How to Take Artistic Nude Photographs - Part 1

[arkhamrefugee]

How to Take Artistic Nude Photographs - Part 1
Sealing the Deal

Over the course of history, the human body has remained one of the most influential and controversial subjects which an artist can render. The challenges of working with a human subject become apparent very quickly and the layers of meaning and inference only increase when one considers venturing into the arena of the nude model. The unclothed human body has generated countless arguments, passions and controversies. It has also displayed the beauty of our own bodies, inspired artists and uplifted people from mere models to expressions of art. This has been true since the first nude was painted and is even more true with photography today.

In this series of posts, I hope to give some insight on what it takes to photograph artistic nude, boudoir, lingere or glamour nude models. While the finished projects in each category will probably be signifigantly different from each other, I think that the underlying philosophies and principles for each are the same.

As most photographers know, sitting for portraits is an act of trust on the part of the model. They trust that you as the photographer will show them in the best light possible as often as possible. This display of trust is only magnified when the sitting in question is for nude (or nearly so) photographs. While professional models are an excellent resource for trying new projects and fulfilling contracts, some of the most emotionally and artistically satisfying work I have done have been for clients who have paid me to photograph them. But how does one even make the pitch for that kind of service?

People ask me all the time how I convince folks to sit for nude or lingere photos and so let me share with all of you some of the things I have had work for me in pitching a nude or lingere shoot.

1. Don't try and sell the model on the shoot. I tell people who ask that I don't usually have to convince anyone of anything. I make the suggestion and let the individual client make their own decision. This hands-off, low pressure tactic is what I attribute to my success in getting models who are willing and able to pose for intimate portraits. No one wants to feel pressured to take off their clothes, particularly not for something that lasts as long as a picture. Let them come to the decision on their own.

2. Be gracious and professional. If your would-be model declines to have nude photos taken, be gracious about it and don't push. They may change their mind later. If the model agrees, then be professional. Even if you really wanted to get the model for a shoot, don't go all Daffy Duck and start hooting in joy.

3. Allow for a chaperone. Especially for first time models, suggest that they bring a friend or spouse with them for the shoot. If you have an assistant, ask if the assistant can be present for the shoot. Have at least one other person there, preferably someone that the model knows. This way the model doesn't feel like they are alone with a stranger and can try to get comfortable with the shoot.

4. Be mindful of your surroundings. You may be dripping sweat because your lamps are making the shoebox you use as your studio uncomfortably hot, but don't immediately reach for the AC. Remember that you're wearing clothes and your model isn't. If they get cold, then they're apt to get uncomfortable and if they get uncomfortable, it will show up in the picture. I have found that keeping a couple of fuzzy terry cloth robes around helps with the dual problems of modesty and temperature control.

5. Start slow, then work your way up. Unless they have done nude or lingere modeling before, it would probably be a good idea to start your model off at least partially clothed and work them up to removing the pieces that you want gone. This allows them to feel comfortable with a slow progression towards the final shots instead of jumping directly into the deep end, as it were.

6. Be professional. I know it probably doesn't need saying but I'll reiterate just to be safe. Be professional when dealing with your models. Don't leer, don't make suggestive comments to your model and don't crack wise about their body. I have gotten no small amount of business from people who refuse to work with a photographer because of his or her unprofessional behavior.

That's it for this post. Next post, I will talk about some lighting tricks and post production effects that I have used with success in my own pictures.

[tvoelcker]

Good read. Thanks for taking the time to post this.

[JodyGall]

Thank you for taking the time to type all this out. I have been turning down people left and right for nude and boudoir type photographs (mind you they are all moms who want sexy photographs for their husbands! LOL! Who knew there would be such a high demand for this?). So I look forward to reading what else you have to say. I would never even have thought about getting into nude photography if I hadn't been asked so much about it! LOL! I just don't feel comfortable doing it yet because I dont' know the proper poses to hide things or even the proper poses to show things tastefully, ya know? Maybe sometime down the line I'll brave it and try. I have lots of my friends who are willing to volunteer, so I wont' be worried about getting practice. LOL! Anywho...I just wanted to say there is someone on here who is looking forward to what you have to share! Thanks so much!

[arkhamrefugee]

I think one of the most important things here is going to be for you to be as comfortable shooting as your model is sitting. It's something I frequently overlook because a lot of the people who are eager to get into shooting the art nudes are.. well, eager. So they are perforce comfortable taking the pics.

Thanks for the feedback. Let me know if any of this is helpful to you later.

[Seltzer]

Thanks for posting this! It is quite informative and insightful.

One question that comes to mind for me on this that wasn't covered is location. What location options do you find people to be most comfortable? As far as your domicile, external studio, their place, etc.

Also, please remember that for now this is in the standard tutorials section. It will get moved soon (as soon as we can get arkhamrefugee access to the nudes forum) so examples can be posted with the tutorials. While it is in the open tutorials please watch what you post to keep it more family friendly. This is to say, no posting of images/links here that qualify for the restricted section. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation on this. As always, if you need access to the nudes section please contact NaturesPixel or Sime, our administrators, to get this qualified access granted.

[arkhamrefugee]

Originally Posted by Seltzer

Thanks for posting this! It is quite informative and insightful.

One question that comes to mind for me on this that wasn't covered is location. What location options do you find people to be most comfortable? As far as your domicile, external studio, their place, etc.

I will address this specific topic in my next post.

[Seltzer]

Originally Posted by arkhamrefugee

I will address this specific topic in my next post.

Awesome. Thanks

[imagesbyjk]

I think this would be a much more effective tutorial with "illustrations".

[Seltzer]

redirected to the nudes section to match up with the other one.. permanant redirect left from the tutorials section.

[ZackOJones]

Assuming this tutorial continues in the nude section how does one gain access to that section?