Abusive Photographers

One of the big reasons why I became a self portrait artist, was because I had negative experiences with photographers that took pictures of me and never returned the photos to me. Pictures of me where I was naked and vulnerable. Pictures that I devoted time to...time I can't get back.

I thought that after years of modeling experience, that I had a pretty good guard up for people that have managed to get away with abusing my time, but this year in January when I visited Maui, I had yet again another negative experience.

I reached out to an underwater photographer asking what his rates were and he let me know that he didn't want to get paid, that he does photography "just for fun." I was excited to do trade work and headed to Lahaina where we did the shoot in the ocean.

Modeling underwater in the ocean isn't easy. You get salt up your nose, you're shooting in the far deep all along there are shark warning signs, etc.

It is now August and I have not received a single image. I reached out a few times and my messages were left unread. I then decided to reach out to his girlfriend and she had him write me back. When he finally reached out, he explained that I was a low priority because he wasn't paid, even though the initial agreement was TFP (trade for portfolio.)

I have included the conversations for you to see exactly how it played out.

But this is exactly why I have become an independent photographer, because I don't let myself down. I get excited about my photos and when I shoot with other models I am extremely fast about getting their work back to them, because it not only shows respect and appreciation, but it reflects how deeply I care about my work!  I even give my models all of the original photos the same day. I love being that photographer people can trust and feel comfortable with because I know how horrible it feels to be vulnerable for someone, just to be taken advantage of.

This photographer in Maui is @robowenphotography

DO NOT SUPPORT HIM

He's even trying to make money off the Lahaina fires 🥴