We hold ourselves to high standards at abbywinters.com.
It is not enough for us to simply work with young women without sexualy assulting them.
Models are valued and respected contributors to the creation of shoots, on equal footing with Shoot Producers.
While it may seem “easier” to physically move a model’s body part, “caring” by touching when unasked, or “polite” to touch her in some situations, it is not ok to touch models.
Models who are pleased with how little they are touched are more likely to make better shoots, come back for more shoots, and refer their friends to make shoots with us. ✅✅✅
Some models will expect (or at least, accept) being touched by their Shoot Producer. While she may be baffled when her Shoot Producer explains that AW policy is it is not ok to touch models (even if she invites it) in the Pre Shoot Briefing. Model post-shoot feedback is consistently positive in this regard.
This same model will be impressed with our professionalism, and this fact will stay with them long after the shoot. Consider this feedback from models;
Honestly, half way through the shoot on the first day I was astonished that she [SP] had not tried to touch me once, not to move a stray bit of hair from my face, to fix a label on my clothes – nothing, in fact she didn’t touch me once all week! This commitment to professionalism was astounding and blew me away. I felt so comfortable working with her and really respected. (Kayla J)
“I used to visit a sports massage therapist, to treat a hip and shoulder issue. The masseuse did a ‘dance of a 1000 towels’ during our appointments. I would lie on the table in my bra and panties, under a towel. When he needed to access different parts of my body to massage, he would drape several towels over the rest of my body at different angles.
“Maybe it would have been easier for him if I just was naked, and due to the industry I work in I would have been comfortable with that. I often reassured him that he did not need to go to all of this trouble… but it was part of his professionalism – and I was always secretly delighted by the extra efforts to ensure I never felt compromised.” (Masie, Jan 2022)
“When he [SP] is taking pictures or filming. He says when he is coming close and he says when he is taking a close-up so you are ready for it and you never feel like he is going to touch you” (Sena, Sep 2021)
“I was a little nervous but [SP] was really friendly and reassuring. I especially liked the policy that he couldn’t touch me. He didn’t give me any reason to be worried. I just wouldn’t like to be touched while being shown the poses… I appreciate that you guys have this policy.” (Alonya, Oct 2021)
“I know there is a whole thing about [SP] not touching me, and he never did! Even one time there was a position and he told me to ‘Move my leg there… no there…’. I wanted him to just grab my leg and move it but he didn’t even want to do that. So, there was no touching and he actually did it from a bit of a distance.
“This is not my first shoot, I’ve worked with another company. It was like this, it was very nice. Respectful, feminist, talking about boundaries… The other company, they ask for permission to touch your hand, to move your hand… But I found this (AW) very respectful. I never once felt uncomfortable or like it was creepy.” (Justina, Mar 2021)
Be the Shoot Producer every model’s father would want you to be. 😌