Why Duty of Care is My Secret Weapon

The Untold Power of Putting Duty of Care Front and Centre

Duty of care should be more commonly discussed in the photography industry than it currently is. We hear a lot about getting that perfect shot, about creating a portfolio that screams talent. But there’s something else that makes those pictures extraordinary. It’s not just the lens or the lighting; it’s how the person you’re photographing feels when you take that shot.

The Emotional Factor

If a model isn’t comfortable, you can tell. It’ll show in their eyes and posture, and once you start looking for it, it’ll become glaringly apparent in many photographers’ bodies of work. To achieve a natural look, something beyond staged, or that feels more than a put-on of “sexy” or “provocative,” you’ve got to offer an environment where the model feels they can be themselves and feel respected and heard, where they can show up, in ways that allow them to express themselves that have nuance.

I’ve chatted to many of my favourite photographers about their approach and what it entails, and then I’ve asked many models how they’ve felt on a shoot. I’ve heard how many of the photographers whose work I love, have pushed the boundaries of their talent and after I’ve revisited images that I thought were beautiful and examined the context further.

I am looking for things that others won’t, asking questions of myself, as the audience, and looking more at my work. If I’m going to ask for more of my talent, I also, in essence, have to offer more of myself, more vulnerability, and ask for more help with direction. I have to explain why I want to do things and spend more time explaining and trying to emote and create something more than just pressing the shutter button.

My Duty of Care form

It seems like an obvious ingredient to include or something that’s part and parcel of the job, and many agencies will have contractual agreements with photographers. A Duty of Care Form might sound very formal, but allowing people to set their boundaries and find the right tone for a shoot is essential. It acts as a promise, an agreement, a way of allowing people to use the word “no” on set when often the expectation is on talent to put up with feeling uncomfortable to gain artistic integrity.

Setting a Precedent

Including the form, in my eyes, is more than just paperwork. It’s about setting a precedent in an industry that has tolerated a lot of toxicity. I aim for my shoots to be collaborative, respectful, and safe for everyone involved.

I know sometimes, my vision and the people I work with will differ, and sometimes, I walk away from a shoot disappointed that I wasn’t able to align my vision, or find a way to communicate effectively, or just there wasn’t that connection and emotion that I look for. Whether it’s just not finding common ground, or the look wasn’t right, or just it didn’t work, it’s important to still be able to put that aside and, at the very least, say, “At least everyone gave it their all, and they felt good doing it”.

Some photographers might read this and think, “Oh, it’s all too much. What’s the need for a form?” And to them, I say, try being on the other side of the camera. There’s a distinct lack of empathy and understanding regarding what it takes to be a model—especially a female model—in a predominantly male-driven industry. So, the duty of care isn’t just paperwork; it’s a declaration of empathy, understanding, and respect.

It says, “I’m going to listen to you.” I know it’s gotten me more bookings than any other reason to shoot with me. I’m good, but I’m not so incredible that I could be as booked out as I am without this.

Models feel comfortable asking me more because I do my best to listen.

The Unseen ROI

The return on investment has been incredible. Yes, in both monetary terms with bookings, but more importantly, in the quality of the work produced. The photos are more nuanced, emotionally charged, and naturally beautiful. That’s because when people are comfortable, they’re more expressive, creative, and more themselves.

What to do now:

The next time you’re setting up a shoot, remember this—making your model comfortable isn’t just about being a good human, although that should be reason enough. It’s about elevating your art, about capturing something more; I’m sure the emotional charge you feel when you look at great photos is part of the reason you’re doing this, and a lot of that means you should focus on how the people you’re working with feel, and do what you can to put them at ease.

So yeah, duty of care—it’s my secret weapon. And it could be yours too. Below is what is currently in my duty of care form. 

Let it inspire you to create your own, tailored to your practice, or just copy paste it and ask for feedback.

The more we all do, the less toxicity, the more transparency, and the better our little image-making niche will be.

Duty of Care Form:

It is stuidly short, and easy.

Creating a Safe, Collaborative Environment for Photography

I want to help set a precedent with everyone I work with on how test shoots should be managed from a photographer’s perspective.

If there’s a shot you’re uncomfortable with, a look or clothes you don’t want to wear, you have a bad feeling, or you feel something is wrong. Please let me, the make-up artist or the studio manager know or call your agent. You can always walk off-set if something isn’t right. What you feel dictates what we can create, and it’s crucial that you feel supported.

My biggest rule is you walk away from a shoot feeling good about the work. Shoots are a collaborative effort. You are always welcome to bring a friend, parent or guardian, and they are welcome to be on set at all times. There will always be a private space for changing, a bathroom, and food and water can be provided. I have included this as there needs to be a precedent set around how shoots are managed within the photographic industry, and any and all toxic behaviour needs to go.

Final thoughts, a big thank you to Emily Ratajkowski, her book My Body, did help inform me, and this article (which is an excerpt from the book) about her experience being assaulted on set, is a hugely important read, and I believe an important one all photographers should read who shoot models.