A Fashion Show - With My Snake?

[NH93]

Hello everyone,

I have been contacted to sort of take part in a unique opportunity for my university. No, it's not a fashion show for snakes...
But, every year my university puts on a huge production; a fashion show in which all proceeds go to various charities in our community.

They are looking to do America's Next Top Model inspired beauty shots, in which the models are required to take photos with snakes. As an example - the same link I was given - please see below.
https://sites.google.com/site/antmwo...ts-with-snakes
One of the women who organize and run the show contacted me, hoping to be able to use one of my snakes. She was very courteous about asking, and provided me with details and left room for questions, of course.

I will be allowed to attend, obviously, and work with my pet(s) and the models. There are 4 models in total (2 males, 2 females), and they would require 2-3 hours to take photos altogether.

I am mostly game for it, but have a few concerns, which I will bring up with the organizer. But for you guys, what are your thoughts??

On the one hand, I don't want people looking at these photos and thinking "Oh my goodness! That is terrifying! They are so brave!" because I don't know if that's the message I want people to be getting... but on the other, it would give snakes in this community some much needed publicity.
How do you think my corn snake Sydney would handle it? Do you think it would stress her out too much with the lights and new sounds/smells/people? She is much more a "neck snake" than my ball python Beau, and older. I have taken her out for several hours at a time, and feel she would not be as stressed as my ball python. I also think she would fair better with the travel to and from the university, as it is a 10 minute drive both ways (and it is a Canadian winter...)

So, any thoughts, worries, suggestions, or otherwise?

Thank you for reading

[Slim]

If you feel comfortable in how the animal will be portrayed, and how the pictures will be used, I know think your corn won't suffer any from it. Probably a lot more stress involved with being transported to, and displayed at a two day reptile show.

If you decide to do it, I think we'd all like to see proofs from the shoot

[CloudtheBoa]

I would also be worried about the message they are going to portray. Would they let you look at their gallery, to see the style of photos they take?

My other main concern would be heating. Will they be heating the building, or outside during a nice day? I wouldn't take my snakes anywhere where there's A/C running or slightly chilly. After all, they'll be there for several hours.

It all depends on your snake how stressed out they will become.

[MarkS]

I'd say go for it. It'll probably be fun. Make sure you get to be present and if the snakes start showing any stress just say 'that's enough' and take them home.

[NH93]

I would also be worried about the message they are going to portray. Would they let you look at their gallery, to see the style of photos they take?

My other main concern would be heating. Will they be heating the building, or outside during a nice day? I wouldn't take my snakes anywhere where there's A/C running or slightly chilly. After all, they'll be there for several hours.

It all depends on your snake how stressed out they will become.

Thanks everyone!

It will be indoors, as it is currently -25C today... not sure on the date of the shoot, but I can guarentee it will be a nicely heated building being that she is a corn snake I am not worried about the heat so much. We will be warming up our vehicle prior to transporting, and I will be hugging her in her travel tote under my coat until we get there - or that's my plan!

I will absolutely be able to be there, and I will have *some* say in the positioning of the snakes, but not sure how much. I will be the one moving her and 'passing' her around.

I am going to ask and see if I can have copies. I know they will be giving me credit (I'm thinking naming me as the snake provider/handler), so I hope they will let me have copies of the final products

[Mephibosheth1]

Be sure to show us how things turn out…and don't be afraid to stand up for your animals

Good Luck

[fishdip]

The only down fall I see is if your snake bites some one what is covering your butt?

[NH93]

The only down fall I see is if your snake bites some one what is covering your butt?

And she has done that before. When I first got her she bit me COUNTLESS times, and my partner once. However, the last time she even struck at anyone (again, me) was months ago, I believe. But, that is a risk that I will make clear. She is small enough that she won't cause harm or even draw blood if it were to happen. The only times she's even bitten me was when removing her from her hide.
I am not worried about her biting anyone though, especially because she almost always shows typical signs of distress. She is more likely to try and escape in a stressful situation.

I will make sure the models are comfortable as well. I don't want anyone holding her who is afraid. That's not fair, and it's just asking for trouble.
But thank you for reminding me of that possibility! Much appreciated.

[fishdip]

It may be worth finding some sort of contract saying if your snake eats one of the girls its not your fault or something. If you had been in the us id tell you to pay the 20.00 or so and start a LLC and do it under that name so if something happens they can only go after the company and not you.

[NH93]

It may be worth finding some sort of contract saying if your snake eats one of the girls its not your fault or something. If you had been in the us id tell you to pay the 20.00 or so and start a LLC and do it under that name so if something happens they can only go after the company and not you.

Well, considering this is for a charity event and I'm doing them a favour... and it's a corn snake but yes, I have brought up the "issue" with the event organizer, making her aware that snakes are animals and can act as such.
There might be a little contract written up, but as far as I'm told, all the models are comfortable with snakes (which is a plus!) and are excited to be doing the shoot.
Obviously that doesn't "save my ass" if anything were to happen but we'll figure it out.

Also I don't know what an LLC is...