Francisco Castro wrote:
Has anyone watched that show on Stars, "Nude", about creating a calendar as shot by David Bellemere? I find it facinating watching how masters of their crafts (whatever the medium) work and observe their process. The photographs they showed were stunning, by the way.

Anyway, I couldn't help but notice that when he posed the models, he was very, "hands on". He would sometimes just demonstrate or explain to the model what he wanted, but for most part, if he wanted to move an arm, or a leg, or whatever body part, he would just move it to the position himself. Of course in my head, my inner voice was, "He can't do that. He shouldn't do that. That's not right.". But then the models all seemed fine with it and it did save some time by getting the pose exactly the way he wanted it.

Have other models experienced this? What was your initial reaction, and ultimately, did you care as long as the final image was as good as you hoped?

In today's #metoo atmosphere, I take even more pains to make sure that the models don't feel like I am crossing boundaries, regardless of whether the shoot is fully clothed, in lingerie, implied, or fully nude.

Over the past 30 years of modelling naked for both artists and photographers, I have never had any issue with being touched to assist in getting into the desired pose, or to make minor adjustments to hair or whatever.  I think it's easier for both myself and the photographer or artist I'm working with if they are able to help move me as needed, and typically it's a lot easier than trying to communicate directions verbally. Why shouldn't they be able to do that, if both of us are OK with it?

All I require is that my vulnerability while naked be respected, and that I have given them permission to touch me.  Usually as we start out I make it a point to inform the person that I am OK with them respectfully assisting me if needed, and after that they don't need to announce that they are going to touch me although most do out of courtesy.

I have never had any issues with inappropriate touching.  Often when we are finished, I will hug the photographer or artist while I'm still naked, particularly with people I have worked with on multiple occasions.  I have even had a large group of artists at life drawing sessions lined up for hugs afterwards, and that's not inappropriate either if I'm OK with it. I believe it's a sign that we are all comfortable with what we are doing.

MatureModelMM wrote:

Over the past 30 years of modelling naked for both artists and photographers, I have never had any issue with being touched to assist in getting into the desired pose, or to make minor adjustments to hair or whatever.  I think it's easier for both myself and the photographer or artist I'm working with if they are able to help move me as needed, and typically it's a lot easier than trying to communicate directions verbally. Why shouldn't they be able to do that, if both of us are OK with it?

All I require is that my vulnerability while naked be respected, and that I have given them permission to touch me.  Usually as we start out I make it a point to inform the person that I am OK with them respectfully assisting me if needed, and after that they don't need to announce that they are going to touch me although most do out of courtesy.

I have never had any issues with inappropriate touching.  Often when we are finished, I will hug the photographer or artist while I'm still naked, particularly with people I have worked with on multiple occasions.  I have even had a large group of artists at life drawing sessions lined up for hugs afterwards, and that's not inappropriate either if I'm OK with it. I believe it's a sign that we are all comfortable with what we are doing.

I have been hugged by a nude model myself.   

Francisco Castro wrote:
Being hugged by a nude model is different as the contact was initiated by the person in the more vulnerable position.

But the take away I am getting is that in professional situations, practicality can override normal boundaries, as long as there is consent from the beginning. Physically moving a model's arm or leg is vastly different than adjusting her boob or making contact anywhere near the genitals.

Am I close?

Professional attitude and conduct is everything here.  If everyone behaves in a professional manner then there are no issues, and you are 100% correct about doing what is practical in any given situation even if it requires permission to disregard the normal boundaries. 

While I can think of no valid reason that a photographer or artist would need to adjust  my breasts because they are quite small and unlikely to even be able to be adjusted, maybe there is a good reason that may come up in the future and if presented with that necessity I would certainly be open to discussion and likely to grant permission if I couldn't get things positioned the way they were needed on my own. But that would not be my first choice as I would prefer not to be touched there unless it was absolutely necessary. I can see where a person with larger breasts could reasonably need some advice or suggestions involving positioning them in some poses but would expect the model to be able to achieve that herself upon good directions as to exactly what was needed.

I do know that some photographers or artists who want a model's nipples to appear firmer and fuller have used ice cubes applied to them with her permission to achieve that look in their work. I'm sure the models have given consent to that being done and while I'm not a fan of having ice cubes applied to my nipples, if that's the required look and the easiest way to get there I would probably allow it.

There have been a number of instances where someone has adjusted my pose at the waist by gently but firmly placing hands on my waist and hips and twisting or moving me into the position they felt was best for their work. No problems there as it's quite different from grabbing my bottom, but I wouldn't consider that area to be off limits anyway. No doubt that some other models would have a different opinion about that.

Direct contact with my genital area is unlikely to ever be necessary, but as a natural model with abundant pubic hair I have had several cases where a brush or comb was used with my permission to fluff or make it appear fuller after I was in position for a pose.  That would not require direct contact by someone's hands and is not something that I could easily see or accomplish myself while remaining in the desired pose.  Obviously that would be better handled by an MUA but not all photographers use them and artists almost never do.  At the very minimum if I were asked to do that myself I would need to be provided with a mirror and would likely need to get out of the pose to accomplish it.  Therefore since it's a reasonable request, why should it be a problem if both people involved are OK with it?  That's probably the most extreme example that I have personally experienced and given permission for.

Yosh Studio wrote:
For what its worth, I know model who shoot with Bellemere twice for the Nu Muses project (she's posted in my MM pics).  She made a comment about him being very hands on with posing.

If that's the case... in this day and age... it won't be long before he's up on charges...

Michael DBA Expressions wrote:
In the 40 or so years I've been shooting models, both nude and clothed, I have observed that models in general, and female models in particular KNOW when they are being groped. Out of respect, I've always avoided touching to the extent feasible, and when it seemed expedient to touch, I ask first, and pay very close attention to insuring the model's comfort with the process. I have also observed that if you do it right, it offends no one. If you do it wrong, it offends everyone.

To those who think they can get away with groping and fondling, you are only fooling yourself.

Exactly my thoughts about why the photographer or artist needs to be respectful, and cautious.  It's totally possible to make adjustments without being offensive or doing any inappropriate touching provided that both people agree on it.

We definitely know when we are being groped or fondled, and I have never experienced that during the process of being assisted with posing by a photographer or artist.

What's most important is that models who are uncomfortable with being touched and don't wish to be touched make that very clear to the people they work with, and that photographers and artists always communicate with a model before just reaching out and making an adjustment to be 100% certain she is OK with that.

Andrew Bruce wrote:
Almost everyone model I work with looks at me and goes "JUST PUT ME WHERE YOU WANT ME!" when I try to describe certain posing. ha.

Thank you.  That's how I would reply, since it's totally a non-issue for me and I actually prefer that level of interaction since it assures both of us that the desired pose has been achieved, something that may be much more difficult to accomplish by explaining it in words or even by the photographer trying to show what the pose looks like by demonstrating it.

But it is very obvious there are some models with strong opinions to the contrary, which need to be respected and accommodated. We all have our own personal values, and our thinking about what is appropriate touching and exactly where the line is crossed may be quite different for each of us.

stevefischer_photo wrote:
If you don't have the trust of a model to make an adjustment to her then it's going to be a shitty outcome anyway because the model isn't comfortable with your ability. Just been my experience and i've shot  for playboy and bra campaigns for victoria secret.

I think the key is here.  If you don't have the trust of the model, any "hands on adjustment" is just going to piss the model off and certainly effect the rest of the shoot and quite possibly beyond.  So as much as sometimes it would "save me time" I just bite my lip, give verbal suggestions and even ultimately give up on a particular pose if the model honestly doesn't seem to get it.  We live in a time when making photos is essentially free from a "film perspective."  So one can take essentially an unlimited number of shots until the pose and shot are exactly right. 

Honestly a happy model produces a much better shoot than an unhappy one.