The Black Book Project
www.theblackbookproject.com ---
It all began years ago when I first started finding my way around the modeling industry. I went through the usual ways of looking at agencies and sometimes ebded up in the hands of photographers who were not safe. The biggest problem I found with the agencies was that they are fueled by money and there are many that will risk the safety of a model and the model's well-being because the agencies cared more about money than the model. Agencies are businesses and many see models only as cash cows. Of course, there are good agencies and there are good bookers who do take care of and protect models, but as a model, you really have no way of knowing the truth of the situation.
Eventually, I ventured into the world of freelance modeling and I discovered that the problem continued there. I would request references, but references were not always enough. I didn't want to end up in a negative or unsafe situation again so I continued trying to find a way to exist safely within an industry that was made up of angels, but of predators as well. The question was: how would I really know who was an angel and who was a predator?
In time, I found those who had been around the industry for years; and sometimes they found me. In any event, what ultimately happened was amazing and changed the way I worked. A circle of models, who previously, kept each other at a distance, discovered that if we all worked together, watched out for each other, and exchanged information, we could double our contacts, double our work, and create a network across the country.
Everyone who was involved then and is involved now was no longer alone, no longer unaware and, therefore, no longer easy prey for the industry's predators. We had created something bigger. We had created an invisible force that simply relied on word of mouth to help models find good and safe photographers and steer clear of the predatorsor. This benefited the good photographers too. Granted, we all played fair and continue to do so. Everyone is human and this we understand, but if a model worked with a photographer or agent or anyone else in the industry who abused the model, lied to her, cheated her, or went after her sexually, the word would reach the others.
I know we can't stop all of the abuse and bad things from happening, but I would like to reduce it as much as possible and so I have decided to use my position and visibility in the industry to create a digital road map to help others. With the help of established models and photographers, photography forums and model portals, as well as web designers and others who are volunteering their time, energy, resources, money and knowledge, I hope to create and compile a digital resource that will benefit all walks of the industry. This digital creation will include, among other things, advice from models who work in the mainstream and fashion world as well as models who work in the glamour/fetish/erotica/art world. It will include links to forums and portals and other places where models may find work directly.
However, the crown jewel of the project is the creations of a digital black book -- a listing of photographers and agents or agencies that either I have worked with or who have worked with other established models who are assisting and/or contributing to this project.
The reason we are creating this black book is to keep all models, especially young, new and inexperienced models, safe. With the power of the Internet expanding every day, and more and more fresh faces posting images online, there is a real need to provide models with guidance, advice and edcuation so they can avoid finding themselves in bad situations where they end up cheated, raped or dead.
There are thousands of good/safe photographers out there and there are also thousands of safe/harmless guys who just like to shoot for fun or as part of a hobby, but there are also predators who care only about themselves and who will not think twice to hurt or take advantage of a model. The question is this: as a new model, how the heck are you going to be able to tell who to work with?
Similarly, the Internet has seen a proliferation of people calling themselves agents and/or managers. I believe that there are more bad than good ones and, frankly, they often push girls to do things they don't want to do. Again, not all are bad but there are a lot of them out there and they take advantage of girls each day.
Needless to say, the reason I am doing this is because the truth is that the only thing they -- the photographers, agents, managers -- have that any model do not have is information. I firmly believe that the truth will set you free. I also learned another thing: once you find a few good people, you will find more; once you find a few honest photographers or models, it is easy to work through circles of people and increase the size of the circles. Within a circle though, you will have a protection. This project is about taking a circle and making it available to models digitally so you, the model, know you are not alone and not helpless.
Photographers listed within the black book will be given the advantage of positive exposure and the ability to make connections. Not to mention the fact that a good amount of models will come to you first. However, to be listed within the black book, photographers must be recommended by models and be willing to give the organizers of the black book your personal information as well as consenting to a criminal background check. The project is not about hurting anyone, but, rather, it is about trying to keep girls safe and working with reputable professionals or amateurs who are in the industry for the right purposes -- to work, have fun, to create -- and not to take advantage of those who are weak.
Once listed within the black book, you will be expected to act with integrity and truthfulness. All complaints lodged against anyone listed in the black book will be throughly investigated and the organizers reserve the right to remove anyone from the listing if the complaints are determined to be valid and removal is warranted.
It is very simple -- we are all in this together. If we all work together and respect each other, we can all work and exist in a much more peaceful and safe environment. I know I cannot stop things from happening all of the time, but I can, with the help of all of you, try to direct and educate the younger, new models so they don't have to experience the pain and heartache that I and others have experienced in the past.
We are in the process of initially compiling a database of photographers. In time, we hope to include agencies, agents and managers. For now though, if you are a photographer and would like to be included in the black book, please get in touch with me (email me at lostmodel@aol.com) so we can move the project forward. If you are a model and want to help out and be involved, please contact us as well.
The way to change the world now is through information. Knowledge is power. We can use your help, so if you want to help support this worthwhile project, please contact us and I am sure we can find a way for you to help out.
Thank you for your time.
Jillian Ann
www.JillianAnn.com
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