The following is a direct transcription of Chelsea’s Instagram story Shoot Advice (done with her permission). Chelsea shares some of her experiences and approach to shooting with a photographer and protecting yourself.

I have seen a lot of people coming out and bravely speaking out about photographers lately, and some other men in similar industries where they end up one on one with a female, I have wanted to speak about this subject for some time and mainly be able to help and prevent! I my self have been in abusive situations and relationships and also uncomfortable shoots!
So please take the time to read my next story posts I will be making a highlight on my page also.

Being a model modelling mainly glamour I tend to fall victim to lots of pushy photogs or people with their own expectations of what I will do for them and their!! Benefit. I believe every photographer should be making serious efforts to understand exactly what the models boundaries are BEFORE shooting! And to NOT bring that back up on the day of shooting in the hope that they will go beyond what you have already discussed because YOU think it’ll make a better photo for YOU. So many of us girls feel extremely awkward face to face in these situations and it’s sad to admit but its true and it needs to be spoken about because these men KNOW these girls feel awkward and know they may be able to push the boundaries more.

SIGN SOMETHING I don’t care if it is a fire shoot everyone needs to have something signed and it should just be a standard in this industry… Both have a copy of signed agreement of what the models levels are, where the shoot takes place, roughly for how long. Who will be at the shoot, what are the photos going to be used for. This needs to ALWAYS happen. Models and photogs need to both do this for their own safety but from a models point of view as that is what I am I have this signed for my own safety and if ANYONE ever released photos of me that were not the levels that I had agreed to then I am in more of a position to get that photo down etc.

This is the exact reason I am with an agency (girls/guys who tell me I’m stupid for being with an agency cos ThEy TAkE CoMiSsIOn ) they keep me safe. I’m not here for a bit of fun this is my livelihood and I see too many statements come out in this industry of girls being taken full advantage of in one way Of another.

Before I was with my modelling agency I almost got scammed and was in a very uncomfortable position with my chaperone LOCKED out of the building. My manager is a female and her key job is keeping us safe and knowing who these predator photogs are because BELIEVE me they shoot with some of the “BIGGEST’ models so sadly lots of girls jump at the chance to shoot with these guys. Social media presences are mostly FAKE do not shoot with someone Just because of the amount of followers they have.

Tips I started to do around a year ago was … making sure they tag the models in all posts … dodgy when they don’t … or all the model pages no longer exist … if they do tag get in contact with a couple of the models and ask how their experience was! Don’t be fooled by pictures being posted and the girl liking them you may end up opening a whole can of worms you’d never of known about just by messaging them. I definitely did with a bad experience and me and the girl ended up having a really good phone call (girl power!) DONT let men make you feel like girl power isn’t a thing … these guys love to put you all against each other.

Never and I mean NEVER drink or do drugs on a shoot! If a photog offers you these things get the Fuck out of there! Even if you love a drink a shoot isn’t the time nor place for it!

Always remember that a photo can last forever make sure you are really happy with these images … photographers you NEED to be confirming with models that they are happy with images it’s both of your work stop being so these photos are mine I’ll do as I will with them … NO it’s my fucking body. I have fallen victim and 100% still probably do to seeing photos I don’t even like of myself .. including paid jobs.

I now won’t be doing any nude work for free unless I have already worked with the photographer and believe we can make great art together or I adore their work. maybe I see an image I love or have something in my head and 1 TRUST that they are the best person to create that piece of art with me. Do you see where I’m going with this … its on MY terms because it’s MY naked body. The fact is the amount of people who want to do ‘test shoots’ with me end up sending me these inspo ideas they have and they are ALL naked and it’s like what are you even doing with that cos it can’t go onto Instagram or a pay site..

Since having @larrnarr as my manager I haven’t had any problems with anyone I have worked with and 9 times out of 10 I would work with all of them again! she makes sure every single person signs something so she knows I’m safe and if those images are anywhere else that they shouldn’t be we are able to take action.

Thank you to all the wonderful photographers I have worked with who have always made sure I am comfortable and happy on shoot and create beautiful art with me. But please stay out of my DMs if your just some guy with a camera that just wants to see a pair of good tits for free. Thank you

My DMs are always open to anyone who wants advice or is unsure about a situation that’s happened.