Trust Your Instinct: Why I had to Cut a Photo Shoot Short

If you know me, then you know I am an unconventional kind of gal. So of course I treat my nephew like the little brother I never had. And so it would seem effortless for his gorgeous girlfriend Luz and myself to find common ground and form a bond.

She is not just into music, dance, art and anything fun and interesting, this girl is hard working, hilarious and loyal. She is an incredible hair and makeup artist and you can catch her on her Instagram creating show stopping looks. As well as selling her incredible line of lashes (which she's rocking in the shoot!) which are movie star quality! And our first session together was nothing short of fun, whimsical and.... memorable to say the least... 

We decided to shoot at a park near my home since it is secluded, scenic and fit the background for what we were aiming for. Once we arrived, we put our stuff down and began to shoot. As we were shooting, I heard rustling and felt an uneasy feeling we were not alone.

I had taken many solo walks through that park and bumped into friendly faces here and there. but something just felt off, like we were being watched. I kept an eye out and and made sure to take the safety off of my pepper spray.

We saw a man lurking in the bushes, pretending to be on his phone every time we looked in his direction. I suggested we leave and as we walked closer to him to head in a different path he began to retreat, pretending he was looking for a spot to pee. Mind you, we were still by the entrance. As we walked deeper into the woods i kept turning around, every time I did he would stop and pretend he was on his phone. When we walked he continued to follow. 

At that moment, I knew exactly what to do. I looked at Luz and said, I have never had to do this before and I am so sorry but we're going to have to cut this session short today. I don't even want to think about what could happen to us alone out there with that guy. 

She instantly agreed and we headed back. But as we did, we passed the guy and his friend who were both working cleaning cars in the parking lot of the dealership by the park entrance. 

So, these guys were on the clock, while harassing us! One was on guard while the other was following us into the woods trying not to be seen. He never tried to say hello, talk to us or approach us. He wanted to sneak up on us, he wanted to have the upper hand. 

As we passed by them, Luz made her frustrations known. Although she is my friend  when I am working I treat her  as I would any client.  But in this  situation, I was so glad that she said something because I really wanted to as well. I chimed in that we had to cut a planned photo shoot all because he had to be a creep, and that it is NOT okay to do that to two women alone in the woods. He pretended to not speak English so we continued in perfect Spanish. 

We went inside and reported the men to the dealership and we recorded the confrontation of the man scolding them. It was a scary and uncomfortable experience. One that no one should ever have to go through.

I remember going through situations like this through out my life since childhood, being catcalled, followed, harassed, threatened with getting stabbed in the face for not responding to being harassed while on the phone. And women asking me what I was wearing, what time was it, how empty the streets were etc. It doesn't matter what the environment is the perpetrator is the problem!

We finished our session indoors, as best we could, still reeling from what just happened. We shouldn't have to cut a session short, have to report someone, have to carry pepper spray, or feel fear just for being in a park! Please, men, do better!!!

PS If you are interested in a woman, go up to her and ask her out. Following women REGARDLESS of what time of day it is or how many people are around, is NOT cute, NOT romantic and NOT flattering. 

Have you ever encountered a situation where you felt as though you or your client were in danger? What did you do and looking back now, would you have done anything differently?