Tips for working with sex workers!

I got a great Q from one of ya'll about working with sex workers. So I made it into a long form video!

Tips covered:

#1: Is working with sex workers right for you? Make sure you're asking WHY you want to work with SWers. Are you capable of creating safe spaces for this vulnerable community? SWers are subjected to a lot of danger because of the stigma our culture/society/government projects onto them. Sex work should not be dangerous work, but it is because of how our culture views sex workers. Are you subconsciously projecting some of these inherited biases onto your SW clients, or are you creating safe spaces for them?

#2: The photos you take are being used for marketing and advertisements to help them get clients. Technically you should be giving them a written or verbal commercial release agreement for them to share these images. A lot of the times they will need to tweak your images (blurring their face, removing tattoos, even editing your images to match their other branding images). Are you comfortable with all the above? Another thing to ask yourself!

#3: You're creating branding and marketing images – the emphasis is on the final product. When you're creating images with SWers it's all about branding and creating images that get your client clients. This usually means posing or creating images that fit within a certain paradigm (the male gaze). Creating a safe and empowering space is still hugely important, but the focus shifts from body positivity + body neutrality to creating marketable imagery for them. Sometimes that means doing poses that you usually might not consider or do. Ask yourself if this is something you still feel comfortable doing.

Above all else: making your client feel safe and comfortable is still priority #1! The intent and purpose of the images is what's changing. You're shifting from doing self-love boudoir photography, to creating branding and marketing photos. 

Hope ya'll enjoyed this chat! Let me know if you enjoyed this, if you have any Q's, and what you would want me to chat about next!