An Important Lesson That Needed To Click

The year was 1989. While I was excited about finishing law school, I was also overwhelmed by the exorbitant student loan debt I was drowning in. Even coming up with money for graduation photos was a challenge. In fact the day I posed in my cap and gown for the campus yearbook, I couldn’t even afford to buy the smallest packet.

But I wanted to take some professional pictures since it had been years since I had done so, and my teeth had recently become emancipated after three years of braces.

Months later I was at a mall in Redondo Beach, California one day and happened to walked past a store called Glamour Shots. I was familiar with this type of business because a woman I’d been seeing at the time had gone there and taken some beautiful shots. Because my money situation had slightly improved and the quoted amount was reasonable, I decided to make an appointment and go for it.

That afternoon I showed up dressed in a suit and tie. Since having two different looks was recommended, I also brought along a plaid shirt for some casual photos.

Having done America’s Court over the last few years now, the idea of wearing on-camera makeup is not foreign to me. But this was the first time I ever had someone put foundation on my face, gel in my hair and gloss on my lips. It was weird. I felt so awkward that I almost cancelled the whole thing. But after being assured that I would not look stupid, I soldiered on.

Click. Snap. Click-click-click. It was over in thirty minutes.

Being in front of a camera this way turned out to be quite an experience. And I found myself having a new respect for models. Whether it’s remaining still while the photographer adjusts the lighting or having to come up with different expressions, posing really is harder than it looks.

Weeks later when I returned to review the proofs, I was shocked to see how well some of the photos looked.

Obviously the manager was too. She propositions me, inquiring whether I’d like to have my picture featured when customers come inside. My immediate question was, “What’s in it for me?” Her response was I could get one pose free of charge. I thought okay, that’s far. But then I said, “How about a set of pictures in three poses free of charge?” She initially paused but relented, had me sign a model release form, and I was out the door — quite pleased with myself for negotiating a better deal.

Next thing I know my photos are in four of their Glamour Shot stores!

And not just 8×10, but full life size pictures in front display windows. I found out because people started coming up and asking me whether I was the model in the pictures they had seen at other mall locations. Here I am thinking I was able to get these free law school graduation photos, and in reality I should have been paid a considerable amount of money for helping advertise and market this company’s business. But the contract as written allowed Glamour Shots to use my image as they saw fit, without any restrictions or limitations. In essence, I had no control over these pictures, and waived any and all ownership rights.

That was my first and last time as a model.

That episode was invaluable because now, I READ EVERYTHING. To this day I never rush through agreements. I don’t care how impatient the other person is, I ask questions about unclear language, draw lines through areas that I’m not comfortable with, and simply say no and walk away whenever I can’t live with the terms and conditions being set forth. When I do sign contracts — even objectionable ones, I accept that’s the best deal I can get.

Remember, you don’t need a legal background to prevent someone from taking advantage of you. Just do some research (the Internet can answer many legal questions, particularly government sites) and learn from other people’s mistakes. Before signing anything, trust your instincts and know what you’re putting your John Hancock on.

Hope this message clicks!