When considering the technique of nude photography vs. portraiture, you won’t get too far by just applying the rules of portraiture to your nude work. Not that there is nothing to be borrowed from portraiture, some of the basics  (lighting ratio, etc) share similar concepts, but their application is greatly different.

Nude photography is a discipline in itself. Broaden your approach to more than full-length portrait photography minus the clothes, and you’ll be two steps ahead of most beginners. The lighting and posing concepts for nude photography are different from those of portraiture and fashion photography. I’m not going to tell you to forget everything you know about non-nude photography, because all that knowledge is going to help you. Admittedly, there are similarities between non-nude and nude photography, but you need to know what the differences are, my suggestion is that you neither forget nor rely entirely upon your past experiences, but instead that you learn with an open mind. (from page 10 of my book)

Knowledge of portrait lighting is helpful, but not essential to learning nude lighting. A portrait lighting configuration is not sufficient to light the whole body.

In portrait photography a ratio of 2:1 is traditional; but in nude photos a higher ratio like 3:1 or even 4:1 often yields more dramatic images. It is a matter of taste and style — the more fill light the more detail you will see in the shadows. Higher contrast images are often viewed as more artistic, while lower contrast images (like the 2:1 portrait ratio) can risk looking a little pedestrian.

The techniques around portraiture are distinct from nude photography (at least the kind that I do) in three major ways: 1. they were developed for photographing non-models; 2. they were developed for a subject who is also your customer; and, 3. the rules of portraiture center on the face — a minority in the world of nude photography:

1. Since we’re talking about photographing nude models (not ordinary people) there is little need for all those little tricks for minimizing or hiding flaws. If you do employ those tricks, you’ll likely miss out on some of the more interesting angles for your model.

2. To come up with an interesting image, you needn’t be concerned with the most flattering pose. Granted, you’re not trying to create an unflattering pose, but experimentation is called for. You’re not constrained by your subject being your customer.

3. And finally, the face does not have to be central to a nude. Certainly it can be, and sometimes to great effect. But many if not most interesting nudes are not about a face with the body as an afterthought.

So if you know some techniques from portraiture, begin with a fresh mind as you embark on nude photography.

1. Look for models who have been shooting regularly and recently. You should see recent photos, from various shoots, over the last six months.
2. If the model hasn’t already done the kind of shots you’re planning to do, she may back out.
3. Get a phone number, confirm via phone 48 hours in advance – if no call back 24 hours before the shoot, don’t bother setting up.
4. If you’re booking really far in advance, make sure to touch base about a week or ten days before the shoot; people do forget things.
5. Avoid booking for times that are already hectic: holidays, finals week, when models may have other things planned or when things may unexpectedly come up.
6. Be wary of models who ask about money and nothing else; they may be booking several gigs and showing up to only the highest bidder.
7. Pay market rates. If the model finds out your giving her a raw deal, she may back out.
8. Try to size up how “together” your model is before booking the shoot. For example, if she plans to drive all night and sleep in her car to be ready for the shoot – you might expect a no-show.
9. Make sure the models see your work, and know how it will be used before booking the shoot. Having a killer portfolio doesn’t hurt either
10. Be picky in selecting your models, choose them don’t let them choose you.

Be patient, sometimes legitimate problems come up; car troubles, love life, family, work, weather, health, monthly cycles, breakouts, etc.
Even following these, you’re going to be occasionally going to be frustrated by no-show models.

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You have the talent, you have the skill, you have the desire. You are ready to begin shooting nudes, but don’t know where to start. Here are ten examples of where not to start.

1. The triple first. First time model, first time photographer, first time together. Sure, it could work; but the triple first is a recipe for disaster: you’ve never photographed a nude, she’s never posed nude, and you’ve never met each other. Instead, consider doing a non-nude shoot with your model, or finding a model with nude experience.
2. Relying on words to recruit models. Pictures speak volumes, and when it comes to nude photography, the imagination runs wild (sometimes too wild) with words alone. Don’t frighten your potential models away, let your photos show how tasteful and artistic your ideas are.
3. Trying to sell yourself. Recruit, interview and hire the model. Don’t act like you’re trying to sell her on your ideas. In other words, don’t try to convince – people are naturally resistant to a sales job. Explain your ideas, and let her decide if she’s interested
4. Being too explicit
5. Being unprofessional. You’re not looking for a date or a friend. It’s OK to keep it light.
6. Acting too interested. I’ve never seen a photographer who exhibited too little enthusiasm, but too much intensity can be a major turn off (and a creep out).
7. Loosing focus. No, I’m not talking about beams of light. I mean you have to develop and define your subject and style before you’ll be taken seriously. It’s OK to experiment, but don’t throw everything into your portfolio.
8. Being indiscriminate. Don’t throw every image in your portfolio. Don’t ask every woman in the room to model for you. If people think you have low standards or are desperate, they won’t be able to get away from you fast enough
9. Skipping basics. You have to be a photographer before you can be a nude photographer.
10. Treating nude photography as if it were portrait photography. If you don’t learn how to light and pose the nude, your work will lack punch.

Just be yourself, and hang in there. Avoid the pitfalls listed above and the many more that exist. If you keep trying, you and your models will soon be well on your way to producing the spectacular nude photographs you know you’re capable of.