all 88 comments

[–]azoenophile 265 points266 points ago

A few tips for aspiring models reading this:

  • never sign a model release before photos are taken, unless it is for a large and reputable company. (Playboy group shoots require a model release up front. Joe Shmo's model release needs to wait until after the shoot is over.)

  • a photographer should always ask before touching you. The first time it happens, let him know you're uncomfortable. The second time it happens, end the shoot and leave.

I'm really sorry that happened to you, and to the other girls he has exploited.

[–]xxeko 37 points38 points ago

Also to add to this: bring an escort with you. I bring my boyfriend (he's been modeling years before me) and he either sits in on the shoot or waits outside popping in every few minutes to check. I always bring an escort to a shoot unless I've been working with a photog for a while. But nude shoots? Aaaalllllwwwaaaayyyysss

[–]xxeko 3 points4 points ago

Just thought of something else. Before any shoot is to take place, tell the photographer your limits. What are you ok and not ok with? For example bodily fluids/substances are a no go. If even spit get on me, I'm out. I also ask them how are the photos going to be used. Are they just for portfolio usage or are they going on some sort of pay site? If they're going on a paid site, do I get a percentage of that money? No? Well I guess I'm not doing it.

[–]azoenophile [score hidden] ago

The flip side of this is that most escorts accompanying new models are jealous boyfriends who are going to fuss about something at some point in the shoot. Many photographers will specifically ask models not to bring a jealous/huffy boyfriend-type escort, as having your lover pouting in the corner over your creative nudity limits expression and has an enormous affect on the finished product.

While this job is perhaps somewhat higher risk than most come-to-you services (plumber, electrician, etc.), it is still a job. And if you're trying to be a professional and make it a career, do your homework on a photographer first (checking references, online searches, Model Mayhem message boards) rather than bringing someone to accompany you, which shouts "I don't trust you to keep your hands off me."

[–]amaheygirlhey[S] 99 points100 points ago

Yes. This!

and no matter how "light hearted" it seems at first, if you're at all uncomfortable ITS NOT OK and try to keep that in mind. YOU should be in control of what happens to your body and you are allowed to be.

[–]PrairieJack 64 points65 points ago

I think learning how to say no is really important, especially for girls, but young kids in general. We're taught to be polite and respect our elders, to say the affirmative to not make other uncomfortable even if we are uncomfortable. Growing up I was never taught that, how to be strong and stand up for myself, how to be confident and firm when saying no. I was never in a position like yours, but could have easily been in something similar. I definitely let people cross boundaries that I was not comfortable with and I was 18+. I could have ended up in really bad situations.

[–]azoenophile 21 points22 points ago

Not only were we raised as polite and respectful, but I'm from a very conservative, somewhat religious home, and we definitely never talked about appropriate boundaries with the opposite sex. We heard in church that wives submit to their husbands and got our sole sex education from a book or at school, so I was not only somewhat meek and conflict avoidant, but speaking up about anything sexual seemed very taboo to me.

At 19, my boyfriend had to tell me that it is okay to say no to sex. I know a lot of that was my upbringing, but I think a lot of it was also societal, in that women are not looked at (or weren't at the time) as having strong opinions or being decision-makers. I think things are changing and women are seen as more equal in that regard, but I do think it's important to encourage children to be assertive and make strong decisions, and not be afraid to speak up for themselves.

[–]amaheygirlhey[S] 10 points11 points ago

I think this is a huge part of these situations. There is so much that goes into how a person reacts to things.

[–]elimeny 3 points4 points ago

Learning to say NO, and that it's okay to say NO is one of the most important lessons we can teach our children, and especially our daughters (i can only speak from a female perspective in fairness). When I think of some of the great tragedies and traumas and discomforts in my life, to this day, they almost always revolve around my inability or difficulty in saying NO... not out of fear of being physically harmed, but out of fear of being rude or making something uncomfortable.

[–]funghii 1 point2 points ago

more important: learning to respect a 'no' from someone else. No means NO.

[–]azoenophile 11 points12 points ago

Absolutely. When I very first started modeling, I was in a situation tamer, but similar to this in that I was very uncomfortable with what was happening. I wish I would've spoken up and said something.

Your advice seems so simplistic, but it's so underappreciated. If you're not comfortable, it's not okay.

[–]amaheygirlhey[S] 5 points6 points ago

Thank you. I think it can be hard to understand without experiencing it but I hope the advice will really stick with people who need it. As you know, Hindsight is 20/20 and it can be very frustrating.

[–]littleavalanche 4 points5 points ago

But... Terry Richardson is not "Joe Shmo" by any stretch of the imagination in the fashion/photography world, unfortunately.

[–]liv_sings 1 point2 points ago

That's exactly what I was thinking. The guy has photographed the President of the United States for damn sake. Its not like he is some random-ass no-name photographer.

[–]Floonet 2 points3 points ago

It's odd, as a photographer were told "always make them sign the contracts and release before the shoot".

Edit: my recommendation is to request a copy of the release and contracts via email so you can read over it before you sign. As a photographer who is legit I have no problem sending over my contracts for people to read and go through before signing.

[–]azoenophile 3 points4 points ago

A photographer who insists on a release up-front (other than for trade) is not one I will work with, frankly. Especially for nude work.

I have been modeling for years and years and years. I have a decade of active photographer and artist references who will tell you I am not one to dick a photog over by refusing to sign after a shoot.

The way I prefer to handle things is to look over the release before the shoot (I also request a copy prior to arriving, but like to confirm nothing has changed) and verify the photographer has the cash on which we agreed. No money changes hands and nothing is signed until after the shoot, when we both agree we are comfortable with the images taken.

Particularly in a situation where heygirlhey described where they had not specifically discussed the direction the shoot was going to take / what he had in mind / specifics, oh hell no. Before I sign away all rights to photos, I absolutely will ensure they're photos I was comfortable taking.

I understand some photographers disagree. I actually got this advice from a respected photographer several years ago. He told me that having the release signed at the end of the shoot not only ensures that everyone was comfortable with what happened during the shoot, but protects him against sexual harassment issues later.

[–]ChristoferRudd 0 points1 point ago

Yeah, for some reason I read tips from couple of photographers (I don't even own a camera) and every single one of them said to get the signature on the release form before starting the shoot.

[–]alyciacreative 35 points36 points ago

First of all, I'm so upset and saddened you had this experience. I'm sending you internet hugs if you want them.

I'm a photographer. I started doing "fashion" photoshoots with friends about 6 years ago. Now I shoot fashion, weddings, portraits, commercial, pretty much everything. I noticed VERY early on what power came with the camera. Luckily I'm female, I would tell myself, because it automatically made models feel more comfortable with me, and I would get a better image. What if I wanted to take advantage of these girls, I'd think. I thought, there must be people out there who do. OF COURSE. Why wouldn't there be?! Then, one day, I read on LiveJournal the account of a fairly well-known model and her encounter with Terry Richardson. It was incredibly similar to your encounter. I read all about him. I looked at his images. His style used to be creative and fun, now he's all about stark, amateur-porn style images, with harsh lighting and overt sexual themes.

I know what it's like to be on the side of the camera where you're in control. To make your models not only feel uncomfortable, but to pressure them into sex acts and willingly HURT them... it infuriates me. "With great power comes great responsibility." If you're in a position of power and you coerce people to degrade themselves and be uncomfortable for your gain, you're an evil sociopath. A fucking horrible human being.

[–]Tenoreo90 5 points6 points ago

I remember liking his work a few years back, now when I google his work, yeah, it's really sloppy and gross! Great perspective, I hate that this creep ruined modeling for OP!

[–]torilikefood 96 points97 points ago

I am sorry, and I am extremely proud of you for speaking up. Virtual hugs!!

[–]amaheygirlhey[S] 28 points29 points ago

thank you, I hope more people come out about this.

[–]kittenborn 78 points79 points ago

I'm so sorry this happened to you. It's definitely normal for people to freeze up and become almost paralyzed when faced with traumatic events and I hope you don't blame yourself for it and everything is okay with you.

[–]Njbb 49 points50 points ago

Thank you for sharing your story. I am so sorry to hear of what happened, and have been in similar situations myself. I hope you are doing better now.

[–]amaheygirlhey[S] 17 points18 points ago

Thanks, I am great and I hope you're doing better too!

[–]Njbb 7 points8 points ago

Thank you, I am. And I am glad to hear that you are as well. If you would like to talk at all, feel free to pm me :)

[–]blueeyedconcrete 13 points14 points ago

OP, don't click the link if you don't want to see his disgusting face!

Here is an article on the sick bastard, for those wondering. I'm really sorry about what you went through OP!

[–]kanikkers 7 points8 points ago

Personal least-favorite quote from the comments:

You can be either an artist or a moralist.

I don't know why I even fucking scroll down anymore.

[–]goneroguebrb 11 points12 points ago

Thank you for sharing this. This is actually the first time I've heard of this, and I'm shocked that the news officially broke so long ago and I hadn't even heard of it. If you feel uneasy, know that you informed at least one person about your experience.

[–]Telutha 42 points43 points ago

That's fucked up. I do nude modeling here and there for money (college, yo) so I understand where you were coming from… I can't imagine being put in to a position like that. I'm so sorry sweetie, I hope everything is better for you now <3

[–]amaheygirlhey[S] 18 points19 points ago

Thank you, I'm good now and all of the support I've received on here definitely helps and makes me feel confident that this story should be heard! Good luck with your nude modeling, it can really be so fun and rewarding with the right people!

[–]scratbag 7 points8 points ago

Isn't what he did illegal? That's what I don't get... this culture of silence in the modelling world. And for what? My friend had their own incident with a well-known photographer and she described that feeling of disassociation during the event being exactly the same. I guess you're so used to being naked, being told what to do, used to doing whatever for a job - she's an editorial model but would do half-nude stuff as well - that all of a sudden when it becomes sexual you don't know how to handle it. She cried for days after, couldn't figure out what she had consented to, what she hadn't, how it happened, why she had just let it happen. Then we found out the very same day she went to his casting he'd been arrested shortly after for the sexual assault of another model he'd seen earlier that day. So then she went to the police. Then so did several other models. And then that bastard went to jail.

It would just take one girl to come forward and put 'Uncle Terry' out of business once and for all. Once one comes forward they all will. I just don't understand why none have, yet.

[–]lonelylittlepetunia 16 points17 points ago

Jesus what a disgusting creepy mother fucker. That is horrible!

[–]KennaCokehead 25 points26 points ago

Ugh. I like his style as a photographer, I just really wish it wasn't...him. Does that make sense?

[–]Tea_cakes 54 points55 points ago

I think people feel that way about Woody Allen and American Apparel CEO Dov Charney, and that's why they let their behavior slide.

[–]lostinkmart 17 points18 points ago

[–]Tea_cakes 13 points14 points ago

Birds of a feather...

[–]amaheygirlhey[S] 18 points19 points ago

Yep, I know exactly what you mean. I'm kind of biased now so I tend to cringe at his photos BUT I can completely see why his style is so popular. I liked it at the time and thats why I chose to do it.

[–]masterspeler 4 points5 points ago

Do you have any examples of photos he's taken that you like? I'm asking because everything I've seen is either mediocre or plain bad.

[–]enlashok 6 points7 points ago

Jesus.... what happened to you was extremely NOT okay.

I know you are posting this to get this out there rather than asking for any advice or sympathy but I just want to say that I think you're incredibly brave for speaking out. I'm sorry to hear how he treated you.

[–]cicicatastrophe 5 points6 points ago

I'm glad you had the courage to write out the specifics of what happened. Whenever I read about TR and the models, the articles are so vague, I come away from reading, never really understanding what he did to make them uncomfortable or how things got far enough to make someone feel uneasy, but still do the shoot. I now understand how easy it is for things to escalate in his studio. He's definitely got his "technique" down to a science. :/ so sad.

[–]weaksawce 15 points16 points ago

Thank you for sharing your story. I remember seeing Miley's photoshoot and thinking that it was really creepy that this guy was getting away with taking these obviously sexual/non-artistic photos of a young girl.

You are strong and I hope you've been able to move on from this experience the best you can. Giving you so many good vibes right now! Have a good week <3

[–]moonglowmermaid 4 points5 points ago

It makes me really pissed off that this guy is one of the most famous and successful photographers in the world. He's photographed so many celebrities, the president of the United States, made music videos for Beyonce, Miley Cyrus, probably others... Obviously he has a reputation for being sleazy and rapey, but no-one seems to give a shit. It hasn't gotten in his way at all.

[–]nineteenagain 7 points8 points ago

I've seen some of his "old" work that was quite weird which is basically what you went through. His fashion stuff for magazines are great, but I'm so sorry you had to experience this. I hope you can move on from this horrific experience and be strong.

[–]blanketdog 3 points4 points ago

I'm so, so sorry that this happened to you. I understand why you froze and were in shock, and didn't have the presence of mind to leave the shoot. It wasn't your fault.

I feel sick whenever I read about this disgusting predator, and I can't believe people (celebrities) placate and enable him. It's disgusting.

[–]leafitiger 2 points3 points ago

All I can say is wow. And stuff like this happens all the time. It is truly sad that women have to suffer, even in their own choices. This is not okay.

[–]stick_it_in_your_bum 2 points3 points ago

Do you think that the photo shoot setting contributed to you freezing up? Would it have been easier for you to be assertive and stop him if all of this happened in a different context?

Thanks for sharing :)

[–]MtthwZ[🍰] 2 points3 points ago

As a guy hearing about stuff like this makes me wish I could teleport though time and space to punch people in the face.

[–]bettyjane13 1 point2 points ago

How long ago did this happen?

[–]amaheygirlhey[S] 0 points1 point ago

5 years ago

[–]acerbicmom 2 points3 points ago

When his penis became involved, why didn't you get out of there as fast as you could? I'm not trying to be insensitive, I'm really not, I am just curious? I understand freezing up on the initial thumb instance but I would have run full force when any genitalia became involved. My partner is a photographer and I can't imagine this situation escalating with any model being okay with it or anything near it. I hope you coming out will prevent it happening to others. What a scumbag.

[–]amaheygirlhey[S] 33 points34 points ago

I feel the same way looking back! I dont know! I think it was fear and a an automatic disconnect happened inside my head or something. It felt like it happened so quickly. Their attitudes were so upbeat and like everything was just you know silly or cool or whatever that the blend from weird to crossing the line was somehow blurred as it happened. I did experience some extremely sexually inappropriate things as a child and although it wasn't something that I feel or felt haunted me anymore, I wonder if maybe the automatic disconnect and dont say a word reaction connected strongly to that and maybe it was more of an automatic survival mode deeply stored in my subconscious, because I don't think that is entirely abnormal.

[–]Pufflehuffy 23 points24 points ago

Like others have pointed out, freezing up in the moment is an extremely common reaction to such a traumatic event. Do not blame yourself whatever you do! It was not your fault at all.

[–]tucta 1 point2 points ago

Oh god I'm so sorry you had to go through this :( I've read stories of how he treats his 'clients' on Tumblr and this seems to be a recurring theme. Appalling.

[–]CaptainAirstripOne 1 point2 points ago

Why is he not in jail?

[–]misspiggie 0 points1 point ago

That is so horrific. I did my fair share of modeling but thankfully I never encouraged such a creepy photographer. Do you know what they did with those pornographic photos, if anything? I would be so terrified they would end up in a book or something. Shudder.

[–]PrairieJack 2 points3 points ago

I wondered what happened to the photos as well.

[–]amaheygirlhey[S] [score hidden] ago

I dont know, I assume nothing. It wouldn't benefit him in any way and im not famous or even a model. I would be disgusted to ever see them but It wouldn't hurt me really in any other way because Im so not associated with that industry.

[–][deleted] ago

[deleted]

    [–]amaheygirlhey[S] 18 points19 points ago

    I answered this as best I could to the question above. Paralyzing shock is the simplest way I can put it.

    [–]FuzzyHappyBunnies 9 points10 points ago

    I have experienced this paralyzing shock as well. I guess it's impossible to explain to someone who hasn't had it happen.

    I am sorry for what happened to you.

    [–]ReasonReader -2 points-1 points ago

    Sex work isn't for everyone. Make sure you know what you're getting into before you try it.

    [–][deleted] ago

    [deleted]

      [–]revgen 7 points8 points ago

      Power dynamics can exist between adults.

      [–]PolkadotPink 9 points10 points ago

      People like you are the reason women are afraid to speak out.

      [–]Scoutandpyro182 5 points6 points ago

      Wow.

      [–][deleted] ago

      [deleted]

        [–][deleted] ago

        [deleted]

          [–][deleted] ago

          [deleted]

            [–][deleted] ago

            [deleted]