I have not crossed an auto and a photo (yet) but when I pollinate I isolate the receiving female, I use a Q-tip and I dip it in the pollen then I just lightly touch the pistols on the bud or buds I want to pollinate. I leave the female in isolation until the next day so the pollen can set in and start working then with a spray bottle set to mist, I lightly mist the bud I pollinated and heavily mist the rest of the plant,soil and flower pot so if there is any stray pollen on leaves soil or flower pot the water will destroy it. after the misting I put her back in the grow area with the other ladies. So far I have not accidentally pollinated any ladies in the grow area.