Safety is a major concern for female models, particularly for you as a freelance model working online. The Internet allows anyone to portray themselves in any manner they choose with virtual anonymity. Many profit from the dreams and aspirations of naive young women. Sometimes their motives are more sinister.

An amateur photographer can pose as a prominent professional or a guy working out of his basement with an elaborate website can claim to be an agency or model management company. Due to the intimate nature of this business, many of these individuals have other motives than creating beautiful images or helping models succeed.

Regarding offline ads seeking female models. Anybody can publish those ads and pretend to be a photographer or agency. Often, these ads offer high pay with "no experience necessary" to lure unsuspecting young women into posing for explicit hardcore pictures. Some of these ads are legitimate and posted by companies in the adult film industry.

Below are some safety tips that may, if strictly followed and accompanied by common sense, help you as a freelance model avoid a dangerous situation.

Don't let anybody intimidate you into making a compromise. Follow these model safety tips every time.

• When looking for a photographer, if the individual or company has an online presence, check to see what kind of modeling they represent and how professional their work looks.
• Always ask for and check professional references.
• Be suspicious of extravagant claims that promise great pay with no experience necessary. Conversely, extremely low pay or TFP (time for prints) may indicate that the individual is an amateur.
• If meeting for the first time, make sure it's in a neutral public location and notify a friend or family member of where you are going.
• ALWAYS bring a chaperone with you to all non-public meetings and photo shoots.
• Do not give out personal information or accept a friend request on your social networking profile until you have determined the legitimacy of the individual or company.
• Do not be persuaded into posing in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable no matter how great the money is.
• Prior to the photo shoot you may be asked to sign a model release. This is common and required for most photo shoots. Make sure that you understand what you are signing and don't be afraid to negotiate and ask questions. If you're uncomfortable, ask that it be amended or don't do the photo shoot. You should review the model release during the initial meeting with the photographer.
• Use a P.O. Box for ALL off-line correspondence and contact information. I recommend that you use a mail box from a local business and not the Post Office so you can receive packages from UPS and FedEx.

Don't be discouraged from pursuing your modeling aspirations. Many photographers, whether advertising online or in the local newspaper, are legitimate and conduct themselves professionally. The above model safety tips will help you determine which photographers or companies to consider.

If you have a photo shoot assignment these tips will help you be prepared for most photo shoots although this list is not inclusive.

• Develop some posing ideas by studying several fashion, editorial, bikini and fitness magazines or catalogs. Then practice posing in front of the mirror and pay attention to the placement of your hands, positioning of your legs, facial expressions, and posture.

• Make sure you get enough rest and a good night sleep the day before the photo shoot.

• Shave no more than 12 hours before the photo shoot.

• Avoid dry lips by putting Vaseline on your lips (and any other problem dry areas) at bedtime the night before the photo shoot.

• Exfoliate your skin at least once a week and the morning of the photo shoot.

• Have your brows professionally shaped and maintain by plucking the strays every few days.

• STOP BLEACHING YOUR HAIR! It's one of the worst things you can do to your hair, as well as relaxing and perming. If you want to lighten or highlight your hair stick to a color only a few shades lighter than your own and have your lightest highlights around your face. This will make your hair seem lighter. All over monochromatic color looks fake so work in different tones of gold, honey, or wheat, depending on your coloring.
  

• Wear loose clothing the day of the photo shoot to avoid marks on your skin caused by tight clothing. It can take hours for these marks to disappear.

• Arrive at the photo shoot on time, showered, skin moisturized, hair unstyled, and wearing no makeup unless told otherwise.

• Bring several outfits including props and accessories that match each garment. Include a few shirts with collars and different necklines and at least one that is solid black. Try to coordinate the colors and keep it simple. Stay away from busy patterns, big ornaments or buttons and flashy jewelry and make sure your clothes are pressed and clean. Very few photographers have irons or extra time.

• Bring a lint brush or roller.

• Bring sunscreen, moisturizing lotion and bug repellent.

• Bring basic makeup: A foundation that closely matches your complexion (very important!), concealer (a shade lighter than your foundation), mascara, lipstick (several colors), lip liner, eye shadow (several colors), eye liner pencil, and translucent loose powder. To avoid harsh chemicals and potential breakouts I recommend using high quality mineral makeup and natural cosmetics.
  

• No cosmetics or lotion with glitter.

• Bring a brush, hair spray, and something to control frizz (very important).

• Bring moisturizing eye drops.

• Bring water and snacks.

• Wear clear nail polish and have your nails manicured and uniform in length.

• Bring pantyhose and/or thigh high stockings and bring several strapless shelf or push up bras.

• Bring a friend or family member (no boyfriends or spouses). They may be asked to assist the photographer during the photo shoot.

• Remember, the camera makes you look a few pounds heavier. If time permits, try to loose a few pounds and tone up by eating a sensible diet and exercising. In two weeks you can safely loose 5-7 pounds.

• Be on time! If you have to cancel, please provide sufficient notice and a valid reason. Having a reputation for being late or canceling is a sure way to end your modeling career. A client's time is valuable and they usually invest a lot of time and money in the photo shoot or event. There are also other people to consider such as makeup artists, hair stylists and assistants as well as the cost of studio rental.

• HAVE A GREAT ATTITUDE, RELAX, AND HAVE FUN!