Uncensored

QUESTION: I'm a competitor and I just did my first show a few weeks ago. But right after the show, this photographer offered to shoot me in some private bedroom scene that he said was for an underwear client. He said he does a lot of work for this company and that I would be a perfect fit because in his words "I have the parts". He kept using that phrase. He also kept grabbing my delts and arms and complementing me over and over. I got the feeling this guy was gay or something because he just couldn't keep his hands to himself! I don't want to assume anything and to each his own but even my girlfriend was creeped out by this guy. He also said he could get me in various bodybuilding magazines. Do you know who this guy is or how I can find out if he's really in the know or not? I'm afraid to call him!

ANSWER: Most magazines in the fitness industry won't write about it for fear of not having these creepy photographers continue to sell them their fantastic work. But I don't care and will not lie to you so I will write about it! Watch out for some physique photographers that claim they can get you into bodybuilding magazines. I'm not talking about the big names, I'm talking about the no names. This is especially true if they suggest that they would like to shoot you in "bedroom scenes" or underwear or anything sexual. You have to understand that some photographers unfortunately get into physique photography because they were always the lonely guys that couldn't get laid no matter how hard they tried! So some of these creeps use their big cameras at contests to trick women and sometimes men (if they're gay) into doing shoots with them. They do this so that they can feel cool at the shows, hanging with beautiful people, trying to make it appear like they're dating them. They tell everyone that they are "very close" to you and imply that they're your agent and sometimes even your boyfriend! If they're gay, they show all your compromising photos to their friends and tell their pals they have you as their boy toy! Of course, it's always a matter of time (usually one night after a few drinks) that a sexual advance is made. They tell you that to take your career to the next level, their has to be a mutual benefit for both of you.

"What's in it for them?"

Is often laid on the line once they've got to know you and done a shoot or two with you to earn your trust. They're experts in making you believe that they won't tell anyone about anything you do together because they are your true friend! If the advance is not successful, they'll drop you like a bad habit! I can't tell you the number of models I've heard from that tell me stories that always end almost the same way. Many say "no" to their advancements, but some don't. If they can't get a Media Pass to a show that you're at, be on alert! This isn't always the case, but many creepers leer in the audience only, big camera at hand looking for their prey!

Not Connected?

But what models don't realize is that these dudes are not nearly as "in" with the magazines as they might think. When you ask the right people in the industry you'll find that they are not a staff photographer for any magazine and they are just doing photography part time as a hobby. Try to find out what their full-time job is and if they're married - the answer to these questions might surprise you. Do they have a business card? If not, don't give them yours.

Teens Are Targets

There's one gay photographer that "discovers" up-and-cuming teen bodybuilders! Ya, it's gross I know! He preys on these poor guys and tells them he can make them famous and get them in the magazines. He absolutely loves Europeans with no money and no way of immigrating to North America without his "help". Watch out for this deviant on the loose boys!  

Workout Videos Anyone?

Another creep does workout videos. He stops these guys on the beach when they're tanning or simply playing sports or going for a run. He asks them to simply do exercises and flex their muscles on video and he will pay them $50. The video camera he's holding is his "bait" because everyone gets star struck when they see a movie camera and think "this is their big chance!". Near the end of the 20 minute filming, he hands them a pair of tight shorts and tells them he'll give them an extra $100 if they repeat the workout they just did but this time wearing the skimpy shorts to show the audience their definition. Chin ups, push ups, squats, burpees, hand stands, good mornings - you name it! After the filming he has them sign a model release 4 pages long and then gives them the $100 for their troubles. He then edits it down and then starts selling the video for tens of thousands of dollars to the members of the gay community that pay top dollar for this muscle worship shit.

Email the name of any suspicious photographer to domenic@muscle-insider.com and we'll give you the real scoop on him or her!