by Ed Goodwin Photography & SLE Photography

As we all know, models are far more comfortable & relaxed when an escort is present, and allowing one is a true sign of a pro photographer. However in VERY rare circumstances an escort CAN interfere with the course of the shoot. Luckily most models bring an unobtrusive escort, and say so in their profile. But how do you KNOW if the escort is really unobtrusive? Well, this simple & handy field guide will allow you to spot the major types of unobtrusive escorts so you can be confident the shoot will be smooth sailing!

Unobtrusive Escort Type A: Tells you that you have a nice camera and how he once had a Pentax ME but dropped it while running with the bulls. Grabs a copy of Pop-Photog off the waiting room coffee table and wants to discuss the finer points of shooting from duck blinds. Great chance to share tips!

Unobtrusive Escort Type B: The pushy mom – What model doesn’t do better with parental encouragement?

Unobtrusive Escort Type C: The bored dad who spends the shoot sighing and eventually snoring his way through the shoot. Out of sympathy for dad, model cuts shoot short... But you have a “window” while dad’s napping!

Unobtrusive Escort Type D: I met this type during a shoot I was doing of a fitness model. She needed pre-competition shots done. Well she brings along her body builder boyfriend. All through the shoot he is hassling her. "Your ass looks like shit. Your tits are sagging. You better get your body fat down to 5%. "Nothing makes a shoot soar like reinforcement!

Unobtrusive Escort Type E: The fat, ugly, silly girlfriend who comes along and does nothing but make faces and do other stupid shit to disrupt the model. What a great way to get natural smiles & laughter!

Unobtrusive Escort Type F: The husband of the older model who gets off watching his wife get photographed. He watches quietly from the shadows as wifey does her thing in front of the camera. The photographer is merely a 3rd wheel in this little fantasy roleplay. Of course, if you like threesomes…

Unobtrusive Escort Type G: The approving boyfriend.He sits quietly in the corner, but there is silent communication between him and he model.She glances over with every pose... he nods or shakes the pose off. His knowledge of how she looks best can only make things better.

Unobtrusive Escort Type H: The "manager." This is usually some 20 year old entrepreneur who has a stable of girls on OMP. He spends the better part of an hour telling you all the deals he has working and how important it is for the model to get good shots. He heaps praise on you, telling you that he carefully screened photographers before choosing you. Of course, he pops into the dressing room from time to time to "assist his model." This shows the model is a real pro!

Unobtrusive Escort Type I: A variation on Type H, but this time the "manager" is also a photographer who comes along to take photos over your shoulder.Competition will spur your creativity.

So as you can see, proper selection of unobtrusive escorts can only make the shoot better for models AND photographers. Keep these tips in mind & you’ll go far! Good luck and good shooting!