Safety for New Models ⋆ Rain DeGrey

The Internet is a powerful and powerful tool that can be used for both good and evil. It connects us with people all over the world. It allows us to learn, meet people, share our thoughts, and see endless cat pictures. It can also allow aliens to form parasocial relationships and cling to people in unhealthy ways. Sometimes in very sick ways. So how does a new model start a career and still be safe?

Today’s column comes to a reader who is considering a modeling career and wants to know some safety tips for new models. Of the many topics the Dirty Talk Advice Column has tackled over the years, this is one that is particularly close to my heart. I’ll tell you everything I wish someone had told me when I started modeling.

“After much thought, I’ve decided to try my hand at modeling, but I also want to be safe. What advice would you give to new models? Are there any privacy concerns I should be aware of before I start? I want to be safe and know that you will be the one to ask.” – Newbie Model Safety Concerns

Safety is a valid concern for new models

The fact that you thought to reach out to me before jumping into modeling is very encouraging to me Newbie Model. I now wish I had done some research and planning before I started. I had no idea of all the different ways that putting yourself out there as a model could go sideways.

As a new model, you’ll want to start from the ground up. There’s a reason most models use stage names – sometimes fans will follow and follow you. Get new email accounts with passwords that are not linked to your legal name or regular email accounts. Just get a google voice number for modeling and keep your personal phone number private. Do an online search on your legal name and see what comes up. Your address? Your phone number? DMV records? You might be surprised how much information is out there about you.

When I first started modeling, I had no idea that my home address would come up. I had no idea that people who had never met me would be convinced that we were best friends or that we were going to get married. The phenomenon of parasocial communication means that if you put yourself out there as a model, the more successful you become, the more likely you are to be noticed. Most of the time, you have nothing to worry about. Much less? You may have some serious concerns.

Safer is Better

How safe is your current residence? Do you have an alarm system? Locks on all the doors? Do all windows lock? Where do you park your car every night and do you have a video camera security system on your door/other doors? I have a secure alarm system, all my windows are locked and I have multiple video cameras around my property. Over the years there have been many events that have taken place to bring my security to the level it is now.

Moving to a secure location, you’ll want to be very careful about what you post online. Obviously, in order to be a successful model, you need to develop yourself regularly. After all you are your brand. Selfies, behind-the-scenes footage, different aspects of your life, etc. I never post pictures or videos until AFTER I leave a place. Nice outfit selfies at a club or restaurant? Different symptoms? Wait until you get home to post. NEVER track your current location publicly.

Cell phones will “helpfully” include metadata in the photos taken. Unless you go to phone settings and turn it off, you are giving away a lot of data and details about yourself. I once took a picture of my car after it was broken into and posted it online to warn others. I was very careful not to have my license plate in the picture. What I didn’t realize is that the license plate was visible in the glass and you could see it upside down and back. (I no longer have that vehicle and that particular plate is no longer associated with me, for those following)

Pay attention to what appears in the background of your photos. I’ve had fans look at logos on shopping bags to try to figure out where to shop in hopes of running into a grocery store. Do you have a perfect video or photo of someone removed from your wish list by a fan? Make sure your address/legal name/tracking code is not visible. You’d be surprised how many close-up fans will take photos in an effort to learn more about you.

Fans gifting you from your wish list is one of the perks of modeling – so how do you deliver packages without compromising your safety? Set up a PO Box and make sure it’s in a different city. All my mail goes through my PO box, which is an hour’s drive away and I’m not the one checking it.

Your Home Should Be Your Castle

Why do I take protecting my address so seriously? Because one of my friend’s kids answered the door…only to find a fan standing there. Fans were sure that his mother would love to see him. It was a terrible experience for both the child and my friend and they moved out shortly after. So how did her address come up?

Legally, every time you shoot, you need to fill out paperwork showing your driver’s license, phone number, DOB and legal name. The purpose of the paper is to ensure that no minor is engaged in adult modeling. This is of course great in principle but it also means that your home address and legal name are only as safe as the records of the various photographers and production companies you may work with. What if someone doesn’t secure their papers? Your address may be expired. As an added layer of security, I am a registered LLC, which means I can receive modeling payments under my stage name, not my legal name. Setting up an LLC is very easy and something I recommend if you are committed to following the model.

I don’t want to scare you away from Newbie Model modeling! The fact is that you will be able to travel the world without a care of a modeling career. 99.9% of the time you will have nothing to worry about. It’s the .01% you need to be careful about. As a society, we have become more aware of online privacy and security over the years. By being careful and thoughtful, we can eliminate most of the risk factors that put ourselves out there for public consumption. However, we cannot eliminate all risk. Before you become a model, make absolutely sure that you are okay with the risks. It’s not something you can undo once you’ve taken that step. The Internet is forever.