Models: Should I have a Chaperone?

This ridiculous question gets dragged into forums on at least a monthly basis, and chaos ensues. Old timers roll their eyes and say ‘bring one - otherwise the photographer will chop you up into little pieces and stick you up his ass’, the white knights come in and tell the newb that they should definitely take an escort if it will make them feel more comfortable and every rational sentence is drowned out until a mod shuts it down. Oh, and a smart arse will give them a list of past threads on the subject. Everyone is fucking sick of this, so I’m going to try to put an end to it.

You need an escort if:

• You are a minor - if you are under 18 bring a parent. Frankly, if you’re under 18, no online photographer will touch you with a 10ft bargepole, but either way, bring a parent. This isn’t just for safety - it’s to protect the photographer and to ensure that documents like releases can be signed. You need to be 18 to sign for yourself. 
• You have a major medical condition. If you have a medical condition that means you may pass out/need to have an injection of any sort, or will generally do anything that will freak out a photographer and put you in a vulnerable state, by all means, tell the photographer and bring an escort. However, this is likely to damage bookings.

Nobody needs:

• A glowering, angry boyfriend in the corner
• A ‘mate’ who robs them blind while shooting
• Someone that trips over a wire, twists their ankle and sues the photographer
• A mother that takes over the entire shoot
• A jealous friend wimpering in the corner
• Someone bored shitless and wondering why they’re there
• A ‘photographer friend’ stealing ideas and set ups
• An extra person on set that distracts from the work and makes the model and photographer feel inhibited

You do not bring an escort to a job interview.
You do not bring an escort to the gyno.
You do not bring an escort to a date.
You do not bring an escort to the corner shop.
You do not bring an escort to the gym.

You do not need an escort on a photoshoot.