Every so often this question reaches my ears and well its no small point.
But way before it reaches this point a sub can ask questions in the beginning that will give a clear heads up to the personality of the Dominant who is under consideration.
Simply ask the prospective D if they have ever ignored a subs limit and why. Now listen very carefully to the answer.
And honestly if they have ignored a limit before chances are they will do it again. And chances are they will do it to YOU.
If you decide to make a go of it with this person you will then risk getting emotionally tangled up with them and well your heart will have a way of complicating all of it. Then it will be hard for you when you are saying he repeatedly ignores my limits but i love Him or Her.
And while we are at it...asking a prospective D if They have pictures of the forms of play they engage in is valid. of course be prepared for all kinds of excuses. but i have a portfolio of hundreds of my play pictures...most of em dont have my face in them.
If the D is still on good terms with the exe subs and the reasons why blah blah dont matter. pictures taken of their rope work shared with you wont divulge who that person was. wont tell you where they live. someone parting on good terms will have access to pictures of their creative and kinky work to share with you.
and a heads up...someone with pictures that are not home made may not end up being the play partner you fantasize or hope you will find.
if you lower your standards that is what you are going to get in the end.