Expert: Jim Boyd - 4/12/2010

Question
As a self employed professional photographer for more than 25 years, I recently have been advertising for female models on a local model web site, and asking some who  list themselves as adult models or adult entertainers on what they consider comfortable.  When I asked about doing boy/girl images, I asked if they would consider POV? At the same time I have queried a adult web sites, magazines and others both in the US and Europe, if they would accept or at least consider submissions from an unknown photographer. (I am a retired professional photographer with 20 years of shooting large and medium format now digital images). I have received replies from publishers wanting to see the images and quality of the images. So I wanted to take it to the next step, (I recognize current laws such as- Title 18, USC and 2257) with regard to age and now I think the timing is right to photograph a few models. Some are willing to test some not. More recently, I received an email from a moderator of this same model web site, who wanted my contacts – and other personal information, on web site or other addresses because as he noted, to prove I am not just soliciting for sex, - is there grounds for such a charge???  I thought art was art in the US as far as Europe ---Or does he have grounds for such a charge by LE?

Answer
It's reasonable that the site operators want to insure the individuals using their site are what they claim to be. All things being equal...there are far too many fakes and frauds out there looking to score with hot chicks by pretending to be photographers and film producers.

The site operators have a responsibility to insure the safety and well being of the women listing on their site....and that includes "weeding out" fraudulent photographers.