THE DEBATE:
Escorts are when a model or a photographer asks to bring a friend to a shoot with them, similar to a ‘chaperone’. Escorts are a controversial topic within the photography, videography, and modeling worlds. There is a lot of heated arguments on both sides of this topic. That friend would “escort” the model or photographer during the shoot. Models generally refer to them as escorts, where as photographers often refer to them as “assistants”. Before I get into my stance on this, let us review SOME of the arguments from each side of the aisle.
SOME ARGUMENTS AGAINST ESCORTS
The main arguments around not allowing escorts tend to lean towards financial security. With the addition of extra people on a set, there are more people to keep track of and a larger chance of gear ‘growing legs and walking away on its own’. Even if the escort is presumed honorable, there is an increased number of people walking around a set and therefore an increased chance of things getting knocked over and broken. Photographers and videographers, especially, bring thousands of dollars worth of equipment to each and every photo or video shoot and the risk of being mugged or stolen from is real.
There are further problems when it comes to inexperienced photographers who simply do not work well knowing there is another person watching over their shoulder while they work or for a model having additional eyes watching them while they pose (potentially naked). It is worth noting that this is not automatically a sign of nefarious intent, there are simply people who get nervous while someone is watching them work and the more people watching the worse it gets. All of these problems can be compounded when the escort is in a relationship with the model. This can result in escorts putting their two cents in shoots; concepts; or poses, or models constantly asking for permission to pose for a particular shot. I have personally had to deal with that kind of situation where a model’s significant other started interfering with a shoot and making the model agitated for no reason. This almost ground the entire shoot to a halt, and has happened more than once. This is not even touching on what can happen if a relationship based argument starts…
Even when the escort is not a significant other, there is the real chance of a delayed shoot. There is always the chance of models or photographers wasting the other party’s time while they chat with their friend. I have also been on shoots where time is limited and a bunch gets wasted with chatting. I personally like to have laid-back social shoots, where there is a lot of laughing, joking, and chatting, but if equipment or studio space is being rented, the model, photographer / videographer, or even hired assistants are getting paid by the hour, time might equal money wasted.
SOME ARGUMENTS FOR ALLOWING ESCORTS
The arguments in favor of allowing escorts tend to be simple ones… mostly safety based. This is especially important when the photographer / videographer and model have not worked with each other before, a new / remote location is involved, or a higher intensity of shoot is happening (starting to shoot explicit content).
Having a second person around who can act as an advocate for them and who is looking out for their best interest can go a long way to putting people at ease. Also, just having additional people around to help with make-up or help adjust lighting and the set, can save time. More over, just having a third party witness to verify how events took place can be comforting, let alone having someone able to step in if things get out of hand.
THE BOTTOM LINE AND MY STANCE ON ESCORTS
My stance on escorts is simple:
“Fear people who fear escorts“
Plain and simple. The arguments against escorts are real and worth looking into, but NEVER come close to overriding a person’s safety concerns. Look, it is even simpler than that. No photo or video shoot is going to go well and produce great results while either party is anxious, nervous and/or scared. EVER.
IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO SHOOT WITH ME AND WANT TO BRING AN ESCORT, KNOW THAT I AUTOMATICALLY AGREE TO YOU BRINGING THEM, NO QUESTIONS ASKED.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
It should be noted that you are ultimately responsible for the actions and conduct of an escort or assistant you bring to a shoot. When you decide to bring an additional person to a shoot, there should be steps taken to mitigate any concerns that the other party might have. Here are some things you can do to put their concerns to rest:
- Inform the person you will be working with that you plan on bringing an escort early on. Last minute surprises or additional people showing up unannounced can be stressful to some people. Live by a ‘no surprises’ motto.
- If at all possible, do not use your significant other as an escort. This can lead to awkward situations and arguments. Instead, try to bring a friend, or fellow model / photographer / videographer who has experience in the industry and knows how to conduct themselves on set.
- Prepare your escort before the shoot. Let them know your expectations of them (staying out of the way and not getting involved in the shoot unless invited). Also prepare a phrase that you can use where they can know you are in distress without being obvious. It can be something simple such as “By the way, did I tell you my sister got engaged?”
- Know that you are responsible for the actions of your escort and any damage they cause – keep control of them. Expect to offer compensation to replace broken or stolen equipment.
- Let escorts know they may be called upon to help out with the shoot, set up, tear down, carrying gear, makeup etc..
I, personally, am notorious for putting escorts to work. I often have them hold lighting, or props and have them assist in set changes or wardrobe issues. If they are game, I will often have them join in on the shoot. Getting escorts involved is one of the best ways to both keep an eye on them and making them useful. I will often have them join in the shoot as a second model interacting with the primary model; a sort of ‘human prop’.
THE BOTTOM LINE
At the end of the day, no one is ever required to shoot. SAFETY ALWAYS COMES FIRST. If you are not feeling comfortable, then you always have the ability to back out (even for paid shoots) or to have those concerns addressed – but try to give as much advanced notice as you can. In the end, if you want an escort / assistant and the other person does not allow it, simply do not shoot with them. Do not bad mouth other people for their choices, that is both in bad taste and happens way too often. Know and understand that this is a complicated issue with legitimate arguments on both sides. Legitimate, honest, and open discussion goes much, much further than publicly blasting others online.
In my world, safety and putting a model at ease, ALWAYS comes before any concerns I may have against having an escort there. Just be mindful of the situation and practice good communication.