.I would be interested in hearing why you think being a MALE AUTOMATICALLY puts someone at a disadvantage
Really C?? It needs to be spelled out???
Okay then...
If all things are equal... exact same images, exact same pricing, exact same marketing, studio, everything being 100% equal... if there are two photographers, Dave and Davina, WHO do you think most women is going to pick to do her photos??? As if it really needs to be asked lol. Most prefer women or gay men to do intimate photography.
A woman is more comfortable around other women (blow #1 against a male photographer). She knows that a woman isn't judging her body or getting "turned on" by it. If another woman makes the comment, "Oh wow you have SUCH a nice rack!" that's not offensive to most. A man makes the same comment? Defense shields go up. A woman knows what another woman's concerns are.
Sometimes when you're shooting someone, you have to adjust the clothing for optimal results. When you're shooting lingerie, to make any adjustments, you have to get close to "the danger zones" (lol). Most women would rather have another woman adjusting her boobs to fit into her bra properly than a man (blow #2 against a male photographer). A woman could reach and have already made the adjustment and laugh it off ("oh hey... not trying to feel you up haha") while a man is still finding a gentle way to ask if he can make the adjustments... that is if he even mentions it all.
The chances of a female photographer thinking pervy thought
and having those thoughts shine through with their facial expressions are very slim. Many women are intuitive and can sense when someone's thinking creepy thoughts. So if you're thinking them, we usually know lol. It takes a very professional and dedicated man to be in the presence of a beautiful naked woman and NOT think creepy thoughts. They do exist, but come on... be realistic here... they are few and far between (blow #3).
I could go on.......
I'm not wanting to get into a knockdown, drag out debate on this, but when I hear comments like "Most men are this way," "Most black guys are this way," "Most (insert whatever label you want here) do this or do that" those statements really don't carry much weight.....I still say that it's completely wrong to stereotype someone just because you believe the hype....Comments made with something to support it other than conjecture about what "MOST whatever" do are given better weight than just innuendo and stereotyping.....I still say that she should have tried to check Dave out rather than responding the way she did.....And if she didn't want to take him up on his offer, then simply telling him "Thanks, but No Thanks" would have been appropriate.....
I already agreed with you that a "no thanks" would have been appropriate. But when I'm trying to show where she may have been coming from with her concerns, I get "well, a woman can be just as much as a perv." No really?? lol It CAN happen. Hell, it CAN rain frogs! That doesn't mean it's as likely to happen.
If you get 60 emails a year from photographers wanting to shoot you.... and 50+ of them are from men, of that number about half of them are going to say something inappropriate that turns you off just within email exchanges (yes, this happens!). From the 25 left over, there will be some whose work is lacking, some who you look for reviews of online and other women say pretty much "well, his work is good, but he's a little creepy. If you're no easily offended, go for it." That leaves you with about 10 (if that many). And the female photographers? Well, women love them. Your only concern is usually if there are going to be her husband/boyfriend/other men lurking around the studio or if her work is good. I mean, it sucks for the genuinely great, talented and professional male photographers out there, but that's how it us. And for them ignore the fact that they're starting off with a disadvantage would be doing themselves a great disservice. Don't just dismiss it because you don't think it's fair. Know it going in and work against it to prove yourself through your work and your demeanor. Find out what female concerns are with male intimate photographers and address them in a way that says "I'm not like that, and here is why." Testimonials go a long way. Making mention of these known issues on the F.A.Q. goes a long way too. I'm not trying to down Dave or any professional male photographers, but ONCE AGAIN even suggesting that someone tries to stop and look at things from a woman's point of view
on this board is met with resistance (imagine that!). Why do I even try?? lol
Just because
you think statements that have "most" in them don't carry any weight, doesn't make it a fact and doesn't mean that they don't. As the saying goes, "good or bad,
most stereotypes exist for a reason."
