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studio 3

studio 3

CGF, Certified Grumble Framer
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Jan 16, 2008
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I got this very strange and rather disturbing phone call this morning.

This guy asks if we would frame explicit photographs. And my first thought is a drawing of a naked cartoon pinup - or u know like a nude painting nothing really weird (I guess I should of had my mind more in the gutter). so i kinda hesitated and was like i guess - but then as the guy was talking (he was asking about if we have a store front and if we help people pick out colors and stuff - and if we send the stuff away to be framed) i started to think about it more - like what if it was child pornography or something illegal.....so i was like wait what exactly are you talking about in regard to explicit photos. and he starts to talk about how him and his fiance are getting married and they've been in this long distance relationship and for fun they like to take sexy photos and they want to hang them up all over their house. and he starts to say they were taken by a professional photographer - and then he starts to get into graphic details (that i wish I hadn't heard - basically letting me know that they are pornography shots) and i cut him off once i realized where he was going. And I was like well actually if u just measure the photos I can help you pick out some framing and we can make it so u can just put the photo in yourself later.

at this point i'm thinking maybe this is a joke but i dunno....

so then he said well if i come in with my girlfriend we can pick out some things and I should bring the photos to pick colors. And I said well you don't need to bring the photos just know the size and you know what colors are in it and I can help you pick something out that u can put the photos into later. And then he says something really weird like well now that i told you all about it i'd kinda like to show you - make a day of it with my girlfriend. I told him not to do that because of my staff (or something like that that implied it wasn't fair to subject my staff to that) - which later i thought i should of said something like I can't have that in the store with other customers around. and then i said again he did't need to bring the photos in. and he said something like right - well i'll come in and look at some stuff then.

After I hung up I was kinda dazed and I'm still wondering if it was just all a joke or really legit. I'm really hoping he doesn't come in - because I really do not want to have to deal with it, and personally I would rather not frame something like that.

anyway i was just wondering if anyone else got a call like this (sounded like he may have been shopping around for someone who would do it - so maybe its just my area) or maybe it was a prank?
 
Pornography is in the eye of the beholder. I think that since this is of them for them and they are getting married I would view this as erotica. Of course I have no idea what the photos are of and if, for instance, it involves their family pet then I would forget what I just said.

Actually it was very discreet of him to call in advance instead of just coming in and plopping them down on the counter.

If it makes you uncomfortable to the point whereby you don't want to frame them then it is within your rights not to frame them. It sounds like he's aware that they may make some folks uncomfortable so I wouldn't worry about offending him or his fiance.

It is your business. Do what you feel is right.

I would stop short of posting your designs on the "G" though!
 
Thread has the wrong title! I didn't come in because i thought it was about the prince of Niger or better credit card rates ;)

If they come in frame it up. Do it quickly and get payment up front. Oh and tell them that after a month of not being picked up it goes on the wall for all to see!
 
Sounds legit to me!!!
I have these come in every once in a while.........It is uncomfortable.......but I would do it .....and be professional about it.....Try not to point out any body parts or anything.........:D

If he's bringing his girlfriend in.....that would make me LESS uncomfortable..........at least you wouldnt be alone with the guy....
Go with ur GUT!!! And good luck! :D
 
Sounds legit.

But I think it would be better they bring the pictures if they plan to have mats (cover them accordingly if other customers happen to suddenly appear!). Sometimes a private room is good for such jobs.

Customers like that usually have little price resistance.:thumbsup:
 
Back in the 1970s, when I worked for Aaron Bros., a couple came in to the store on a very busy Saturday. They proceeded to lay out all over the sales counter a whole bunch of very graphic 16X20 photos of themselves.

I gathered them all up before too many people had the opportunity to be offended, and took the couple into the back office. We laid their photos out all over the floor and desk and designed frames for them. I wrote up the order and they payed for it in advance.

I told the framers to mark the packages so that they would not be opened in front of other customers. The sale was a very good one and I was still young enough to enjoy every minute of it.

It is hard to say if your caller was legitimate or not, I guess your going to have to wait and see.

John
 
We had a similar case happen to us a couple of months ago. A man called us wondering if we would frame nudes. Sure, I said, as long as they were tasteful and weren't considered pornographic, i.e. no explicit genitalia. He asked where he could get his nude photos developed, and I suggested a local photo shop. He came in a half-hour later saying that they will only develop professional photographers. He had the disk with him, so I offered to take a look at them at his insistence. (I'm too nice sometimes.)

I gave him the disk back and explained to him AGAIN the difference between tasteful nudes and pornography.

His reply? "A nude's a nude, isn't it?"

For starters, the #### needed to take photography lessons. Composition was all wrong, the angle was horrible, and the kitchen in the background distracted from the huge tracks of land.

I just mounted (no pun intended) an art student's photo just yesterday that was very suggestive, but there was little pornography to it: her fiance kissing her thigh as she took the photo. The composition was descent, and there was no visible genitalia. It was very subdued and erotic but not offensive. Now, one of my other coworkers might have been offended by it, but I found the image very touching (again, no pun intended.)

We used to have a regular customer who no longer comes in. At first, he was framing Native American art. And then the subject matter got younger and younger and more suggestive. There was one photo that really got us up at arms, and the boss told the customer he would have to get his framing elsewhere if he were to keep bringing in stuff like that. Long story short, a co-worker found the customer on "The List," ie the sex offenders' registry for, yep, possession of child pornography.

I think the best thing to do in your situation, Studio, is to use professional voice: "I'm sorry but we cannot do this for you."

It ultimately comes to what you feel comfortable with doing.
 
blackiris said:
Sounds legit to me!!! Go with ur GUT!!! And good luck! :D
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Just want to say when talking about male nudes, well Gut is the last thing you want to "go with"!

I would feel more comfortable seeing both parties in the artwork. I'd hate to think that I framed something that would be used to blackmail either party ;)
 
studio 3 said:
...And then he says something really weird like well now that i told you all about it i'd kinda like to show you - make a day of it with my girlfriend.
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That's the point at which I would start to get a little suspicious. You certainly don't want to "make a day of it" with any customer, especially under these circumstances. Good luck.
:cool: Rick

Hopefully this won't rise to the level of that plaster-cast thing that Marc Lizer was asked to frame some years back. :eek:
 
...and don't forget to email us with copies!!:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Personally, i will frame anything except really disgusting (animal stuff) porn and child porn. Both of which i would take in and after they left i would call the police.
 
In the days before digital cameras and caller ID we used to get lots of calls like this in the photo lab. They were all fake calls by some idiot getting his kicks by talking dirty on the phone.

His comment about "making a day of it" is just too creepy.

I would use lots of caution and decline the work if he comes into the store.

Doug
 
DVieau2 said:
In the days before digital cameras and caller ID we used to get lots of calls like this in the photo lab. They were all fake calls by some idiot getting his kicks by talking dirty on the phone.
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I Totally used to work for JC Penny Catalog..........You would NOT believe the DIRTY OLD MEN that would call in!!!! SICKOS!!!!!!
 
Has anyone noticed that many of the senior photos are getting more and more "graphic"? Its getting to the point where you need to take them into the back room for designing.

Back in the day I had a customer who collected porn star posters signed the star. I had him come in after hours to design and I did the work after hours and craft papered it as to not display them for employees to see.

Now I'm older and wiser and I would just say no. I don't need the money that bad.
 
framah said:
Personally, i will frame anything except really disgusting (animal stuff) porn and child porn. Both of which i would take in and after they left i would call the police.
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I agree.

Had a friendly aquaintance come in last weekend with a bunch of nude shots of her.

I got to see everything that I wanted and got paid well for it.

She got some great framing.

Win-Win.

Bob
 
Rick Granick said:
That's the point at which I would start to get a little suspicious. You certainly don't want to "make a day of it" with any customer, especially under these circumstances. Good luck.
:cool: Rick

Hopefully this won't rise to the level of that plaster-cast thing that Marc Lizer was asked to frame some years back. :eek:
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Thats what got me suspicious - it all seemed pretty normal (well under the circumstances) until he said that - then some red flags started going up. I just have to hope he doesn't actually come in. Its times like these I wish I didn't work alone...atleast I have my 2 shop dogs they give me a little extra security :-)
 
Could you offer that due to the subject, that you would be happy to frame them, but could he meet you one afternoon after you close for the day? That way no one else is coming in and they feel like they are getting personal attention?
 
Steven6095 said:
Could you offer that due to the subject, that you would be happy to frame them, but could he meet you one afternoon after you close for the day? That way no one else is coming in and they feel like they are getting personal attention?
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and make sure you have someone there with you at the shop just in case the guy is a DOM.......(Dirty Old Man) :thumbsup:
 
I had a link to a cool dog attacking a holdup man, I couldn't make it work.

MeetMyDog.wmv.com

John
 
I guess if it is legal I would frame it - if it were illegal I would call the authorities after I got specifics. I wouldn't let my morality get in the way of business but like others have said, have someone else in the shop with you, don't meet with this customer while you are alone - charge for special handling.
 
I would have to agree with Joe B.

As long as it's legal, I will frame it. I have framed some pretty kinky stuff in the past for major galleries such as Mappelthorpes, and some pretty racy bondage themed art that went for high dollars in Aspen (!), along with clients' private photos and paintings.

Doesn't really phase me at all. :shrug:
 
WOH WOAH WOAH!!!!!! I had that call exactly this evening! young sounding man! At first I thought the same thing then got hinky as it went along now I am rather FREEKED!!! Told me he lived in Birmingham and I thought that I am way out of the way and new Orleans has to be closer and has got to have some more used to big nekid photos than me.

Feeling kind of ick now!!!!!
 
mikki said:
WOH WOAH WOAH!!!!!! I had that call exactly this evening! young sounding man! At first I thought the same thing then got hinky as it went along now I am rather FREEKED!!! Told me he lived in Birmingham and I thought that I am way out of the way and new Orleans has to be closer and has got to have some more used to big nekid photos than me.

Feeling kind of ick now!!!!!
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Yeah I'm telling you this was not your normal call! It sounded semi ok at first (considering the circumstances) but then just sent up some red flags for me....thats why I was thinking it was a joke (makes me wish I had caller id now).
 
Once in a while we get this type of request. Can't say we have ever turned any away. Always insist that one of the managers handle it (preferably me)

If it is a woman with shots of herself (usually at Christmas time or Valentine's) I handled it with aheightned degree of professionalism and respect usually followed by comment like "Whoa, look at those hooters"
 
Really not funny Jim. This has a wrong feel now.

Studio, I stared the number an hour later and got the message that the number was not available but did I want to dial it. NO!
 
Bob Carter said:
If it is a woman with shots of herself (usually at Christmas time or Valentine's) I handled it with aheightned degree of professionalism and respect usually followed by comment like "Whoa, look at those hooters"
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My wife just asked me, "what's the matter with you"? -- as I let out a loud laugh. Bob, where is your sense of dignity and self-respect anyway? Hey, I know there's alot of weirdos out there, but the humor is overwhelming.

Ernesto
 
Bob Carter said:
If it is a woman with shots of herself (usually at Christmas time or Valentine's) I handled it with aheightned degree of professionalism and respect usually followed by comment like "Whoa, look at those hooters"
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Hey .......she might have had a set of Owls in the photo with her :shutup:...................you guys are sickos.......shame shame shame.....:p
 
For me it would totally depend on the circumstances and the content. I once framed an erotic photo for a customer who I know well, and she trusted me. It was a gift for her fiance.

As for these people, might I suggest that you have them make an appointment to meet with you before or after hours. That way you have no customer worries and employee worries. If the photos are problematic, politely refer them to M's. :D
 
OH H*** Rick! That is almost funny! I guess I wish I could laugh it off.

and Beveled i did suggest that would be the only way I could and now I wish I had "just say no" ed him. At first I thought they would be those bedroom shots people had done in the Glamour Shot heyday. But turned out they are much more than that.

The point in continuing the thread is we both felt somehow creeped out after the calls and after we found out there were two of us so far apart.

What was the point?
 
It wasn't me. I promise.

:kaffeetrinker_2:
 
Am I the only greedy framer? guy brings in illegal porn. I would take order, take payment in full. Get name and address. Call police turn over "art" work and keep money. LOL

I am greedy. I need to pay may bills. If stuff is to suggestive, have client make an after hours appointment. With the economy in shambles I will take the work I can get and be glad I got it.

Just me, each of us has to go with what we are comfortable with. So go with your gut.
 
Jill said:
Am I the only greedy framer? guy brings in illegal porn. I would take order, take payment in full. Get name and address. Call police turn over "art" work and keep money. LOL

.
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The only porn I would consider illegal is violent or child porn and we have never seen that in the shop. We don't get much explicit work at all, but when we do we mostly get artsy stuff, photos and sketches with just enough exposed to make me want to make sure I am well away from other customers when I unroll the masterpiece. Like Bob, I try to take these sales myself because I can be very professional in the face of...
 
I agree. I was not upset by the question would I frame it. Yeah! whatever not my taste but neither are Kincaids! But then it felt "wrong" after I hung up. Then when i got on the G later and read the post it was like a ton of bricks. Made me more uncomfortable not less because before that I thought it was a legit if ickky call now I know it is something else.

I hope it is just some young punk getting happy with the call, but all over the country?

WHy?

I asked him if someone refered him and he said no he looked me up because he saw my sign driving thru sometime.
 
Because they have all been female, and all at once, and this many grumblers, I suspect it's somebody who had found this forum and is calling ladies. Do any of you have caller id? Caller ID isn't fool proof but if I'm right and he is doing this for fun, I suspect they aren't very smart.

Also if I were a female working alone and what should be a simple call got this weird, I wouldn't want them in my shop. It's not becuase I would mind framing something like this but for my own safety. To be honest I'm a male working alone and this would bother me. Just be careful!
 
Hey, now

My response is "professional and respectful". You should hear me when I'm not on my best behavior

In fairness, I really say "My compliments to your Plastic Surgeon" which isgenerally followed up one of two responses "Thank you" or "They are all Natural" which requires a "Then, my compliments to God" with an underbreath utterance "liar"
 
Jay H said:
Because they have all been female, and all at once, and this many grumblers, I suspect it's somebody who had found this forum and is calling ladies. Do any of you have caller id? Caller ID isn't fool proof but if I'm right and he is doing this for fun, I suspect they aren't very smart.

Also if I were a female working alone and what should be a simple call got this weird, I wouldn't want them in my shop. It's not becuase I would mind framing something like this but for my own safety. To be honest I'm a male working alone and this would bother me. Just be careful!
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I thought it must be someone from here too but the first person that got a call whose profile I checked had no identifying information so I wrote that off. I guess he could be going back through posts trying to extract personal info to track down numbers but man that would be even weirder.
 
For a few minutes a couple of weeks ago, there was a Grumble post inquiring for a framer to frame nude photos, and it included a photo of a man's _ _ _ _ _. I saw it, but I guess a moderator took it down before many others did.

Strange coincidence?
 
WOW!!!!!!! Things just keep getting WEIRDER AND WEIRDER!!!!!:shrug:
 
Things just keep getting WEIRDER AND WEIRDER!!!!!

ca-mon Iris! It IS art, after all, isnt it? doesnt that make it all ok? :confused: (I'm sure it will be in good taste, yes?) :icon11:


not sure what the 'definition' of illegalporn is(the last decade had LOTS of court battles onver that one!)..have them email you a soample of the stuff and if it offends you/worries you...deleted it and tell them NO! curious they would not bring it in in person....wouldn't loose any sleep over it.
 
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