We are referring to the recent accusations that have been made against top photographer Terry Richardson for inappropriate behavior with models. Terry Richardson shoots frequently for major titles including American Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue Paris, British Vogue, V, and GQ…
People have been speaking for and against the photographer and models are recounting their past experiences with the photographer ….both good and bad.
Danish model and actress Rie Rasmussen told the New York Post “He takes girls who are young, manipulates them to take their clothes off and takes pictures of them they will be ashamed of. They are too afraid to say no because their agency booked them on the job and are too young to stand up for themselves….His ‘look’ is girls who appear underage, abused, look like heroin addicts . . . I don’t understand how anyone works with him….I told him, “what you do is completely degrading to women. I hope you know you only fuck girls because you have a camera, lots of fashion contacts and get your pictures in Vogue.” Instead of arguing with me, Terry ran out of the bar. Then the next day, he called my agency and complained I called him names in front of clients in Paris. It was the most cowardly thing I have ever seen.”
An absolute opposite experience would be of actress ( New Moon) and model Noot Seear. She says “Terry’s a really cool guy. It’s not like he pressures you into doing anything you’re not comfortable with…” And she also praised Richardson’s work in the industry, ‘There’s something very beautiful, very raw about it and I’m glad that there is a photographer out there that does work like that…”
In his own defense Terry has posted this on his blog…. “I just want to take a moment to say I’m really hurt by the recent and false allegations of insensitivity and misconduct. I feel fortunate to work with so many extraordinary people each and every day. I’ve always been considerate and respectful of the people I photograph and I view what I do as a real collaboration between myself and the people in front of the camera. To everyone who has embraced and supported me and my work, I am so grateful. Thank you, it means a lot.”
So what conclusions can we draw out of this ?
With mud flinging happening at both the sides – It is being said that “Some of the models criticizing Richardson are hypocrites, who likely have done just about everything imaginable to advance their careers, but it seems abundantly clear that Terry has exploited the models too” ….thefashiontime.com…..
According to jezebel.com, a fashion insider says that agencies “know full well Richardson’s predatory behavior,” but that he “is tolerated because the industry folk are just sheep. There are only a handful of photographers who have the power, a handful of editors who have the power, and a handful of clients who have the power. Everyone else just follows this small group of people.” In a multi-billion-dollar industry where the product is subject to a high level of uncertainty — will this be the look of the season or will that? Will this trend take off or will that one? — people tend to cluster around the handful of people who are powerful enough to actually influence outcomes. Because Richardson carries the dual stamp of editorial approval of Anna Wintour and her French counterpart Carine Roitfeld, and because he also shoots for behemoth commercial clients like H&M, his entrenchment in the fashion pantheon is virtually complete. And that, says the source, makes him practically untouchable. “Those people in power, the women, need to take their responsibility for what happens to the girls because by booking him, they are tacitly giving their approval that whatever he does is OK.”
So what is your take on this issue ?
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