Consent culture refers to a community's approach to establishing, expressing, obtaining, and respecting mutually agreed upon principles for any form of interaction. In particular, it applies to relationships between people who choose to engage in sexual activity together. This can involve everything from casual encounters to long-term partnerships. When these exchanges are consensual, everyone involved is comfortable and confident that they've given their approval and have the freedom to say "no" if they want to stop at any time. While consent culture isn't new, its importance has grown significantly recently.
In modeling circles, where there are often strict rules about nudity and sexual expression, consent culture creates an environment where models feel secure enough to communicate what feels good without shame. For example, when photographers and directors encourage their clients to state exactly what types of poses, positions, and angles they enjoy before beginning a shoot, everyone benefits because all parties understand each other better. It also ensures that no one goes beyond their limits or discomfort zone.
The following list provides three ways consent culture manifests in model relationships:
1) Establish Clear Boundaries: Models may feel vulnerable during a photo shoot, especially when they must pose in intimate situations. To avoid miscommunication, photographers and directors should set clear boundaries with them beforehand. They should specify how much skin they will reveal, which body parts they expect to be exposed, and whether or not physical contact is allowed. Similarly, models should let their team know if they need privacy or space during breaks. If either party crosses the line later on, they can use those original agreements as guidelines for rectifying misunderstandings.
2) Respect Personal Preferences: Consent culture means respecting someone's individual preferences regarding intimacy levels. These might change from moment to moment or day-to-day. Models may start out feeling comfortable but decide they don't like it after starting a photoshoot. Or, a photographer might have assumed a certain pose would work well while the model finds it offensive. In both cases, communication needs to happen quickly so that everyone involved can move forward comfortably.
3) Listen Actively & Validate Feelings: When someone expresses concern over an image or action in the middle of a shoot, listen actively and validate their feelings without judgement. This makes it easier for the person to share their opinion freely. You could respond by acknowledging their concerns and taking appropriate measures, such as using a different angle or lighting setup instead. It also shows you take your client seriously and are willing to collaborate with them.
Consent culture benefits all parties by creating safe spaces where everyone feels empowered enough to speak up about desires and discomforts. Without it, there may be confusion and mistrust, potentially leading to hurtful situations. To implement consent culture effectively, establish policies that protect clients' interests and ensure accountability when something goes wrong.