In-home photography & security

[gjefle]

<p>I see more and more photogs offering in-home photo sessions. I'm starting to shoot boudoir, and have thought about offering in-home service (for considerably more money!). My main idea with that is that the client would be more comfy, have her own bedroom and bathroom to use, not have to drag a bunch of clothes and accessories with, etc.</p>

<p>However, I have to wonder about the safety and security for the photographer. I know other photogs are going into private homes, but I'm a petite female and though I'm not paranoid, this is a point of concern (I live in Philadelphia PA).</p>

<p>How do other photogs deal with their safety and security when it comes to in-home photo sessions?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>Colleen</p>

[Matt Laur]

<p>Bring an assistant. Make sure that other people know where you're going and when, and make sure that the people you're visiting know that people know that. There are ways to communicate that non-offensively (let them see you on your cell phone saying, "Hi [whoever], I've just arrived at Betty Johnson's house for the shoot - I'll keep you posted in an hour or so."<br /><br />Also, bring an assistant. And did I mention bringing an assistant?<br /><br />I have the opposite problem. I go to meet customers (I'm usually photographing their dogs, out in the field), and I'm a large guy. When I'm dealing with a female customer who will be by herself (not counting her dog(s) ), I bring someone along for my own protection. Not because I'm worried about physical harm, but because I look like a psycho killer hillbilly caveman, and I know who a jury would believe. :-)<br /><br />OK, I don't expect that sort of trouble, because I try to be very affable and make people comfortable. But people are people, and it seems that female customers are just a lot more immediately at ease if there's another woman along to help out. My long suffering wife often pitches in on this, the poor thing. But she sure knows how to hold a reflector!</p>

[micah_robinson]

<p>Matt,<br>

Funny but all too true.</p>

<p>Colleen,<br>

You could also look into self-defense training.<br>

Not just for this but for life in general.<br>

Look into something like Krav-Maga.</p>

<p>Also you could carry a gun in a bag or your pocket.<br>

PA has a handgun carry permit.</p>

<p>Point is; You can take steps to not be a victim even before something stupid happens, but you must be pro-active in doing so.</p>

[daverhaas]

<p>Colleen -</p>

<p>1) meet them outside of their home first - preferably at a public spot to discuss the shoot and details. Let them know at that time that you will be bringing an assistant along with you.</p>

<p>2) If the public meeting doesn't go well - walk away from the deal - too many of us assume that the interview is a 1-way street with the client trying to evaluate us. That's only half of it - the other half is the evaluation of them as a client - I once met a software sales person - for one of the larger companies - he met with our team (non-photo work) and after the meeting - when he and I were alone chatting - he said - I'm not going to sell you guys anything. After the shock - he said - you're not the type of company that we want to market / sell to, plus you folks really aren't sure what you need. I was kind of taken back by this - as we were a rather decent sized insurance company - but now I completely get what he meant - doing business with us would have been a pain - and he wouldn't have made anything off of it. Apply the same thing to your meetings with clients - and walk away if there are red or yellow flags. </p>

<p>3) Let someone know where you are - when you get there, and when you leave. And when you are going to leave. - Like Matt's suggestion - "I'm here - planning on being here for an hour - will call when I leave. "</p>

<p>4) Have a couple of different assistants available, just in case 1 can't make it.</p>

<p>Dave</p>

<p> </p>

[henryp]

<p>No disrespect to David and Micah, but Matt's right. <strong>Bring an assistant.</strong> Particularly with boudoir, you have as much to be concerned with regarding a subject misunderstanding you and perceiving something inappropriate (and suing) as you do from someone assaulting you.</p>

<p>My dad was an OB/GYN for decades and <em><strong>never </strong></em>conducted an exam without a female employee in the exam room. Carrying a gun increases the liklihood an assailant will disarm you and use the gun on you or take the gun, putting one more into the hands of miscreants. Effective self defense training takes years. Having a little easily makes you think you've had more than a little and act with overconfidence.</p>

<p><strong>Bring an assistant.</strong><br>

YMMV<strong> </strong></p>

<p>Henry Posner<strong><br />B&H Photo-Video<br /></strong></p>

[daverhaas]

<p>Henry -</p>

<p>In general I would agree with you - especially if Colleen were a male - but with her being a woman - I think that the odds of a misunderstanding go down significantly - Her primary concern is and should be her safety. Secondary is the chance of a misunderstanding.</p>

<p>As a male photographer - When I do boudoir - I always have a female assistant present for that very reason.</p>

<p>Dave</p>

 

[starvy]

<p>Within your website have a picture of you in a Karate outfit and state that this was from your black belt bout. Always mention to the client that you have a karate session later where you are helping a friend train for his black belt.<br>

The advantage to your diminutive stature is that women are likely to be even more relaxed. An assistant is a wonderful idea but it does add an additional cost. So other than the karate store just tell the client that your close friend is expecting you for a quick cup of coffee as soon as the session finishes and he lives just round the block.</p>

[jaydesi]

<p>You've got a pretty heavy weapon already with you at all times...your camera. Swing that around on the camera strap, and you have a pretty effective weapon. Keep your keys in your pocket, not in your handbag that you put down somewhere. Pepper spray is also effective, if you keep it on you. The point to remember is that you don't have to kill/incapacitate your opponent in times of trouble, you just have to slow them down enough to get away. Your equipment is (hopefully) insured; if there is trouble, you're not going to be thinking about packing it up before you leave.</p>

[craigpjenkinsphotography]

<p>A long time ago I use to work in Real Estate. A serial rapist began praying on female R.E. agents by asking to see an unoccupied home the agent has listed. Once the M.O. was realized the word went out for all female R.E. agents to team up when showing vacant buildings. Long story short - the rapist was shot & killed by an armed female R.E. agent. There is a lot to learn in this story...</p>

[micah_robinson]

<p>Henry,<br>

I was not diagreeing with Matt or you in anyway.<br>

I think you are both right, have someone with you and meet before you go.<br>

I am simply offering further options.<br>

Not just for photography but for life as a whole.<br>

You can't count on anyone else but yourself to protect you and those in your care.<br>

We all should be pro-active in taking the steps in our lives to makes sure we can do just that, if need be.</p>

<p>R.E. agents have been dealing with this for a long time.<br>

Thank you for pointing that out.<br>

I know a few who you should not mess with, if you value your life.<br>

They know the risks and allot of them diminish those risks by being pro-active in how prepared they are if they ever need to defend themselves.</p>

<p>So be smart in how you approach it... Bring someone with you and work always to be prepared.<br>

And have fun and get some great shots!</p>

[danturcotte]

<p>The best way to survive a conflict is to avoid a conflict; as others have stated, vetting your client before-hand should be step one.<br>

Step two is bring an assistant.<br>

Step three: let people know the who,what,where,when.<br>

Step four: Plan ahead! Just as you plan what gear to bring stop and think about what you would do if an incident arose. How will I respond if X or Y happens? What threat threshold needs to happen for me to simply run out of the house? What needs to happen for a mental alert to become a mental alarm?Where are the exits and how can I ensure I can get to them?<br>

The suggestions to learn self-defense are all fine in theory, but do you really want to get into a scrap in the first place? True self-defense means recognising a situation and making the necessary behavioral adjustments to avoid the conflict. If you have to fight it usually means you missed some red flags that should have warned you off sooner.</p>

 

[gjefle]

<p>Thanks to everyone for the responses. Plenty to think about and to take into consideration. </p>

[mariosforsos]

<p>@Micah: take a gun? Seriously? That's your solution? Have yet another firearm in the hands of a scared female walking around the world? And what happens if, during the shoot, the client's younger kid gets hold of that gun? Or if there's some accidental firing? No amount of boudoir photography is worth getting killed for (even though, on a lighter note, I probably WOULD kill to have a boudoir session with someone like Jessica Biel or Eva Green...;-)))</p>

<p>Want some piece of HARDWARE to make you feel safer? Take a taser but remember, it's NOT like it seems in the movies - you CAN kill a person with a taser and let me tell you, you will NEVER get over killing someone!</p>

<p>And forget about martial arts - at least this haphazard and random way. Forget karate, aikido, krav-maga and the rest... I have been practicing martial artis for almost 20 years now and, while I could possibly handle pretty much everything that came my way, well, it HAS been 20 years! There's NOTHING a six or ten-week long training course can prepare you for apart from giving you a false sense of security (if that). IF you stick with it for a couple of years and are serious about it, then yes, maybe, martial arts can be useful...</p>

<p>The assistant idea AND the telephone call suggested are by far the best, most practical and sensible ideas. Have a friend or someone you trust call you 10-15 mins into the shoot and then again around the time you're supposed to be finished (so people watching will know someone is inquiring after you rather than you reaching out) and you should be fine.</p>

[bojepsen1]

<p>Definitely +1 for what Marios said.</p>

[steve m smith]

<blockquote>

<p>@Micah: take a gun? Seriously? That's your solution? Have yet another firearm in the hands of a scared female walking around the world?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Ridiculous advice!</p>

[micah_robinson]

<blockquote>

<p>@Micah: take a gun? Seriously? That's your solution? Have yet another firearm in the hands of a scared female walking around the world? And what happens if, during the shoot, the client's younger kid gets hold of that gun? Or if there's some accidental firing? No amount of boudoir photography is worth getting killed for</p>

</blockquote>

<p>The voice of ignorance.<br /> Just how do you suppose the gun in your pocket is going to have a accidental discharge or a kid is going to get their hands on it or even be at one of these shoots for that matter?<br>

Guns are very safe when handled correctly.<br /> I didn't not in any way say that someone who is unfamiliar or uncomfortable with guns should just stick one away and act like you know what you're doing.<br /> You act like I said "Hey, no need to take a year and learn firearms training.Just get one and you're good to go!"<br /> This is not the case. I think she should.</p>

<p>I also made myself clear about self-defense training;<br /> 1: It's a good idea to start at any stage of life and take time to do so.<br /> 2: Forget Krav-Maga nothing. It's one of the most devastating forms of combat fighting there is. If you refuse to hear that then you really don't know jack. It's also very well suited to woman.</p>

<p>P.S. Just so you know, 20 years of training or not... someone pulls a gun on you at 12' away, you're screwed.</p>

[micah_robinson]

<p>Marios,<br>

A quick search has led me to believe you live in Greece?<br>

If this is so then I'm afraid we'll never come to terms on this matter.<br>

You and I have had very different belief systems growing up and come from very different walks.</p>

[indraneel]

<p>+1 Matt and Henry<br /> +1 Craig</p>

<p>I'm a tiny Asian male but always took an assistant friend (large male) if my model had an escort or was a male. This was for public locations and model's homes (in the US). Also, leave all your extra cash/cards/valuables at home (possibly including expensive mobiles). Have your camera/lenses etc insured against robbery/theft. I had a rotten car, and that greatly helped to go shoot in locations where the greatest threat was to the models themselves. It also helps if your "assistant" is always on the phone with his friends. Security is a way of life.</p>

<p>The peace of mind you get with this approach will show in the images you make.</p>

<p>However, I was in Dallas which has a different crime profile. Risk of bodily injury is much more in Phily than Dallas where property loss is more common. Carrying a gun might not be a bad idea, if you can manage it. I learnt these things after being mugged at the parking lot of my workplace in the afternoon... (and not in deserted alleys at 2am, shooting with studio lights). One of the things in the security packet the cops gave me afterwards said perps don't like bright lights... I also found that one's brain works amazingly well in a life and death crisis.</p>

[chris_letts]

<p>Shivers down the spine if the only solution is to carry a gun..<br>

Thank goodness I live in England..</p>

[steve m smith]

<blockquote>

<p>Shivers down the spine if the only solution is to carry a gun..<br />Thank goodness I live in England..</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Me too!</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>Guns are very safe when handled correctly.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>They are even safer when they don't exist.</p>

[micah_robinson]

<blockquote>

<p>Shivers down the spine if the only solution is to carry a gun..<br />Thank goodness I live in England..</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>In England you just have to carry a knife to keep from getting stabbed:)</p>

[craigpjenkinsphotography]

<p>About 20 years ago I got into the habit of packing a loaded firearm almost every place I traveled to. About 15 years ago I switched to concealed carry on my person. Back then, in Califailure, this was illegal so I did what is called 'carry discretely'. After fleeing the state as a political refugee six years ago I now live in a 'shall issue' state and so obtained proper licensing for conceal carry - (even though I maintain the principal that there is no need for a license to defend myself or my family, but just the same I got the papers to cover my ass.) In these past six years I have lived with a handgun within arms reach 24 hours a day and usually wear a 1911 anytime I'm wearing pants. Last year I earned my qualifications as a certified home firearms safety instructor and a pistol safety instructor. I find that with all my life experience and facts regarding firearms, personal defense, and concealed carry, there is no reasonable way to carry on any form of dialog in the subject with those who oppose the peaceful pursuit of life, liberty and happiness because for them all their thoughts and fears in the subject are based upon belief instead of facts. Facts and beliefs can not be argued against each other - its an apples vs oranges situation - which is why the two sides will never find any common ground.</p>

[brian_hoberg1]

<p>I firmly believe that for the safety of the photographer and the model themselves, it's best to have an assistant with you (not only to help you in your setup/teardown/composition) but also to have the phone with you as well. Phones have bluetooth capability...doesn't hurt to have a small earphone piece you can always have in. Lightweight and portable.<br>

The absolute first and foremost is dont put yourself in a position that you can not get out of and dont go into a situation/location/area if you are not fully comfortable in it. You have a right as a photographer just as a subject being photographed has that if you dont like a location you, you can request a change. If the subject agrees, all is well. If the subject doesn't, then the shoot was not meant to be.<br>

For liability issues as well as security it is always good to have an assistant and 9 times out of 10 you should have a female assistant. Psychologically women will be more comfortable with a woman assistant and guys will too :)<br>

Overall, just think. Think about where you're going, notify people where you are going, dont put yourself in a situation that you cant get out of (quick exit) and be aware of your surroundings. Common sense is king.</p>

[gjefle]

<p>Well, I have to say that when I posted this question I didn't think there'd be such a heated discussion!</p>