Five Reasons to Consider Working with a Consent Based Photographer
So you’re curious about working with a consent based photographer! What even is that?! Well, let’s get into it!
It is your decision if your photos are shared online
Maybe you want to update your family photos, but you don’t post your children’s faces online. Maybe you’re updating your branding photos and you don’t want them shared until you’ve had a chance to announce your new launch, project, service, etc. Or maybe you just aren’t comfortable with any of your gallery being shared online. No matter what your boundary is regarding your photos, I won’t ever use your photos online unless I know you’re comfortable with it! Your photos are for you, not for my marketing and I will always defer to what’s most comfortable for you.
2. Your boundaries, identity, and pronouns are respected
A huge part of trusting your photographer is knowing that you’re safe to show up as you. When you tell me that something is a no go for you, how you’d like me to refer to you, or what name you want to be called, then all of those parts of you will be honored. So much of why I love portrait photography is giving you photos where you really see yourself and find comfort and peace in what you see, and that’s not an attainable goal if you aren’t being respected and valued at every part of who you are.
Plus, as a human with a first name that is often misunderstood and someone who is still exploring my own gender identity, it’s very obvious that I can’t expect to have those parts of me respected without returning the favor. <3
3. You’ll have time before your session to talk through your needs, boundaries, expectations, and goals
When you first reach out about booking your session, I will almost always send you a link to my calendar so that we can have a conversation before booking. (Unless we know each other super well, but I’ll still always check in to see if anything has changed!) When we chat, it’s a time for me to hear about you! I’ll ask you about things like locations that are special to you that might be great session locations, what parts of yourself you love to see in photos, what parts are insecure that I’ll avoid in your photos, and if there’s anything I should know to avoid or lean into during your session with prompts, conversations, etc. I’ll be taking notes the whole time so that I don’t miss a thing. I’ll always make sure you have time to ask me any questions you have and tell me anything that feels important to you and your session!
4. Your session will be focused on prompts over posing
As a photographer with a background in fields where autonomy and freedom to move are priority, I’ve never felt great asking my clients to hold still and pose. (Don’t get me wrong, photographers who do prioritize posing create stunning images and serve clients that I can’t, I have so much respect for them!) If you know you or your children won’t enjoy holding still, if you know your brand isn’t about styled or static images, then you should be able to book a session that honors that! In your session, I’ll offer prompts; this might look like a movement or a place to start with your body and facial expression, but you’ll never be asked to stay in that prompt. You’ll always be encouraged to move, adjust, and take a break as needed. We can always retake a photo, and you shouldn’t stay in something that is uncomfortable to get the shot!
5. Nothing will happen without your consent!
I mean nothing! When we’re starting on your next prompt, I’ll ask if you want me to show you with my body or if you’re comfortable with physical contact to place you in the prompt. If you’ve told me there’s a certain way you like your hair to sit, I’ll ask if you’re comfortable with me adjusting it or if you’d like me to verbally tell you. If we’re moving through a series of photos and it just doesn’t feel like a full body yes, we’ll stop the moment you say to. I’ve spent much of my personal and professional life learning to advocate for myself, and my first priority is always that you have that same sense of trust and safety in your session.
As my business has grown and I’ve really found my people, I’ve realized how important it is to me to deliver more than just photos; I want to deliver an experience that felt safe, validating, and as though you are really being heard. I’m so grateful that you’re here to read more about this, and I hope this has given you as much joy to read as it has given me to write it!