Working with models and not touching them

Our rule is that it’s never ok for Shoot Producers to touch models (though there are some minor exceptions). 

Many models come to expect to be touched when doing sex work (it’s common in the industry), but they don’t like it. We commit to models that they will never be touched on shoots with abbywinters.com, and it’s a major point of differentiation for the company. 

It’s not ok to touch models.

We tell models from when they first encounter us that they will not be touched by anyone – not just “not have their boobs groped” or “not be required to give the SP a blowjob” – but that they will not be touched at all. We make this commitment to models in the FAQ’s on our model recruitment site and in our Models Charter.

Here’s why we have a strict policy of not touching models;

• Models should never feel assaulted
• It’s classy
• Build trust in the company’s professionalism
• Improves reputation of the Shoot Producer and Company
• Increases new-model recruitment

Let’s look at each reason in a little more detail;

Models should never feel assaulted

Assault is defined as the act of inflicting unwanted physical contact upon a person (it also has more serious definitions regarding physical harm, but we consider that to be out of scope in this context).

A model feeling assaulted is the most important reason for our no-touching policy. A model should never feel like being touched is something she has to “put up with” or endure on a shoot (nor should anyone in any workplace, regardless of the nature of the work).

While a seemingly-platonic shoulder-touch can seem “normal” in many workplaces, porn shoots are not normal situations. Models are “on guard”, tend to feel vulnerable, and genuinely consider that rape is a real possibility on a shoot. So, models are especially sensitive to touching that might escalate, when they were promised they would not be touched at all. Many models will perceive this as assault – and indeed it is.

Model Lotte shared this story;

…One photographer told me, “You have STD’s but I can cure them when I put my fingers into your vagina, but if it is really bad I need to put my penis inside of you” – I was 17 at the time. 

But after all of that, I came to abbywinters.com and the crew made me love myself again… 

(see Lotte’s full feedback on the Model for abbywinters.com Testimonials page)

It’s not ok to touch models.

It’s classy

We know that being touched is the reason many prospective models choose not to work with companies like ours. Stories of being touched (or sexually assaulted) are so common in the industry that it’s become the standard expectation. Some models see it as “the cost of doing business”.

Not touching people in sexualised environments takes organisation, training and control, but it’s well proven that models have a more enjoyable experience when they can “let go” on a shoot without the fear of being touched.

This has become a point of differentiation for abbywinters.com, a safe space where models can make shoots and know they will not be touched.

It’s not ok to touch models.

Loss of trust in the company’s professionalism and trustworthiness

Loss of trust in our professionalism matters: Once the trust is gone on a shoot, the model’s performance will be more-reserved (that is, she won’t take risks, for fear of more touching). 

The model will tend to be disengaged in the process, being in “survival mode” (not being raped) instead of opening up to being engaged in the shoot. This will result in a shoot that is less-valuable to our customers because our core product is happy models. 

Once the trust is broken it cannot be easily restored. One small bad thing, even one done by accident, can invalidate every good thing done.

So, it’s not ok to touch models.

Loss of reputation of the Shoot Producer and Company

The company succeeds or fails based on its reputation. If we have a reputation for working with Shoot Producers who touch models, these models will not return to work with us and will not refer their friends.

When it comes to touching between a Shoot Producer and a young naked female model, regardless of the facts the “fault” will always appear to lie with the Shoot Producer.

There are many historical cases across the performing arts industry of Producers / Photographers / Casting Directors etc overstepping the line and taking advantage of performers. Since the peak of the powerful  #MeToo movement of 2016, society is more alert to signs of sexual misconduct and this has become the expected narrative, particularly in the “dangerous world of adult modeling”, where the public opinion is that everyone is “up to no good” anyway!

One unhappy model has the potential to reach a large audience through social media, and the story will only grow larger each time it is retold. A misunderstanding where;

“Shoot Producer brushes a loose strand of hair from a models face”

Quickly becomes 

“Sleazy photographer touched up a vulnerable young woman against her wishes”

Even if the model is honest about what happened (but expresses some discomfort), this story will evolve by the time her friend Jessica has told Bethany and Bethany is recalling what she heard about abbywinters.com to Mary three months later! 

We’re a place models can come to do sex work and know they will not be touched by Shoot Prodcuers. It’s a reputation that has taken more than 20 years to build, and we know models like that about us. 

So, it’s not ok to touch models.

Negative effects to new-model recruitment

Existing models referring their friends is a major source of new models. The abbywinters.com paradigm requires amateur models, who tend to be more alert to rumours of Shoot Producers touching models. 

Touching models has the potential to lose the company many prospective models as the news of what happened spreads throughout the model community. 

So, it’s not ok to touch models.

Consider that everyone interprets a shared experience differently

While a Shoot Producer and a Model were on the same shoot together, their experiences and takeaways from that day will often be different, as each will see it from their unique perspective. Consider this scenario;

A Shoot Producer and a model are making a shoot. As the model moves around the set, she trips on a rug. The Shoot Producer leaps up to steady the lighting stand that seemed about to fall. The Shoot Producer’s body brushed up against the model’s hip and side and side of her breast.

When sharing the story with her friend a few days later, the model does not recall;

• The immediate and heartfelt apology given by the Shoot Producer, or
• That the Shoot Producer initiated a 10 minute break for them both to recover, or 
• Throughout the day, the SP always explained what was about to happen, or
• The SP was professional in every other way.

This is not because the model is difficult or manipulative, it is just that in relation to the touching incident, everything else became unimportant in comparison and a deep memory was not made of anything else. “He touched my breast. He’s not supposed to do that!” 

When I was a teenager my boyfriend took me to a house party. He left me alone, and one of his friends came to chat with me. 

When my boyfriend saw us, he got jealous. Rather than “use his words”, he thought it would be funny to use a frying pan to the back of my head to get my attention (like in a cartoon).

He and I remembered this event quite differently:

From his perspective, he was being a goofball and ‘tapped’ me on the head with a frying pan. Then for “no reason”, he found his girlfriend ghosted him thereafter. 

From my perspective, I was attacked out of nowhere. I suddenly became aware of my own vulnerabilities, and developed a fear of men who were physically stronger than me for a while.

We both lived the same events, but in our own minds these events were “recorded” differently. Neither of us were lying but our different realities didn’t match – we had different perspectives.

SPT Masie

It’s not ok to touch models.

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. 😌

We’ve established that it’s not ok to touch models, and why. There are several specific occasions when touching a model is appropriate:

1. A greeting at the start of the day;
2. A model-initiated farewell touch;
3. As part of a pre-agreed Shoot Plan, approved by the Creative Director; and
4. Saving a model’s life.

Greeting the model at the start of the day is ok

It’s always appropriate to offer models a handshake when you first meet them, or meet them again after a time apart (for example, on their first shoot, and the second shoot a few weeks later). 

This is professional and appropriate in the context. Make eye contact, say your name slowly. A single-handed handshake is appropriate, with no additional gestures like kissing her hand.

A model-initiated farewell touch is ok

Shoot days can be powerful emotional experiences shared with the Shoot Producer and some models may initiate a farewell hug. 

It’s appropriate to return the hug as a human, while keeping your pelvis separate from the model, and to disengage as soon as the model does.

It’s never appropriate for the Shoot Producer to initiate a hug at the end of a shoot day (most models will perceive this simply as trying to “cop a feel”). 

Touching as part of a pre-agreed Shoot Plan or Shoot Type is ok

Some occasional shoot types involve the Shoot Producer physically touching models. One example are shoots made by Guest Shoot Producers, who are sometimes models. Model-touching might be part of the Shoot Plan, that has been agreed to with the model before the shoot day and approved by the Creative Director on a shoot-by-shoot basis. 

There are never exceptions for the standard Shoot Types (Solo, Girl-Girl, Girl-Boy, Intimate Moments, Guest Direction).

Touching to save a model’s life is ok

It’s appropriate to touch the model in life-saving situations, for example;

• Giving CPR when the model is not breathing or her heart is not beating;
• Administering back slaps or a Heimlich manoeuvre to dislodge stuck food;
• Dragging the model to safety after she was swept away by the rapids on a river shoot;
• Pulling the model out of the way of a speeding car that was about to hit her;
• Applying pressure to a seriously bleeding wound;
• Carrying the model from a burning building.

In these life-saving situations, there are still potential issues: women have complained about rescuers being “too handsy” even while saving their lives! We accept that risk, weighing it as less-important than saving the model’s life. 

Touching the model for these actual life-and-death situations is acceptable, but for lower-impact things, touching the model is not ok. Following on from our previous examples; 

• The model coughing after eating a corn chip is not a reason to rub her back to “help her swallow” is not appropriate;
• Taking the model’s hand to run across a busy road is not appropriate; 
• Washing dirt from her grazed knee is not necessary;
• Throwing a bucket of water on a campfire that got too big does not require carrying the model away from the fire.

If there is any doubt about if touching is appropriate or not, a Shoot Producer must not touch the model. 

It’s not ok to touch models.

As we become more familiar with new acquaintances we often become more tactile, placing a hand on the other person’s arm to add emphasis as they talk, greeting one another with a handshake, then a hug, and maybe a kiss, as the relationship develops. Close friends appear to have few boundaries –  they might reach over and fix their friend’s twisted shirt collar, or move away a fallen eyelash from their cheek – without asking permission.

Due to the nature of the work, models are required to trust and be open with Shoot Producers meaning that in just a few hours, they could have shared intimate details in ways that could take months or even years to develop with “normals”. 

This can create a “blurred line” where models feel very close to Shoot Producers and can lead to models being more relaxed and familiar around Shoot Producers, particularly in subsequent shoots with the same Shoot Producer. In turn, this can make it “feel” or seem like it’s ok to touch models. 

It’s not ok to touch models.

Consider this scenario;

Mary and SP Bob have made several shoots together, Bob made Mary’s first-ever nude shoot, and Mary always looks forward to working with Bob. Today, they’re making a Solo shoot in a forest.

For the finale, Mary is lying on her back under a tree masturbating. She finishes and stands up to get dressed, but her back and buttocks are covered in fallen leaves that have stuck to her skin. She asks Bob to help brush it all off – she feels comfortable with Bob doing that.

Instead, the Shoot Producer hands the model a towel, and takes Backstage pictures. 💯

That’s professional behaviour.

It’s not ok to touch models.

It is great when models feel more comfortable around a Shoot Producer, this leads to better content for our customers, better work experiences for models, and hopefully a more enjoyable shoot for the SP. However it is the Shoot Producer’s responsibility to ensure that the shoot remains professional.

Shoot Producers can certainly relax their verbal communication to match how a model is interacting with them (for example, employing irony, flirting, or even friendly insults), but the hard rule of no touching applies. 

Inevitably, there are grey areas with the never-touch-models rule. By this we mean, occasions where it’s not obvious if touching the model is appropriate.

Our “default position” is that it’s not ok to touch models. However, if the model is both in trouble, and specifically requests physical assistance from the Shoot Producer, it is probably appropriate to give it in a professional way.

It’s not appropriate to offer physical assistance un-asked (“white knighting”), but it is ok to ask if the model needs help more generally (“How can we solve this problem?”, instead of, “Let me lift you down!”).

Never just assume that touching the model is warranted: let the model ask for assistance

Never “set up” (design, engineer) a situation where the model needs to be touched: for example, it’s never appropriate to ask a model to get into a pose that she needs your help to get into. Instead, simply do not direct the model into that pose!

Let’s consider some practical examples…

Grey area: Help getting out of a difficult physical situation

Example scenario: The model is climbing on a tree as part of the shoot. The Shoot Producer has ascertained that the activity seems safe, but the drop from the lowest branch to the ground is higher than the model is comfortable with.

Greyness: It’s normally not ok to touch models. Men are often encouraged to help women in challenging physical situations, and are praised for doing so. In this example, it may seem appropriate to support the model as she leaves the tree, perhaps grabbing her by the waist to lower her down. In the context of an abbywinters.com shoot, this is inappropriate touching.

Appropriate approach: Plan ahead, “You said you’re comfortable climbing this, but how will you get down from the last branch? Shall I get a ladder ready?”

When it is appropriate to touch: The model asks for assistance. Follow her request (for example, “Can I just lean on your shoulder while I get down?”). Consent only exists only in the moment – consent given for one time, does not mean consent is given forever, or even 5 minutes later.

Corollary: when it’s not ok to touch: Model is climbing over some large rocks on the way to a shoot location. Offering the model your hand to steady her may seem “gentlemanly”, but that’s inappropriate touching (and a bit condescending).

Corollary approach: Brief the model beforehand: “On our way to the shoot location today, there are some large rocks to scramble over – how do you feel about that?”.

Grey area: Tangled hair 

Example scenario: The model’s hair is tangled up in her headphones cable. She’s struggling with it.

Greyness: It’s normally not ok to touch models. It’s tempting to just help the model by doing the untangle – it’s easy for you to do, and hard for her to do. It’s not a sexual situation – the model is fully clothed. You’d help your friend in this situation, so…

Appropriate approach: “No problem, take as much time as you need. Maybe the mirror in the bathroom will help?”.

If the model explicitly asks for help: Follow her request, with as little touching as possible. Disengage as soon as possible.

Remember: It’s never appropriate to offer to touch the model to solve a problem. Wait for her to ask, and offer alternatives first.

Grey area: Injured model

Example scenario: The model has grazed her knee during the shoot, and said she’s squeamish about blood, inferring she’d like for you (the Shoot Producer) to treat the wound.

Greyness: It’s normally not ok to touch models. The model is in distress, and has asked for help. You are calm and know what to do. However, she’s a capable adult, and we know it is not ok to touch the model – even if you’re a qualified nurse or EMT (in this context, you’re a Shoot Producer).

Appropriate approach: Calmly guide the model on what to do. “As you know we have a strict no-touching policy on shoots (unless you’re bleeding-out, but don’t think it’s that bad, haha!). So, here’s the first aid kit. Let me get the stuff for you to clean the wound first, here you go. Now, you need to apply this cream. Lean on this chair to stand up.” 

(This whole process is an excellent backstage opportunity, if the model is ok with it!)

If the model still insists on the Shoot Producer tending to the wound, it’s permissible.

Corollary counter-example: Model slipped and fell on some sharp scrap steel in a workshop shoot. Blood is freely gushing from the wound, and the model is in shock. 

Appropriate approach: Promptly apply firm pressure on the wound with a towel / her t-shirt / your t-shirt is appropriate. Call an ambulance. If the model faints, it’s appropriate to carry her. If she stops breathing, administering CPR is appropriate.

Grey area: Model wants to “read your palm”

Example Scenario: At lunch, the model claims to be an expert in palm reading. She takes your hand with a view to “reading” it.

Greyness: It’s normally not ok to touch models… but the model initiated the touching.

Appropriate approach: It’s inappropriate for anyone to be grabbing your hand without your permission! Respond with “Gosh, I’m flattered, but as you know, we have a strict no-touching policy – even for things like this! Sorry. What if I hold my hand out like this?” and gently disengage. 

Grey area: Applying sunscreen

Example scenario: Model says, “Hey, can you please put sunscreen on my back?”.

Greyness: It’s normally not ok to touch models. A model’s health and safety is the highest priority on a shoot, and most people cannot reach well enough to apply sunscreen all over their back. And, she has asked you for assistance. 

Appropriate approach: Let the model know that while touching is not normally allowed, this is one of the few exceptions! 💯 Apply sunscreen only to the middle of the model’s back (ie, where she cannot reach), and leave her to do the rest of her body.

Counter example: 

It’s not ok to have some sunscreen left over, and offer to put it elsewhere on the model (even with her permission). Putting the extra on your own body is fine, however. 

It’s never ok to ask the model to put sunscreen on you – you should be wearing clothes, so there should be no areas that are unreachable.

Grey area: Gymnastics assistance

Example scenario: Model has started doing gymnastics as a hobby, and shares how her coach always supports her in a backbend position. 

Greyness: It’s normally not ok to touch models. As the Shoot Producer, you agree this would be good for the stills shoot, but grabbing the models bare buttocks…? 😕 But, the model has asked for assistance!

Appropriate approach: Suggest to save this activity for the video, where she can demonstrate how much of this activity she has learned to do on her own. It’ll be interesting to share that journey (and probably more interesting than the destination!).

It’s not ok to touch models in a situation like this, even if the model invites it.

Counter-example: Model does the back bend, but injures her back while doing it, and is crying in pain. She cannot get out of the position without causing more pain and possible injury. Take the model’s instructions to help her get into a relaxed position. Keep hands clear of buttocks, pubic region, and breasts. Use forearms not fingers. Disengage from touching as soon as possible. 

Grey areas: Others

If a Shoot Producer encounters an occasion where they thought it was appropriate to touch a model, contact the Shoot Producer Trainer as part of the post-shoot admin, so that this scenario can be added to Training.

In situations where it seems tempting to touch the model, consider these approaches;

• Demonstrate poses to models
  • Put the camera down, ask the model to move aside, demonstrate the pose, on the set
  • The Shoot Producer is always clothed, even if the model is naked!
  • Models consistently report they like that the Shoot Producer is is comfortable to do this. It shows the SP is not “above them”, and is seen as a “leveller” on the shoot day
• Always put models in situations they can “self-solve” for
  • For example, if asked to climb something (safely!), ensure there is a safe way for them to climb down again without your assistance (ladder, a chair, a box, or similar)

For a Shoot Producer, a Solo shoot is complex with many specific requirements. 

For Models, a Solo shoot can be a day of fun and self-exploration. 

These two perspectives can conflict and cause stress for the Shoot Producer, who – worried about the remaining time – may be tempted to take shortcuts… such as touching the model to move her into position. 

But, it’s not ok to touch models.

Consider this scenario;

The SP and model are into the second OL position for Stills (there are six more to cover… then the whole video shoot). The model’s top had been placed to tease her areola, but the model moved and spoiled the effect. 

The SP is giving clear direction to fix the look, but the model cannot get the clothing back in the right place.  The model is frustrated, she’s trying to help! It would be quicker if the SP just fixed the placement of the clothing themselves – they know what is needed. 

It could take several more precious minutes before the model “lucks” upon what the SP is trying to describe. And the day is already behind schedule!

So the SP reaches over and tugs the fabric to the perfect placement, then continues the shoot.

While this quickly gets the immediate result needed, this is never appropriate on an abbywinters.com shoot. We commit to models they will not be touched during a shoot, so they must not be touched – even when it makes the shoot day easier. So, it’s not ok to touch models – or their clothing while being worn.

The model in this scenario may say it’s ok for the SP to make this adjustment (for fear of angering the Shoot Producer if she does not offer that). But it is not ok. 

Or maybe the SP asks the model if they can adjust the fabric, and the model says it’s ok? It is not ok. 

Or maybe the model – sensing the SP’s frustration – says it’s ok for the SP to adjust the fabric how they need? It is still not ok.

Asymmetric power balance 

There is an asymmetric power balance on shoots – Shoot Producers are in a position of power over models. Many young women are “socially trained” from a young age to be polite, even when they are scared or uncomfortable: they worry that annoying a powerful person (especially, but not exclusively a man) may result in them becoming angry and physically hurting them. 

This simple desire “not to offend” can cause a model to agree to something she’d really prefer not to, just to reduce the risk of being assaulted. Some men find this absurd, that of course a woman should simply say she’s not comfortable. It’s been demonstrated many times that rational thinking does not apply in these situations.

Rather than second-guess the model’s true feelings on the matter, we have a simple policy. Do not touch the model. It turns out, touching the model is actually not necessary to make a good abbywinters.com shoot! 🤯

While touching a model could save the SP perhaps five minutes on a shoot day (if that?), it’s not worth the reputation of the company, future model recruitment, and your ongoing work with us as a Shoot Producer with the company.

In a Google Doc, or just an email, copy and paste this list of scenarios, and respond to each one. 

Make the scenario and headings in bold text, and your answer in plain text underneath. Brief, one-sentence answers are usually sufficient. These are not designed to be “trick” questions.

When complete, submit to the Shoot Producer Trainer. They may have some feedback on your responses.

Appropriate touching from the perspective of a Shoot Producer

For each scenario, describe how it should be handled by a Shoot Producer on an abbywinters.com shoot. 

Scenario: It’s been difficult to get the model into a complicated balance pose. Everything seems perfect when you realise that the sleeve covering her tattoo has slipped down. What do you do?

Scenario: You try to describe a pose to a model, but she isn’t getting it. What do you do?

Scenario: The model asks you to move her leg to where it needs to be to make the pose work. What do you do?

Scenario: The model tripped and fell on the way to the shoot, and cut her knee. The wound needs cleaning. What do you do?

Scenario: At lunch, the model offers to read your palm. She takes your hand in hers to do this. What do you do?

Scenario: The model’s hair keeps falling in front of her face. The first few times this happened, the model moved it. On the sixth time the model tells the Shoot Producer to just move it so she can stay in the tricky pose with both her hands occupied. What should the Shoot Producer do this time, and on all the other remaining occasions when this happens?  

Scenario: The model is bent over in an awkward position, while wearing her bikini bottoms. It’s quite a fetching pose, but the tag from her swimsuit is hanging out unappealingly. What do you do?

Appropriate touching from the perspective of a model

Write your response to each scenario from the perspective of a nervous model describing the shoot to her friend. Also write – in the context of an abbywinters.com shoot – what approach the SP should have taken instead. 

Scenario: During a shoot, the Shoot Producer turns the model by her shoulders to get her in the right position for the light. What does the model tell her friend?

Scenario: During a shoot, the Shoot Producer notices that the model has a loose eyelash on her cheek and removes it with their finger. What does the model tell her friend?

Scenario: During a shoot, the Shoot Producer says that the model is welcome to rest her back against the SP’s legs while she is in a long tricky pose, to rest a little. What does the model tell her friend?

Scenario: The Shoot Producer and model have spoken on the phone before the shoot day, and traded emails. When they first meet, the Shoot Producer reaches to shake the model’s hand with a friendly smile and hearty “Welcome!”. What does the model tell her friend?

Scenario: This is the second time the model has shot with this Shoot Producer. The Shoot Producer remembers them getting on well together. When the model arrives the SP greets the model with an enthusiastic bear hug and a kiss on both cheeks. What does the model tell her friend?

Scenario: At lunchtime the Shoot Producer shares one of the games the SP used to play when they were at school, and proceeds to demonstrate it on the model. It involves singing a rhyme while pretending to crack an egg on the head of the model, while running the SP’s hands over the model’s head and shoulders, the end result being a full-body shiver at the end of the rhyme. What does the model tell her friend?

Scenario: As part of the shoot set up the model is climbing up and down a small ladder. Every time the model steps up or down the Shoot Producer offers their hand for the model as she steps down, helping to support her at the shoulders on one occasion as she wobbles a little. What does the model tell her friend?

Appropriate touching grey areas: What do you say and do?

In each one of these scenarios, describe what an appropriate response would be, for a Shoot Producer on an abbywinters.com shoot.

Scenario: The model is preparing lunch and cuts her finger while slicing a tomato. It’s bleeding a bit (but not squirting blood). The model yells “SHIT!”. As the Shoot Producer, you rush to enter the room and…

Scenario: The model is climbing on shelves and gets into a position where she says “omg, I am actually stuck!”. The model has tried to get unstuck a few times. She’s not sobbing, but she is genuinely concerned. 

Scenario: While walking out to get a coffee, the model links arms with you in a companionable way (Wizard-of-Oz-style, but without the dancing)

Scenario: The model is clambering around a pile of large round hay bales (each 1.5m / 5 feet high, silage bales, wrapped in plastic). She managed to get down the upper bales, but with some drama. Now you as the Shoot Producer can reach to physically help her get back to the ground.

Scenario: The model complains of an itch between her shoulder blades, that she cannot reach. She begs you to scratch it for her. Answer separately for the model being clothed, and nude.

Scenario: What are some “grey areas” you’ve been in with a model or performer, and how did you deal with it? How should you have dealt with it, if it happened on an abbywinters.com shoot?

Scenario: What are some non-emergency situations when it’s ok to touch models?