We have a very strict no-touching policy, which means Shoot Producers with never touch models sexually (even if they invite it).
But there are some situations where Shoot Producers may touch models;
A greeting at the start of the day
It’s always appropriate for Shoot Producers to offer models a professional handshake when first meeting them, or meet them again after a time apart (for example, on their first shoot, and the second shoot a few weeks later).
Fist-bumps, high-fives and other dap greetings
Little human touches like fist-bumps, high-fives and similar actions can make the day more fun and help build solidarity and connection. Models are welcome to initiate them, as are Shoot Producers.
It’s also fine to say you prefer not to do these sorts of things – no one will take offence, and your choice will be respected.
If the model initiates farewell touch
We acknowledge that shoot days can be powerful emotional experiences shared with the Shoot Producer and that some models may initiate a farewell hug by way of “closure”.
We guide Shoot Producer that it’s appropriate to return the hug as a human, while keeping their pelvis separate from the model, and to disengage as soon as the model does.
Shoot Producers will never initiate an end-of-day hug.
Touching as part of a pre-agreed Shoot Plan or Shoot Type
Some occasional Shoot Types involve the Shoot Producer physically touching models. One example are shoots made by female Guest Shoot Producers (who are sometimes models themselves).
Model-touching by the Shoot Producer will be approved by the Creative Director on a shoot-by-shoot basis, and will always have been thoroughly described and explicitly agreed to with the model weeks before the shoot day. These shoots are very rare.
There are never exceptions to our “no sexual touching” rule for the standard Shoot Types we make every week (Solo, Girl-Girl, Girl-Boy, Intimate Moments, Guest Direction) – there is never sexual touching from the Shoot Producer on these shoots.
Touching to save a model’s life
We assert that it’s appropriate for a Shoot Producers to touch a 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 food the model is choking on;
- Dragging the model to safety after she was swept away by 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 situations, we weigh the model’s personal dignity below the potential loss of life.
