Boudoir, Nudes et al.

The #MeToo movement really lifted its profile a few years ago. In the midst of it all, an actress and model that I had worked with revealed to me that she had suffered some predatory sexual harassment behavior. I will not share the details because she asked me not to, except to say that she managed to avoid something uncomfortable becoming worse, and that she is OK.

In another alarming incident, at the start of a shoot for head shots, a young model started to undress because she was under the impression, from talking with her friends, that all studio shoots for head shots also had an element of lingerie or topless modelling!

To be clear. As a new model you don't need nude, topless, lingerie, swimsuit or boudoir shots as part of your basic portfolio.

There is certainly a place for all of the photo styles. If there is respect and confidence between the photographer and model there can be some absolutely fantastic images formed. When you want them for your purposes, you'll ask for them. You'll only take them as a professional model, when you agree. Even then, respect is paramount and there are some practical things you should consider.

Think about having another person present, at least in ear shot. Possibly not your significant other or best friend, as this can be distracting, but if you are using a HMUA, they might stay within earshot. If the shoot is large enough to involve crew, try to keep a production assistant within earshot. In low cost situations I have had models request a video camera to record the scene, or at least be recording audio, with the lens cap on. I've accommodated both types of requests and given the models a copy of the files.

Preferably the photographer should not touch you, and certainly never without your permission. It's much better that the photographer try to show you the pose or the movement required, rather than try to move you into position.

Sometimes it is unavoidable. In a situation of just a photographer and a model there might be some fabric of a dress that is falling wrong, or strands of hair that need to be positioned even though everything else in a pose is correct. The photographer should tell you what they need to move or touch and explain why. If you agree, they need to use the minimal contact to achieve the image pose necessary for the photo. If you don't agree, that should be fine. Either try to create the pose yourself, fixing the issues, or move on to the next pose.

There is no excuse for touching you without permission, no excuse for unwanted touching, or for hostile, demeaning or disrespectful words or actions of any kind.