Do you allow strangers into your home studio?

[cstewart1977]

I can't seem to keep my mouth shut about photography whenever pretty much anyone is around me. So it has come to the attention of people that care about me, that I'm inviting unnecessary risk into my home whenever I have someone that I don't "know" come to my home studio for a photo session.

Many of my friends suggest doing background checks on models before they come over or getting a copy of their photo ID. Another suggestion was to stick to shooting only people that I know or just photograph my own family. They also suggest that I should just go out on location only.

I've rejected suggestions out of hand for reasons that are very obvious to me, but not rationally justifiable to "most people". I have no profit motive, so I don't "NEED" to do photo sessions with complete strangers.

They're betting that no one else started off like this or is doing it the way I do and that I'm incredibly naive and too trusting. I get headaches from being lectured about this all the time.

I think this may be an important discussion, please let post your thoughts.

[hue-e]

buy a shotgun and having it sitting where those people can see it. might as well have a pit bull roaming around too. I've got a bull terrier and NEVER had my house broken into. Hell, even contractors that I've invited into my house to do work when I'm not there, the dog won't let in.

maybe you can do without the shotty, but I know for a fact, that anyone with a pitty in their house is pretty safe.

[danchez]

you don't need to do background checks on models, but do check with other photographers that they have worked with, other than that.... I mean come on.... If someone is gonna rob you, they are gonna rob you. If it's a model that you have been in contact with, the cops will be able to trace your messages and find them. It's just kind of silly. Think of it this way, does a grocery store keep it's doors closed because they are afraid of being robbed by strangers? Of course not. Don't worry about it.

[cstewart1977]

The thing is, I'm not really concerned, if I thought it was risky, I wouldn't do it. However, the lecturing from friends is getting old. I don't know why so many people are paranoid and seem to think the world is just out to get them. I wonder if I'm the oddball just because I don't watch TV.

[JWCustomPhotography]

I wonder the same thing, though I haven't taken the plunge in having people over yet.

I don't quite see an issue with it, and like what has been said, you SHOULD have all the contact info and all.

If I didn't have my wife and daughter these days, I would be way less concerned.


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[Anthony Martinez]

Bah. Like Dan said, if someone is going to rob you they're going to rob you. Dogs aren't an obstacle either. Pit or not.

I'll let people in. I'm almost always here anyway, and photos are not the only thing I've been paid to shoot. Heck, the other thing is the only thing I've been formally trained (and then elevated to the level of instructor) in shooting. If I'm not here, I've got insurance to replace anything that's stolen.

[JWCustomPhotography]

Originally Posted by Anthony Martinez

Bah. Like Dan said, if someone is going to rob you they're going to rob you. Dogs aren't an obstacle either. Pit or not.

I'll let people in. I'm almost always here anyway, and photos are not the only thing I've been paid to shoot. Heck, the other thing is the only thing I've been formally trained (and then elevated to the level of instructor) in shooting. If I'm not here, I've got insurance to replace anything that's stolen.

Well for one, just because it's not a huge issue doesn't mean anyone wants to deal with it.

And to the OP, I'm more concerned with vandalism and car theft than home invasion. It's not like I live in the perfect neighborhood.

And so, does that mean y'all list your home address as your studio
Or business address on websites and cards?

I guess even once you get a DBA that's less of an issue.


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[camera shy]

My first thought would be that the unknown model might be in more jeopardy than the photographer.

If someone shows up at the door with a motorcycle gang I'd probably shut the door and say they got the wrong address.

If the model shows up with a "chaperone" I'd make sure they didn't disappear during the shoot.......by making them wait in the car for example.

[Anthony Martinez]

Originally Posted by JWCustomPhotography

Well for one, just because it's not a huge issue doesn't mean anyone wants to deal with it.

And to the OP, I'm more concerned with vandalism and car theft than home invasion. It's not like I live in the perfect neighborhood.

And so, does that mean y'all list your home address as your studio
Or business address on websites and cards?

I guess even once you get a DBA that's less of an issue.


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To be honest, I'm quite probably warped from too much time in the sand. Huge deal for me starts with 105mm rockets. Vandalism and car theft fall under the insurance umbrella, though you're quite right in saying nobody wants to deal with it. I don't think the instances in which someone would return to your home to wreck your property are any more common than burglary.

My domain is properly registered, so my number and address has been a matter of pretty public record for several years. While the fact that nothing has happened does not mean that nothing will ever happen, in the general way of the world it's unlikely to ever happen.

While I'm of the opinion that the number of bad people greatly exceeds the number of good people on the planet, I'm also of the opinion that the majority of those bad people are also tremendously lazy.

[JWCustomPhotography]

Originally Posted by Anthony Martinez

My domain is properly registered, so my number and address has been a matter of pretty public record for several years. While the fact that nothing has happened does not mean that nothing will ever happen, in the general way of the world it's unlikely to ever happen.

Good point, I forget about a Whois lookup on my domain. I may as well list my "studio" address.

And bad people are lazy yes... Though the shank next door must attract them all :)



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[cstewart1977]

I just want to work on creating nice pictures.

I don't post my address or give it out right off the bat. My friends think a model is going to go blah blah about how she did a shoot with me and saw that I had "camera this" and "equipment that" or whatever to someone who in turn will come eat my kids and take my Wii. That's pretty paranoid in my opinion.

[surlynkid]

keep a handgun close by but hidden.

[David Whatley]

If you were in the business of making money, and had a home studio, then you would be inviting "strangers" in wouldnt you? There are a LOT of professional photographers that start and continue to run their business from their home. Take safeguards and dont worry about it.

[mrsrice22]

My husband is the same, he doesn't like the idea of having strangers over for consults/sessions unless he's home, which would make it hard for me because then I have 3 kids from 8mos-14yrs running around and that doesn't look very professional but as many have said before when starting out alot of people conduct business in their home. The other option for consults would be a public coffee shop/restaurant, we've met real estate agents and the likes as such places before and that worked out fine.

[tertius]

Originally Posted by hue-e

buy a shotgun and having it sitting where those people can see it.

Bad advice.