As most people we know, we shoot in some very strange locations.In the last 12 months we have shot on a aircraft carrier, a submarine, several Civil War forts, a factory, several barns, boats, beaches, and an abandoned farm house just yesterday.
I have been asked many times how to pull these shoots off, so I thought I would put together a little list of things we have learned to keep you, your models, and everyone involved safe and out of jail.
1) Research your location, not only for places to shoot. Do some research on the location. The Civil War forts Jenn and I have shot at were built, but never used in battle, during the war.
A girl who just did a shoot at the Vimmy Ridge Memorial and had sex on the Canadian monument to the 60,000 dead Canadians in WW1 has recently closed her site over the flack she got in the press after pulling that ill-thought out stunt.
2 Be prepared to walk away. We had planned a shoot at a Spanish fort six months ago, however it was the same day several schools were at the fort. We simply toured the fort and left. No shoot.
3 Act like you belong. If you are shooting on private property, which is not a great idea, don’t hide the car and sneak around. If you look like you belong, chances are no one will bother you.
4 Get in and get out. The longer you stay, the more chance you have of getting caught.
5 Don’t go where there may be children. Shooting at Disneyland is just not right. Sorry.
6 Watch for hidden cams. Don’t shoot at malls, etc.
7 Make sure your model can get her clothes back on fast. You never know.
8 Know the local laws. Will you be fined, jailed, or beheaded? These are good to know in advance.
