modelartistadvocacy

Photographers As Allies: Uniting Under the Same Banner

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 03:27:23 GMT

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Photographers As Allies:

| UNITING UNDER THE SAME BANNER |

11/2/2022

We are named the Model and Artist Advocacy Council for a reason.

We are uniting a community dedicated to cultivating transparency in our industries. This is a community made of people on both sides of the lens , who are equally passionate about our cause.

We can all agree, there is enough of a problem in the industry that an organization like ours is warranted and necessary. Hearing testimonies of experiences, just in our local market, solidifies that. However, it is very important to recognize that we are not, in any way, supporting a narrative of "us vs. them"... where models are the 'good guys' and photographers are the 'bad guys.'

It is never that simple.

The truth of the matter is..

There are many more good and respectful people in the industry than there are predators.

..and our community deals with a minority group of bad players, who severely impact integrity in our worlds.

Because of this, MAAC must be mindful and strategic in its approach. We want to include as many industry members as possible to make the greatest impact. That allows our focuses to stick to education , resources and survivor advocacy , rather than using a cancel culture approach.

We believe that cancel culture encourages shame, not accountability.

Cancel culture is a reactive, harmful and ineffective method that f ails to acknowledge the systemic issues that are often at the root of hateful behavior . Canceling predators can be highly effective to call out injustices and stop perpetrators in their tracks, but often, only momentarily. Unfortunately, unless a person has a celebrity or high-level status, canceling doesn’t always stick. Cancel culture does not truly do anything about keeping predators out of the market... they can just lay low for a while before getting back to their same old habits.

Furthermore, if we spend our time chasing after individuals, we will be far less efficient. Empowering an entire community, rather than attacking a single person at a time, is a much better use of time, talent, and resources.

SO... what is our method?

When we say we want to focus on education, that means we want to bring members of the community together and prepare ourselves for what to do when faced with a problematic character or situation.

That is…

Models, how are you going to walk into your career safely and with dignity?

Photographers, what will you do to model good practice and will you tolerate poor behavior from your cohorts?

Stylists, if you see or hear these things happening on set, how do you respond?

Agencies, how will you protect your models and what will you do with the amount of quid pro quo practices in the industry?

We are the home-base , the safe-space , and the path-makers for those ready to do the front-loaded work of educating themselves on the darker side of our industries. This means uniting under the same banner and recognizing that it is going to take all of us looking at this thing, dead in the eye, with the same intent.

Photographers, we need you.

We are allies, and you play an enormous role in changing our industry.

We need your insight . We need your good practices to set the standard.

We need safe individuals on the other side of the lens.

We are not only talking to models; we are gathering information and testimonies from you . What stories do you need to share? What are the things we need to address about your role, and how can we help?

If you think there’s something we should be considering, share your thoughts!

We can’t wait to hear from you, because you are appreciated, and -

We can't do this without YOU.

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The Work of Setting Boundaries

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 00:10:01 GMT

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| The Work Of Setting Boundaries |

6/30/2022

We talk an awful lot about boundaries as a culture. It qualifies, in every way, as a buzzword. Boundaries in work, boundaries with friends, boundaries to guard your peace.

Sure… sounds simple.

Make a new rule about not checking Instagram first thing in the morning. Don’t overspend. Only have drinks with friends if it’s on the weekends. These are our new rules we are imposing on ourselves that are supposed to change our lives, right?

Maybe not.

We all wear a lot of hats. We are being pulled in different directions from work, family, friends, needing time for self care, and wanting time for hobbies. How many of us are trying to juggle { modeling, photography, creating, building our empire } on top of a full time job, on top of wanting to be home and present for your partner or children? We would venture to say that’s all of us.

If anything you read here sticks, let it be this one thing:

We can’t show up for anyone if we can’t show up for ourselves.

Point blank; If we don't protect our minds and bodies, then we are not going to sustain our mental health.

How do we protect our minds and bodies? We do things that enhance our mental health and we promote our physical safety and well being.

| Enter Boundaries |

Figuring out what your boundaries are takes work. There is a lot of time spent looking inward to see what is good for you, and what isn't.

This is different from saying to yourself 'you really need to limit your screen time', or 'cut carbs after a certain time'.

Before we can start setting boundaries… really setting boundaries… We need to do two things:

Know our worth, and
Trust ourselves

In spite of what you might think, this is a process.

| Trusting Ourselves |

We all have an inner voice that tries to guide us. It’s that slight tinge we feel when we know we are uncomfortable and should avoid or escape a situation. Likewise, it’s that fleeting moment of excitement that can spark creativity or a new positive endeavor. Sometimes these feelings are so small, they’re easy to miss, but tapping into them is the key to knowing what is good for you, and what is not.

Here’s an example:

A model is shooting with a new photographer. The model is alone, and the photographer starts making comments about the model’s body, saying things like “you’re so sexy,” and “your body is incredible, I’d like to shoot more of it for a side project I’m working on.” The model feels a tinge of discomfort.

If you are on a shoot and feel any discomfort or fear for your safety, IT IS OK TO LEAVE. However, the unfortunate truth of the situation is that, sometimes we ignore the little voice in our heads that says, 'Hey, I don’t like this'.

Why do we do that? Why do we talk ourselves out of what we feel? We counter our inner voice with rationales like:

'It’s harmless banter.'
'They are popular and well connected. I can just ignore them.'
'I have to stay and finish the shoot or I won’t succeed in my career.'

At MAAC, we encourage you to take time to know your body and the way it responds to discomfort or enthusiasm.

If your body says no, LISTEN to it and step back.

If your inner voice is enthused, GO FOR IT!

Take caution or take risks accordingly, but most of all, get to a place where you know what these things feel like.

| Knowing Our Worth |

When we value something, say, an expensive designer garment, we tend to take better care of it than the $7 shirt we thrifted. It is the same within ourselves. When we know our worth, and value who we are, we take better care to protect our minds and bodies. To some of us, this comes easily, but others might have to fight negative self talk that tells us we aren’t good enough, or, { literally anything } enough.

Ask yourself: How can I turn inward and find the things about myself that I value?

MAAC believes we all have an intrinsic value, and we encourage you to stand tall in your unique personhood.

No matter who you are, you are priceless and deserve respect, safety, and dignity.

| Setting Boundaries |

It is listening to that inner-voice and acting accordingly, then, remembering how to either avoid the bad, or promote the good. It means taking the time to do the work. That work is standing so tall in our self-respect that we take extra care to protect ourselves. That work is tuning into our bodies so we can clearly feel when we perceive a threat or a joy, and act accordingly.

Be on the lookout for self-care tips and affirmations from MAAC that can help you in doing this incredibly important work of identifying boundaries.

| TL;DR |

No Matter Who You Are, You Are Priceless and Deserve Respect, Safety, and Dignity.

Full Stop.

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