It’s rare we work with “professional models” in the full sense (that is, people who make their entire living from nude modelling work), though we do sometimes.
Most often, we work with models who “dabble”, who treat sex work as a hobby in addition to a “real” job (or studying). For some, it’s part-time work, or it’s all the work they can get right now.
However, we commit to all models we work with, that we will treat them as if they are a professional model. Doing so supports models to behave professionally in return, and helps ensure they have a memorable and positive experience with us (meaning they are more likely to make quality shoots, return for more shoots, and refer their friends).
Practical tips for treating models professionally
- Communicate with the model thoroughly before the shoot – set models up to succeed!
- Answer models questions concisely and honestly; admit if you don’t know the answer, find the answer, inform the model
- Ask, don’t tell models when directing
- When models describe how they like feedback (as part of the Pre Shoot Briefing), give them feedback that way!
- Acknowledge that some models may have a “personality clash” with the Shoot Producer.
- Shoot Producers are still courteous and engaged in these situations
- Feedback is given to models regularly during the shoot
- Avoid many problems by setting expectations early
- Check poor performance gracefully, with a collaborative spirit so the model has the opportunity to improve
- Design positive feedback to be constructive and deliver liberally, so the model can do more good things!
- More info on giving feedback to models
- Notify models when their face is in frame, so they can react to the action appropriately
- Always offer the option of privacy for changing clothes and toileting
- But see also, How should I ask a model to pee on-camera?
Help models feel involved in the shoot
Shoots are a collaboration between the Shoot Producer and the model(s). Shoot Producers work to make models feel included in the shoot creation process.
Collaboration means, both the model and Shoot Producer offer ideas to make a good shoot. Shoot Producers know more about what we need from a shoot, so will be in a leadership position here.
Of course, some models will be more involved than others. While the Shoot Producer should never “force” models to be more involved if they clearly don’t want to be, Shoot Producers also should not “give up” too easily. Just because a model did not want to make a decision about the shoot setting, does not mean the model should not be asked to collaborate on clothing or activities.
When asked their opinion or for ideas, models may make choices that matter a lot to the model – so beware of overriding them. Just because a decision is not important to a SP’s day, it may still have a big impact on the model (for example, for sentimental reasons).
Practical tips for helping models feel involved in a shoot
Some practical tips for helping models feel involved in a shoot include;
- Actively look for decisions models can participate in
- Even “less important” decisions can establish the SP and model as equals working together
- The classic example is, “Red socks or blue socks?” when selecting clothes to wear. Both are appropriately colourful for the shoot’s needs, so why not let the model choose?
- Give less-engaged models structured options
- That is, not open-ended like “What shall we do today?”
- For example, “Shall we do the physical activity first, or talking stuff first?” (both have to be done, model chooses the order);
- For example, “Position A or Position B first?” (both will be shot regardless)
- More info on framing questions for model’s input, and dealing with poor or inappropriate suggestions
- Give models tools to help them see what we want – solve the problem together
- Eg, Stand the model by the window, with a bucket of water and a rag and ask the model, “Hm, I wonder what we could do as an activity that involves your whole body moving…?”. Model suggests “Well, I could maybe wash the window?” Win!
- Ask model for her ideas on other aspects of this Thing
- For example, “Anything else you can think of that we should do with this prop?
- “What are some other variations of levels we could do on this sofa?”
- Select shoot settings collaboratively with models, considering model comfort
- SP: “Shooting in front of the window on the floor is going to look great, we’ll have fantastic light, and we’ll see the street scene outside as well!”
- MODEL: Ok, but that concrete floor does not look so comfortable, is there a rug we could put down?”
- SP: “How about this single-seat sofa chair?”
- MODEL: “Oh, that looks really comfortable, thanks!”