Here is some general advice about how to prepare for shoot day to help ensure we get the best shots possible.
- Bring a government-issued photo identification: If we’re planning to shoot nude or erotic content, I’m legally required to check your identification before we begin shooting to make sure you’re a legal adult. If we’re shooting erotic content (including explicit solo nudes), I’ll also have to take a copy of your identification for my records. It will be shared with nobody except as required by law.
- Avoid restrictive clothing if possible: For at least two hours before the shoot, you should avoid wearing elastic or other tight-fitting clothes on any part of your body that will be photographed. Tight-fighting clothes leave compression marks on your skin that can show up on camera — especially under bright studio lights or sunlight — for as long as two hours after you take them off. Although not necessarily fashionable, baggy, loose-fitting clothing, such as sweat pants with a draw-string and a t-shirt with no bra, make for ideal pre-shoot wear.
- Bring a robe, wrap, or loose-fitting outfit that can be put on and taken off easily: If we’re in the studio, the space will be private, but many models are more comfortable having something to put on during breaks. Having something you can easily slip on or off will make life easier. If we’re shooting outdoors, especially on public land, it’s generally best if you can get dressed and undressed quickly. This doesn’t apply for fashion or other fully clothed shoots, and is less important when shooting on private land or on clothing-optional beaches
- Shaving advice: Unless we’ve specifically discussed it ahead of time, it is entirely up to you which parts of your body you shave (or don’t). However, here are a few bits of general advice that will help us get the best pictures possible:
- For any area you shave regularly, please shave that area no more than 24 hours (and ideally about 6 hours) before the shoot. Stubble is time-consuming and tedious to edit out.
- For areas you don’t plan to shave for the shoot, please try and have at least one week’s growth of hair (ideally a little more), for the same reason as above.
- If you are shaving an area for the shoot that you don’t routinely shave, please shave several days beforehand, and then again the day of the shoot. When you shave an area for the first time in a while, that area is more prone to irritation, redness, and razor burn, all of which can look bad and be time-consuming to edit out of the photographs. Shaving that area at least once in advance will give your skin time to adjust and heal before the shoot.
- Immediately after shaving, especially the first time you’ve shaved an area for a while, treat the area with baby oil, lotion, or a clear, unscented gel deodorant (really!). Choose a product that doesn’t have any fragrance or colorants that might further irritate your skin. Many models swear by Mitchum Advanced Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant Gel for Men (Unscented) for this purpose.
- Makeup: If I’ve told you that we will be using a makeup artist (MUA), please arrive with a clean face and no makeup on. If I haven’t told you we’re using an MUA, you can choose to do your makeup ahead of time, or at the shoot location. Be aware that some shoot locations — especially outdoor locations — may not have a good place for doing makeup.
- Try and get good sleep: While you can’t always control this, not getting a good night’s sleep the night before the shoot can cause your eyes to be red and irritated and can result in dark, puffy bags underneath your eyes.
- Wait until after the shoot to smoke up: Pot is legal here in CA, and yeah, it’s awesome. But it also makes your eyes insanely bloodshot and dilates your pupils. If you like to smoke up, it’s best to wait until after the shoot, or do it long enough before the shoot for the physical effects to have subsided.
- Know your boundaries: Consent is important, so some time before we begin shooting, I will ask you about your boundaries so I know what you’re comfortable doing and, more importantly, what you’re not comfortable doing in front of my camera. In this context, boundaries are most often around nudity or sexuality, but they don’t have to be; boundaries can be about literally anything you’re not comfortable doing in front of my camera. I will give you as much information ahead of time about what I plan to shoot as I can, but there may still be times when I need to ask for clarification during the shoot. It’s a good idea to think about this ahead of time so you’re not caught off-guard by the question or feel pressured to do something you’re unsure about.