I would love to share with you a few of key pointers I have learnt (the hard way) through years of experience in the hope that you may delve into this magical area of photography with a lot more ease. I will not be focusing on imagery here but rather on the delicate process of shooting as this tends to be the trickiest aspect of any nude art project.
By the very nature of its subject, this area of photography sees you face to face with human beings laid bare. Both physically and emotionally. This very situation requires the utmost care as no matter how comfortable models tend to be with their bodies, they will never be instantly comfortable with you. A nude photo-shoot is not an ordinary photo-shoot and the balance of comfort must be maintained in order to produce harmonious imagery. Should the model get his/her guard up, they will either stop responding to your direction or pose with a rigid body in survival mode which will stem the natural flow of form and beauty.
To put things in perspective and to understand what it’s like to be in the models’ shoes, picture yourself in rush hour Times Square in New York, totally naked. The curious gazes of people focused on you. Looking you up and down. Focusing on each and every part of you laid bare. Feeling intimidated yet? Unless you are a seasoned nudist with a habit of wondering the streets naked…my guess is yes! Just imagining being fully exposed for the world to see can cause mild anxiety, the actual situation would be a lot more intense emotionally. So how can you ensure comfort is kept at normal levels?
After countless nude photo sessions, some successful, some less so, I finally feel that I have found a succession of steps to maintain a very comfortable atmosphere.
Here are the steps I like to call the ethics of nude photography:
Detailed project description
When creating a project, try to be as detailed in your description as you possibly can. The details should be to the point, non-repetitive and flowing in chronological and logical order. To start off, introduce yourself. Let potential models know who you are and what you are about. The key here is to do it all in a personal tone as opposed to a rigid, formal listing of your personal details. For example: “Hi there, my name is Jon. I am a student at XYZ University and I have been studying art and photography for the past year.”
You can then move to describing what kind of photography equipment you might use during the shoot. This focus on detail can really distinguish you from the rest as artistic project descriptions can be vague at the best of times! An example of this technical detail might be “I tend to use film and digital cameras at the same time, my film camera is a Mamiya RZ67 Pro II and I tend to use medium format film and for digital I use a Nikon D800…”
The next step in the description stage will be talking about the project itself. You must describe and give a feel of your vision. “My vision is a fine art, abstract, nude project. My main focus will be on shapes and shadows, the play of light and contrasts. The majority of the shots will be done in a studio environment in order to keep control over lighting”. Mentioning the studio environment is a safe way for the model to picture the setting so that they are reassured it is in fact NOT in Times Square. At rush hour! Because you have described your vision, the model could even start thinking about some poses beforehand or get some creative vibes just from reading your words.
Discussing project expectations is next on the agenda. You must communicate exactly what you expect of her/him. For example, there may be some shots in which you require them to expose breasts, posterior or genitals. Do not shy away from stating this from the very beginning. It is far better to let models know what’s expected of them in advance than creating an awkward moment on the day of the shoot and compromising not only your project, but also the chance to work with a model who may have been very good!
Now that we have covered the vision and level of expectation, we need to discuss what the images will be for or where they will be displayed/ published. For example, should the images be published in a book or displayed in an art gallery, it would offer the models reassurance that they are dealing with a professional.
And so we come to the matter of compensation. Remuneration could make or break your project. Should you not have enough budget, you must always make sure you can offer something of value in return. A great example would be a few well edited photos for their portfolio or shared rights on some of the images and prints.
Including some links to similar images by other artists or inspiring projects will involve and engage models emotionally since they will be able to picture themselves in some of the poses shown. Taking the edge off the first interactions and your direction, models who have been able to look into similar work will approach the shoot from a more confident perspective.
Meet and greet
As you have completed these initial, yet critical, first steps, it’s time to meet your models face to face. The best option is a public place over a coffee or a soft drink (alcoholic beverages are not a great idea due to the sensitive nature of the subject). Discussing your project in detail and in person will give your models a chance to assess your personality first hand and determine whether they are comfortable enough around you.
When meeting up, try to be yourself as much as you can even if you, yourself, are a touch nervous. Talk about your ideas, your artistic vision and convey to them how they would be the embodiment of your artistic expression making it come alive. Showing them how they will become a work of art will come as a compliment in that it is not just about their beauty and their honed bodies. It is about flow and movement, about beauty at the very core of the human form and what it means to capture it for eternity.
Encouraging your models to ask you questions about yourself and the project is a great way to break down barriers and dispel any preconceptions. This helps establish rapport between artist and subject, always remember however, it must all be with professionalism in mind. Also, make sure you discuss expectations in the meeting again and evaluate their reaction. You will be able to determine whether the models are emotionally open to the project and whether they will be comfortable on the day of the shoot.
You must ensure that you maintain a professional demeanor throughout. It will always convey professionalism and reassure your collaborators. Introduce yourself, say hello and goodbye with a firm handshake. Do not assume over familiarity and hug or kiss your models.
Should you have additional collaborators on the day of the shoot, you must inform your models of this. For instance, if you know there will be a makeup artist there, your model needs to know that before the day. Remember to mention the age and gender of all participants to the shoot as well as their level of competency. The models must know whether they will be working with novices, students, staff with nude photography experience etc.
Scheduling the shoot
All you now need to do after laying the ground work is to schedule the photo shoot. First of all, you must make sure you schedule everything at least seven days in advance. All details and all addresses of the locations should be confirmed and reconfirmed before the day and all the parties should have agreed on all points.
Once everything is in place and you know your timings, email all participants informing them of the exact time and location of the shoot. It does not matter if you repeat yourself, better safe than sorry is what I have always found! For best practice, send the same email to everyone so that they will have each other’s contact details before the day.
You should research how your participants are getting to the shoot location and where they are travelling from. Always include a map as well as transport links and routes in the email you send out. The easier you make it for your participants, the better results you can expect!
On the day of the shoot
This is when your vision comes to life. This is when what’s in your mind’s eye will find its tender expression in reality. Just as you have prepared everything in the run up to this very day, you must take time to prepare yourself mentally for it. Everyone involved, particularly your models, will be able to sense your levels of confidence and control since you will be their focal point for the duration of the shoot. A pleasant smile and kind eyes will help establish rapport with your team and generate a great atmosphere that’s guaranteed to produce great results.
Again, make sure you greet everyone with a handshake (no hugs or kisses) and introduce everyone properly. This will help break the ice and get everyone comfortable in each other’s presence.
During the shoot you must ensure that everyone is well watered and fed since the day can be very tiring. Working on a shoot can be as energy consuming and exhausting as running a marathon.
How to shoot
And so we come to the most important part of your photographic duties. You’ve established yourself as a professional artist and made everyone comfortable around you, now it’s time to do what you do best!
Kindly invite your model to appear in front of camera with their clothes on first, take few shots and show them to everyone. This way you make yourself accessible and offer visual feedback and encouragement which will only serve as a creativity booster and incentive for everyone to give their best for you.
Now politely ask your model to undress and get ready for the shoot. Always ensure your model brings a robe to use at ease while resting or taking a break during the shoot.
Always try and look at the model’s eyes. Avoid staring or allowing your gaze to linger at the model as it can put them in an uncomfortable state of mind. When you are not physically taking a photo, do look away and avoid directly gazing at the model.
If you are using a digital camera and examining the result, always make sure you are sharing the photos with your model. By doing this, you will be giving the best feedback you can ever give your model. You can creatively critique the pose or correct it politely and non-intrusively.
And now for what might be the most important rule of all. You must not touch your model unless you have asked for permission several times prior to doing so. The level of touch should be strictly limited to pose correction or adjusting hair.
Again, make sure you have asked for permission until the model is perfectly happy for you to make necessary adjustments.
At the end of the shoot, allow the model to get dressed and ready in privacy.
After the shoot
Once the shoot is complete, a great way to end the collaboration is to sit for few minutes and go through all images of the day with your model. This final feedback will give your model a sense of achievement and may prompt them to work with you again on future projects.
I always find that inviting all the participants to your shoot for a drink post shoot is a lovely way to round up an exhausting yet beautifully creative day. Take this opportunity to let everyone know when they can expect to see the results of your collective work.
Follow these steps and you will have established yourself as a reputable nude photographer in no time.
Always remember, treat others how you like to be treated. Making people part of your art is an art in itself, master this and you can let your creativity soar!
ArtNuda 
Enjoyed reading this.
LikeLike