I spoke with Confidence and Sex Coach and Photographer Jessie Maree, to shed some light on what behavior you should and should NOT expect when working with photographers.
You have every right to bring someone along to the shoot, just don’t let them get in the way of the creative process.
Meeting any person for the first time is scary, let alone a stranger who is about to photograph you, especially if the shoot is for sex work content. It is 100% your right as a model to bring someone along to the shoot with you. There is no reason for a photographer to deny you bringing a support friend/partner/family member etc.
“Having another person in the room gives photographers less of a chance to be creepy, or try and talk you into something you aren’t comfortable with.” Says Jessie. “Make sure whoever you bring understands that they can’t get in the way of the shoot. They’re not there to get involved, they’re there to make sure you’re safe. They are welcome to offer assistance if needed, but they can not be an annoyance. If you assure the photographer they are there simply as moral support and the photographer says no, they likely have alternative motives.”
Photographers should NEVER touch you without your consent.
Seems like a no brainer here. But unfortunately in my early days of posing for male photographers, they’ve adjusted items of clothing on my body without asking. It made me very uncomfortable, it felt wrong. So I double checked with Jessie and she confirmed my suspicion.
“Consent is key. A photographer should always ask first. You (as a photographer) want a yes. Anything other than a yes is a no.” She went on to further elaborate that the only reason a photographer should be touching you is if they are adjusting something that you can’t adjust on your own without disrupting the pose. “When people go to do it themselves it can sometimes move something else. Photographers should have a woman or someone who can make you comfortable as an assistant. Because that way there’s that separation. And the assistant should always ask for consent.”
This is where bringing someone along to the shoot comes in handy. Bringing a support person who is happy to help in moments where your costume or a prop needs readjusting can alleviate a lot of awkward or uncomfortable moments. But remember; it’s always your right to say no to any form of touch. And as Jessie said, anything besides a clear “yes” is an automatic no.
Photographers should not use vulgar or derogatory language during a shoot.
When I pose nude or in lingerie, I want to feel sexy on my terms. It’s important when I pose that I feel empowered and in control of the situation. The language my photographers use is a big indicator as to whether it’s going to be a good shoot, or one that will leave me feeling dirty. Inappropriate language is anything along the lines of “That’s so fucking sexy.” “Pose for daddy.” “Spread those cheeks, baby.” “You look so fucking hot.” “Show me your orgasm face.” Yes, these are things photographers have actually said to me during shoots.
Jessie emphasizes photographers should not sound like they’re having sex with you during the shoot. This is highly unprofessional and inappropriate. “You can be doing a sexy shoot and compliment a model without that sort of language. And you have every right as the model to stop and walk away if you are uncomfortable.” Any language that makes you uncomfortable is inappropriate. You should be able to discuss this and any other boundaries with your photographer.
Jessie elaborated on the sort of language that is appropriate: “That’s an amazing pose! You’re doing really well! I love that expression! There’s ways of getting excitement out and expressing what you want without being a sleaze.” So remember, if your photographer talks to you in a way that makes your skin crawl, trust yourself and tell them that this is not an appropriate way to speak to you. Holding boundaries is key to making sure you have a great and comfortable shoot!
Photographers should NOT trash-talk other models to you.
I recall a photoshoot I did where the photographer spent half of the shoot bad mouthing other models to me. He complained about how other models posed, even calling these models by name. Many of them were people I knew and respected. This created a negative and unsafe environment for me, and definitely interfered with my shoot. How am I supposed to feel relaxed getting naked in front of a person who has nothing but negative things to say about other models they’ve worked with? And as a sex worker, it made me feel even more unsafe that my photographers could potentially dox me to other models.
If a photographer is being unprofessional in this regard, it is your right to express “Hey, this is distracting me and I don’t appreciate this sort of talk.” There is nothing appealing about working with photographers who complain about other models. It’s just none of my business how other models work and I don’t care to hear models being spoken about in a negative light. Especially from photographers who are meant to be making me feel sexy and empowered.
Photographers should NOT watch you undress or stare at you while you're naked in between photos.
If you and the photographer have both agreed on a nude photoshoot, the photographer should only see you naked while you’re actively working, no sneaky peeks! They should NEVER watch you undress - an area for changing should be provided. “Even if you’re doing a nude or semi nude shoot, you should be afforded the privacy of getting naked until you’re ready to be shot without being watched.” Jessie advised.
Jessie recommends bringing a dressing gown or some form of clothing to cover yourself in between shots. A blanket can also be good if it’s a chilly location.
Have a discussion with the photographer prior to the shoot what the images will be used for and where they’ll be posted. Be specific.
Before you even turn up to the shoot, both you and the photographer need to have a clear conversion about where the photos are going to be posted. Especially if it's your body being photographed. Make sure you’re very clear to the photographer what the photos are being used for on your end, and what you allow them to do with the photos on their end. If you can’t reach an agreement you’re both happy with, leave. There are plenty of other photographers out there, just because this one may not have been right for you it doesn't mean the right one isn't out there. Don’t feel as though just because you’ve reached out to the photographer or they’ve reached out to you that you owe them a shoot.
If you’re going to profit from the photos, let the photographer know.
If you as the model plan to profit off the photos (OnlyFans, Fansly etc), Jessie advises that you discuss this with your photographer. By being up front at the start, you can avoid having the photographer later come out and say “You’re using my photos to make a profit and I want a % of your earnings!”
“When you’ve paid for a photographer - say you bought a $500 package where you get five edited photos for your use - you have already paid them for their services and those images they provide to you are yours to profit from if you wish. However, there’s a grey area when neither the model or photographer is being paid for their time and that’s why it’s important to have this discussion prior to the shoot. Make sure all of this is done in writing, whether it be via email or even Instagram/Facebook messenger. Be very clear that you as the model will be making a profit off the images.”
I have five years of experience doing nude photoshoots that I would use to create a profit. A lot of photographers I’ve worked with for free are happy for me to make money off the images without offering them compensation. Some photographers may want a cut of your earnings. Some may want a one off payment to give you permission to make as much money from the photos as you wish. When you’re short on cash, having a free shoot offered to you can be attractive. But do be mindful that by paying for a photoshoot, YOU own the photos and therefore you have more room to negotiate.
“Whatever the photographer feels, it is their images you are using and it is fully in their right to ask for some form of compensation if they wish. In saying that, it is also your right as a model to say no and decide not to follow through with a shoot if you aren’t happy with the negotiation. Either way, having that discussion in writing prior to the shoot saves you from having them later try to claim ownership over the photos and suddenly expect a percentage of your earnings you made from those images.”
Always sign a model release form before going ahead with a shoot.
A model release form is there to protect both you and the photographer. It is a legally binding document that will summarize all of the discussions you should have had prior to the shoot, including who's in the photos and where will the photos be going. A good example of a model release form should include:
- Models name
- Models email or other contact information
- Photographers name
- Photographers email
- Shoot description
- Shoot date
- Shoot location
- Model’s signature
- Photographers’ signature
- Date of signing
“When signing a release form where nudity is involved, all that needs to be stated is that you were aware that it was a nude shoot prior to the day of, and are of the legal age to consent to being photographed nude. There doesn’t need to be anything added that revokes your right to later speak up about inappropriate behavior you experienced during the shoot. When you’re reading a model release form, if at any point you are confused by a statement or feel uncomfortable at one of the specifications, seek advice before signing it.”
And finally, please remember this:
No image, no matter how beautiful, is worth your safety. Your photoshoots should not come at the compromise of your comfort. Be specific in what you expect from the shoot. Have everything down in writing. Consent is KEY. Your safety should always be your number one priority.
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