Body Autonomy & Consent
Our guidelines on Body Autonomy and Consent reflect the dancer-centric focus of the studio. Body autonomy is defined broadly as each dancer’s right to determine:
- How and if they are physically touched
- What language is used when speaking about their body
- If a photograph may be used
Consent & Physical Contact
My goal is always to ask for permission before I make any physical contact. For example, “Can I touch your wrist?” If you’re at all uncomfortable, please say no. If I fail to ask, call me out. My goal is to ask every time. Giving consent is not assumed and never implied by previous permission.
The Words We Use
If I ever use a word or cue that feels off to you, please let me know. Your feedback helps create a better environment for everyone. The goal is always to communicate in a way that empowers and builds confidence.
How You Feel About an Image
Your emotional response to an image matters. What you like or dislike about a photo may go far beyond shape or technique. If an image doesn’t feel like you—whether emotionally or aesthetically—that’s valid.
You have full veto power. You don’t need to explain or justify why. If something doesn’t sit right or if the direction of a concept changes how you feel, just say the word—we’ll shift or scrap it entirely. Your voice leads the process.
Body Autonomy and Photoshop
Body Autonomy also dovetails into our guidelines on modifying a dancer’s body. The simple answer is we do not modify the dancer in our images or use compositing techniques to fabricate a final result from multiple photos.
It’s All About You
Your comfort, your voice, and your vision always come first. That includes how you’re posed, how you’re touched, how you’re talked to—and how you’re represented in the final images. If you ever feel uncomfortable with the direction of a shoot or the way a picture looks or feels, we’ll stop and rework it. No explanation needed.
That same philosophy guides our editing. We don’t alter your body or create something artificial from multiple photos. The goal is honest, respectful artistry.