To survive, abbywinters.com must differentiate from our commercial competitors and from freely available content. To gain and retain paying customers, we need to make high quality shoots (note, this does not mean, 8k video and 30mp images! The context here is creative quality).

Shoots Produced at Level 3 meet the abbywinters.com paradigm’s minimum standard. It’s also possible for a shoot to not contain anything off-paradigm and still be low quality (regardless of the Level the Shoot Producer is on).

The biggest influence on shoot quality is a happy and engaged model 😅 (how we present this expectation to models). We estimate that half of that comes from the people we recruit as models (we’re very careful in this, but we for sure don’t always get it right). There are a few techniques for Shoot Producers to deal with this.

But an equal part of what makes a high quality shoot is how the model is led and inspired on a shoot day by their Shoot Producer (more info on how Shoot Producers create the appropriate atmosphere on set).

Apart from the model’s own personality, high quality shoots tend to have these attributes that are in the control of the Shoot Producer. These things form the core of Level 4 Solo shoots, which pay Shoot Producers a higher fee, and have more freedom from the tight controls of the Shoot Assessment system.

• Preparing models well, so they understand what’s expected;
  • This helps models engage in the process without fear or hesitation. The Pre Shoot Briefing is a main part of this.
  • The Company takes care of most model preparation, but there are several touch-points for the Shoot Producer as well!
• Identifying and taking advantage of opportunities that arise during the shoot
  • For example, acting out models’ skills or experiences; digging deeper into stories; capturing unexpected situations; pushing boundaries
• Engineering extensive no-nude material, at each of the three No-nude sub-levels;
  • Spending more time on these for lower-Posing Level shoots
• Making each Must-Have “sing”, for both Stills and Video;
  • That is, consider how lens length, DoF, light, clothing, and tiny adjustments by the model, setting, background, audio, and model movement can emphasise the key aspects of the shot
• Actively make set-dressing a feature of the shoot
  • Identify cohesive looks that create striking imagery – or alternatively, fine-tune naturalistic looks to really drive home the shoot’s narrative
• Shooting in several Settings of one Location
  • (more information on the difference between the Setting and the Location)
  • That is, while most of the shoot might be “on the bed”, also capture some of the shoot in the hallway and in the bathroom – as well as a sequence shot outside
• Engineering “obvious” Clothing Use opportunities to their best possible advantage
  • eg, cleavage, perfect upskirt; down blouse
• Directing models to behave sexually (within the paradigm!), and encouraging them
  • For example, interacting with their bodies in slow, intimate and engaged ways
  • Directing the model to push her bum out in poses where her bum is visible
  • Being careful not to devolve into porn tropes
• Have the model be genuinely happy in the shoot
  • That is, wide smiles, laughing because she is having a good time laughing at the Shoot Producer’s jokes!
• Exploring new and diverse fetishes deeply
  • Use the Fetish Finder tool
  • Aim to capture a new one in depth sequence in each shoot
• Maximal coverage of the highest Posing Level, in various poses.
  • That is, covering the extents of the Posing Level (ie, directing the model to do the “most extreme” parts of their selected Posing Level).
• Lighting the model to show her form and texture
  • Use lighting techniques to improve the look of images – lighting the background, adding backlight / rim-light, mastering high-key lighting techniques, mastering shooting outside in shade, and in sun
• Directing unique MMaiA activities that feel like a window into the model’s real life
  • That is, naturalistic things this model really does (or could) do
• Holding recorded conversations with the model that are engaging for customers
  • Asking follow-up questions to dig deeper into the underlying story our customers will find interesting
• Designing the shoot so parts feel spontaneous
  • Engineering situations that allow the model to experiment and explore
  • Work with the model so she feels empowered to do spontaneous things

This is how SP’s move up to, and stay on Level 4.

Over time, this standard may change.

abbywinters.com technical shoot standards are defined in detail in the training page, Technical assessment areas. This FAQ page is only a summary.

The relevant technical areas, and the minimum standards for shoots are as follows;

• Lighting
  • Models are clearly illuminated, emphasising their form and texture. Naturalistic in style. Practical lights are present in scenes.
  • Never high-contrast; no hard shadows
  • For excellence: Use the high-key lighting style; mix multiple sources
• Exposure
  • The available dynamic range is fully used. Secondary effects of exposure controls are managed to the benefit of the abbywinters.com paradigm.
  • Over-exposed background elements are acceptable, so long as models are correctly exposed.
• White Balance
  • Crisp white whites and true colours, regardless of the colour temperature of the light source
  • Full-spectrum light sources are required to be used
  • Auto-WB function may never be used on shoots.
• Close-Ups
  • Close and technically proficient, matching other technical standards listed here.
  • For excellence: Extremely close, using a Canon 500D CU adapter (or equivilent), or a macro lens
• Focus
  • The areas the customer wants to see, are in focus. Typically f8 for the entire shoot.
• Practical DoF
  • The depth of field allows customers to see what they want to see, at the same time in the same image
  • F8 should be considered a minimum
  • For excellence: f11 for the entire shoot
• Framing and composition
  • Crop in-camera when shooting, and arranging elements in the frame pleasingly. Show all of the model in full-body shots.
  • For stills, prefer to never be wider than 70mm lens length (for a 35mm frame), 50mm as the absolute widest for “day-to-day” images. Occasional full wide (eg, 24mm) is acceptable.
  • For video, tend not to “chase the action” (set a frame, and let the model move within it).
  • For video, always zoomed fully out wide – never zoom in
  • For video, use “steady shot” always enable function in camera
• Audio (video only)
  • Clearly recorded audio with a dedicated highly-directional mic that’s monitored during recording.
  • Minimal background sound, and no kids screaming, pet sounds, AC hum, TV sounds, music, or similar.
• Grooming
  • Models appear neat, clean, healthy and wholesome. Exceptions may be granted on a shoot-by-shoot basis by the WhatsApp Collective.
• Must-Have shots
  • Essential shots our customers demand are captured to a high technical standard, in every shoot.
• Additionals (Backstage; AW Ed; Dressing Room).
  • Shoot brief followed, well-captured
• Clothing selection
  • On-paradigm clothes selected.
• Setting selection
  • Enhances abbywinters.com paradigm and exposes new aspects of model.

What we mean by “fetish” in this context

Many aspects of nude models are subject to fetishisation (that is, some people find those aspects particularly erotic). This is not limited to BDSM-style fetishes (whips, chains, restraint, leather, etc) – the most benign things are fetishised.

In the abbywinters.com paradigm, these are often physical characteristics (for example, a model having red hair or large breasts), but could also be activity based (doing yoga; flashing; peeing) or clothing-based (for example, cameltoe with panties; wearing a T-shirt without a bra).

We do not aim to cover every possible fetish, but there are many that are known to be appealing to a larger subset of our customers.

Shoot Producers (and editors) must be able to identify, capture and promote these to satisfy our customers.

Fetishes are primarily presented to customers via Fetish pages, which are linked in Raves and on the Browse page.

How fetishes are captured

Some fetishes are going to be captured regardless of what a Shoot Producer or Editor does (a non-white model, for example, or a redheaded model), but all should accentuated to satisfy customers in the best possible way. That is defined in our Fetish Finder app (more info).

First, we Recognise the moment is of value.

Then we work to enhance it (refining location and clothing; Direct the model into poses and activities)

Then, we shoot it to its best advantage.

Finally, callback to it later in the shoot.

Editors will feature in the Promo edit, consider its inclusion for a Feature Image suggestion, and add it (and English variations) to the “keywords” field in the PPCMS, so customers can find it easily.

The clothes models wear in shoots is critical to the abbywinters.com Paradigm. Our customers see appealing clothed young women all the time, and the more we can do to resonate with those memories, the more successful our site is at gaining new customers, and retaining our existing customers.

See also, the Clothing SDLP and associated Fact Sheet.

Before the shoot

• Get familiar with what clothes models are asked to bring
  • If there are exceptions (that is, the model is not able to bring what has been requested), the Model Liaison will have let the Shoot Producer know
• Confirm the model is bringing special clothes, in the days before the shoot
  • For example, uniforms or other items that have been discussed
  • remind the model, and get her active agreement that those items are being brought to the shoot day

On the shoot day

• Ask the model to spread out all the clothes she brought
  • On a bed is ideal
  • Prompt the model, “Is that everything you brought?” (some models “hold back” items they are embarrassed about, sometimes these are the very best items, like old panties!)
• Ask for the model’s permission to handle her clothes
  • Use a phrase like “Is it ok if I pick these up?”
• Discard items obviously unsuitable (eg, high heels, black t-shirts, camel-coloured leggings, etc)
  • Ask the model to put these back in her bag, “They’re not quite right for our shoot today”
• Review remaining items – look for the best ones
  • Put the best ones aside
  • It’s appropriate to engage the model with comments like, “That’s perfect for the shoot, we’ll use that for sure!”, “That’s cute, I wonder how we can fit that in?”, “How well-fitted is that?”, “How far down does that dress fall on you?”
• Check what the model is wearing now
  • Have a Backstage camera ready! 📸
  • Ask the model to show the bra and panties she is currently wearing, by pulling up her top / down her pants / lifting up her skirt
  • These items may also be similar for the shoot itself
• Assemble the starting outfit
  • Generally, bra, panties, top and bottoms (skirt / shorts / pants / dress), and accessories like a hat, scarf, hair clips, headband, jacket, or similar
  • Gather these into a pile – the model will change into these next
• Consider what other clothes are also excellent
  • Often there will be several of the same item that are ideal for shooting in
  • Work to find ways to incorporate these into the shoot. For example, if the model has two excellent T-shirts, consider one for the start of the shoot, and towards the end of the shoot, ask the model to wear the other one with no bra, and explore that in depth!
  • Outer wear can work very well when worn otherwise nude
  • Bring these extra clothes to the shooting space, so they will not be forgotten
• Ask the model to change into the selected clothes for the shoot
  • Offer to leave the room and shut the door, or ask her to get changed into those clothes in the bathroom or similar private space
• Assess the clothes on the model when she is dressed
  • Double check the model is wearing the requested clothes!
• Consider what left-over clothes could be used as “set dressing” in the selected shoot settings
  • These will make the setting feel more lived in.

Funny story

When Garion was making a shoot in 2007 of a first-time model, he thought he gave clear instructions to the model to get changed into the selected clothes, he handed her the clothes, and sent her off to the bathroom to get changed. Meanwhile, he set up the lights and shooting space in the lounge room with the trainee photographer.

Soon after, the model very shyly came in to the shooting space… nude! Garion and the trainee burst out laughing at the model doing something so wrong – the model said very innocently, “Oh I thought this was a nude shoot?”.

Garion and the trainee felt terrible for laughing, because the model was embarrassed she made this mistake at all – and the mistake was her being nude when she shouldn’t be – a pretty big one (nightmare material?)!

The model went and got dressed in the selected clothes, and when she came out she was in very good spirits, laughing at her misunderstanding. Of course, Garion and the trainee were very supportive (and super–apologetic for laughing!). The model made a great shoot, and said she had a great time – and she went on to make many shoots with abbywinters.com after that.

So, it pays to give clear instructions. 🙂

While it’s ultimately up to the Shoot Producer how they direct models into poses, from experience we’ve found it best not to show models pose ideas images, for a few reasons. Every situation is different, and your own judgement is paramount, but here are our considerations.

Missed opportunities when getting into a pose

While you direct a model “piece by piece” into a pose, you’ll often see things / have ideas to capture right then (ie, before she attains the actual “destination” pose).

As you’ve been trained in the abbywinters.com paradigm, you’re more likely to gradually direct her into a pose with these opportunities in mind, and that journey can result in some excellent poses as well!

Reference images can have subtle aspects that models miss

Being mostly amateurs, our models often don’t “get” what it is about a pose that is good.

Small things like pointing toes, pushing bum up, keeping hair placed right, hiding tattoos, positioning clothing items – these can all make or break a pose. But they’re often not clear in reference images.

Reference images are designed to inspire the SP, not the model

Almost always, what’s in a reference pic is not actually the exact pose we want, it’s an idea that you filter through your understanding of the abbywinters.com paradigm, the location, the model, the Posing Level, the clothing, lighting, and so on.

The valuable part of a reference pic is what it triggers in your head (based on that training and experience), not what it “literally” shows. So, by showing the pic to the model, you send her mixed messages which can be confusing.

Reference images are often off-paradigm

Reference images are often “off paradigm” – models in them might wear heels or makeup, or have fake boobs, etc, and are often doing the duck-face (some may even have a male model fucking them. That’s not suitable to show to a nude-only model – she might assume the Shoot Producer is about to undress and fuck her!).

Also, some models may be put-off by the “porniness” – or worse, assume that’s how we want them to behave (it isn’t)! Imagine her thinking, “Do they want me to pose like a porn star? In my Info Session, they said they’re not into that kinda thing!”.

Backstage images are a required element of every shoot day at abbywinters.com. Their importance, along with some shooting tips, are documented in the What makes a good Backstage image FAQ.

This FAQ page analyses excellent Backstage examples from which Shoot Producers can take inspiration.

Great Backstage examples, December 2021

These images are the standout images from Backstage release 570

This image of Sonya is successful for a few reason:

• The models eye contact and wide smile invite customers to share in this fun moment with her
• The down-blouse tease is good – looks unplanned (Backstage images can be engineered, but “happy accidents” happen all the time, so be on the lookout for them)
• The eye mask treatment cream below her eyes is a great feminine grooming activity to show
  • Customers are fascinated by these sorts of things, as they are alien to them. The mask is especially suitable because it is feminine beauty care, yet involves no make up – very on-paradigm!
• The eye mask cream looks a little like something a sports fan might wear as part of their “war makeup” – playful vibes and easy to imagine this model in a real world setting (“at the game”)
• Improvements;
  • More in-focus, and better lit – always preferred, but technical standards for Backstage are lower, and the lower technical quality differentiates the media from the production shoot… but better focus and lighting are always preferred.

The above image of Hania and Sarah Q is successful for the following reasons:

• Models appear are unaware of the camera – it’s a real moment
• Models emotions are positive and easy to read
• Models are happy – confirms models enjoy working here (ethical company)
• Shows models likeable personalities

Many customers enjoy the pee fetish, and it should be captured whenever there is an opportunity.

Not all models are comfortable (or able) to pee on camera during a shoot but many of those models might be comfortable posing for a Backstage image on the toilet. Reference material;

• More info about how to capture peeing scenes in Fetish Finder
• How we present peeing on-camera to models
• How to ask a model about peeing on camera SP FAQ

Respect model boundaries, it is never ok to follow a model into the bathroom with a camera without having a conversation first but that is a conversation that should be had:

How would you feel if I took a Backstage picture of you on the toilet?

Great Backstage examples, December 2020

These images are the standout images from Backstage release 524

Models and crew at work

The above Backstage images are excellent as they show models and Shoot Producers at work. This allows customers to imagine what it would have been like to be in the room as the content was created.

Achieving images like this is only possible when there is an additional person on set. For GGT3 and GBT3 shoots, a SCO is required anyway, which is ideal for Backstage. For GGT3 shoots if the SCO happens to arrive a little early (during the end of Stills), there is a perfect opportunity for these types of images to be taken.

On GBT3 shoot days the SP always shoots the female alone for an introduction. During that time the male performer should be encouraged to take Backstage images of the SP and the female model as they work together.

On IM days, encourage models who are not in the scene currently being set up to take Backstage images.

Unless models do not feel comfortable, always utilise opportunities to document models and crew at work.  An example of when Backstage images would not be suitable is during a GGT3 shoot if the arrival of the SCO is distracting or alarming for the models or if the models are struggling with the scene.

Model comfort and producing a good main shoot is more important than Backstage images. In such a situation, the SCO should go to another room to wait for the Stills to be completed. Backstage images will still be required, they will just be captured during an easier part of the day when everyone is more relaxed, at times outside of the main work.

All SPs shoots are suitable for ‘while they work’ Backstage images

Not all SPs are comfortable having their face in Backstage images or are suitable to have their face in Backstage images (that is, it’s never appropriate for male SPs to appear in Backstage images). This does not mean that images of the SP working with the models should not be taken. Careful framing can ensure customers get to see how shoots are produce while maintaining the SPs anonymity.

Models highlighting a fetish

This image of Chloe V and Andrea is successful for the following reasons:

• Highlights a models glasses – a fetish
• The personal personal prop is used in a creative way – customers can see one of each models eyes in the lens of the glasses
• One model is naked, one model is clothed (nice contrast)
• Models look happy and are close together
• The models are having fun, this is a playful image that feels spontaneous
• Improvements
  • Seeing all of Andreea’s breasts would have improved this image

Models having fun

This image of  Andrea is successful for the following reasons:

• Models nude breasts look great
• Takes place near an open window – risk of neighbours seeing is a bit exciting; shows we are in a real home not a studio
• Feels spontaneous
• Models having fun with clothing

The above image came about after the models found a card on set with the saying “always be yourself unless you can be superman, then always be superman”. It is excellent that their SP had created an on set environment where the models felt free to explore this idea further on camera by creating a superhero cape for Andrea.

Models in the real world

Seeing models in real world settings helps confirm they are real people (who do things away from set) and feeds into the fantasy that our customers might one day see an abbywinters.com model in real life. We do not encourage that in reality by sharing models real names or locations, but customers enjoy daydreaming about it.

This image of Maia and Ivanna is successful for the following reasons:

• Models are in a “real world” setting (not an abbywinters.com shoot setting)
• The models have chosen to hang out after the shoot – supports the paradigm of our models being friendly and having fun! This is not just a job they do, then they rush home
• The models are eating the cream off their hot chocolates in a feminine way, they are not just drinking them but using their tongues to lap the cream off the top using tiny mouth movements (a stereotypical manly man would probably not consume a hot chocolate like this)

Great Backstage examples, September / October 2020

This image of Danna is successful for the following reasons:

• Capturing models away from the shoot setting gives a “fuller” feeling of the whole of the shooting day (not just the parts in the shoot space)
• Customers like seeing models in the real world – more public is better, but on a driveway is still good
• Improvements
  • The light is not flattering here (emphasising the size of her nose), flash should have been used to fill her eyes, or the model asked to take a few steps back
  • Dogs are positive energy in the world, and always evoke positive emotions in customers. If the model tolerates dogs, showing her interacting with a dog should always be captured

This image of the model Lotte L is successful for a few reasons:

• The model is not posed – she is busy with an activity
  • While it can be good to pose models for the camera in Backstage images, it is equally valuable seeing models engaged with an activity – it gives a sense of realism to the Backstage content (like a documentary about making an abbywinters.com shoot)
  • SPs aim to include several images where models are not looking to the shoot camera (as if they are unaware of it) in each Backstage set
• Lots of well placed props
  • The floor around the model acts as an “advert” for what will happen within the shoot. There are pegs, sex toys, headphones, several piles of clothes – this will make customers curious for what happened in this models shoot
  • This image can be used for POTD for this reason. POTD is one of the tools the business uses to retain customers. Customers are important as they fund everything the company does!
• The images is landscape orientation
  • The image fully fills the computer screen of customers (no wasted space, wall to wall model)
  • The image can be used for POTD, which requires the landscape orientation

 

These images are successful for a few reasons:

• The inclusion of gear in frame instantly gives a “Backstage feeling”
  • The images feel very different to production images (always preferred)
• The images document part of the day separate to the shoot itself
  • The first images shows models doing paperwork; the second image shows models packing a suitcase
  • Customers are interested in what happens outside of the main scene so it is important to capture these kinds of events in addition to moments showing models in the shoot space.
  • These moments might include, models arriving, models traveling, models buying / making lunch, models showering, other model grooming, models helping with gear, models moving furniture, the physical warm up etc
  • Warm ups are a requirement for every shoot and make great Backstage content
• The models are clearly having fun
  • Customers care about the ethical treatment of models and want confirmation that they had a good time producing the content. Seeing happy models gives customers “permission to masturbate”
  • Happy models also shows how likable the models personalities are

Great Backstage examples, August 2020

This image of the model Noemi is successful for a few reasons:

• It shows part of the shoot day process (pre-shoot grooming)
• It does not look “staged”, looks like it was taken in the moment
• Clear the model is in a real home, not a studio
• The model’s facial expression. She is starting to giggle supporting the idea that shooting for abbywinters is fun

This image of the model Fiona T is very successful for a few reasons:

• Gear in shot
• INS posing level (rarely shot for Backstage)
• The model is happy
• The model is not “posing for the camera”, this is a genuine moment
• Improvements:
  • None – this is excellent!

This image of the models Pascal, Zhen, Margherita, and Noemi (shot on a DIM-SIM day) is very successful for the following reasons:

• Landscape – fills the screen
• Wide context
  • Proves the shoot took place in a home and not a studio
  • Very different to Production Stills which typically have tighter frames
• Includes all of the models present on that shoot day
• All the models are nude
  • More appealing (customers pay to see naked models)
  • Customers are able to compare the models bodies
  • (this is very likely directed, as on a DIM-SIM day, it’s unlikely all models would be nude at the same time. Excellent!)
• Involves gear
  • Many customers are fascinated by how shoots are made and relish specific details about the exact lights and camera models being used
  • Showing gear in frame further differentiates Backstage images from production images
• Even though the image is posed, there is a feeling of spontaneity.
  • The models are having fun and are in a moment not a serious freeze frame
• Improvements
  • This is an extremely successful Backstage image
  • The only small improvement would be if the camera tilted down to show less ceiling and more of the model’s feet – despite this, it’s very good!

Great Backstage example, February 2019

This image of Alessia and Danai is successful for a few reasons:

• Excellent light
  • Getting the models to stand with the light behind them created beautiful texture and form on their skin and hints at how the main scene was lit (a nice technical detail)
• The inclusion of the window in frame is very on-paradigm, it brings the outside in, and adds a pop of colour, and further indicates this is not a “studio” shoot
• The models are being “sexually friendly” with the boob-grabbing
• The models are happy and engaged in what they are doing
  • This is probably highly directed and posed, but it feels natural and comfortable
• The different focuses of the models
  • When SPs have two models together, having one focused on what they are doing, while the other acknowledges the Backstage camera is very fun, as customers get the best of both worlds – they are witnessing a “real” event happening on-set but one of the models is welcoming them into that moment through eye contact with the camera.
• There’s a technical exposure “problem” on Alessia’s hair, imperfect focus, and some lens flare – this is all totally fine for Backstage images.
• Improvements
  • There is no possible way this image could be improved – it is excellent!

Great Backstage examples, December 2018

The above images are successful for the following reasons:

• Multiple models included
• The SP forward-planned
  • To have props ready
  • To take Christmas POTD image when there were maximum models on set
  • To capture these images a month before the date of the event

Great Backstage examples, November 2018

This image of Elah is successful for the following reasons:

• The picture feels “ad hoc”, not posed or staged
• It shows the model doing an activity that is part of the day (stuff customers do not get to see in the main shoot)
• Visually appealing  as she is not fully dressed,
• Engaging,  as she is smiling to camera
• The mirror adds a nice artistic touch and helps to reveal her naked breast

HWB – Handwritten Bios is where models write a note, a few words about how they feel before the shoot, and separately how they feel after the shoot.

They are a small differentiator for us from our competitors, and much loved by our customers as a way to get an insight both into how the model was feeling before and after the shoot, but also to see a different dimension of her personality. How she writes and draws provides new information about the model, and helps customers feel they know the model better.

Some Shoot Producers find HWB’s “silly” – and even make (or infer) that representation to models! This works against our cohesive team and is never appropriate. HWB’s are part of the product the Shoot Producer is paid to create, part of what we sell to customers.

There are some things models must not mention on HWB’s;

• Internal codes
  • For example, using phrases like “IM” or GGT3″. These are not used in customer-facing environments (nor should they be for model-facing!)
• Models mentioning other models on set
  • For example, if a model is on a DIM-SIM day, there’s likely to be several other models present. It’s not appropriate for her to mention other models in her SIM HWB, and it’s only appropriate to mention her shoot partner in her DIM HWB
  • This is because the SIM and DIM shoots will be released weeks or even months of each other, and these shoots are released as their own
• Dates or events
  • Shoots we make are not released in sequence, or near to the time they were produced. We get more value from a shoot for the 10+ years it’s on the site, than from the first month
  • HWB’s should never “date” the shoot by specifying the date the shoot happened, mentioning current news / events, social movements, cultural touchstones (eg, Christmas)
  • It’s ok to mention seasons and countries, however, or abstract events like a “family gathering”, “a music festival” or similar
• Other names they (or others on-set) use
  • For example, their name on OnlyFans, reddit, Twitter or similar
• Surname initials
  • Models are not required to identify themselves with site-surname initial (that is, a model with a sitename of “Hypolita R” can sign their HWB simply as “Hypolita”).

Shoot Producers must thoroughly check HWBs before the model leaves set for the day, and have models replace HWBs that do not meet requirements.

The specific requirements of a HWB are defined on this model-facing page.

Anti Fetishes are things that we work hard to never capture, or work to reduce the effect of (similar to how we work hard to emphasise good fetishes, we work to de-emphasise or completely hide these).

These apply in all shoot types.

De-emphasise: “Saggy” breasts

Models with “saggy” breasts are usually selected out when models apply, but sometimes they have many positive attributes that “outweighs” their breast sagginess, so are scheduled for shoots. Models with smaller breasts that are “saggy” than those with larger breasts, where the “sagginess” is “expected”.

Shoot Must Haves as normal, but otherwise, never make a feature of “saggy” breasts.

Mitigate this physical attribute in shoots by;

• Keep bra on for longer (for example)
• Do not take bra fully off
• Pose with arms up
• Use clothes to shape breasts (see, Livia V)
• Have model wear a tight crop top with no bra
• Use prop like a large hair-band or belt to “bind” breasts
• Hang breasts over a Thing (for example)

Don’t shoot: Some food play

Cutting an orange in half, then putting each half on a breast = 😀

Smearing peanut butter or Nutella all over her body = 🤢

De-emphasise: Tattoos

Models are selected to not have tattoos, but it’s not always possible for every model to have no tattoos.

Occasionally, the CD will add a note to a model’s MDB record that some specific, or all of a model’s tattoos can be shown in the shoot. In those cases, they should be ignored.

Otherwise, they should be hidden. More info.

De-emphasise: Body piercings

Earrings are always fine, and never need to be removed.

All other body piercings should be removed (models are told about this several times in the lead up to their shoot).

Occasionally, models may be permitted to leave a piercing in place, this will be indicated with an import-flagged note in the MDB. In that case, ignore the piercings in the shoot.

Ignore: Stretch marks

Stretch marks come from rapid body changes, perhaps from growing up, or changing body weight.

We consider stretch marks to be scars, and thus are to be ignored during the shoot. Models may refer to them in Conversation, but it’s not appropriate to get CU shots or dwell on them.

Don’t shoot: Chewing gum

It’s never appropriate, under any circumstances, for a model to be chewing gum in a shoot.

Don’t shoot: Sunglasses

It’s ok for a model to wear sunglasses in a few shots, but never more than that (customers want to clearly see the model’s eyes, with nothing in the way).

De-emphasise: Leg hair

Some models choose to not shave their legs (even if we ask them to).

Leg hair is not a fetish that most customers enjoy – in fact, most customers actively dislike leg hair (some customers have cancelled their subscription because we have shown model’s leg hair).

Occasionally, the Creative Director approves shoots of models with leg hair. If a model has leg hair on a shoot day, we should not capture it in closeups or mid shots, and the model should not talk about it during the shoot.

Don’t shoot: Children’s playgrounds

It can be empting to make parts of shoots in children’s playgrounds, as the equipment can help get models into interesting poses… but it’s never appropriate. We never want to be accused of making our models look younger than they are (including, placing them in settings that are ususally used by kids – including children’s bedrooms).

We also do not want to annoy locals whose kids use the playground – who are likely to see a nude model as inappropriate for their kids to see, and may involve the police.

Anti-fetish Sex acts

These activities are never appropriate in multi-model shoots;

• Slapping
• Choking
• Spitting

Galina’s panties

Berlin-based SP Hermann is responsible for the excellent Clothing Use shown above. It is fairly common for SPs to direct models to wear their panties on their breasts as part of the Clothing use Solo assessment area, but going the “whole way” and using two thongs to make what looks like a real bra is unique. While it is encouraged for SPs to recreate known successful ideas, it’s when an SP continues to develop existing ideas in new directions that good content is elevated to excellent content!

In the above images, Galina is doing something unusual with her clothing, not because the assessment system requires her to but because this action is appealing in its own right. All content created to fulfill Solo assessment areas should prioritize being appealing above simply ticking boxes. Hermann’s approach here was fantastic!

Take Aways:

• Recreating successful images, GIFs or ideas is valuable, but spending time further developing those ideas in new directions will lead to improve content.
• When SPs invest time deepening their understanding of abbywinters.com concepts, the easier the SP will find it to deliver.

SP Brad reschedules a shoot

Model Liaison Leena was impressed with the diligence and ethics shown by SP Brad (Los Angeles, USA), when he postponed a shoot due to the model’s prescribed pain medication (following a foot injury) affecting her state of mind.

The green light was given to shoot the model with a clean bandage on, so long as it did not impact her ability to do the shoot. But SP Brad noticed a change in the model’s personality and on investigation, discovered her pain medication was narcotic-based, meaning the model was not in fit state to consent to her actions – making the Release form void – and shooting unethical. 

In addition to his ethical treatment of the model, Brad also did the right thing in rescheduling the shoot, asking when the model was due to stop taking the medication!

If Brad had not already been in verbal communication with the model as part of his pre shoot planning process, this issue would have remained undiscovered until the day of the shoot. Cancelling or rescheduling shoots at any point is always an option but doing so on the shoot day is always more distressing for models and SPs and is also costly – in model travel, accommodation and everyone’s time.

Great work, Brad – very impressive! 

Take aways

• Pre-shoot communication with models helps SPs not only plan for a good shoot, but pick up on potential issues before they happen
• If an SP doubts a model’s ability to consent to anything this should always be followed up on. Consult the Collective if unsure
• If a shoot needs to be rescheduled, immediately gather information to select a new date. The longer a booking takes to arrange, the less likely it is to happen at all.

While Warm Ups can feel time-consuming and sometimes met with eye rolls 🙄 from models, they are an important part in ensuring a successful shoot.

Primary benefits of Warm Ups

• Prevent physical injury (of crew and models)
• Enable models to get into wider stretches and more flexible poses during the shoot. Customers find svelte bodies appealing!
• For Solo, DIM, GG and GB shoots, Vocal Warm Ups help models get used to how they should talk on camera – for example, automatically adding in full details to the stories they reference.
• Help build rapport between models and crew. The Warm Up is a shared, slightly awkward process that everyone does together. It is usual (and fine) for there to be some laughter during the Warm Up and that can help with bonding.

Secondary benefits of Warm Ups

• A great source of Backstage images!

Full information about what is involved with Warm Ups and why is found in the Warm-Up SDLP.

It is never acceptable not to do any of Warm Ups, however there are circumstances when a reduced Warm Up is appropriate.

When is a reduced Warm Up appropriate?

• If the shoot day is running late before it has started, for example the model got lost on the way to the location so arrived late.
• If the model is particularly resistant, meaning a full Warm Up would negatively impacting her mood and the on set atmosphere

What a reduced Warm Up involves

An ideal reduced Warm Up won’t miss out any of the elements of a full Warm Up, they are simply Layered together to save time. For example;

Rather than completing a physical warm up then a vocal warm up the two are combined. In place of holding a stretch for x amount of time, models hold stretches for the length of time needed to quote a line of a tongue twister four times (eg ‘She sells sea shells on the seashore’).

Similarly the Purity Test can be done simultaneously with low cardio parts of the Physical Warm Up, such as held squats or arm, wrist and ankle rotations.

Reducing the warm up due to model-attitude

If a model is finding the Warm Up, ‘pointless’, ‘beneath them’ or ‘too embarrassing’,  it can be reduced so long as the model has:

• Done enough of a Physical Warm Up to safe guard against injury eg basic stretches plus 10 seconds of cardio (in place of running the location stairs in full and doing a full list of stretches).
• Demonstrated to the SP that they understand the requirements to add in full details to all stories they share on camera and for Solo shoots, the need to put the SPs question within each answer they give.

A model either struggling with or having a poor attitude about the Warm Up is a Red-flag 🚩! In such situations SPs need to monitor the model carefully to ensure she is able to deliver what is required in the booked shoot. If she is not the SP must step in with appropriate direction and support and ultimately cancel the shoot if issues persist.

 

 

Copyright and Trademarks are two legal concepts that are often confused. Let’s define how they practically affect the production of abbywinters.com shoots.

Note that this information is general in nature, and is not to be considered legal advice.

Copyright

Copyright is a bunch of rights belonging to a person who creates “works of expression”. For example;

A photographer takes a photograph. They are considered the “author” of the work), and they own the copyright to that photograph.

To be paid for that work of expression, the photographer may sell exclusive rights to that image (as a press photographer might) but they still retain the copyright of the image. Or, the photographer may choose to assign copyright to another party for money (as happens when a Shoot Producer sells a shoot to abbywinters.com BV).  The photographer may also choose several other things to do with their copyright.

Copyright matters are seldom an issue in our company, as we have established, clearly-worded and legally binding agreements with Shoot Producers.

Trademarks 

Trademarks are intellectual property protection (as opposed to protection of other types of property, like real estate). Companies work hard to develop their brand and distinguish themselves from competitors. Businesses register Trademarks in various jurisdictions, to prevent other businesses from making money with their own brand. A brand can be a combination of shapes, logos, words, “novelty”, signatures, packaging, sounds and scents (and more).

For example;

The shape of the Coca-Cola bottle is a trademark (their logo is trademarked separately).

Coca-Cola believe that if other drinks-makers used the exact same bottle shape that Coke does, people might make the mistake that the product was actually Coke and buy it – taking money away from Coca-Cola company. Trademark government agencies in pretty much every country in the world agrees with that assertion.

It’s up to Coca-Cola company to sue companies who use their trademark (and if Coca-Cola doesn’t, they risk losing their trademark!). Because the trademark was previously registered, Coca-Cola is likely to win such a lawsuit (this is very simplified!).

Incidentally, we have trademarked the abbywinters.com name and logo!

So, what if a model wears a Nike-branded in abbywinters.com shoot? What if she’s measuring herself, and uses a Stanley tape measure? What if she’s sending a text message on her Apple iPhone? Will Nike and Stanley and Apple see that we’re trying to make money from their brand?

So long as we’re not using the media we make to sell a competing service (Fitness wear; hand tools; smart phones) we probably fall into the “fair use doctrine”. That means, it’s reasonable for us to show a model wearing a Nike T-shirt / using a tape measure / messaging on an iPhone, so long as we do it respectfully.

It’s likely that trademark holders will not be happy with the context their brand is appearing, but the chance of a successful suit (and of them proving their brand has been damaged) is low enough to not be “worth the hassle”.

However, we can go too far, and attract unwanted attention to ourselves. For example;

“Mounds” are a well-known chocolate treat in the US. Having a model place some of these on her breasts or pubic mound could be a fun thing to do in a shoot (or backstage image).

It would be fun, it would likely make customers smile… but the people who own the “Mounds” brand are likely to dislike their product being used in that context, and may complain (or worse).

Aim to reduce the risk – practical tips for showing trademarks;

• Tend to select clothes that do not show brand names printed on the front of the clothes
• Do not have the model talk about the item’s brand (mention it’s a smart phone, and that she’s messaging, but not that it’s an iPhone)
• Never “review” real products in an AW video, unless they are sex toys or similar “adult” themed products
• Never “exploit” a brand for our purposes (see the “Mounds” story, above)
• Tend not to mention brands, unless the name is essential to the story
• Tend not to show brands unnecessarily (for example, a banner for “Makita” tools is on the wall behind the sofa where the model will spend a third of the shoot – take the banner down for the shoot!)
• Be aware that all sports teams, book, movie and TV series visual media is trademarked

However, there is no need to take this to extremes. Don’t;

• Put gaffer tape over trademarks that appear in a shoot (a common practise in some genres)
• Never, ever show any brands
• Remove furniture, because it’s made by a well-known company.

 

Fun fact from the AW history books

We were once almost sued for a trademark issue: The model was going to a formal “beauty school” (where people learn the beauty salon trade – making people look pretty). She brought her “school uniform” to the shoot, and the Shoot Producer asked the model to wear it, describe what she did at the school, and what she hoped to do when she graduated.

Turns out, the owner of the school was a customer of abbywinters.com and got their lawyers to send a nasty letter – they claimed we were bringing their business into disrepute. We took the shoot down and paid a large fee to them (instead of going to court to argue the matter, which would have been much more expensive and likely we would have lost).

Since then, we have de-emphasised branded uniforms in shoots, favouring instead “generic” (but still real) uniforms like “hi-viz worker”, “gardener”, or “cook”.

What’s better than one abbywinters.com model – two!

Why use mirrors?

Mirrors can be a great creative tool for parts of a shoot. Mirrors offer several creative opportunities. Mirrors can:

• Double the amount of appealing content within a frame
• Be used as props
• Enable the model to see parts of her body she can not usually see (labia, anus, buttocks)
• Allow customers to see details of the action from two opposite sides simultaneous
• Enable SPs to fill an entire frame wall-to-wall with the model
• Be used as part of a creative narrative

Mirrors are suitable for use in any Shoot Type.

Requirements

Mirrors must be thoroughly cleaned before use. Smears and dirt on the mirror obscure details and looks unprofessional.

Using mirrors to increase the view

In addition to allowing SPs to “pluralise” models within a frame using their reflection, mirrors also help to show more of the Setting. The value in this is that it helps to ‘prove’ that the model is in a real home, not a studio, a big part of the abbywinters.com paradigm.

Using mirrors as a prop

A large mirror attached to the wall or furniture is not a prop, it is considered a set piece. Still very valuable to use in a shoot, but not something that will count towards the Solo assessment area Actively use suitable props.

A handheld or compact mirror is considered a personal personal prop if it belongs to the model or a general prop if the item has been borrowed from the SP or was found within the location.

Each Solo shoot Must Have may be shot at one or several different Posing Levels.

See the spec for each Must Have in Fetish Finder.

The Posing Level for a Must Have must, in this order;

1. Meet the model’s comfort levels
2. Never exceed the model’s stated Posing Level for the shoot
3. Never exceed the Posing level defined in the table below

Must Have name	Appropriate Posing Levels
Bum and face, some clothes, wide	No-Nude Safe; No-Nude Pushing it
Both breasts in bra, CU	No-Nude Safe; No-Nude Pushing it, No-Nude Extreme
Both breasts no bra, CU	Nude
Single breast in profile CU	Nude
Nipple CU	Nude
Bum in panties XCU	Nude; Open Leg; Explicit 🧩
In panties, wide	Nude; Open Leg
Front panties CU	Nude; Open Leg
Panties XCU	Nude; Open Leg
Neutral full body standing nude, wide	Nude
Nude bum CU	Nude; Open Leg; Explicit 🧩
Nude pubic region CU	Nude; Open Leg
OL Bum & face showing HWR, anus visible, wide	Open Leg
OL Bum from behind, anus visible, MCU	Open Leg
OL Vulva with anus XCU	Open Leg
OL Anus XCU	Open Leg
OL pose with anus-visible # 1	Open Leg
OL pose with anus-visible # 2	Open Leg
OL pose with anus-visible # 3	Open Leg
OL pose with anus-visible # 4	Open Leg

🧩 denotes Posing Levels that are most suitable for videos.