WHEN PHOTOGRAPHERS CROSS THE LINE

WHEN PHOTOGRAPHERS & OTHER MEN CROSS THE LINE

Although the #Meetoo Movement is new, women being sexually harassed is something women have been dealing with for thousands of years. Our industry is full of both working and aspiring models, actresses dancers, musicians, singers and such that are often preyed upon by men in positions of power and authority. As makeup artists we aren’t typically involved when such things transpire with producers, directors and casting agents. However, it’s a very common occurrence with photographers during photo shoots where makeup artists, hairstylists and other crew work together with models. On a daily basis, many male photographers cross the line with the models, (both male and female.) As crew members, makeup artists and hairstylists are also often the targets of this undesirable, unethical behavior, but not as often as the models are subjected to it. Therefore we have a responsibility to do what we can to protect them and make them comfortable on set, especially the young ones.

Most women have experienced a #MeToo situation in their lives. For many of us, it’s become such a common occurrence, that there are far more of these experiences than we can even remember. These situations with men vary greatly but they are all unacceptable. The deplorable behavior scenarios include conversations that make girls and women feel uncomfortable or unsafe, psychological games of power and intimidation, exposing themselves, sexual harassment, nonconsensual touching, molestation, sexual assault, rape and for far too many models, the assaults tragically end in murder.

We have been raised in a society that has ignored sexual abuse and harassment from men. Men’s actions were swept under the rug mainly because women were not believed, looked down upon as troublemakers, and in many cases, they became ostracized from society and sometimes their own families for speaking out. Resulting in men’s sexual predatory behaviors to continue and escalate. For this reason, along with the new #MeToo movement, it's hard to know when the line is crossed and what to actually do about it. This broadcast is for all women in general to know what to do in these situations, not just for themselves, but to also protect others. It is common within in the beauty, fashion, and entertainment industry to be subjected to these situations. But our response shall no longer be common. Join Donna for insight and advice on how to respond the next time you are in one of these predicaments.