Photographer Arrested On Charges of Filming 16-Year-Old Girl in Dressing Room

Judging groups of people based on a small sampling is never advisable. I mean, heck, imagine if people looked at me and simply assumed all American were self-righteous jerks? What a world that would be… But, there are always a few who give cause for others to regard the group with suspicion. This time, it’s photographers in the hot seat.

Last month, a photographer is Jacksonville Beach, FL was arrested on charges of video voyeurism after he allegedly hid a digital camera in the dressing room of his studio…and filmed a 16-year-old girl dressing and undressing.

Mario Peralta, a fashion photographer based in the sunny breezes of east Florida, was arrested at his home after complaints were filed with police by the alleged victim’s parents.

Speaking on the phone to WJTX Jacksonville, Amanda Ruiz, whose daughter started doing shoots with Peralta three years ago at the age of 13, said:

“Another model mom had messaged me and said, ‘Did you see what happened?’ When I saw it, I was in shock, and I still can’t believe it. I’m praying that this is not true. … He’s always been professional. There was no nothing weird or any kind of weird sensation or anything from him.”

According to WJTX, Police have also confirmed that at least one more family has stepped forward with similar allegations.

If these allegations are true, it is a very sad thing, not only for the photography community but for the alleged victim, her parents, other clients, and Peralta’s family.

Photographers, if you work with minors, make sure that parents are involved every step of the way. Encourage parents to be in the room (or area, if it’s outdoors) during their child’s shoot. This creates an atmosphere of reassurance that you are not just concerned about the model as a client but as a person, and will put the parents’ minds at ease that you are not a creep. If a parent can’t come along, then encourage them to bring a friend or adult family member.

If these allegations are false (and we pray they are), there’s no way to repair the damage already caused to Peralta’s business and reputation. In the end, we can only trust that the legal system will win the day and that justice will be served, wherever that may fall.

[via WJXT]

Ralph Hightower

Peralta’s “studio” looks like a prison yard with the inward facing barbed-wire; but that may be the nature of the location of his studio, i.e., a high crime area. But still, that studio would not seem to have “good vibes” about it and instead, set off alarms.
- ext237
  
  I totally hear you. But its the same in a lot of places. Even in Houston and Austin with very vibrant photography and art communities, the “studios” are often warehouses that are no longer used for … well, warehousing. You can throw up a wall and paint it 20 times and tear it back down without impacting the building’s value. Hard to do with a typical commercial building. Its often less expensive per square foot too.
JodiRenshaw

I’m so tired of getting these sensationalist articles from DIY Photography and Mr. Mowery. I used to love DIY e-mails … the how-to articles were fantastic. Now I feel like I am reading a grocery store rag. On my way to unsubscribe. When things change, let me know.