Usually when I tell people what I do, I will get one of two responses.
First, and a surprisingly common response is "oh wow! I have a friend who is a sex worker" and the conversation moves on without a big fuss. Second, usually from Men, is a barrage of questions where they are hoping to confirm the weird crazy party stereotype they have built up in their head. So, here is a list of things a photo shoot is and is not.
It's not a party
This one is usually the hardest to hear. Sorry to burst that bubble for you, but mostly photo shoots are quiet and professional. Though I am fine with people drinking during a shoot, I personally need to keep myself sober so I can work. Too much alcohol or drugs of any sort will start to complicate the consent between myself and the model(s), and as soon as consent is not clear, the shoot stops.
No, I don't fuck the models.
I shouldn't be surprised that this is one of the first things I have to tell them, but there it is. No, I don't fuck the models. This would be a fast way to never get any shoots booked ever again.
No, I don't get an erection.
I have way too much to concentrate on to devote any time to becoming aroused during a photo shoot. If I'm getting "into it" that much, I'm probably missing details that will dilute the quality of the photos I am taking.
Yes, I do need an assistant, but not you.
There is so much I need to be aware of and tweak while taking photos, and I would love to have an assistant I can ask to keep an eye on certain things. Mostly though, people that ask this just want to see naked people. No, I don't need a distracted assistant that is going to try and hit on the model and make everyone uncomfortable.