Hiring Photographers out of state

[IntenseCash.com]

We have had quite a few responses of people wanting to photograph for us. Problem is they are in other states. I have heard horror stories of photographers selling duplicates, using them for their own sites etc. How can a level of trust be established to do this or is this something to just stay away from?

Thanks,
Mark

[Lee]

Put everything in a sales contract.

That way, if something happens that you dont like, after they signed the contract, you have them by the provebials

Regards,

Lee

[crescentx]

My advice here is get to know them a bit first. Find out whom - if anyone - they've photographed for. Start small, build a relationship. With lots of smaller photographers your bigger headaches will be things like photographers who decide to take your porn shoot to Wal-Mart for development. And I wouldn't advise working with photographers from extremely conservative states. You will get generally good results, on the flipside, from a lot of European and Canadian photographers. And of course make sure you get model release and ID with all sets...(some smaller photographers do not understand model releases).

-doug

[citiboyz]

Hey Mark,

Doug and Lee make valid points. My guess is that a lot of the "photographers" you're hearing from are just guys who have a digital camera and want to take pics of naked boys and think you're going to hook them up. Same thing with those random guys who email you wanting to be your scout, or recruiter. I'm sure we all get these emails, right? Steer clear of them, unless they can show you some sample work (and the 2257 docs). Make them jump through hoops to prove they're authentic and professional, and then stick with those guys.

[gaybucks_chip]

I totally agree with Steve.

We had a "model scout" who claimed to have a large mainstream modeling agency in the modeliing-center-of-the-world Racine, WI Problem was, it was a very elaborate fake set up to give this guy (a sad fortysomething with no friends his own age) the opportunity to hang out with 18-22 boys. He used us (until we figured it out) as his "legitimacy screen"... he'd get guys looking for mainstream modeling, then convince them to do a free "audition video" for him to give to us, sometimes more than one, consisting of a solo scene. No IDs, no releases.

We told him we didn't WANT audition videos, didn't NEED them, and were very uncomfortable about his shooting them, especially since he sometimes used the audition videos as an excuse to have sex with the models (something that we feel is completely unprofessional, though I know a lot of people in the business disagree.)

He did get us some cute models, but we felt it wasn't worth the damage to our reputation or to the model's psyche, so we no longer work with him. But I think he's cut a deal with another site in the Chicago area now... the good news is, last I heard, the WI authorities were investigating his unregistered and unlicensed modeling agency.

So I'd say be very, very careful. Even if you think you know and can trust the person, ask around... talk to people he's worked with, particularly the models. Bad reputations spread fast.

[citiboyz]

I echo Chip's sentiments. We had a similar experience a few years back with a guy from Cincinnati. For every model he sent us, he probably scared away ten! He claimed to "represent" us, which was not true. We demanded that he remove that claim from his webpage and AOL profile, which he did. But to this day he's not referred one model to us, and I see his latest AOL profile boasts about the "sex parties" he hosts. Must be interesting, since this guy looks like Gimli the Dwarf from LOTR.

The lesson is: Don't let anyone claim they represent you. Even if you do have some kind of quasi-relationship with them, it's best that you make it very clear that they do not speak for you.

That's my $0.02 worth.

[longboardjim]

Hiring Photographers! , Like "Contractors" , You Need The "Contract" , For The Work , And If Possible ( Something I Do , When I Deal With Someone New ) I Send Them A "Prop" To Be Used With An Exisiting Model Or Someone Annonomous At The Time ( This Gives You Most "Recent" And Tests The Photographers "Work And Validity" )
Like All "Contractor's" , There's "The Good , The Bad , & The Ugly" , Ask For "References" ( Content Providers/Websites/Etc ) No Two Photographers Are Alike , Nor , Is Their Some "Code Of Ethics" , Which Each "Adhere-By" , So Make Sure It's In Writing!
"long-Distance" Buisness Is Pretty Much A "Trust-Thing" , If Possible Try And Do "Buisness-Only" In Your Area , Otherwise , Hopefully The Above Mentioned Is Helpful
Best Wishes And Continued Success In 2005!

Sincerely ~ Jim

[bregot]

Well, I see Ur point... Dishonest photographers and recruiters...

But what about the other side?

I'm a photographer from Poland. Probably some of U know my works. I'm trying to find a kind of continuous cooperation with any of the galleries, but as it happened many times so far - they promise to buy a lot of content, but the problem appears with the first payment.

No matter how hard I try - it looks quite the same. Ppl ask for sets, then they are really pleased with my materials. They promise to buy 8 new guys (3 sets each) every month! I replay all e-mails ASAP, sign the documents, shoot the set, upload it... and then when it's time to pay - they become so quiet.

Some records: BP - 3 months, BF - 2 months, BA - never so far... OB - never so far...

I do not expect to be payed in advance. What I'm really looking for is a customer, who is really satisfied with my work and who is a serious business partner. I just need to be sure that I would be payed for my work.

So tell me - what should I do? If a photographer breakes the agreement, U can sue him and find a new one. But if a customer does not replay to e-mails - I can't be sure, if I was cheated, or is it just a misunderstanding. What can I do? Report them here on the board?

Dzinerbear, Xstr8guy - thank U! U are the only two, that have payed me before I finished uploading the pics!