Here are some pointers on photographing models. Some of these are specific to photographing nudes, but many of them apply to any situation when you’re working with a model.
I’ll assume that you’re just getting started and like most of us your “models” are friends, acquaintances, best friend’s girlfriend, that artsy girl in your calculus class, etc, etc. If you’re an established photog with easy access to professional models who are accustomed to posing nude, you can stop reading here and get back to work.
I’ve chosen to use “she” and “her” throughout this tutorial because I photograph mostly female models. If you’re photographing a male model, don’t get confused, just switch to “he” and “his” in your head.
1. Keep Talking
Most people are uncomfortable in front of the camera, period. Being in front of the camera without clothes on is even more difficult. One way to help your model relax is to talk to her. Tell her what you’re doing with the lighting, tell her she looks great (without sounding creepy), ask her about her trip to Vietnam, explain your theories about life on other planets, whatever. Just don’t allow uncomforable silence. Fear and doubt creep into uncomfortable silences.
2. Project Confidence
If you’re freaking out behind the camera, your model will be freaking out in front of it. After all she’s in a far more vulnerable position than you are. Stay calm, and reassure her that things are going well. Have a plan, set up your lights, do some test shots, know your exposure values, etc before your model shows up and takes off her clothes. Having a nude model in your studio is stressful enough, especially if you’re new to shooting nudes. Try to get some of the technical stuff out of the way ahead of time.
3. Start Simple
It’s often good to do a few “getting comfortable shots” before moving into the nude shoot. Try some simple portraits to break the ice. Make excuses about a “lighting test” or something like that. Talk to the model, and move on to nude photos when you’re both more relaxed and comfortable working together. This is especially important when working with amateur models, friends, etc.
4. Respect her space
This is especially important when shooting nudes. You must not violate your model’s personal space. Personal space varies from person to person, and varies also based on that person’s comfort level with you the photographer. Err on the side of caution here. Until you’re sure you have a good understanding of how close you can get without making your model feel uncomfortable or threatened, I recommend that you stay at least 2 meters (6 feet) away. If you need to approach closer, ask her permission first.
5. Ask her to bring a friend
Again this varies from person to person, but if you don’t know the model well, it’s best that you ask her to bring a friend to the photo shoot. There are all kinds of good reasons for this:
- it makes the model feel more comfortable
- you can use the friend to solve the personal space problem in #4 above. Send the friend in to adjust out of place hairs, articles of clothing, or other props. I’ve even put a friend to work holding a light on a boom arm.
- having someone else there during the shoot can prevent accusations of misconduct later
6. Give her privacy to disrobe
Your model has agreed to collaborate with your artistic expression. Great! But this doesn’t mean she wants to undress in front of you, or sit naked on a stool while you rummage through your grip bag for another hotshoe multi-clamp. I always request that models bring a simple robe or other one-piece article of clothing to put on during breaks. At the beginning of the shoot I ask her to change into the robe in another room. She then wears the robe onto the set where we do our “getting comfortable” shots. When we’re both feeling comfortable she can slip out of the robe and put it on a chair or table just outside the frame. If we take a break or I need to mess with lighting, I ask her to put on the robe and relax for a little while. Hint: smooth fabrics like silk are better for preventing marks on the skin.
7. Discuss comfort levels before you start shooting
Your model will have feelings on how exposed she’s willing to be and what poses she’s willing to try. Talk to her ahead of time about how you plan to photograph her. What body parts to you want to shoot? What will be exposed, and what will be hidden in shadow? This goes both ways by the way. Explore your own feelings on the nude in art and decide your own comfort level. Is it figure studies and bodyscapes? Sensual portraits? Suggestive erotica? Explicit erotica?
All of these are appropriate topics for artists to explore. Which of them are appropriate for your art, and for this particular model? It’s painfully awkward to suggest a pose the model is uncomfortable with in the middle of a photo shoot. Much better to work this out ahead of time. If you’re not comfortable talking about it, get comfortable. It’s difficult to shoot nudes if you can’t be honest and open about your artistic intent.
