Dealing with “Daddy”

Dealing with “Daddy”
by Bob Hubbard

We’ve all seen them. Photographers with “Daddy” attitudes. He refers to models as “his girls”, or tells them they don’t need escorts because he’s “there to protect them.”. Many of them are amateurs, but a few are quality photographers.

Many of these “daddy complex” types seek to control you. Control takes many forms. They will feed you misinformation about other photographers and models, promise you future jobs, promise protection from the ‘bad guys’, or over state their impact in the industry. Some will go so far as to offer to serve as a go-between to ‘save’ you from dealing with job negotiation and bookings themselves.

In martial arts, you always run into the instructor who ‘trained the military’. In the martial arts industry that could mean he worked for the Pentagon, or he showed some private how to do a wrist lock. In photography a similar situation is when you run into people who “shot for Playboy” and who can “get you in”.The truth in both situations is that the “real deal” is rare and easily checked with the source. If someone says they shoot for Maxim, contact Maxim and confirm with them.

Maintain your independence.
You maintain your independence by working with a wide range of photographers, models and support people. The “Daddy” type wants to lock you to their narrow sphere of control. Look beyond it, and don’t let yourself become locked to any one shooter.

Do your own booking and negotiation.
You’re an adult, keeping a planner and scheduling shoots is not hard, just be sure to keep your appointments. Have a set rate and term structure for shoots and be consistent. “Daddy” types will want to “save” you the hassles. Don’t let them.

Check references.
This means doing as detailed a check as you can. Don’t just work with those “Daddy” says are ok. Make your own checks and decisions. Spend some time on Google searching for their name. Talk to other models and photographers listed in their profiles that they’ve worked with. Ask them for names of other models and photographers who may have worked with the photographer but not be listed on their reference list. Photographers often omit names of those who they expect to give a bad reference.

Verify Job Offers.
Get things in writing. Phone calls are great for working out the details, but get the terms in writing so that both sides have something tangible. Memories are faulty, and “Daddy” types are experts at getting you confused and doubting your own memory. If it’s in writing, you can hold them accountable.

Confirm Locations.
Similar to the ‘get it in writing’, but this might entail talking to someone at the site. If for example someone says they “know the owner and he said it’s ok to shoot here”, it may be worth contacting the owner if things seem shady. “Daddy” wants you to think he’s important and connected. If that’s true, you’ll walk in the front door, not sneak in under a fence.

Be wary of overly long and negative profiles.
“Daddy” types seek to confuse you. They work the same way some politicians and advertisements do. They write long rambling and twisting messages, tiring you out with their rapid changes and contradictions. They may give you long lists of people to avoid, or be overly explanatory about the “people out to get them”.

Avoid the “Protector”.
The debate on bringing escorts to shoots will never end, however beware the photographer who makes comments about being your protector. “Protectors” sometimes are harmless, but often lean towards the predatory. This can range from the full tilt serial killer or rapist (very very very rare) all the way down to the “sneak a naughty shot” types who just don’t want any witnesses. Be an adult, protect yourself, and let “Daddy” know you can.

The “Daddy” types will not go away, but you can protect yourself from their effects on your career. Work with quality people, check references, and handle your own affairs and you should be able to avoid dealing with “daddy”.

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Bob Hubbard is a professional photographer specializing in martial arts event, nature and portrait photography. Bob’s photography can be found at http://bobhubbardphotography.com/ and his martial arts photography at http://martialphotos.com/. In addition, he runs a model and photographer community http://wnymodelphotography.com/ for the WNY area and beyond. He may be reached through these sites.

Copyright © 2010 – Bob Hubbard – All Rights Reserved
Reproduction without express permission is denied.