Hailey Knight wrote:
I am very interested in doing bondage and fetish type photo shoots.  What is the best way to get started?

I am going to send you a PM in a bit.
I am a retired bondage fetish model myself and my SO is a bondage/fetish photographer. I will tell you everything and anything you need to know.

Sandra W wrote:
There are so many ways to get work...

-do Google searches for bondage sites and see if they are hiring models
-look at the portfolios of models who do bondage. Find out which photographers they worked with. Contact those photographers to see if they will do TFP with you
-do a search for bondage references on MM to find photographers and models who do it

I think you will have to be willing to travel to do bondage/fetish. I'm from Virginia and I'm very familiar with Roanoke.  You may have some trouble finding fetish photographers there! lol

What Sandra says . . .


Find your way out to Los Angeles and work with the many fetish/bondage/bdsm photographers and production companies that are here

Hailey Knight wrote:
I mostly put that in my profile in case somebody who knows me came across it.  I didn't want them to think badly of me.

No offense, but personally, I wouldn't put you high on my list of people to shoot with.
Even if you are comfortable with nudes, this response, and other things in your profile (insistence on an escort, etc.) make me feel you are not ready for this type of work.

You will be judged - harshly by some - for doing this kind of work, and I don't want to have to deal with flaking, or having to pull images from a port at a later date due to a change of heart, etc.

BDSM work is best done by BDSM lifestylists. If you are truly interested, learn a little about the lifestyle and what people fetish-ize, etc. The suggestion someone made to check out fetlife is a good one. Also maybe stop in at your local BDSM support group or specialty shop.

In the meantime maybe concentrate on building up your portfolio with more mundane images while you are 'learning the ropes' so to speak. Once you know a little about the lifestyle, expressions, what makes for a good image, safe words, etc. then maybe take the next step.

Angele Fonce wrote:
I dont do know many bondage photographers who will shoot someone who won't do full nude.

Bondage is not strictly related to full nude..
I shoot also clothed models in bondage...

Sandra W wrote:
There are so many ways to get work...

-do Google searches for bondage sites and see if they are hiring models
-look at the portfolios of models who do bondage. Find out which photographers they worked with. Contact those photographers to see if they will do TFP with you
-do a search for bondage references on MM to find photographers and models who do it

I think you will have to be willing to travel to do bondage/fetish. I'm from Virginia and I'm very familiar with Roanoke.  You may have some trouble finding fetish photographers there! lol

+1

D P Photo wrote:

Bondage is not strictly related to full nude..
I shoot also clothed models in bondage...

I never said its strictly nude but the comfortability with the body must be there.

Fotographia Fantastique wrote:

No offense, but personally, I wouldn't put you high on my list of people to shoot with.
Even if you are comfortable with nudes, this response, and other things in your profile (insistence on an escort, etc.) make me feel you are not ready for this type of work.

You will be judged - harshly by some - for doing this kind of work, and I don't want to have to deal with flaking, or having to pull images from a port at a later date due to a change of heart, etc.

BDSM work is best done by BDSM lifestylists. If you are truly interested, learn a little about the lifestyle and what people fetish-ize, etc. The suggestion someone made to check out fetlife is a good one. Also maybe stop in at your local BDSM support group or specialty shop.

In the meantime maybe concentrate on building up your portfolio with more mundane images while you are 'learning the ropes' so to speak. Once you know a little about the lifestyle, expressions, what makes for a good image, safe words, etc. then maybe take the next step.

Yes its good to learn about what you are looking to get into .You must realize this is a big difference between glamour and such.

D P Photo wrote:
Bondage is not strictly related to full nude..
I shoot also clothed models in bondage...

Angele Fonce wrote:
I never said its strictly nude but the comfortability with the body must be there.

Agreed... and I've read where some fashion photographers are more apt to use
models who are comfortable doing nudes, even if they don't shoot them

Fotographia Fantastique wrote:

No offense, but personally, I wouldn't put you high on my list of people to shoot with.
Even if you are comfortable with nudes, this response, and other things in your profile (insistence on an escort, etc.) make me feel you are not ready for this type of work.

You will be judged - harshly by some - for doing this kind of work, and I don't want to have to deal with flaking, or having to pull images from a port at a later date due to a change of heart, etc.

BDSM work is best done by BDSM lifestylists. If you are truly interested, learn a little about the lifestyle and what people fetish-ize, etc. The suggestion someone made to check out fetlife is a good one. Also maybe stop in at your local BDSM support group or specialty shop.

In the meantime maybe concentrate on building up your portfolio with more mundane images while you are 'learning the ropes' so to speak. Once you know a little about the lifestyle, expressions, what makes for a good image, safe words, etc. then maybe take the next step.

This a thousand times over.

I know a few *ahem* "Vanilla" models that tried BDSM modeling and freaked out on set because they didn't know what they were getting themselves into ("I didn't know when you said "immobilize me with rope" that I wouldn't be able to move at all...") or they looked unamused with a horse bit/ball gag in their mouth and then got upset because they were drooling.

D P Photo wrote:

Bondage is not strictly related to full nude..
I shoot also clothed models in bondage...

Shooting bondage requires a model that is comfortable with images of her that may be outside of what society thinks of as "normal". If a model is worried about having artistically done nude images of herself out in the public, then I don't feel comfortable working with her doing bondage. Bondage brings a lot more emotional baggage with it than just being nude.

I've had people who've complimented my artistic nudes consider my clothed bondage shots pornographic.

I recently had a shoot where I had scheduled a MM model for a latex shoot. After showing her the garments she didn't want to wear them. Even though every message I sent her mentioned it was going to be a latex shoot.

So at this point I'll probably only contact models that have established themselves with similar images in their portfolio.

To answer the OPs question then, how to get started? Find a photographer who has shot work like you want and pay them to get you some photos for you portfolio.

And maybe consider a second profile with a alias for your fetish/bondage work.

Sophie Nova wrote:
Do get recomendations for anyone you will be shooting with from a reliable source. I would recommend you find someone you trust to start out with (they may or may not be a photographer, a lot of life-stylers are happy to letting you try something in a safe, controlled way where you can be with others who are looking out for you) before you try an actual shoot.

this times a million. Having someone who you know and trust will make getting into bondage so much easier! My first time was with someone i knew and trusted and it was such a cool experience! And what i have found is Lifestylers are usually very open to answering questions. IF and only if you seem to have a genuine interest. I've had people asking questions in kind of a..snooty tone, and i had no interest in answering their questions. So be kind and polite and you could make tons of friends who will introduce you to the people you need to know :]

and i was rambling so forgive me
and go here:

http://www.knottyboys.com/code/downloads.php

and here:
https://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thre … 765&page=1

Sandra W wrote:
BTW a lot of "damsel in distress" producers do not require models to shoot nude. They usually like you to wear a business suit, or casual clothing.  That kind of work can be very lucrative, but also physically exhausting, as they like you to struggle a lot in the ropes. That's what their audience wants to see.

In mine I was hog-tied

Angele Fonce wrote:
I dont do know many bondage photographers who will shoot someone who won't do full nude.

Ask around, I know a lot who will shoot without full nude or nude at all. If you were in my neck of the woods, I'd shoot with you.

Hailey Knight wrote:
I am very interested in doing bondage and fetish type photo shoots.  What is the best way to get started?

Whiplash Studios wrote:

Ask around, I know a lot who will shoot without full nude or nude at all. If you were in my neck of the woods, I'd shoot with you.

Its the comfortability with the body. Nude models are very comfortable with their bodies (the experienced ones) Plus I shoot nudes.

The Original Sin wrote:
Okay, I'm going to name the elephant in the room.

You seem like a nice girl.  You also care far too much about other people's opinions to do well in bondage and fetish work.

Most BDSM photographers want models who will model nude- whether the set is CLOTHED or NOT.  There's a very simple reason for that- MOST Nude models are comfortable with their bodies, know how to move in unnatural positions and make it look easy, and aren't going to flip out anytime a photographer has to adjust or move something.  Which, in BDSM photography, happens A LOT.

Also, 99% of BDSM photographers are not going to allow your boyfriend on set.  Sorry.  Just not happening.  You have an extremely conflicted profile, you are in the wrong market area, and you certainly present yourself as too much trouble to do well in BDSM work.  Almost all the professional fetish models I know are some of the most laid-back, articulate and confident women I've ever met.  They are also available- no one wants to hire a model who says she isn't shooting right now.

I've done fetish and nude modeling for three years and some change.  I love it.  Sometimes, it doesn't love me.  You will get bruised, pinched, abraded, touched in ways that are probably illegal in 37 states (and it almost always non-sexual, lol), ridiculed by family and friends, talked down to, insulted, and be called all sorts of filthy names by people.

You have to have the ability to not care, and to love what you do too much to quit.  You also have to be willing to accept that these images and actions will follow you. FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.  I'd recommend taking a second look at glamour.  Fetish in irreversible.  Glamour can be explained away as "Oh, it was just something to do for fun."  Fetish, not so much.

Very sound advice.

To the OP, I would also suggest joining FetLife and taking a look around a bit at the lifestyle before jumping into fetish/bondage modeling. I would also suggest going to some munches(meet & greets) to get to know some of the people in your area that are into the lifestyle. After the munch some people will go to a dungeon or a private residence for play and these can be very safe for newbies because you'll be with a large group. It would be best if you just watch the first couple of times before joining in the fun... If you find you enjoy it, then get into the modeling aspect of it...Hope this helps and good luck!

Jaguar Photography wrote:

Very sound advice.

To the OP, I would also suggest joining FetLife and taking a look around a bit at the lifestyle before jumping into fetish/bondage modeling. I would also suggest going to some munches(meet & greets) to get to know some of the people in your area that are into the lifestyle. After the munch some people will go to a dungeon or a private residence for play and these can be very safe for newbies because you'll be with a large group. It would be best if you just watch the first couple of times before joining in the fun... If you find you enjoy it, then get into the modeling aspect of it...Hope this helps and good luck!

Ummm I wouldnt suggest getting involved more than just watching until you really know what is going on. That can be a dangerous idea to just "jump in"

Angele Fonce wrote:
That can be a dangerous idea to just "jump in"

Sandra W wrote:
Huh? Why would you say that?

Are you implying she'd be at risk of some physical danger? Not sure what you're trying to suggest here.

I'm not sure how you expect her to do otherwise than just jump in - what are you thinking she needs to do to prepare? Read books on the topic? Take a class? hmmm.

Yes, that is EXACTLY what we mean.  Read, observe, and educate.  YES you can get hurt in the BDSM world if you just start letting anyone with a handful of cash tie you up and take pictures.  There's one photographer in Tampa who NO ONE will work with without at least second person on set, because he's an IDIOT.  There's a couple here on MM who have put out casting calls for a model (very young- 18-20) to come and live with them, star in all their fetish production films, BE THEIR SEXUAL SUBMISSIVE, for room, board and "credit" in their films.

Like any other business, the BDSM community has their problems and their shady characters.  The difference is- We know who they are, and we take care of our own.  99% of the time, if you are a part of the community, as well as a model, you will NEVER have a bad shoot.  You can check personal as well as professional references, and you'll get advance warning of people to avoid.

SO YES, please get involved as an educated observer in the BDSM community before you try bondage and fetish modeling.  Otherwise, you very well may end up hurt, embarrassed or get way over your head way too quickly.

Hailey Knight wrote:
I am very interested in doing bondage and fetish type photo shoots.  What is the best way to get started?

If you find yourself going to NYC, contact Stark-Arts by JWC https://www.modelmayhem.com/373226,
'cause he's very good with newbies, as well his ropework
is creatively off the hook and does it himself

The Original Sin wrote:
Yes, that is EXACTLY what we mean.  Read, observe, and educate.  YES you can get hurt in the BDSM world if you just start letting anyone with a handful of cash tie you up and take pictures.  There's one photographer in Tampa who NO ONE will work with without at least second person on set, because he's an IDIOT.  There's a couple here on MM who have put out casting calls for a model (very young- 18-20) to come and live with them, star in all their fetish production films, BE THEIR SEXUAL SUBMISSIVE, for room, board and "credit" in their films.

Like any other business, the BDSM community has their problems and their shady characters.  The difference is- We know who they are, and we take care of our own.  99% of the time, if you are a part of the community, as well as a model, you will NEVER have a bad shoot.  You can check personal as well as professional references, and you'll get advance warning of people to avoid.

SO YES, please get involved as an educated observer in the BDSM community before you try bondage and fetish modeling.  Otherwise, you very well may end up hurt, embarrassed or get way over your head way too quickly.

Jenn Whitten-Hancock wrote:
I think Sandra was being sarcastic. :3

Angele Fonce wrote:
I dont do know many bondage photographers who will shoot someone who won't do full nude.

True.

Before jumping into fetish/bondage modeling, I started doing full nudes first.

Hailey Knight wrote:
I am very interested in doing bondage and fetish type photo shoots.  What is the best way to get started?

For feet visit me

Hailey Knight wrote:
I mostly put that in my profile in case somebody who knows me came across it.  I didn't want them to think badly of me.

Guess someone who knew her, thought badly of her, because the profile vanished!
Hmmm a disappearing fetish, that's a new one!

FitzMulti - Las Vegas wrote:
That was quick.
The OP's profile seems to have been removed, or she canceled it.


P.S. - Hi Sandra! :-)

Someone stole her already