Hi, got this 16 years old model who is really stunning..at first I didn't know she was 16, she's fully developed (beautifully) looks like 22yo very confidant and well balanced..after learning about her age I'm kind of not sure now to shoot her or not...what the rules about that! I know Ideally one of her parents would be present but that maybe difficult to arrange from her side! but legally speaking what are the rules! apparently its a grey area and photography has the same rules as sexual conduct when it comes to under age but is 16 under-age (i know it is in the US but here its 16 right! does anyone knows any solid information about that, Don't want to shoot her nude but her figure is more glamour oriented and thats what she likes so it would be Bikini and lingerie!
cheers
Ali

have a look in the latest Next Catalogue - its a decent barometer of what is legally acceptable.

Many shriek and wail at the merest thought of any U18 in less than a full burkha

others think that g-strings and a hint of tit are OK (they are wrong btw)

The Next Catalogue is a sensible place to be

Glamour and 16 year old girls are generally mutually exclusive. The fact that she looks like a 20 yo will not help you much in court when you go up as a paedo for doing a load of inappropiate glam with a child.

I don't even know why I'm considering it..not worth it..she's a friend of a model I shot who's 24 and this how we got talking..but yeah I sadly have to pass on this shoot..
too bad she can put Jordan in her little pocket but really tall and all natural..really gorgeous..
thank you for advice :)

As a general rule of thumb, if you have to ask, the answer is probably no.

Worth taking a moment to step back and think again about why you are considering the idea of shooting a 16 year old, in lingerie, to produce glamour images.  Some of your language is, at the least, concerning on this subject.



Jeremy

Hopefully this link will help clarify the situation.

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Photographs-of-Children--where-do-you-stand-43

For my part, 16 - 18 year old's are fashion and portrait only and would need a parents consent.  Not worth the risk for anything else.

HarryC

HarryC , Photographer  posted on 12/07/2010 09:58:09   Posted 17 times

Located:Bedford,Bedfordshire, UK
Member Since: 03/04/2010

Quoting post from HarryC
Hopefully this link will help clarify the situation.

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Photographs-of-Children--where-do-you-stand-43

For my part, 16 - 18 year old's are fashion and portrait only and would need a parents consent.  Not worth the risk for anything else.

HarryC

Thanks for the link, I googled the subject but haven't come up with something solid so this is useful, thought about doing just fashion but fashion isn't my thing at the mo and just don't need the hassle as she may bring see through or too short...don't sleep between tombs if you don't want to see nightmares!

Ali,

if the young lady really has potential you should talk to her parents, get her signed up to the studio and have her learn her trade as a portrait and fashion model.  Once she is legally old enough you can look at her for other genre's.

Lets face it, no one else is going to shoot her topless or nude legally and its up to you to help bring her on.  Who knows where it might lead for you both.

harryC

HarryC , Photographer  posted on 12/07/2010 10:57:02   Posted 17 times

Located:Bedford,Bedfordshire, UK
Member Since: 03/04/2010

Quoting post from HarryC
Ali,

if the young lady really has potential you should talk to her parents, get her signed up to the studio and have her learn her trade as a portrait and fashion model.  Once she is legally old enough you can look at her for other genre's.

Lets face it, no one else is going to shoot her topless or nude legally and its up to you to help bring her on.  Who knows where it might lead for you both.

harryC

I'd err on the side of safety ................................

I would ask myself .................

"How would age-appropriate images of a sixteen-year-old girl fit into my portfolio?"

Having looked at your portfolio (excellent as it is) that might be a difficult question to amswer.

AND remember, it is law and not "mother nature" that decides what is age appropriate.

As Jeremy has said, "if you have to ask, the answer is probably no".

GOOD LUCK with that one ....................................

I think they know and encouraging her as I did ask her twice if her parents approve of her modelling and she said yes, she has been to shoots before and has mm profile etc..so I don't think she needs my advice-she's not a complete newbie...I don't know I may help her and do an urban shoot if her mum comes along..when I have time to consider it further or for a TF shoot..but you right to advice us/her to try it as it's shame for such beautiful girl not to give modelling a good go if she wasn't already. thx
Ali

Quoting post from CostasK

I'd err on the side of safety ................................

I would ask myself .................

"How would age-appropriate images of a sixteen-year-old girl fit into my portfolio?"

Having looked at your portfolio (excellent as it is) that might be a difficult question to amswer.

AND remember, it is law and not "mother nature" that decides what is age appropriate.

As Jeremy has said, "if you have to ask, the answer is probably no".

GOOD LUCK with that one ....................................

I did love this sentence :
AND remember, it is law and not "mother nature" that decides what is age appropriate.
very true my friend. although this is has nothing to do with photography but I was shocked to learn that the average age for teens/children who start having sex is 12!!!!
is that mad or what!!
(if that statistics is true)

If you are having to ask the question then the answer is no, always err on the side of caution as physically the model may look old enough but the law and society rightfully are there to draw the line in the sand.

Quoting post from JohnHughes
If you are having to ask the question then the answer is no, always err on the side of caution as physically the model may look old enough but the law and society rightfully are there to draw the line in the sand.

of course I have to ask the bloody question if I don't know exactly what the law says which is the purpose of the thread jeeeez......don't know something ..you ask..you get answer!!!Forums are usefull for giving information such as this!!!
I mentioned she looks like 22 to highlight the fact I wouldn't have considered it if I knew from the start she was 16!!! she has a chest size bigger than pamila anderson or Jordan and a really mature look physically so no way you'll be able to tell if she didn't mention it-thankfully.never seen a 16yo like that in my life before nevertheless if I had devious intentions I wouldn't bloody come on a website and ask for advice and let everyone know, would I!!!!!!!!

I don't think it's right but wanted to know what the law says just in case you'd fall for a models lie and she turns to be under 18!! which judging by this could easily happen.
I actually think this is a very good thread for any new photographer and glad I posted it!! just was hoping for something better than look at the "next" catalogue or the society will be quick to draw the line!

Studioio, you really need to take some chill pills, anyone with an ounce of common sense knows what the answer to your question is.

I agree I need a chill pill. :)
as when it comes to LAW not ethics you need more than common sense thats why Lawers are so rich

Everyone knows the law is an ass, lawyers are parasites and togs are persecuted for their art.

it is indeed..what bugs me the most is when you carrying a professional camera and photographing in central London and a police man comes and question or searches you under terrorism act while there are 10th of tourists around you with small camera taking pictures!! I swear sometimes you're made to feel like a terrorist or paedofile just becaus you have a camera!

Basically, once she's sixteen she can have full-on wild sex with her boyfriend every night and become pregnant, be a mum and get married, but you can't take a topless photo of her until she's 18. Laugh?!!! (or cry)

lol well put...where is the society then!! society used to stone people to death, society in some African countries till today cuts part of female children privet parts so they don't feel like having sex!
and as far as law is concerned we still have laws that survived from the 18th century till today (apparently) that's why it boils down to ethics at the end of the day and how you've been brought up.
I still don't agree with 16 years old doing Glamour (which is a wide area) but sometimes you look at those so called children and you think..is that really a 16 yo, but I guess up in their head they're still children and that's what is meant to be protected..which I agree with but photography isn't the beast here as long as it's not cheap glamour or has any nudity..however some fashion and some clothing are quite sexual even if it hasn't exposed anything so why glam is a no and fashion is a yes-do you think they should have ratings on cloth lol!the gentleman who mentioned the next catalogue is maybe right!
either way I rather stay clear of this it's just headache..I leave it to some other tog..

Quoting post from ianmacfadyen
Basically, once she's sixteen she can have full-on wild sex with her boyfriend every night and become pregnant, be a mum and get married, but you can't take a topless photo of her until she's 18. Laugh?!!! (or cry)

Sadly, I know many girls who are mums yet, emotionally, they themselves are just children. Nature is a wonderful thing but the cruellest trick it plays is to let the body fully develop before the brain.

STRANGERS ARE JUST FRIENDS WE'VE YET TO MEET

SmilesPhoto , Photographer  posted on 13/07/2010 11:40:41   Posted 311 times

Located:UK,Kent, UK
Member Since: 27/03/2009

Hi to all

As far as i am aware the law states that topless shots of a 16 year old CAN be done. If its with the parents/guardians consent is what i am not sure of. I only say this cos of when a so called well known model came on the scene. I am talking about Lindsey Dawn McKenzie. When she started she was 15 and wasnt permitted to do topless shots. The newspaper she was in (which i am sure everyone knows) did a count down to her 16th birthday. Maybe the laws have changed since then but if they havent then it IS legal to shoot topless shots.

(Please do not quote me on this....its just what i remember at the time)