Shooting on a budget means making choices. Sometimes these choices are great other times they aren't. Models, for obvious reasons want to bring someone along to the shoot if they have never worked with you. She has no idea that you aren't just another GWC (guy with camera). So, what do you do? You can agree to the model bringing a chaparone or you can choose not to allow it. I've found surprises in both cases, some uncomfortable and some really rewarding.

Let's break it down. You're on a budget and can't afford an assistant. The model wants to bring her friend along. So what I've done in the past is asked the model if she was comfortable enough with the person to have he/she help during the shoot. Usually it's a spouse or significant other and you never know what will happen between them or to you because of them.

I'll talk about the bad first. I've had stuff stolen as the significant other cased my studio while I was shooting her. I've had a male significant other huddle into a corner and start sobbing during a shoot (drug use?). I've had a full blown domestic dispute erupt during a shoot between a model and her "pimp". I've had the model's friend try to take over the shoot by offering suggestions, believe me when I say there is nothing like this to kill your creative flow. I've had the model get extremely nervous when she realized she wasn't as comfortable with her significant other as she thought. These things all lead to a terrible outcome, BAD IMAGES.

On a positive note, I've also had extremely helpful and talented people show up on shoots with a model. These great experiences range from the guest styling the model's hair, makeup and wardrobe to holding reflectors, running a video camera and being security on location shoots. Their willingness to take direction to help their friend have a great shoot is just fantastic. Plus they get to share a great, creative experience with their significant other, the model.

The problem is you never know what you're in for. I've learned through time to screen the model and ask all the right questions but the bad ones still seem to sneak through every once in awhile.