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Can you trust the photographer?

O.K., so now you're a model and a photographer has booked you. But will you be safe?

Nothing in life is completely safe, but I have never heard of any problems encountered by models who have been photographed by genuine commercial photographers.

You should bear in mind though that not all of the people who claim to be commercial photographers are genuine - photography provides sexual predators with an unparalleled opportunity to meet new victims and some people may set up a 'business' to take advantage of this, in much the same way that perverts who prey on children may try to get jobs in children's homes.
Glamour and amateur photographers could also have their own agenda and sensible precautions are essential!

• Make it clear from the outset that someone will be going with you. No reputable photographer will object to this.
• Always make sure that you know where the photography will take place and that you have a landline 'phone number there, not just a mobile.
• Arrange with a parent or friend (parents are usually more reliable) that you will ring them both when you arrive and leave and will ring them at prearranged times, such as once per hour on the hour. You will probably get absorbed in the modelling work and may forget to ring, so make it clear to this person that s/he must ring you if you don't ring in as arranged.
• Have a prearranged code word in case you find yourself in a situation that you're a bit unhappy about, so that your contact can go to the studio immediately to prevent a possible situation from getting out of control.
• Have another prearranged codeword for emergency use. If you use the emergency code word your friend/parent must 'phone the police immediately and tell them exactly where you are and that you need immediate help. We have only ever heard of one situation in which a model had to get help - the contact was her mother, who rang the police immediately. Apparently there was some confusion because the police thought that she had told them that her daughter was a police officer - anyway, whatever was said, the police arrived in less than 1 minute! Of course, none of this will be any help to you unless your contact is 100% reliable AND knows exactly where you are...
• In case of an emergency, try to make an actual 'phone call (go to the toilet and take your phone with you) don't rely on sending a text, in case it's delayed by the system.

Working abroad can be especially risky.
Young, attractive girls could end up being forced into prostitution. Here are some sensible precautions:

1. Never give your passport to anyone, always keep it safely with you and check into airports and hotels yourself, keeping your flight tickets, money, credit cards, mobile phone and passport with you at all times. If anyone puts pressure on you to hand over any of these items, say that you've lost them - and then get some help!
2. Always make sure that your family or a trusted, reliable friend knows you are leaving the country, where you are going, how you can be contacted and when you should be back.
3. Make sure that you have a mobile phone that will work in the country you are going to, in case you need to call home in an emergency. Make sure it has plenty of credit.
4. Make sure you have the details of the British Embassy in the area you are going to so that if necessary you can contact them or go to their offices. They will protect you. If there isn't a British Embassy (or equivalent) in your destination country ask the foreign office (before you leave the UK) who you should go to if you need help - there will be an arrangement with another foreign embassy. In cases of desperation, any embassy will protect you. In some countries an embassy may be the safest place to go to.
5. Never leave home without either having a return ticket, or the funds to buy a return for yourself if things don't work out.

Don't be paranoid about your personal safety,
just take sensible precautions so that you don't need to worry!