of children by making indecent photographs of them; and to penalise the distribution, showing and advertisement of such indecent photographs".

This Act states that it is an offence:

• To take or make any indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of a child;
• To show or distribute such (pseudo-)photographs;
• To possess such (pseudo-)photographs with intent to show or distribute them;
• To advertise for showing or distributing such (pseudo-)photographs.

A child is defined as a person under 18 years of age.

You should also familiarise yourself with:

• The CPS's website: Indecent Images of Children (IIOC)
• UK Legislation: The Protection of Children Act 1978

PurplePort is a 16+ service

The minimum age for PurplePort members (applicable to all account types) is 16 years old, as per our Website Terms and Conditions: 

2.5 PurplePort is a 16+ service. PurplePort do not vouch for the age of anyone on the site. Anyone between 16 and 18 wanting to join the site should have a representative (18+) who can join the site on their behalf, answer all communications and take all bookings.

Appropriate shoot styles and images

Images involving anyone under 18 should only be Suitable for Work (SFW). As a general rule, for an image to be marked as SFW, it must not meet the criteria for NSFW or Adult and should be suitable for viewing at work or in a public place (such as a library).

We will remove any images uploaded to PurplePort involving someone aged 16 or 17 that appear to be NSFW or Adult, and we may also remove the accounts involved. We strongly recommend reading our Image Upload Guidelines before you upload any images to PurplePort and familiarise yourself with The PurplePort Glossary of Terms. 

Below is a list of the shoot styles on site, which can be SFW:

• Alternative: Typically, this means something a bit gothic, lots of tattoos, just something out of the ordinary, really
• Beauty: Mainly referring to highly polished headshots. Mostly there will be a stylist and make-up artist present too
• Body Paint: Preferably, a make-up artist will apply body paint in some way. You'll then be photographed
• Commercial: Shots for sale in publications and on the web. Think magazine adverts
• Fashion: Mostly, there will be a stylist and make-up artist present
• Fitness: It's all running around in lycra, looking fit and toned
• Landscape: Just beautiful pictures of the landscape
• Lifestyle: Portraying real-life situations, bright lights, and happy smiling shots usually used for magazine advertising
• Portrait: Images that capture the expression, personality, and mood of the subject
• Promotional: Typically posing with products of some kind so a company can use them in their own brochures
• Swimwear: Posing in your swimmers. Be aware that context is important for models under 18 years of age. Images that look like lingerie-style shoots will be removed, so it helps if you are in a swimming-related setting to show context.
• Wedding: Shooting as though it's a wedding. Photographers may use models to pose as the bride to promote themselves on their websites

Click here to learn more about the shoot styles available on PurplePort. 

If you are unsure about anything, please use a support ticket to contact us, and we will help you.

Appropriate casting calls, events and discussions

PurplePort members aged 16 or 17 can only apply for casting calls and events and arrange shoots that are appropriate for their age, which means they cannot be involved in any shoots where NSFW/Adult images will be created with them as the model (such as photoshoots with non-SFW shoot styles, such as nude, sheer, lingerie, topless, glamour, etc.).

If you are found to be arranging, discussing, or participating in shoots where NSFW/Adult images are created with a model who is 16 or 17, we may permanently remove your account as well as all of the accounts of any other PurplePort members involved in these images.

Model release forms 

A model release form is a standard legal document that some photographers may require models to sign. It's a legal agreement between a model and a photographer regarding how images (taken during the photoshoot) may be used. Click here to read 500px's guide to model release forms (including examples of when they are and are not required). 

A model release form may sometimes be used more as a proof-of-age form than anything else (such as in the UK). Models should read and sign it before the shoot begins - not after the shoot. For models under 18 years, a parent or legal guardian will be required to sign it on the model's behalf.

In countries like the UK, there is no requirement for a model release form for a photographer to publish their images wherever they like. The photographer owns the copyright on all images unless a contract has been signed to say otherwise. If a photographer says the images are “not for publication,” insist on a contract that clearly states that the images will not be used for publication. Without a contract, the photographer can do as they please with the images.

Chaperones

A chaperone is someone who accompanies a model to a photoshoot. Chaperones are a personal choice, and whilst some people prefer to use a chaperone for their shoots, others do not work with chaperones. However, a minor (under 18) may choose to bring a chaperone (usually a parent or guardian), and this should always be discussed when arranging a shoot with someone aged 16 or 17.

If you are unsure or need to report something to us

Remember, if you are unsure about anything, please use a support ticket to contact us and ask us first so we can help you. 

Please report anyone on PurplePort who is not abiding by the information listed in this article, which you can do by either:

• Reporting an account: view the member's profile page, go to the grey cog (top right) and click Report this profile
• Reporting a message: view the message and click Report at the bottom of the page

Click here to learn more about reporting issues to us.