Legal question

[Cicero]

Hello,
I am new to photography, having only started properly this year.
I have photographed a couple of nude models -- sorry but it's something I've always wanted to do! -- and I have an ad out for models for future shoots.
I've been approached by a 16-year-old girl to ask if she can pose naked for me. I don't want to get into trouble, so please could somebody tell me what the law is about this?
Thanks,
Ian

 

[LaFoto]

For such specific legal questions you should not direct yourself to a very wide-spread online photography forum, but you really should go and ask a lawyer about it. This forum is just about photography and we are not really entitled to give out any legal advice. We can losely talk about legal matters and compare laws in the different countries or so, but for some special question you should ask the right person (a lawyer) right away.

 

[Cicero]

OK, thank you. I'll do that.

 

[Battou]

You need to check your local laws, your location is everything in that field. In some arias the legal age is high as 21 and in others as low as 14. Your location is the determining factor, as LaPhoto implied locations and legal knowledge are very wide in range on a forum like this, what might be legal for me could very well be illegal for you and visa versa.

 

[Cicero]

Thanks for this.

 

[Big Mike]

Yes, it's best to ask a lawyer.

However, I would think that there is a strong possibility that it is not going to be OK. Tell her to call you back when she is 18 (or whatever the legal age in your area).

Even if you both decide to shoot (without nudity), it's always a good idea to have a chaperone when shooting young models.

 

[newrmdmike]

also though, think about "art" photographers who photograph youngsters nude even though it would be illegal to photograph them had they been making porn.

or like. . . brook shields when she was nude in a movie while she was underage, her parents signed off on that.

bottom line, everyone has already said the right answer, call a lawyer

 

[moliver]

I know that has been pretty well covered, and you SHOULD call a lawyer, I think the law is usually if someone is under 18 (or 21) a parent/guardian has to be present. I learned this from the American Beauty DVD commentary! When Thora Birch did that movie she was 17 so her parents had to be on set for her nude scene

Anyways, I just wanted to share my anecdote....

 

[Cicero]

Thanks to everyone who has replied to this. Most appreciated.