FAQ For Models at Event/Workshops
Please make sure you understand this – particularly the questions under “all about the photographs”
Due to problems with various models in the past, it is essential that you understand the answers to these FAQs before you can work at Ian’s Studio.
Getting to the Studio
Where is the studio? What is the address? What’s the postcode?
The Full address is Ian’s Studio, Ground Floor, Woodbank Works, Stockport. SK1 4AR. There is no ‘number’ but the building is opposite house 120. Full directions can be found here: http://www.ians-studio.co.uk/find-us/
What time do I need to be at the Studio?
I try to start events and workshops on time. You need to be at the studio with enough time to do any hair or make-up you need to do, be in your first outfit and to be ready to start modelling at the time the workshop is scheduled to start. For most models, that will mean arriving 15-30 mins before the advertised start time of the workshop.
If you are late or are not ready on time, I may reserve the right to require you to work on beyond the advertised finish time to make up the time.
What is the nearest train station?
The nearest train station is Stockport Station. It is about 25mins walk or 5 mins by Taxi.
Can you pick me up from the train station?
Maybe. Ask me. But don’t rely on it. I need to be back at the studio 25mins before the start the start of an event or workshop. So if your train arrives at least half an hour before the start of the event I might be able to collect you. If your train is late and arrives after that time – you will have to get a taxi at your own expense.
Ok, you said you can collect me from the train station where will you meet me?
If I said I am willing to collect you… There is no free parking at Stockport station and no ‘pickup area’. So I need to know you will be there when I pull up. Please text or call me as the train is approaching Stockport (if you are travelling from Manchester call/text me as the train goes through Heaton Chapel station).
You will need to leave the station at the ‘town centre’ (main) exit. There is a bus stop and shelter in front of the station. If you wait there I can pull in to collect you. I will be driving a white convertible mini with a black soft-top.
Is there a bus stop near the studio?
Yes… but the service that stops there isn’t very frequent. It is the number 364 and the last bus at night is at 6.45pm! To be honest best assume there isn’t a bus stop near the studio!
I’m getting a bus into Stockport can you collect me in town?
Maybe. See my answer to “Can you collect me from the train station”.
Ok, you said you can collect from the bus where will you meet me?
If I said I am willing to collect you… The one-way system in Stockport town centre is a pain. Certain bits of the town if I drive there mean a 2-3 mile diversion to get back to the studio. The most sensible place to collect you in town is in front of “The Plaza” – it is a short walk from both the bus station and from the A6 (192 Bus route).
Here’s a map on the Plaza’s own website showing where it is in relation to the bus station: http://www.stockportplaza.co.uk/plan-your-visit/getting-here/
If you wait there I can pull in to collect you. I will be driving a white convertible mini with a black soft-top. Give me a call/text as you are getting off the bus and I will set off to meet you.
All about the shoot
Who will take photographs at the event and workshop?
It is not just me photographing you. Typically everyone who attends an event or workshop will be taking photographs. Expect to be working with photographers of varying degrees of ability. Some will be experts some may be beginners.
Do you, Ian, take photographs during events and workshops?
Typically yes I do. If I am actively teaching others at a workshop I will “shoot and show”. This is my style of teaching and I have found it works well for me and the people who attend my workshops.
At group shoots, I will often shoot alongside the other photographers. This is usually taking a few shots at the start of each round to check lighting and to demonstrate some ideas that people might want to work with. Occasionally with the permission of the other photographers I may take a few shots at other times. These are useful for me to use in publicising future events and workshops.
I am always mindful that those attending events at the studio are paying to shoot and not paying to watch me shoot. So the amount I shoot is kept to a minimum.
If the studio has been hired by someone else or the event is a ‘slots’ day (people booking the studio and model by the hour). Then I do not shoot at all.
What format will the workshop/event take?
Every event is different, but a few things are constant. I don’t permit “paparazzi” style shooting. Each photographer takes it in turn to shoot. Depending on the event and the number of photographers that might be a block of a couple of minutes or it might just be a couple of shutter clicks.
I am on hand to keep things moving to and to try to make sure that every photographer gets a fair amount of time to shoot.
Can I bring a chaperone?
To a workshop or event. No, you can’t.
Here is my policy on the much-debated subject of chaperones: The ONLY valid reason for a model requiring a chaperone is to ensure their safety. If I am working with a model by myself and the model wishes to bring a chaperone then I have no problem with it providing the chaperone behaves and does not interfere with the shoot. The desire for some models to have a chaperone when working with an unknown photographer at nude or topless levels is entirely understandable.
But… when I book a model for a workshop or an event at the studio, however, I DO NOT PERMIT chaperones. If a chaperone was present at the shoot, it would effectively be saying to the paying attendees of the event that the model doesn’t trust me as the studio owner to ensure her safety.
I don’t have a suitable waiting area at the studio and If you do turn up with a chaperone I will politely ask them to wait outside for the duration of the event or workshop.
All about the photographs
Can I have copies of the photos taken at the event?
I am always happy to let models have copies of any images I take at events. It may take me a while to process them but once done you are welcome to copies and can use them in your portfolio.
Although I cannot guarantee it, many of the studio regulars are happy to let you have copies of images that they take too. Don’t rely on it but a polite request at the shoot usually does the trick!
What happens to the photographs that are taken?
You should already know that the individual photographers at the event will own the copyright on all the images they take. This means that legally they are free to use the images in any way they wish.
Photographers attending the workshop/event have an expectation that they may use the images they have created at the event. This use may include but is not limited to:
- on their website or other advertising materials
- on photographer/modelling sites (Eg Purestorm, Purpleport, etc)
- on social media sites (Google+, Facebook etc)
- on photography sharing websites (Eg Flickr, 500px, etc).
- in their printed portfolios
- in competitions
Some possible uses are NOT private and may be viewed by any member of the public.
At the shoot, I will ask you to sign a form to acknowledge that you understand this. If you want to look at the form it is here: [wpdm_file id=42]
Some photographers may wish to use images from the event or workshop for direct commercial gain (Eg the sale of prints or images for publication). Photographers wishing to use images in this way are encouraged to agree terms with you on a one to one basis. However, neither Ian’s Studio nor Ian M Butterfield can be held responsible if individual photographers fail to reach an agreement with you prior to publication for profit.
I am working to topless/nude levels but don’t want those images on a public website. Is that possible?
No it is not. If you are agreed to model nude or topless it is with the expectation that the photographers can use those images as described above. If you are not comfortable with that then I can’t book you for an event that requires topless or nude work.
If you pose for topless or nude images you need to accept that at some point in the future those images will probably be seen by your friends, family and work colleagues. If you aren’t comfortable with that, don’t pose for those images.
I only work to “implied” levels, can I check all the images to make sure nothing is showing?
Sorry, it is just not practical at a group event for you to check every image that every photographer has taken. Although I will explain to photographers that you are booked to ‘implied levels’ I cannot guarantee that no one has got an image that shows more that you would want to show.
For this reason, if I am looking for a model to work to “implied” levels I will usually book a model who is comfortable working either fully topless or fully nude.
I modelled at an event some weeks/months/years ago. I now have a new job (or new partner or some other reason) can (some or all of) the images be removed from the internet?
This question is usually connected to topless/nude work but can apply to other work too. The answer is always “no” – there are technical reasons why this cannot be done and there are moral ones too.
Technically, once images are on the internet there is no undoing it. People copy images from on-line, some get re-posted sometimes with permission of the photographer or sometimes without his/her knowledge. Some search engines take copies of them. There are even websites which keep archives of how other websites looked on particular dates. There is no way to completely remove an image from the internet.
Morally, you were paid for the work, I was paid to run the event. The photographers who paid that money, therefore, have a right and a reasonable expectation to use those images for as long as they wish. Think of it this way… you wouldn’t expect a clothes shop to tell you that an item of clothing you paid for can’t be worn outside anymore because they no longer want to be associated with the style!