Preparing for a Dominatrix Shoot — Tips from the Photographer

I have photographed dominatrices for over twenty years. In that time I have learned: what happens before the shoot determines the outcome more than anything I do with the camera. A well-prepared shoot is calm, focused and produces images that truly show who you are. A poorly prepared shoot is chaotic, wastes time and delivers mediocre results.

These tips are based on what I have learned through real shoots.

Latex takes time. Anyone who wears a tight latex outfit knows: without lubricant it is nearly impossible, and the process takes a while. Allow enough time before the shoot begins. Arrive already dressed or allow at least 30 extra minutes.

• Test the outfit at home beforehand — nothing is more disruptive than a zipper that jams
• Bring silicone spray or latex shine — polished latex looks dramatically better on camera
• Check for scratches and tears — light makes every defect visible
• Bring multiple outfits if possible — it gives the shoot more range

The same applies to leather: freshly conditioned, no scratches, buckles and clasps in good condition. Details matter in close-up shots.

Camera light absorbs make-up. What looks dramatic in the mirror often appears normal in a photograph. For a fetish shoot: more is more. Dark lips, defined eyes, contoured face.

• Lipstick in dark tones lasts best — red, bordeaux, near-black
• Eyebrows clear and defined — they give the gaze its strength
• Foundation one shade darker than usual looks more natural under artificial light
• Bring setting spray — shoots take time and lights generate heat

If unsure: I work with make-up artists on request. This can be arranged before the shoot.

A dominatrix without her instruments is like a stage without a set. Props tell the story that the outfit begins. Bring what belongs to you — not what you have borrowed for a photo.

• Whips, crops, paddles — check surface and condition, is the leather conditioned?
• Gloves in different lengths give styling options
• Collars, chains, cuffs as accessories for detail shots
• High heels: check the heel, clean, stable — stilettos read strongest

A few good props are better than many poor ones. Quality shows.

This is the part least discussed and the one that matters most. A dominatrix who feels secure in her role needs no instructions. She simply stands in the room and the space reorganises itself around her.

My request before every shoot: arrive rested. Not rushed. Without distractions on your phone. Bring the energy you have in a session — not the energy of a long working day.

I never tell my subjects to pose. I tell them to stop. The best images happen in the moments between poses.

A short conversation before the shoot is not bureaucratic formality — it is the difference between images that could have been and images that truly are.

• What are the images for? Website, Instagram, private use, agency?
• Are there images that inspire you — from other photographers or your own work?
• What should a stranger feel when they see your image for the first time?
• Is there anything you do not want — body parts, angles, moods?

Both have their strengths. In the studio I control everything — light, background, atmosphere. The result is precise and timeless. On location brings context, depth and surprises.

• Studio for classic power images, clean silhouettes, dramatic light
• Urban locations for a modern, edgy aesthetic
• Castles and historic spaces for a feudal, timeless visual language
• Nature only when the outfit fits — latex in the mountains is a statement

I work across Switzerland. Locations are discussed together in advance.

Herrschwartz is a photographer for latex, fetish and alternative photography in Switzerland. Studio shoots in Zurich, shoots across Switzerland. Prices from CHF 600.