CAS: Outdoor Scenes & Photography

Private Land or Public?

It is best to do such shoots on private land with the permission of the owner or manager.  It is also best to be transparent about what you intend to do and get assurances of privacy.  If you are uncomfortable with telling them about the rope part of your plans, you can probably just call it an “outdoor erotic boudoir photoshoot” or something like that.  But plan what you intend to say so that you are not fumbling for words when they ask you what you intend to do!  Simplicity and confidence is a powerful tool in such conversations.

But private locations may not be possible, or it may be there is a particular natural feature that you specifically want to use that is on public land.  It is certainly possible to shoot on public land, but it does bring with it a host of additional considerations:

Public land, the law, and your responsibility to the public

If you are going to use public land, confirm that what you have planned is actually legally permissible in that location.  This is especially crucial if you are a visitor or tourist.  It’s not worth being arrested if you get caught by a public official.

If the land is part of a park or preserve, photo permits may be required.  This is common in places that attract wedding photographers, for example.  These permits may even reserve a section of that location for your exclusive use for the permitted time, but this is not as common.  It is worth checking out though.

You also have a responsibility to the public.  Remember, everything we do is only okay because we have the informed, authentic, enthusiastic consent of everyone involved.  If a random person happens to come across your scene, they have not consented to see whatever it is that you are doing.  You have rights, but so do they.  There is no ‘implicit consent’ argument that would apply in this case; they came out to see nature, not your rope skills.  Consider the potentially severe civil and criminal implications if children on a wildlife adventure come across you in the middle of your scene.  Protect yourself from any scenario that may leave you at risk of legal or criminal action.

Plan for privacy and security

If on public land, try to find a location that is not densely packed with trails.  Somewhere that you can get far enough away from a trail that the trees and foliage will provide sufficient visual and audible screening.  IMPORTANT:  Only do this if you are confident of your ability to orient yourself in the wild and can find your way back to the trail using a GPS, compass, and/or other orienteering skills.

Don’t try to set up at some well-known picturesque spot that people can be expected to visit at any moment.  They have just as much a right to use that location as you do.  It is not reasonable for you to expect them to not go to a place they were intending to go just because you want to use it.  (Unless you have a permit specifically reserving it for your private use.  But even then, people might show up.  People will do unexpected things.)

Bring screening/camouflaging material and thin cord you can use to hang it up.

Bring something like a light blanket you can toss over your partner for privacy if some person does approach.

Have an additional support person whose entire job will be to continually look and listen outward from the scene, watching for anyone approaching.  That person can intercept anyone approaching, tell them you are doing a photoshoot and ask them to go around.  This gives you additional time to react, put a cover over your partner, etc.

If someone insists on approaching, ungag your partner at a minimum (if they are gagged) so they can speak for themselves and personally assure the intruder that they are OK.  Be polite at first, “Thanks for checking, but I am totally ok and want to be here!”  As the person approaches, turn on your phone’s video recorder so you have an audio record of what happens and can instantly pick it up to begin recording visuals as well, if needed.  If your area is particularly full of busybodies or nosey types, it can be helpful to pre-record a video of both you and your partner together looking into the camera, saying that day’s date and assuring the camera that they are participating of their own free will and are excited to be shooting today.

Prepare yourself and your partner/model psychologically so that you are not acting embarrassed if someone insists on approaching you.  Confidence is powerful in turning aside suspicion.

The shoot itself – Making it more comfortable and successful

Plan your time and location so that everyone can be comfortable.  If your planned day arrives and it is just too hot or muggy outside, do yourself a favor and shift your plans to another day.  It can be helpful to choose a slightly overcast day.  That can help reduce overall heat, and it also often helpful for photography, softening the light and avoiding “hot spots”.  If you choose a sunny day, consider locations with shade available.

Sunscreen, bug repellent, water and snacks would also be helpful to have on hand. This may mean that you choose to use rope that you don’t mind getting sunscreen and bug repellent on…

A word on sunscreen:  Even if it is overcast, check your UV index.  UV rays penetrate clouds.  Some of the worst sunburns I have ever seen have come from lovely, temperate, overcast days where it just didn’t seem like sunburn would be a risk.  I am talking boiled-lobster-level red.  Take care of your selves and your skin!  If the UV index for your location is above 3, apply sunscreen and re-apply ever two hours.

It can be very helpful to have a soft cushion of some sort for the rope bottom(s) to sit or lay on. Increasing the rope bottom’s comfort can increase the length of time they can remain in the rope, which can make getting a fabulous picture much more achievable (if that is your goal).

If you are doing rope alone in the woods, ensure that someone you trust knows your exact location and when you expect to be back to your home.

Regardless of if you are alone or with others, it is wise to set up a safe call with someone (have them call you at a predetermined time to check on you) in case something unexpected happens. (Refer to the movie “127 hours” for a particularly powerful real-life example of why this is important.)

If you are doing photography, set up your photography rig before tying so you can go right into the shoot without making them wait and potentially losing some of their excitement.  The difference will show up in your pictures.

A word on multi-classing (trying to do more than one role at a time)

This does not work for everyone–sometimes the rigger or subject has very specific artistic vision that they want to carry out personally–and that is totally fine, but if your outing is for photography, consider planning things so that each major role (rigger, model/subject, and photographer) are all different people.  It makes things much easier when each person can focus on one thing.  You will often get better results.

That said, if it is your vision and you bring along a different person as the photographer, come to an agreement before you go as to who holds the copyright for the pictures.  The law says that the person actually pressing the shutter release button is the photographer and holds all the copyrights for an image unless another agreement is reached.  So make sure you discuss and agree on those details prior to allowing them to come with you.  Consider if you need to have that agreement in writing.  Perhaps you have them shoot using your equipment.

As always plan for emergencies:

Have your preferred rope-cutting tool on your person.  The best choice is usually EMT shears or an EMT hook.

Make sure you have a way to call for help (a fully charged cellphone with service) in case of an emergency.

Look up and memorize the local emergency services number.  911 throughout the U.S., but different in other countries.

Very Rarely…

I hesitate to bring this up because this kind of situation is thankfully very rare, but you should also have a plan for what to do if a person insists on approaching you and seems like they intend to make trouble.  If they try to get physically involved … “No way I am walking away from here with them still tied up like that” or “I’m calling the cops” – be prepared to cut the ropes and get out of there as quickly as possible.

You have already had your partner speak to them politely, so now is the time to have your partner stand shoulder to shoulder with you and speak very firmly, “You are not wanted here.  You are messing up an otherwise lovely day.  I get that you wanted to make sure I was safe.  Up to that point, that was a socially responsible thing to do, even a bit sweet.  But now that I have very clearly told you I am fine, your continued interference is no longer cool.  It’s time for you to go.”