sabrina_h. Posted December 27, 2004 Share Posted December 27, 2004 Today I got a phone call from a man who wanted promotional material for his business. We went over the basics and discussed price. He didnt blink when I quoted him a substantial fee to cover portraits and events for his company. He mentioned travel and accomodations paid for; although I told him it may be cheaper to go with someone local. Further into the conversation, it turns out that he owns an "adult entertainment" company and asked if I had a problem shooting "nudes". I've attempted to shoot a few "form figures" and some "fine art" type of nudes ... but nothing erotic, sexy, sensual or pornagraphic. I don't have any photos of this nature in my portfolio that he's seen, he's hell bent on my photographic style. I'm not interested in shooting porn or anything to "saucy". That's not the kind of photography that I do and respect one's choice to do so. I hope to become a serious photojournalist one day and cant help but think if something like this could come back and bite me in the a$$. The pay is good, but where does one draw the line? My husband is making jokes about him wanting me to photograph men while "at attention" ... I dont know what to think about this and curious about your thoughts or opinions... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary evans Posted December 27, 2004 Share Posted December 27, 2004 From an amateur's point of view, seems to me if you want to be a working pro, you may not like every assignment you get. Yet if the pay is there, and you don't have any moral objections to the shoot itself, why not take the job? You can always decline any photo credits or use a pseudonym for any credits, thereby significantly decreasing the chances of this assignment coming back to "bite you in the a$$." I remember seeing a story somewhere about the incredible numbers of mainstream Hollywood production people who got their start in the porn industry... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
art_haykin Posted December 27, 2004 Share Posted December 27, 2004 I was a pro shooter in L.A. for decades in and near the Hollywood area, and got inquiries for all SORTS of gigs, including several just like the one you describe. It seems to me that if the guy is established in the "adult entertainment" business and is having any success at all, he already has had dealings with photographers and it seems odd that he is reaching out at a distance for the likes of you. If he's legit and sincere, he should be more than willing to spell out IN DETAIL just what he wants and what's involved. If he's vague or evasive, shine him one. Either way, think long and hard about it, and protect yourself whatever you do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis_vener_photography Posted December 27, 2004 Share Posted December 27, 2004 I know at least one very big time photojournalist, greatly respected, who shot some work for Penthouse under his own name (have no idea what he did that wasn't published under his name) back in the 1970s & 1980s), so I really see how this could bite you in the a$$. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis_vener_photography Posted December 27, 2004 Share Posted December 27, 2004 <I>...so I really see how this could bite you in the a$$.</I><P>Should have read: <P><I>...so I really <B>don't</B> see how this could bite you in the a$$.</I> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sabrina_h. Posted December 27, 2004 Author Share Posted December 27, 2004 Thanks for your insight, I asked my neighbor his opinion on this. He's an up and coming actor who gets regular work. He said he would only do it if he needed the money but under a different name. I asked him if he would question the intergrity of his favorite news journalist who doubled as an "adult entertainment actress" by day ... he said he would. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edward_h Posted December 27, 2004 Share Posted December 27, 2004 What's the big deal? If the dude is paying you and you feel that you can do the job, why not do it? When you're busy shooting the people fucking and sucking and god knows what else they do you'll be too busy thinking about getting your exposures right and framing the stuff properly etc etc. Sex, hard cocks and pussies is going to be the last thing on your mind. Don't ask me how I know... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis_vener_photography Posted December 27, 2004 Share Posted December 27, 2004 the difference between the photographer /cameraman /director and an actor should be obvious: The actor is the one with his/ her face (as well as other body parts) on the screen for everyone to see and recognize. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg_deprow1 Posted December 27, 2004 Share Posted December 27, 2004 Without discussing the moral issues or future potential concerns with your reputation, I agree with the earlier posting questioning why an established person in the adult entertainment industry would reach out to you. I am not a pro however in my occupation we have several times been contacted by companies looking for a service provider. In similar circumstances these were "established" companies and we were at first very happy to have the business. However we quickly learned why they were looking for different companies to work for them, they are terrible to do business with. If an established person in that industry comes to you and insists on using you, even though you have nothing in your portfolio to indicate experience for that industry, then others who are more established for the photography he is looking for have declined to work with this person for whatever reason, walk away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff medkeff anchorage, a Posted December 28, 2004 Share Posted December 28, 2004 Ellis makes a good point that I would take farther: Does your actor friend respect the nightly newscast less because the nightly news cameraman moonlights as a cameraman for an adult film studio? That said, shoot whatever you want to shoot. I just think there is no need to construct strained analogies to justify your decisions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_rannells Posted December 28, 2004 Share Posted December 28, 2004 If you know this is an established company and morally you have no problem doing this it should be OK. But, look very carefully into this "company" and the people you will be dealing with. Your personal safety is at issue here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sabrina_h. Posted December 28, 2004 Author Share Posted December 28, 2004 Thanks for all your insight, I talked it over a little bit more with my hubby. We went over the pros and cons. I asked myself some simple "real" questions (which are too politically incorrect to post here). Some of which were putting myself in the shoes of both parties. I've decided not to do it. I dont need the money that bad. Besides, most of my clients like to keep their clothes on :D and the mere risk of being branded is to great for me. I'm old enough to know that your history follows you and may come into question one day. On the other hand, I feel sorry for him. I somehow feel he should have the right to obtain photo services like anyone else ... just not from me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sabrina_h. Posted December 28, 2004 Author Share Posted December 28, 2004 ..... I realize there are strong opinions here and i'm far from prude. "Will I look at the camera man differently if he moonlighted as an adult film producer" ... I probably wouldnt look at him differently but I will see him differently. If you must know, I asked myself what kind of people read news. Are they the artist type who understands the artistic value of nudity? ... or are they the type of people who are uphauled when there's a "wardrobe malfunction" on tv? ... are they the type of people who are embarrased and ashamed of the thought of nudity? It was a simple and clariying answer for me. I think most people here understands "art" ... I will not do news (photojournalism) for artist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sabrina_h. Posted December 28, 2004 Author Share Posted December 28, 2004 sorry about the typos :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maureen_m Posted January 2, 2005 Share Posted January 2, 2005 No experience, but a cynical thought...<br>Further down the road, who gets in trouble if the nude models are found to have been minors at the time of the shoot? (ID is easy to fake.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricM Posted January 2, 2005 Share Posted January 2, 2005 the production company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sabrina_h. Posted January 2, 2005 Author Share Posted January 2, 2005 the thought of someone being a minor crossed my mind. That would be scandelous .. lol .. to say the least. I had another call (from a different production company) the other day. The guy said I was recommended to him by someone :O ... He wanted me to do film stills for an adult movie to put on the CD boxes. I must say, the money sounds quite tempting and its hard to turn business down from a business perspective. But I said, "No, I'm sorry ... I dont do that kind of work." btw, He was recommended by one of the places I advertise. If anyone wants me to run some business their way, feel free to send me an email and i'll forward the info next time. I still do have this guy's number. I live in New York. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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