via @edvisions
The predatory photographer trope is one of the oldest clichés in the entertainment industry. Alongside sleazy directors and record executives, they have been known abuse their power to convince women that sex is the only way to make it in the industry. In some cases, they skip the persuasion altogether and go straight to sexual assault. As the #MeToo movement wages on, we are getting a glimpse at just how current the problem is. Prominent actresses like Rose McGowan, Alyssa Milano and Ashley Judd have paved the way speaking out against powerful men, but for every successful woman these men have preyed on, there are probably more who don’t have the same platform. While photographer Marcus Hyde has made a name for himself as the personal photographer of celebrities like Arianna Grande and Kim Kardashian, yesterday’s Diet Prada expose had multiple women speaking out on how Hyde allegedly tried to coerce them into sending nude photos and assaulted them on set.
The call-out-culture account kicked off last night with screenshots from a direct message exchange between Hyde and LA-based model Sunnaya, who had responded to an open-call on Instagram for a shooting. The photos show the photographer demanding nude photographs, or charging a $2,000 shooting fee to work with the model. When she declines, he allegedly responds with, “Find someone else/ Ill keep shooting celebs.”
From there, more stories followed with accusations ranging from the photos being withheld after sexual advances were declined, to sexual assault and rape. When packaging the story on their feed, Diet Prada specifically called on Grande and Kardashian to “come get your boy and teach him some decency.” While it shouldn’t be up to anyone to run background checks on every photographer they work with, photos of celebrity women serve as endorsements, making people think that a photographer is professional.
Grande did not specifically mention Hyde, but she posted a story on her Instagram yesterday addressing the allegations. “i have just read some shock and really heartbreaking stories,” she says. “i hate that this is a conversation. but. please do not shoot with photographers who make you uncomfortable or make you feel like you need to take your clothing off if you don’t want to. if you want to, sick. but if you don’t please don’t. if they tell you you have to pay money if you’re clothed that’s fucked and I’m sorry that has happened to you. I promise there are so many respectful, nice, talented photographers out there.” While other famous women, like Sza, have also denounced Hyde, Kardashian, has yet to speak out on the issue.
Although photographers like Mario Testino, Bruce Weber and Terry Richardson have seen huge hits to their career after #MeToo allegations, including suspensions from working with publishers like Condé Nast, fashion and photography still have a long way to go when it comes to rooting out predatory behaviour —especially when it comes to photographers abusing their status to take advantage of those who are still trying to make a name for themselves.