Chaperones

"Now I’ll probably get slated for this, but I’ve found that photographers who don’t like chaperones generally fall into three categories [1] photographers who feel insecure when others are watching & [2] photographers who can’t or just don’t know how to manage people, which is not their fault as managing people effectively rarely comes naturally and is a skill that needs to be learnt.  [3] Photographers with large egos."

You need a larger brush so you can whitewash more people at once.

I'm none of these things. I have been a client facing creative director and have no problem being watched, observed, presenting or working infront of strangers. I have managed teams of many designers and developers and although I do have an ego (and what creative doesn't really?), I refuse to see how it is affected by a chaperone.

I believe good photos come from a good rapport, one on one, with a model. I don't believe you can do this with a third person present as often the model looks to them for some kind of reassurance, needlessly, and the conversation becomes a group discussion. Of course that's only if they are in the room. As I shoot at home mostly, I don't like the idea of a chaperone having freedom to wander my place while I'm in a room with the model. I can't concentrate if I'm wondering what they are up to.If a model really doesn't want to trust a photographer I like to ask, why should a photographer trust a model and her / his mate?

It's important to note, also, a chaperone is a different vibe to a creative team. I have no problem with MUAs or anything. I have no problem with anyone who brings something to the work. I do have problems with bouncers.

Edited by Socialdisaster

@ Charlotte:  I added the lower age purely within the context of chaperones where there is a reasonably established protocol that chaperones should be present at shoots for under-18s.  On the actual subject of whether or not to shoot under 18s I am entirely in agreement with you.

The other side of the argument is protection for the photographer. I personally carry several thousand pounds worth of equipment with me which could be a prime target. I know of several female photographers who may feel the same about this.

Personal safety is the most important thing for a model and I believe getting in touch with models who have worked with the photographer is more accurate than reading generic recommendations. 

@ charlotte it’s all down to personal preference.  Whilst I wouldn’t dispute that there are some fantastic young models out there it’s not an age group that I desire to shoot.

@burntlight Now I’m generalizing and realize that there are always exceptions to the rule, but from past experience I find young new / want to be models tend not to be as focused or as comfortable in front of the camera or in taking direction.  In some cases it’s just a game and I really have no time for that type of mentality.  Older models either new or experienced tend to be far more confident and bring ideas to the table. It’s all down to personal preference.

 @majk Defensive?

@socialdisaster I was generalizing and suggest you read my second post in this thread for a little more clarification regarding ‘whitewash’.  And whilst I wholeheartedly agree with your comments regarding the need to having a good rapport with the client to get good images, there is no reason that a chaperone can’t be also included in that rapport .  At the end of the day a chaperone is an extra pair of hands and if that means that I have to move less lighting about thus enabling me to spend more time behind the camera I can work with that.   

You ne√er had a boyfriend sit there building a gradual head of steam? Or a model and her sister who talked non stop? I agree that if you are socially adept enough you can probably deal with the situation, but why oh why would you put yourself in that situation in the first place when there is no earthly reason to do so? Seriously, what is the effing point when 90 percent of models don't bring a chaperone?

Edited by TMG

Over my dead body.

@Rob Well, fair enough, but in all honesty, writing a knowingly inflamatory comment and then deciding to clarify it 8 hours later isn't do you any favours. I do also think you should understand that not everyone works or thinks like you. Seeing a chaperone as an extra pair of hands, a worthwhile addition to a conversation and suchlike may well work for you, but if I may make my own generalisation, it really doesn't appear to be that way for many others. As has been said this topic creeps up on every site, all the time and the absoltue general consensus is a big, fat no.

We all work in our own ways, this is true and everyones way is valid - for them. Your description of how you work - the pre-meets and so on, is alien to me but it's not wrong. But it's also not for me to attempt to define your way as being the way of detriment, then to come back and say "well, what I actually meant was..." I mean, you can see why you get the response you got, yeah?

Anyway, whatever works, work. I have to go pick up a camera for the first time since Dec. Now, which button do I press again?!

Edited by Socialdisaster

@TMG this tends not to be an issue so long as you lay down the rules prior to the shoot in the desired age group that I choose to photograph.  I also enjoy the interaction and for me makes for a much more enjoyable working environment.

I would hate to take a chaperone with me, i as a model would see it as a distraction!!! let alone to tog. I think its all been said many times.........read the references if your still not sure then don,t do it. 

@Rob: fair enough I guess. I don;t do pre-meets, so never know what's in store. Saying no just means one less  thing to have to think about and eliminates any possibility of hassle.

I suppose if a model was so nervous she felt freaked by the lack of support it could go against you, but I've never had that happen.

Edited by TMG

Edited by TMG

chaperones, really handy...get them to hold a flag, move a light make the tea, cheaper than an assistant anytime

love them!

OK, at Russ's suggestion I've created a user group called "Chaperones: pros & cons". I'm going to ask Russ to move this entire thread there as I think there is more in this topic - particularly of folks would like to share war stories

... and @brian,  yes, I know many kittens may die but I'm fed up of cats peeing in my garden anyway

@socialdisaster my comments were not intentionally inflammatory, just an informed generalized opinion based on my own experience and then clarification as required at a later time, in this case after 8 hours of much needed sleep.  I believe that’s generally the way discussions work?

The OP asked for opinions regarding chaperones and I gave mine and overview of the reasons why.  And in all honesty the fact that my opinions and work ethic differ from the general consensus is not something that I can see myself losing sleep over. 

Enjoy your repatriation with your camera..

Next topic; Which is best Nikon or Canon?  :-)

Edited by Rob Stanley Photography

@Kitty: All models naturally believe their partners are perfect.  Unfortunately experience proves this wrong.  I've worked with four male chaperones, two of them arriving unannounced.

One stomped around huffing & puffing.  I passed him a copy of Zoo off a table in the studio.  His reaction - "I don't read that muck".  Clearly highly supportive of his girlfriend.

One decided, after the shoot had started, that his girlfriend was no longer working topless - first she'd heard of it.

One, who was the new partner of a mature model who wanted some "Boudoir" images for his birthday, kept pushing her to do shots that she (and I) wasn't comfortable with.

The last one was just a creep.  Felt sorry for the poor woman having to go home with him.

I know with the first two, one ditched her partner almost immediately while the second gave up modeling.   

@Gaz of course I understand that every person believes their partner to be perfect, but I only bring my partner as chaperone because he is naturally a very quiet and unobtrusive person. If he was a loud and lary character then I don't think I'd be as keen on him coming to shoots with me as he would disrupt things too much.

I always make a point of asking photographers well in advance if he is welcome to hang around in the background for a while, and I would never EVER just turn up with him without prior permission. After all, as has been previously stated, it's the photographer's right to keep themselves safe as much as the model's and some photographers just aren't comfortable with having someone hanging around their kit!