Mark G Bissell wrote:
It is very rare for good shots to be taken when the photographer and model can't trust each other.

This just about covers it.

veypurr wrote:
I am a designer so sometimes I have to touch the the model to make sure the fit is right. Otherwise I try to touch the model as little as possible.


A photog touching a model....why would they?

Why wouldn't they? I always go out of my way to touch my models at least once in a delicate way. That's just my style. I wouldn't be doing it if it didn't work. It's about psychology. It's about establishing trust in some cases, in others asserting a sort of passive dominance, as with corporate types.

RacerXPhoto wrote:

MM is the Bizarro version of the professional photography universe

That's so true lol.

I mean, some of the stuff around here... escorts, managers, no touching... just interchange that with escorts... pimps... no kissing. Some of the models on here act like modeling is a form of prostitution where you don't get banged.

InnaDaVida wrote:
What is your policy on touching?

It's ok if they're hot and/or rich, but if they're ugly and broke they better not touch me.

Oh wait, that may not be what you meant.

Uhh... work with folks who know the difference between sexual touching and doing what needs to be done to get the shot (applying oil, adjusting clothes, helping with a pose if needed, etc).

HalfMoonColorado wrote:
There ARE some dumb asses . . .
Not IS.

Never mind, you proved your point.

Liquid Projects wrote:
I think for the most part.. if youre a guy.. it automatically screws you into having the model think that you just wanna see their goodies. Ive been doing this for two years now and its getting old quicker than anything.

I've been doing this for 3 1/2 years, and I've almost never dealt with that AT A SHOOT.  Some models I've talked with, certainly.  But, somehow, they pretty much get filtered out before the shoot.  Most models I shoot with do nudes, including some who don't usually shoot them  Most, nearly all, models who I shoot nude are fully comfortable being nude even when the camera isn't pointed at them that moment. 

As far as the OP; I've shot with models who I don't come within 6 feet of, but shooting bodyscapes with novices, some times the poses need minor adjustments, and with permission, I'll move a foot or arm to get the effect we need.  In general, I've found that young women are pretty good at making the distinction betwwn "good touching" and "bad touching."  Just talk to them.

LIVING  PIXELS wrote:
Your kidding right !!!! , fuck there is some dumb asses on here .....

You must be speaking Australian English...

PETER GEORGAS wrote:

+ 1 !!

DanK Photography wrote:
Why? Is there a photographer disease going around? Sometimes it is just easier for the photographer to move your hand to the correct spot or move some hair you can't see out of your face.

THIS^^ I'll be the first to admit I suck at giving directions sometimes. It's just easier to make adjustments myself. Of course, I ask all my models before we shoot if they have a problem with this. No one ever has.

Art of the nude wrote:
I've been doing this for 3 1/2 years, and I've almost never dealt with that AT A SHOOT.  Some models I've talked with, certainly.  But, somehow, they pretty much get filtered out before the shoot.  Most models I shoot with do nudes, including some who don't usually shoot them  Most, nearly all, models who I shoot nude are fully comfortable being nude even when the camera isn't pointed at them that moment.

That's been my experience, too. I always have a robe for my models, but most of the time they don't use them and just walk around starkers like it's nothing special, even the couple that were a little nervous about shooting nudes for the first time. I'm thinking the fact that we joke around and have a good time shooting probably has a lot to do with it.

Kaouthia wrote:
I was shooting a model wearing a big fake fur coat (it's in my port if you care)

I looked. You're right, there's no way she would have been able to adjust all that herself. It was worth the effort, great pic.

Rhiannon Davis wrote:
Unless I'm figure modeling, which is almost always nude. I don't let people touch me. However, this is pretty much the standard when it comes to figure/art modeling in class room and all other settings.

I don't know about in classrooms, but I often touch models while shooting "figure nudes."  As I mentioned, most of them are quite inexperienced, and they can't possibly see what the image will look like.  And, the way I shoot figure work and bodyscapes, moving even a couple inches can make a big difference.

InnaDaVida wrote:
I will let a MUA, stylist, wardrobe designer touch me during a shoot but never the photographer.

What is your policy on touching?

I would never touch a model for any reason,even if we were alone at a shoot.It's still considered a job even if it's a TF shoot.And it called sexual harassment,I don't care if there's a hair out of place I'd ask the model or a hair dresser to fix it.I've run into way to many models that don't want to be touched.So I respect there wishes,and stand clear of there little bubble

glamourglenn wrote:
Photographer A-hip, cool, young good looking dude=appropriate to touch the model


Photographer B-older, overweight, not cool man=not appropriate to touch the model.


Please memorize these distinctions and act accordingly.

I'm 54, bald, and a bit plump.  Plus, I'm 6'6" and kinda loud.  I touch models all the time, with permission and professional intentions.  No problems.  Your "distinctions" just don't add up.

Kaouthia wrote:
I was watching one of Joe McNally's videos on Kelby Training a few months ago and he does exactly the same thing.  His first bit of advice when dealing with a new subject was "fuss with them", pretend to take fluff off their shoulder, or rearrange a hair, etc..

You're not necessarily actually doing anything, but it gives the subject the feeling that you're trying to get the best images you can for them.

Now, this was in the instance of shooting a client and not a model, so perhaps models don't need that, but I've never had a model object when I've needed to move a few stray hairs or rearrange clothing or whatever.

I was shooting a model wearing a big fake fur coat (it's in my port if you care) and it took me a good few minutes to rearrange the hood so it wasn't sticking up at the back, while not changing how it looked at the front or messing up how her hair was coming out at the front of it, and she couldn't rearrange it because she couldn't see how the hood looked at the angle I was shooting from.

That's a trick McNally learned from an old photographer as well.

Ed Woodson Photography wrote:
This just about covers it.

Pretty Much covers it all Trust or Don't Meet First would be wise but not always practical

Wolfstar Studio wrote:
That's been my experience, too. I always have a robe for my models, but most of the time they don't use them and just walk around starkers like it's nothing special, even the couple that were a little nervous about shooting nudes for the first time. I'm thinking the fact that we joke around and have a good time shooting probably has a lot to do with it.

EFT Digital Photography wrote:
I would never touch a model for any reason,even if we were alone at a shoot.It's still considered a job even if it's a TF shoot.And it called sexual harassment,I don't care if there's a hair out of place I'd ask the model or a hair dresser to fix it.I've run into way to many models that don't want to be touched.So I respect there wishes,and stand clear of there little bubble

It's "sexual harassment" if it's unwelcome sexual touching (or comments / etc).  NOT when it's an essential part of the project.

In most jobs, you can't insist the the person you're hiring be black, or blond, or 34C, or over 5'9", or all sorts of things that can be perfectly justified in model photography.

hartcons wrote:
yep. they'll stand next to you nekkid chatting away as though it's normal (which i guess it is for them). the robe is more for my comfort than theirs. lol.

It's because of these ladies I've come to a realization. The secret to nude photography is to act like you've got clothes on and this is no different than any other day.

The things we learn in this business . . . .

EFT Digital Photography wrote:
I would never touch a model for any reason,even if we were alone at a shoot.It's still considered a job even if it's a TF shoot.And it called sexual harassment

so any photographer who has ever touched a model during a photo shoot, for any reason, is a sexual harasser.

nice.

EFT Digital Photography wrote:
I would never touch a model for any reason,even if we were alone at a shoot.It's still considered a job even if it's a TF shoot.And it called sexual harassment

Bizarre.

It's not "considered sexual harassment". It's considered a photo shoot. We're not talking about you squeezing her boobs here, man.

Like I said. I ALWAYS touch my models, whether they be male, female, executives, dogs, cows, kids, you name it. It's called making a connection. It's called psychology.

Now everyone has their own approach. Maybe it works for you to be afraid to touch your talent. But to say that brushing the hair of your model aside, or adjusting a tie, or lifting a child up onto a platform is "sexual harassment" is just ridiculous.

Looknsee Photography wrote:

I never touch models.  They have cooties.

I heard you get warts from touching models

Randy Poe Photography wrote:
I will ask first and it has to be for a reason. Moving a draped shoulder material where I want it or something like that. It's not like I'm going purple nurple or anything here.

I ask before I touch, and I tell them why and what I am doing.  I prefer not to have to touch if I don't have too, but I also prefer the shot to come out, so if I need to move a hair so the model can hold a pose then I ask  and do so.

Mnemosyne Photography wrote:
I haven't seen it mentioned yet, so in order to be difficult I'm going to be the one to do it...


Terry Richardson.

What's he supposed to have done?

ddtphoto wrote:

What's he supposed to have done?

Well, let's just say he touches.