Lured by invites for a photoshoot, enticed with promises of achieving their dream modelling job, some girls fall prey to people like Tim, but some escape before any real damage is done.

Jenny (not her real name), a model in her 20s, told The New Paper that she also had a close encounter with Tim.

He tried to get her to remove her tube top while she was being photographed in a translucent top.

She claimed Tim also showed her pictures, which she said looked like pornography, and asked if she was interested in having such shots taken.

Jenny firmly said no and he did not press any further. Now she takes a friend along for photoshoots.

Eat potato chips

Another model, Miss Jeraldine Phneah, 21, said she felt uncomfortable when she was contacted online for a home shoot by another photographer, who "told me that he likes indoor shoots and that we can eat potato chips and watch a movie in his living room".

"I made up the excuse of a possessive boyfriend who'd break up with me if I went. I'd have said no straight, but I didn't want to offend him as he was also an agent, who assigned event jobs."

Miss Phneah also makes it a point to subscribe to the Facebook pages of potential photographers.

"If the photographer subscribes to a lot of scantily clad or cleavage-showing type of girls, I usually don't want to work with them.

"If there are lewd comments on the girls' bodies rather than the way the photo is taken, then it should be a warning sign to avoid them."

She also tries to work with photographers who take pictures not only of models, but also of nature, animals and weddings.

Miss Rocher Ang, 26, a bank executive who has been modelling freelance for eight years, told TNP that it is important for "models to play their part to avoid unnecessary risks".

Said Miss Ang: "Things like unwanted touching or being taken advantage of can be prevented if we as models take steps to prevent it.

"Ultimately, it's up to individuals... they can always suggest an outdoor shoot or make sure that there are other people in the house."

Miss Fiona Keisha Lee, director of Fiona Models, said she always warns her models about potentially dangerous photographers.

Said Miss Lee: "I use my Facebook page to tell those who follow me, most of them freelance models, if I hear of any rumours of photographers misbehaving."

Ms Judy Oh, casting and talent manager at The People Studio Model and Talent Management Agency, said her company only sends models for professional assignments where crew members will be around. She turns down private shoots for her models.

Said Ms Oh: "For those who are below the age of 21, we require a parent or guardian to be present for the shoot.

"We need to protect all our models... We also ask our models to keep us updated on the shoot's progress and let us know if they feel uncomfortable in any way."

But sometimes, it is the model who wants to exchange sex for photos.

Photographer David Lim, 38, said he met a 25-year-old woman two years ago who suggested using sex to pay for her nude photos.

In 2006, a man also wanted to give him a "massage" as payment for a nude photo package.

In both cases, he stopped talking to the clients immediately as "they are trouble".

While some photographers might use photography as an excuse to touch or have sex with models, those are just a few bad apples, say freelance photographers.

Said full-time photographer Benny Hoh, 38: "Every industry has its black sheep. But there are many credible, professional photographers out there."

Mr Hoh, who has nine years' experience, takes commercial shots from his studio - Benny Hoh Photography - in Ang Mo Kio.

Different rules

When it comes to touching models though, photographers have different rules.

Some, like Mr Alan Lim, 39, would only touch the clients as a last resort. This is only "for people who cannot pose even after you demonstrate the poses to them".

Others, like Mr David Lim, won't touch his clients at all.

He says: "Over my dead body. I am a man. If I touch them, they can accuse me of all sorts of things.

"It just isn't worth the trouble."

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