Modeling / Photography & Age Discrimination

About three weeks ago I worked with a model I’d never worked with before. She is gorgeous in every way. Polite, intelligent, beautiful skin, gorgeous full and shiny hair and an amazing fit body. As long as a person is of legal age I don’t really care how old they are. If they suit the look I’m going for then I really could care less beyond getting the job done. But I was stunned by what she told me. She mentioned that in her experience many people were turned off by her age. She perfectly recalled an occasion, when a photographer she had just finished shooting with asked her age. When she told him he visibly expressed shock and immediately became dismissive and treated her horribly. I personally just don’t understand the obsessiveness with age. Clearly this model was perfect before the photographer knew her age. I was appalled and very disappointed in this photographer’s behavior. It makes the entire industry seem so very very superficial.  All we really want or really need is a competent and talented subject to meet the criteria of the task. 

I might have known that something was off when she asked the average age of the models I typically work with early in the photo shoot. She was unnaturally interested. When I mentioned all ages she was visibly but pleasantly surprised. I clearly remember saying, “I don’t have an age limit. I only have qualifications. If a person suits those qualifiers then I don’t care. If she is slightly older then all the better since statistics tend to suggests that more mature models are more reliable.” Then she told me her story. I couldn’t get over how someone calling themselves a professional could behave in such a manner. In her estimation, anyone over 30 years of age was at a horrible disadvantage. Clearly she had been shaken and somewhat discouraged by her experiences and given her talent and her looks I was simply baffled why anyone so beautiful might have developed such a distrust and negative attitude about the industry at large.

It didn’t take me long to realize she was not alone. I did a bit of research and spoke to a few colleagues and other models. While there are certainly more mature models working, many have experienced some form of push back when they revealed their age. It wasn’t because they didn’t look the look, walk the proverbial walk or that they didn’t meet all the criteria of the task - NO! It was only because of their age; a simple number that often disqualified them from further consideration.

When did we become so shallow a society to care how old or how young a person is if they perfectly suit the task at hand? In fact, I have argued that on occasion it might be more attractive to seek out a slightly more mature model because of their attention to detail, their work ethic and dedication. Paid or unpaid, collaboration or commissioned, I have never had a model over 30 years of age not show up. From a marketing perspective, any smart person would know that models in their 40s, 50s and 60s is a rapidly growing and sought after group due to the amount of products and services seeking that demographic. More specifically, the amount of quality images needed to promote products to that group is rapidly expanding. It is quite simply, a smart move to work with this rapidly expanding market. If anything, this photographer should be bowing and pleading for the pleasure. But even that is not really the argument here. The lack of common business sense is argument enough for the imbecile that has a problem with age. But what truly perturbs is the fact that this age-nazi expressed no problem whatsoever until he or she actually learned the model’s age. It’s baseless and ignorant to age discriminate for any reason short of not being able to perform the task and that can be true of any person at any age. 

This photographer, whomever they are is simply a fool. It was a tactless thing to do, a blatant lack of professionalism and it shames me to know that someone as kind and as beautiful as this model has to endure such ridicule for being who she is. 

Lucky for me I did photograph her and quite frankly I loved every second of it. She was perfectly qualified, punctual, experienced, respectful, communicable and gorgeous. What else could I possibly want? All things being equal she was perfect and I don’t care how old she is beyond being of legal age. 

When Photography & Graphic Design Go Strange Directions

A few weeks ago we finished up designing a catalog for an extremely talented fashion designer, a truly gifted individual that can design and tailor for anyone including men and women, children and adults. She's designed and made everything from cargo shorts to elaborate bridal dresses. When she asked me to design a catalog for some of her designs I was flattered beyond belief.

Being someone so incredibly busy she didn't have time to scout around and find a model to suit the clothing so she delegated the task to Helios being as she is aware that we may know or work with models from time to time. In some ways our way of doing things can create some very rewarding opportunities for models both professionals and amateurs alike. Sometimes I feel we're bordering on being a modeling agency.

The designer gave us the parameters in regards to the model's look, size, the shoot theme, and sent phone pics of what I'd be working with. I found the perfect model, had the model's measurements sent to the designer and scheduled the model for a fitting to coordinate with the arrival of the first series of clothing. It only took a few small modifications before we had the photo shoot date set. In the meantime, while the photo shoot date was swiftly approaching, I concerned myself with organizing page spreads to maximize the effectiveness of each piece. We also used this time to choose accessories and several other items we thought could accent each article of clothing. After getting the idea refined with the designer we set a date, put together the copy, finalized the spread and got our catalogs done; laid out, printed, and delivered.

After receiving the first set of catalogs the designer was absolutely blown away by how well things turned out and immediately began talks about future projects. We are always pleased when a client is happy but after a few weeks things got interesting. Now the true test begins.

We had been tasked with creating a fashion catalog for a designer for a "2011 Metro Woman" collection she'd put together. But being a graphic designer is more than just being about having a nice spread, being a great photographer is more than just a pretty picture; we need to address whether the message come across clear enough to her clients where they wanted to buy? Is the best features of the clothing clear enough and presented well? That is the true testament as to whether our job was done. She tasked Helios with creating a smooth transition of inviting imagery that would promote her products to their greatest potential. After several weeks of silence we finally heard. Not only was the reception positive but it got a little weird when the designer called and asked for permission to sell the catalogs. "Huh? You mean sale your designs right?" She said "no, I know through our agreement Helios retains copyright ownership of the images themselves while my company retains all other rights to the catalogs as they are used exclusively for the promotion of their featured clothing content." The images themselves, according to the agreement, are to be the exclusive property of Helios less' the client and Helios mutually decide to alter that agreement in writing.

Put simply, our client's clients wanted to purchase the catalogs for the fashion images. While we often sell images directly, these are clients of a client where Helios still retains legal reach in dictating how those images are used. Naturally our client wants a piece of the action as she sees enormous potential, naturally we own the images therefore all issues regarding publishing, copying, commerce, etc would fall to the decision of Helios.

An incredible series of events leading to new opportunities.

The image featured above is from the "Chrysalis" photo shoot and not the subject of this post. All Rights Reserved. ©2011 Helios Digital Imaging & Graphic Design

Should You Get a Model Release for Photos?

A Model Release document is a formal document used largely by photographers and publishers to outline the allowances and restrictions of images and photographs that contain the likeness of an identifiable person or persons. For photographers, it largely protects them from civil liability of image use and publication.

The Release often confirms the legality and consent of the party to have their likeness captured, and/or distributed; or as outlined in the details of the Release document.

Why is the Model Release important? It identifies all parties. It demonstrates consent, age appropriateness and legality, due consideration, allowances and restrictions of relevant parties among other things. It may serve as protection against inappropriate image use by a publisher, a photographer, or any individual whose identity and likeness is clearly recognizable. The Model Release may also establish copyright ownership and image publication allowances.

All Releases are not created equal. Some are established purely for proof of age while others are considerably more detailed. Make sure you understand your rights as a subject, a photographer, and/or a model in order to protect your privacy and avoid potential liability.