Rhetorical, Joesho or whoever might know

[sarettah]

Since you guys have dealt with shooting and all.

Do you know anywhere to find info on the legalities of setting up a studio and shooting in various places in the states?

I know someone talking about trying to open a studio here in MO or across the state line in KS. I took a quick google look see but I am not sure what I am looking for.

Thanx in advance

[softball]

Since you guys have dealt with shooting and all.

Do you know anywhere to find info on the legalities of setting up a studio and shooting in various places in the states?

I know someone talking about trying to open a studio here in MO or across the state line in KS. I took a quick google look see but I am not sure what I am looking for.

Thanx in advance
Can't help you. I only shoot in Canada and Europe. The US is too tricky and litageous for my taste.

[sarettah]

Can't help you. I only shoot in Canada and Europe. The US is too tricky and litageous for my taste.

Any adult photogs resources out there? Forums, that kind of stuff that I can point her to?

edited in: She is talking about shooting in her basement and I tol her that I didn't think it was a good idea.

She is not talking about shooting to sell content, more like a "personal intimate pictures" type thing.

[softball]

But I would offer one piece of advice. I had studios for years and found they were actually kind of a drain. I get bored of the same location all the time and you pay for them when you are not using them. I now pay location fees and shoot in whatever suits my mood and/or my current project. It prolly winds up the same cost, but it gives a better variety and that is always better for sales.
So unless he needs a studio, I think it is better to have a great semi portable shooting rig and just move it into a location and go nuts.
Just another thought on the subject.

[softball]

Any adult photogs resources out there? Forums, that kind of stuff that I can point her to?
I never use those things, but have seen them. A google search will probably be productive. They do exist.

edit: and if it is talent she needs, onemodelplace is always a good source for that.

[sarettah]

But I would offer one piece of advice. I had studios for years and found they were actually kind of a drain. I get bored of the same location all the time and you pay for them when you are not using them. I now pay location fees and shoot in whatever suits my mood and/or my current project. It prolly winds up the same cost, but it gives a better variety and that is always better for sales.
So unless he needs a studio, I think it is better to have a great semi portable shooting rig and just move it into a location and go nuts.
Just another thought on the subject.

How do you figure out the legalites for the location you are using? And that might not be actually pertinent for a lot of what you shoot. I don't even know if you have done hardcore and such. Most of what I have seen of yours was fairly tame (that is not an insult btw) however, I have only seen what I know is yours. Possibly lots out there that I have seen and not known is from you.

[softball]

How do you figure out the legalites for the location you are using? And that might not be actually pertinent for a lot of what you shoot. I don't even know if you have done hardcore and such. Most of what I have seen of yours was fairly tame (that is not an insult btw) however, I have only seen what I know is yours. Possibly lots out there that I have seen and not known is from you.
I shoot hardcore and soft core. My legalities and an American's legalities are not the same. I don't worry about some bubba sheriff knocking on my door. I suppose my biggest concern would be a civil thing involving business licensing. But for me, that is a non issue. I will take my chances and pay the fine if necessary. The police in Vancouver once raided a place they thought was a grow op and left dejected because it was just a bunch of Viet Namese making porn. So that is the attitude around here. It is one of the reasons I don't shoot in the States.

[JoesHO]

if penetration of any kind is involved have her call a lawyer first.

otherwise

I know it is legal in Las vegas ( with an actual license from the sherrifs dept for the location just like a strip joint ) this is to keep tabs on the prostitution using modeling or lingire as a front etc...

and of course we all know about Chatsworth in LA

I have been told certain parts of tampa depending on county are legal, and that is all as far as I know of if any type of penetration is involved.

if not then an argument for art is valid and legal in most states unless it specifically outlaws nudity, but then you would have a good 1st amendment case if she wanted to be someone that wanted to fight for her rights and all that gobblie gook sort of shit.

[Grump]

If she's not doing it as a business then her own basement should be fine legally. You said "personal intimate pictures", so within the privacy of her own home should be fine. If she wants to use them on a website that changes things as thats a business and you're right her home may not be a good idea.

For a business, try searching local newspaper archives for stories on adult oriented businesses (Adult Stores, Strip Clubs, Escort Agencies etc), and see what counties or areas are fighting their openings, busting them or trying to close them and see if you can get a lawyer's name from the articles, he'll more than likely be a great contact for info.

[sarettah]

If she's not doing it as a business then her own basement should be fine legally. You said "personal intimate pictures", so within the privacy of her own home should be fine. If she wants to use them on a website that changes things as thats a business and you're right her home may not be a good idea.

For a business, try searching local newspaper archives for stories on adult oriented businesses (Adult Stores, Strip Clubs, Escort Agencies etc), and see what counties or areas are fighting their openings, busting them or trying to close them and see if you can get a lawyer's name from the articles, he'll more than likely be a great contact for info.

Personal imtimate pictures would be the business. She would take them for other people. You know, a girl wants some hot, pro type photos to send to her boyfriend, or a couple wants their own little porn pics, that sort of stuff. So not persoanl pics of herself.

Thanx for all the input so far. I googled all over th place and the laws are so vague because the only thing that seems to address it is the various obscenity statutes. I know that she can do a certain amount as "art", but who really wants to have go fight over first amendment shit. Even if you win, you lse because the powers that be can stall the proess while you go broke and they destroy your reputation in the community.

Good idea on pulling lawyer contacts from the papers. I already have her set up to talk to my first amendment guy, but even though he is licensed in Kansas and Missouri he has mainly handled only Kansas stuff in the courts.

[Jace]

I didn't read the thread, sorry...but my $.02 is to always remember what is legal in one place may not be across the street

every city, every county, every state is different

[Dianna Vesta]

I agree with Rhetorical as far as moving around and shooting in the US. I love producing content and would LOVE to direct BDSM/Fetish again but I would only consider it overseas.

The one thing you always have to remember and even today it’s a factor is community standards. Any member of the community can take you court, get it in the news and the whole community can take you to court. You might win 1000’s of dollars later but you’ll never comfortably do business there again.

If I was going to shoot content again I would have no set location. With technology today and models everywhere why bother? The other thing is that there are plenty of models from overseas always traveling here.

I would love to have a studio in Costa Rica. A big house with a pool and invite girls down for a week at a time to do nothing but shoot.

[Hell Puppy]

Nudes are generally going to be safe as long as they are of age and you're not openly advertising it in a unfriendly neighborhood. Hardcore or worse...some small towns will still try to call it prostitution or similar as it's "pay to fuck".

But it is going to vary not only by state but by county and municipality. Very similar to strip clubs or adult video stores. That's going to be your best source of information. Find the adult businesses in the area you wish to put it in and see who their legal representation is, seek consultation with them. If there's no adult business in the area, you probably dont want to be the first.

That's the safe play. Another way to do it is "do as the romans do". Check out OMP and see what other photographers and studios in your area are doing. Again, you may have to discreetly query them offline to see if they allow hardcore shoots at their facilities.

The stealth method is get the space, do as you please, just do not advertise it anywhere.

FWIW when we were operating our studio fulltime, we used all of the above. But then I'm paranoid....just ask Peaches.

[gonzo]

If you dont think its risky...ask Andy Craft.