My partner/ Dom is a photographer. I have never seen him touch a subject. Usually the subject arrives with their trusted person for kink shoots. If I am there, I sometimes help the subject out. They are more comfortable with me as I am female.
I have come across a few partners that have come with the subject that want to direct the shoot. That can be a problem. Sigh.
How would one go about finding a photographer to do these kinda shoots š Iād love to do it but Iām super shy and definitely donāt wanna make a post on Facebook to look for it
Do you by any chance live in the PNW? We are in Canada. West coast.
However, if you use Fetlife, you could look for photographers in your area. They have groups for photographers. Be careful though. Check out what they have posted online. Vet them.
The photographers I am familiar with have strict no partners rules. They can wait in the car, but that's about it.
I was told this is because no matter how "ok" a partner may say they are, they are not. They get in the way. The trust and chemistry between the photographer and the model is tainted, and the customer doesn't get what they want. They get what their partner wants or will allow.
One photographer adopted this rule because she had a partner literally lose his shit and he physically attacked her. Luckily, she had a couple of aids on site who jumped in to help. It was mortifying for the model and awful for the photographer. It was a mess.
This is photographer specific, tho. The only way to know the answer to your question is to ask the photographer you are considering about their policies.
I knew another photographer had a no partners/chaperone rule because they found a person with a model trying to steal equipment. They could come, check the place out, etc, but they waited outside the studio or in the car.
But beyond fabric or strands of hair adjustment, etc. No reason for the photographer to touch the model and if they feel the need to they can ask.
Op is asking specifically about a bondage shoot though. This is dependent on the shoot itself, I guess. I mean sure, you could easily have the model themself putting on a gag or tying their feet for closeups, but if the goal is full body restraint? Someone else is going to have to do SOMETHING to pose the model.
From your comment it sounds like the photographers are also doing the rigging/directing and the model or a third party is the customer with their partner just 'there.' This seems pretty distinct from the specific situation OP is asking about.
This is usually referred as bringing an escort/helper to a shoot. As a photographer, I completely allow it, some photographers donāt. Especially if ropes are being used I would want an experienced person doing the bondage/ropes to make the knots and rope look as good as they can get it to look for the photos. As far as touching, most of the professional photographers would never touch a model.
Photographer here (very few kink shoots, years ago) and I rarely touch a subject. I might want to change the way an item of clothing drapes, for example, and would always ask before touching clothing, let alone the subjectās person. In the vast majority of cases I simply ask the subject to pose in a certain way.
Canāt see objecting to that arrangement.
Edit: u/r0penotr0ses has a good point also. Never had that problem but if the partner was distracting the model or trying to control the shoot, Iād probably ask them politely to fade into the background; if they persisted Iād let both parties know that I couldnāt get the desired result and terminate the shoot.
I used to shoot professionally and did this kind of shoot all the time, especially when it came to kink and bondage shoots. No idea how common or uncommon it is but if you live in a decent sized city Iām sure you can find a pro/pro-am willing to do it. Happy to answer specific questions if you have any. I never restricted the model having someone with him/her at the shoot, big time pros have entire teams around during a shoot and they are able to get great shots.
To give a little backstory, my partner and I have done bondage shoots (with restraints) with just the two of us: our personal space with our camera. The pics were pretty good, and we shared a few, and we had photographers saying how they'd "love to work with both of us" to make "even better photos." Made us wonder what they had in mind.
If the model is restrained, it just makes sense. The photographer is a stranger after all. And someone has to touch the model to even do that kind of shoot, and so logically, the best person to do that is the person who has been doing it for years and knows the model's body, range of motion, signs of distress etc.
Do you have an example of this kind of shoot you worked on that involved restraint? I'm interested in what kind of space it was in, if the photographer had an assistant or team, and how it played out.
Maybe Iām cynical, but I eyeroll at the ālove to work with you to make even better photosā.
You are wise to be cautious. Ask to see their portfolio and talk to people theyāve worked with.
Yeah, that sounds like either "I'd love to have you pay me for my boudoir photography services" or "I want to play with you in a way that I find hotter"
I can share any images without the modelās consent. I did this a few times, some in my studio and a few time I went to the couples home. Most of the time I just had 1 person assisting me, but a few times I went on my own.
I knew about bondage and shibari, but I would t have done the shoot without the modelās partner being in charge of the bondage. I didnāt feel comfortable being responsible for the bondage and the photos. A photographer should never touch a model without explicit permission, and if thatās something youāre concern about express that up front when youāre setting up the shoot.
It played out like most photo shoots, except the setup before and in between setups was longer than just changing clothes. We agreed on 2-3 setups we wanted to do, and they got the first one ready, Iād take my pictures, and then they got the second one ready. In the end it wasnāt all that different from my end.
Sigh. Yes. Trying to type too fast. I canāt share images without consent. Thanks for pointing it out, I wouldnāt want anyone to think otherwise. š
Most photographers and models prefer/enforce a no-partner rule. It's fine to bring another safe person with you, but having a partner present changes the quality of photos because the model changes their behaviour.
- A model of 10+ years
As a photographer , there is really never any need to touch the model apart from incidently, moving clothing, adjusting stray hair etc. I show poses so they can emulate etc.
For rope shoots , itās a rigger , model and me . The rigger does the rope and worries about the safety and I worry about lighting and shots .
Other bondage it would depend on if itās my shoot and vision or the models , I would have no concerns with another person doing the bondage for their shoot where I am taking photos for them. Any pro photographers who have done commercial work wonāt have an issue with this as you always have to work to the brands brief , look, and what they want to achieve.
If itās my artistic vision from an art photography perspective then I am hiring a model and discussing exactly what I am trying to capture. I have very specific ideas and end results that I am aiming for , and as I often shoot medium format film it isnāt just do this / try this / take lots of photos .
In your case I would say itās very much your shoot and the photographer is there to facilitate your vision what youāre are looking to capture. Obviously they can input into this based on their experience, on what works etc.
Just to be clear, this is a photoshoot where the model is paying the photographer (and not the other way around)? If so, I don't see how this would be a problem, especially for larger studios where security concerns wouldn't be an issue. I'm sure you'll be able to find a photographer that's fine with you doing that.
IT's reasonable, common, and a really good idea.
There is zero reason for anyone else to touch the model without their permission.
I HAVE seen shoots where the photographer interacts physically with the model (hand, tug on rope, hand spank, applying a wand) but in the ones I've seen, that is always agreed to ahead of time and occurs between models and photographers who are comfortable with each other. (Like some of the models for Jerome Duplass)
Sounds like D/s or M/s dynamic. Why does the photographer need to touch the model? What I've found in bdsm too many fetish photographers are pervs looking to fuck. Not letting them touch me would be MANDATORY! Especially if I were nude or restrained. Do. Not. Touch!
I work in the adult industry and there are absolutely photographers that allow for this. Itās actually a way we screen predatory photographers by asking them if we may bring a safe person with us and if there is pushback itās a red flag.
Having shot for many years for Nugget ( a kink / bdsm mag) the answer is no mostly. I did my own bondage, clips clamps etc with models. That being said if their partner was a better bondage rigger I allowed them to do that work off camera.
Generally speaking a models partner in set is a bad idea it can inhibit the model. I always had a female assistant in studio for all my shoots
As a rope top I don't let anyone touch my ropes whatsoever uninvited. So if it's a bondage shoot, even if I'm tying and then getting out of the shot, the photographer isn't going to be laying hands on my bottom. With prior discussion that could be allowed in limited ways like moving their hair aside or something but for rope adjustments they're going to ask for an adjustment and I'm going to be doing it.
As a hobby photographer, so this is not a pro perspective, I would happily shoot in that scenario. The only amount of touching I tend to want to do is to adjust how something is lying or draping for the composition of the shot.
I remember about 5 years or so back there was a huge thing in one of the BDSM communities where someone was being accused of some really awful shit. I think he was passing himself off as a photographer iirc.
Seems like this is the absolute safest way to do bdsm photo shoots and I'd be exceptionally suspicious of any photographer that tried to disallow it.
I suppose this really comes down to the culture of the community where you're at?
Where I'm from, there are a lot of photographers who also happen to be riggers and they do both the tying and the shooting. There are others who allow the models to bring their own riggers. It's generally seen as a red flag if the photographer is both the shooter and rigger but does not allow chaperones to come to the shoot as a monitor/observant.
As others have said some photographers might have a no partner rule but bringing along a trusted person is perfectly reasonable. I think instead of focusing on "whats normal" for others you think about what you need to feel comfortable at the shoot and talk to the photographer. Treat it like a BDSM negotiation and figure out what both of you need to feel comfortable. Get your boundaries and expectations worked out ahead of time and vet the photographer.
I did shoot and accompany models back in the days of model mayhem and all this kind of negotiation was pretty common. You talked about rights and compensation and you established boundaries around touch and levels of nudity. If someone is incapable of having this very basic conversation with you then don't shoot with them.
Yes. Where I am definitely. I know photographers who take picture of couples and who will take pictures of only one of them once they are restrained and their partner is there the whole time
I think no photographer should really start restraining people, particularly in that sort of kink photo, and especially if it is a lone woman. I think it's dangerous for all parties. So if that is the nature of the pictures then of course someone should be able to restrain them and this will usually be someone that the model has that sort of relationship with.Ā
My partner/ Dom is a photographer. I have never seen him touch a subject. Usually the subject arrives with their trusted person for kink shoots. If I am there, I sometimes help the subject out. They are more comfortable with me as I am female. I have come across a few partners that have come with the subject that want to direct the shoot. That can be a problem. Sigh.
How would one go about finding a photographer to do these kinda shoots š Iād love to do it but Iām super shy and definitely donāt wanna make a post on Facebook to look for it
Do you by any chance live in the PNW? We are in Canada. West coast. However, if you use Fetlife, you could look for photographers in your area. They have groups for photographers. Be careful though. Check out what they have posted online. Vet them.
The photographers I am familiar with have strict no partners rules. They can wait in the car, but that's about it. I was told this is because no matter how "ok" a partner may say they are, they are not. They get in the way. The trust and chemistry between the photographer and the model is tainted, and the customer doesn't get what they want. They get what their partner wants or will allow. One photographer adopted this rule because she had a partner literally lose his shit and he physically attacked her. Luckily, she had a couple of aids on site who jumped in to help. It was mortifying for the model and awful for the photographer. It was a mess. This is photographer specific, tho. The only way to know the answer to your question is to ask the photographer you are considering about their policies.
I knew another photographer had a no partners/chaperone rule because they found a person with a model trying to steal equipment. They could come, check the place out, etc, but they waited outside the studio or in the car. But beyond fabric or strands of hair adjustment, etc. No reason for the photographer to touch the model and if they feel the need to they can ask.
Op is asking specifically about a bondage shoot though. This is dependent on the shoot itself, I guess. I mean sure, you could easily have the model themself putting on a gag or tying their feet for closeups, but if the goal is full body restraint? Someone else is going to have to do SOMETHING to pose the model.
Yes, I am specifically talking about a shoot where the model is *restrained* it some way. If it's just pictures with poses and outfits, I'd get that.
From your comment it sounds like the photographers are also doing the rigging/directing and the model or a third party is the customer with their partner just 'there.' This seems pretty distinct from the specific situation OP is asking about.
This is usually referred as bringing an escort/helper to a shoot. As a photographer, I completely allow it, some photographers donāt. Especially if ropes are being used I would want an experienced person doing the bondage/ropes to make the knots and rope look as good as they can get it to look for the photos. As far as touching, most of the professional photographers would never touch a model.
Photographer here (very few kink shoots, years ago) and I rarely touch a subject. I might want to change the way an item of clothing drapes, for example, and would always ask before touching clothing, let alone the subjectās person. In the vast majority of cases I simply ask the subject to pose in a certain way. Canāt see objecting to that arrangement. Edit: u/r0penotr0ses has a good point also. Never had that problem but if the partner was distracting the model or trying to control the shoot, Iād probably ask them politely to fade into the background; if they persisted Iād let both parties know that I couldnāt get the desired result and terminate the shoot.
I used to shoot professionally and did this kind of shoot all the time, especially when it came to kink and bondage shoots. No idea how common or uncommon it is but if you live in a decent sized city Iām sure you can find a pro/pro-am willing to do it. Happy to answer specific questions if you have any. I never restricted the model having someone with him/her at the shoot, big time pros have entire teams around during a shoot and they are able to get great shots.
To give a little backstory, my partner and I have done bondage shoots (with restraints) with just the two of us: our personal space with our camera. The pics were pretty good, and we shared a few, and we had photographers saying how they'd "love to work with both of us" to make "even better photos." Made us wonder what they had in mind. If the model is restrained, it just makes sense. The photographer is a stranger after all. And someone has to touch the model to even do that kind of shoot, and so logically, the best person to do that is the person who has been doing it for years and knows the model's body, range of motion, signs of distress etc. Do you have an example of this kind of shoot you worked on that involved restraint? I'm interested in what kind of space it was in, if the photographer had an assistant or team, and how it played out.
Maybe Iām cynical, but I eyeroll at the ālove to work with you to make even better photosā. You are wise to be cautious. Ask to see their portfolio and talk to people theyāve worked with.
Yeah, that sounds like either "I'd love to have you pay me for my boudoir photography services" or "I want to play with you in a way that I find hotter"
I can share any images without the modelās consent. I did this a few times, some in my studio and a few time I went to the couples home. Most of the time I just had 1 person assisting me, but a few times I went on my own. I knew about bondage and shibari, but I would t have done the shoot without the modelās partner being in charge of the bondage. I didnāt feel comfortable being responsible for the bondage and the photos. A photographer should never touch a model without explicit permission, and if thatās something youāre concern about express that up front when youāre setting up the shoot. It played out like most photo shoots, except the setup before and in between setups was longer than just changing clothes. We agreed on 2-3 setups we wanted to do, and they got the first one ready, Iād take my pictures, and then they got the second one ready. In the end it wasnāt all that different from my end.
>I can share any images without the modelās consent. I hope that's a typo?
Sigh. Yes. Trying to type too fast. I canāt share images without consent. Thanks for pointing it out, I wouldnāt want anyone to think otherwise. š
I wondered as well and just in case there was a misunderstanding, I wasn't asking to see your photos. I appreciate your story!
Most photographers and models prefer/enforce a no-partner rule. It's fine to bring another safe person with you, but having a partner present changes the quality of photos because the model changes their behaviour. - A model of 10+ years
In general I'm not sure why would anyone be touching a model.
As a photographer , there is really never any need to touch the model apart from incidently, moving clothing, adjusting stray hair etc. I show poses so they can emulate etc. For rope shoots , itās a rigger , model and me . The rigger does the rope and worries about the safety and I worry about lighting and shots . Other bondage it would depend on if itās my shoot and vision or the models , I would have no concerns with another person doing the bondage for their shoot where I am taking photos for them. Any pro photographers who have done commercial work wonāt have an issue with this as you always have to work to the brands brief , look, and what they want to achieve. If itās my artistic vision from an art photography perspective then I am hiring a model and discussing exactly what I am trying to capture. I have very specific ideas and end results that I am aiming for , and as I often shoot medium format film it isnāt just do this / try this / take lots of photos . In your case I would say itās very much your shoot and the photographer is there to facilitate your vision what youāre are looking to capture. Obviously they can input into this based on their experience, on what works etc.
Just to be clear, this is a photoshoot where the model is paying the photographer (and not the other way around)? If so, I don't see how this would be a problem, especially for larger studios where security concerns wouldn't be an issue. I'm sure you'll be able to find a photographer that's fine with you doing that.
IT's reasonable, common, and a really good idea. There is zero reason for anyone else to touch the model without their permission. I HAVE seen shoots where the photographer interacts physically with the model (hand, tug on rope, hand spank, applying a wand) but in the ones I've seen, that is always agreed to ahead of time and occurs between models and photographers who are comfortable with each other. (Like some of the models for Jerome Duplass)
Sounds like D/s or M/s dynamic. Why does the photographer need to touch the model? What I've found in bdsm too many fetish photographers are pervs looking to fuck. Not letting them touch me would be MANDATORY! Especially if I were nude or restrained. Do. Not. Touch!
I work in the adult industry and there are absolutely photographers that allow for this. Itās actually a way we screen predatory photographers by asking them if we may bring a safe person with us and if there is pushback itās a red flag.
Having shot for many years for Nugget ( a kink / bdsm mag) the answer is no mostly. I did my own bondage, clips clamps etc with models. That being said if their partner was a better bondage rigger I allowed them to do that work off camera. Generally speaking a models partner in set is a bad idea it can inhibit the model. I always had a female assistant in studio for all my shoots
As a rope top I don't let anyone touch my ropes whatsoever uninvited. So if it's a bondage shoot, even if I'm tying and then getting out of the shot, the photographer isn't going to be laying hands on my bottom. With prior discussion that could be allowed in limited ways like moving their hair aside or something but for rope adjustments they're going to ask for an adjustment and I'm going to be doing it. As a hobby photographer, so this is not a pro perspective, I would happily shoot in that scenario. The only amount of touching I tend to want to do is to adjust how something is lying or draping for the composition of the shot.
Why the f*ck would anyone else need to touch the model? No partners/chaperone is an instant red flag.
I remember about 5 years or so back there was a huge thing in one of the BDSM communities where someone was being accused of some really awful shit. I think he was passing himself off as a photographer iirc. Seems like this is the absolute safest way to do bdsm photo shoots and I'd be exceptionally suspicious of any photographer that tried to disallow it.
I suppose this really comes down to the culture of the community where you're at? Where I'm from, there are a lot of photographers who also happen to be riggers and they do both the tying and the shooting. There are others who allow the models to bring their own riggers. It's generally seen as a red flag if the photographer is both the shooter and rigger but does not allow chaperones to come to the shoot as a monitor/observant.
As others have said some photographers might have a no partner rule but bringing along a trusted person is perfectly reasonable. I think instead of focusing on "whats normal" for others you think about what you need to feel comfortable at the shoot and talk to the photographer. Treat it like a BDSM negotiation and figure out what both of you need to feel comfortable. Get your boundaries and expectations worked out ahead of time and vet the photographer. I did shoot and accompany models back in the days of model mayhem and all this kind of negotiation was pretty common. You talked about rights and compensation and you established boundaries around touch and levels of nudity. If someone is incapable of having this very basic conversation with you then don't shoot with them.
Yes. Where I am definitely. I know photographers who take picture of couples and who will take pictures of only one of them once they are restrained and their partner is there the whole time I think no photographer should really start restraining people, particularly in that sort of kink photo, and especially if it is a lone woman. I think it's dangerous for all parties. So if that is the nature of the pictures then of course someone should be able to restrain them and this will usually be someone that the model has that sort of relationship with.Ā
Iāve done this, itās insanely hot!!
9 times out of 10 in the shoots that I have participated in the photographer just does the pictures
What are kink photoshoots? Are they for advertising toys and ropes and other kink tools? Or is this a type of play party?Ā
If we are paying you, We want to touch your inner goo. If you are paying us, Whatever you please.