Nude Portraiture for Beginning Photographers
Jennifer Jones, Gazelle Powers and HerStillnessDances Posing in the studio on Wildcat Hill
The Do’s and Don’ts of Nude Photography
1. What is the best way to search out a model to work with?
Catalina Cruise poses in the outdoor bath on Wildcat Hill
If you are looking for a certain nude model to work with, they will 9 times out of 10 have a portfolio online of their past work. With the rise in social media, using Instagram and Twitter is a great start. For the most part, if you are searching around for a model you will most likely have found them on a social media platform but if a fellow photographer recommends someone, going to those platforms first is a safe bet. Other than social media profiles, websites like Model Mayhem can be great resources when searching out fine art nude models to work with. Model Mayhem is a website that allows models to post galleries of their past work and receive “recommendations” from past photoshoots. In the past, Model Mayhem was a bit more relevant and a crucial site for nude models to present their work. Most models these days have a Model Mayhem account, but be sure to not only reach out on that platform as a lot have switched to the previously mentioned social media platforms.
Another great way to search out a specific model to work with is seeing what their workshop schedule is for the year and signing up for one. This in turn helps make sure the workshop fills and that they will be able to keep it on their schedule.
2. What is the best setting to first start working with a nude model?
Jennifer Jones poses for a Weston Photography Workshop on Wildcat Hill
We believe the best setting to first get introduced to working with a fine art nude model is through a group or private workshop. If you have never photographed the figure before, getting into that line of photography can be very nerve racking at first. This is only because the photographer has little experience in the field and this type of photography requires interaction with another human. It is quite different than going out and taking photographs of trees and rocks.
We can’t vouch for other workshops, but at a Weston Workshop, wether it is a group or private, we make sure those new to the art have all the necessary tools to be successful. The group setting is friendly with everyone helping and supporting each other throughout the day. When one photographer is shooting, others are holding reflectors and providing insight on light and composition. We highly encourage a team effort during our group workshop experiences. Not only does that make the flow of the day go way smoother, but it creates a bond between the photographers. On our workshop sign up page we have a selection “Have you ever photographed a nude model?” and if you haven't we make sure your first time is as best as can be. In addition to receiving help from your group members, you have instructors, Kim and Zach Weston that are always available for guidance. We walk amongst the groups during the day and are always ready to provide a helping hand.
3. What is a good way to break the ice with a nude model?
Fine Art Models and participants having fun on Wildcat Hill during a workshop
The best way to start the interaction with your model is to talk about your photography. It is super important for the model to know what your photographic history is. This entails how long you have been photographing, what you like to photograph, if you have done any nude photography, etc. This allows the model to get a better understanding of who you are as an artist and will greatly help her when she is posing.
It is also very helpful to express your end goals with your work. Are you creating a portfolio for a show? Are you just practicing your fine art nude photography compositions? The more you tell your model about yourself and what you want to accomplish, the better chances you will both succeed while working together. You must remember that your model is a human being and is receptive to any and all information you can provide. Sometimes photographers forget that they are working with another human and treat the model as if she/he was just a tree in the woods. Don’t do this! Be open and talkative during your session.
4. When interacting with a nude model, what are the correct ways to engage with them?
Fine Art Nude Model Gazelle Powers modeling in the studio on Wildcat Hill
When you are photographing the nude model, it is crucial to be talking to them the whole time. A lot of photographers tend to hide behind their cameras once they start shooting. As we discussed in the previous point, the model is a human being and their posing will be directly affected by their mood and how they feel about the shoot. If you introduce yourself and then for the next two hours are silent with the only sound of your camera’s shutter going off, the experience is going to be tense and the images might not be as you were expecting.
Always engage even if you are just talking about what you are doing in the moment. Let them know how their pose is. Is it good? Could she be tweaked a bit? How is the light? Even just talking about how you are framing the shot, getting the focus is super beneficial. Some models hold pose until you tell them to switch it up while others will change poses at every shutter click. The point here is: Engage, Engage, Engage. Talk about what you had for breakfast that morning, just do not be silent.
5. Does it always have to be nude?
Most fine art nude models have wondrous wardrobes of great outfits that they have available for shoots. If they ask to bring them, always say YES! It can be very helpful during the photographic flow to change it up from only nude, to implied nude. Sometimes implying what the viewer sees can make the image that more powerful. It is not always about seeing everything.
Fabric is another powerful tool to have when photographing the nude model. Lacey see through material can be used to wrap the model in or use as a sail to capture movement. As a nude photographer, having a bag of materials yourself is crucial. A black backdrop, a white backdrop, a white lace, a shiny colored velvet blanket are all great items to have. That way, if the model is traveling and doesn’t have the room to pack fabric, you are already prepared with some of your own. Another benefit of having your own material is that over time you learn how they photograph which in turn helps improve your photography. If you rely on the model to bring materials, you are always having to figure out how they photograph on the spot and might not get the results you were hoping for!
6. How do you pick a location?
Fine art model Meghan Claire posing outside on Wildcat Hill during a group photo workshop
This is why a workshop is such a nice environment to work in. Not only are there multiple models during the few days of shooting, but the locations are already picked out and approved. Sometimes finding a location on your own can prove quite difficult. The first obvious spot would be your private residence. Questions to consider before booking are: Is there enough light? Are there enough interesting props? Do you feel comfortable photographing in your own home? If photographing in the backyard: Is there a private area for nude model photography? These are all important point to consider and you should definitely take them into consideration before confirming a booking. Nothing worse than putting in all the time to set up a shoot and then realizing the space you have is not suitable to what you want to capture.
At Wildcat Hill, we have three locations that photographers get to explore during a workshop. We have: The Main House, The Studio and The Bodie House. The Main House is the house that Edward Weston lived in when he lived here from 1938 - 1958. It has large, west facing windows and a wonderful skylight that forms a luminous glow on the wood floors. The Studio is Kim’s private studio where he built sets and photographed for so many years of his life. It is equipped with two huge skylights and an array of props and fabric to play with. The Bodie house was the first building built on the property and at one time was Charis Wilson’s writing studio. It is small but has a lot of interesting features and opens up to the whole back of the property. We also have a variety of outdoor locations from cypress trees, to a greenhouse, to fully filled out gardens. No matter how many times you come back there is always something to photograph!
7. Is there any pre-planning you should do before your shoot?
Fine art model Catalina Cruise modeling in the studio while Kim Weston instructs
Pre-planning that we suggest is to think about what kind of images you want to come away with from the photoshoot. Figure out your ideal setting, wether the figure should be nude or clothed, and what type of light you need for your desired look of your photographs. Pre visualizing the shot can be very helpful when you are in the moment photographing the model. Not only will it make you more confident in the shoot, but you won’t waste time thinking about what you want say ou have already figured that part out. Sometimes working with a nude model is all about capturing a moment in time and you want to be always ready to capture it at a moments notice.
8. Should the photographer get a model release?
When reaching out to a model to work with, before you confirm the booking, be sure they are willing to sign a model release. If they don’t agree to signing a release, we would caution working with them. Without a release, they have the ability to not let any images you take of them be posted online, presented in person, or sold. We recommend finding a model release that you like and sending it to the model for approval. Do not wait for them to approve the specific release on site. If there are any tweaks that need to be made they can be made prior to the photoshoot.
If you take a workshop with us, you are guaranteed a model release from each model at the end of the workshop. The releases have been pre-approved and all nude models we work with have agreed to sign a release. This is a crucial step in the process that many might overlook. Don’t be that photographer that overlooks this! It may seem trivial and not a big deal but can cause some serious headaches down the line.
9. Following up after the shoot
Nude model Vivian Cove posing for Weston Photography’s Boyer YL Ranch Workshop
It is always super helpful to send the model your processed images after your photoshoot. Not only does this help build their portfolio, but it is a good practice to get into as it helps you get toward the completion of the image. If you have a great photoshoot with an amazing model but then never process any of your images, was it really worth it? Going through and picking your favorites, editing them and getting them ready to print is crucial in this process. Models love it when photographers send them images. In the days of social media, it is always helpful to have something to post online.
Following up with an email thanking them for their time and expertise is also a nice touch and will be beneficial when reaching out to them to work on another idea you have in the future. Establishing and maintaining good relationships with the fine art nude models you work with is very important!