1. What made you decide to create a bondage site?
It’s a bit clichéd really but I wasn’t seeing the kind of thing I liked. At the time there seemed to be a lot of nude bondage about and I have always been a fan of clothed bondage. I thought about doing a shoot but didn’t think I’d find any models in the UK (how wrong I was) Then I saw Restrained Elegance and realised they were UK based. A casting call in a model forum later and I did my first shoot.
After a couple more and realised it wasn’t cost effective to do as a hobby, approached a co-op token site and before I knew it I had a site
2. How much work goes into running a bondage site? What does it entail?
Can it be called work lol. Surprisingly, at times, that’s exactly what it is. Shoots are the fun bit, though can be tiring plus there’s the tidying and setting up before and tidying after. I usually do two 4 hour shoots a month. Then I am processing or setting release dates for at least an hour most nights as well as other site work, booking models, answering mails etc. I have several large spreadsheets set up to keep track of where I am – that is the work bit lol. However, all in all it’s not a huge amount of work.
3. What is the theme of your site?
The main theme is clothed Damsel in Distress rope bondage with a focus on silk and satin clothing, especially blouses. And anyone who knows my work will know I’m very fond of a knotted scarf cleave gag.
Natalia Forrest
4. How do you decide what outfits or positions will be used for one of your shoots?
Sometimes I plan the outfits based on where I’m shooting, the models looks and if I have a storyline in my head I’ll know the positions I am going to use. However, when working with new models any plans can go straight out of the window so I have become adept at winging it.
5. Describe one of your typical photo and video shoots from start to finish?
So model booked and day arrived. I usually chill out in the morning having prepped everything the night before - unless I’m being slack, then it’s a mad rush on the day lol. I have an assistant now, so he will arrive and finish setting up, sometimes Temptress Kate will come to help too. The model will arrive and we will usually have a cuppa before we start.
I show the model to the changing room and we go through what clothing she has brought then I decide what she will wear and leave her to glam herself up.
Before I start tying I have “the chat” so that the model is clear about what the shoot will entail, explain the plan and do a safety brief. With new models, I may have a longer conversation just to make sure they are totally comfortable.
So then the shoot starts proper, with new models I do a straight forward tie, models I have worked with before I may start with something more complicated. My assistant takes the photos whilst I am tying then I grab the camera.
I used to do the ‘on camera’ tying and photography by myself but running back and forth to the camera was exhausting lol The duration of a set may vary on its complexity but on average from setting the camera up to untied usually takes 45 mins (though I once did 3 sets in an hour). That’s mainly because my shoots are totally relaxed.
My assistant moves the lights, if required and I select a new wardrobe for the model to wear. The second set is usually a hogtie, simply because we have a break, a cuppa and a snack after. For some models that’s the most difficult position and I like to be sure they have a good rest.
Then 2 or 3 more sets and we are done. ID photo taken and model release signed, money exchanges hands and we all bid farewell at which point I slump in my chair check out the photos and chill for a while.
Katie Thornton
6. What has been the most memorable of all the shoots you’ve done?
Wow, that’s impossible! So I’m going to cheat and name a few.
Top I guess was my first trip to Fetcon In New York where I got to shoot Darla Crane and Stacy Burke – two awesome ladies. Stacy just breezed in with a big smile. I remember after the first set, she asked me if it was OK as I hadn’t said anything whilst taking the photos. I explained there was nothing to say nor direction needed as she was so great.
I was really nervous about the shoot with Darla, she is one of my favourite bondage models (I am cringing hoping she isn’t reading this lol) but she is so lovely she put me at ease straight away and we had such a fun shoot.
Shooting with Jewell Marceau because she is just flaming awesome
A shoot with Akira Lane was memorable for two reasons, one she is totally amazing and two we didn’t notice the hurricane that had arrived until I opened the curtains. Minutes after we finished the lights all went out
My second shoot with Chanta Rose was memorable because between sets she walked around naked lol
7. What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of running a bondage site?
Mainly time management and regular life, oh and models not turning up, that’s a biggie in recent years, it never used to happen.
8. What is the dream shoot you have not yet done during your career as a rigger and site producer?
Apart from tying up numerous female TV personalities (Susanna Reid for example) and two or three retired bondage models, I had an idea many years ago for doing a Republican Serial style shoot but the logistics and cost just made it impractical unfortunately.
Hannah Claydon
9. What are your favorites: gags, type of restraint, bondage position for the model?
I think it’s evident that knotted cleave gags are my go to gags though I do also like a ball gag. I am a big rope bondage fan, I have used handcuffs on occasion but usually only when it’s necessary for a storyline. The position is again a bit of a cliché as I think it’s a lot of peoples favourite but I do love a hogtie and probably a cross legged one the most
10. How did you acquire your technique for rigging and photography?
It’s a bit strange really, I have a very odd ability to look at rigging and figure out how to tie it...who knew lol. After that it was a matter of trial and error. I remember tying Robyn in a box tie once; it took me ages as I hadn’t done many at that point. Then with one flex it virtually fell off, I had forgotten that she was triple jointed lol.
I think my photography technique comes from my love of reading and drawing comics so I was already thinking about camera angles way before actually picking up a camera.
11. Describe your very first bondage shoot and then describe how you’ve seen your style/technique evolve since that first shoot?
My first shoot was with a model called Angelica Vamp (I believe she moved to the US and worked with Bondage Divas). As you can imagine I was pretty nervous. I bought a new camera but didn’t have lights so relied on on camera flash and had also bought some blouses and other bits. Angelica arrived with her other half as a chaperone and we had a cuppa and chatted for a bit. They were both lovely people.
It was all a bit awkward for me but Angelica was great, patient and completely put me at ease.
I began tying her wrists with some rope I had bought from a hardware store and did a simple chest harness, knees, feet then the gag, taking pictures of each stage. We chatted throughout, well before the gag went in lol. It was pretty quick really, one of the benefits of on camera flash. Then we carried on in the same vain, she was so great to work with.
Her partner had sat outside my bedroom and at one point actually fell asleep and Angelica joked about what a great chaperone he was.
My rigging has definitely improved since that shoot, as has the range of positions in my repertoire. I don’t get nervous at all anymore and now it’s my job to be patient and put the models at their ease. After a couple of years I bought a SLR and some studio lights which have improved the quality immensely.
Emma Green
12. Are there any riggers/producers who have influenced you over the years? And, if so, how?
I would say mainly Jon Woods and Lorelei, I always loved their work in old Harmony magazines. Their style of rigging and DiD work was the first to really get my attention as it is pretty much right on the nose for me.
13. How do you find the models who appear on your site?
In different ways really, models would refer other models, some would just find my site. Model sites like Purestorm and PurplePort and recently on Twitter too.
14. What advice would you give to a person who wants to begin a bondage website as a producer/photographer/rigger?
The most important thing is to always remember you are dealing with a person, not a doll, treat the model with respect and be safe, no photo is worth risking your models wellbeing. I’m forever asking models if they are OK to an annoying extent at times lol.
15. What else do you want your people to know about you and your work?
I’m just a guy who enjoys tying up and photographing beautiful women and am privileged and lucky to have done so for over 15 years now, thanks to the support of the folks who like my work. I have made some great friends over the years and am proud to be part of the community.
............. So... If you didn't hear the shots being fired around the DA World over the past weeks , then allow me to size up the maylay between ...
Thanks for sharing another great interview.
Nice job!
Regarding Ques 8; Just have to ask what is " .... Republican Serial style shoot.. "? The imagination is running wild LOL.
And back to those top notch - fun to watch cliffhanger serials ...
Did you know , O' Rob Ranger , that there's a book which lists all of them ?
I didn't know there was such a book! And any of the serials that featured Linda Stirling were mucho exciting for me! What a cutie! The Crimson Ghost was another one I liked (because he had a really cool mask like the Ghost Rider). There's one I remember but can't place a name to so maybe you know it -- it had a villainess with a death chair and when some unsuspecting person sat in it, she would open a box in the headrest and a poisonous spider would bite the person in the seat. Ring any bells? That was another I liked but remembered watching through practically closed eyes because of that spider lol
It's called " TO BE CONTINUED " and it's a big coffie table type book.
It lists all 231 serials from 1929 to 1956 and gives a full description of the story from start to end..it lists how many episodes , and the cast , and the book has over 400 photo stills , including a number of D.I.D. 's
It was published by BONANZA BOOKS in the US , and I couldn't find a picture on line , but I scanned the copy I still have for you.
and yeah way , that Crimson ghost outfit was awesome!
Hold up.. I'll send you a copy of that book ...
That one's especially awesome because I love the work of BondageBob.