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.

This article is for photographers who want to get the most out of a photo session with a nude model.

1.       Begin with realistic expectations based on your experience, the models available to you, and your equipment. Expect that your work will evolve creatively and improve technically; but at a moderate pace as you learn and grow.

2.       Make shooting arrangements with a model. Preferably choose someone that you’ve already met, and who has experience modeling nude, or at least has experience modeling.

3.       Make sure the model understands specifically what you want to accomplish from the shoot. Show her samples of the kinds of images you want to achieve. Images speak volumes more than words can. Preferably these images are from your own work, but if you’re beginning you might want to use examples from magazines, etc. If you plan to publish or distribute the nude images, make sure the model understands and agrees to this.

4.       Make your own notes about what poses, props, lighting, backgrounds, etc. you want to use.

5.       Agree on a location for the shoot. Make sure to consider privacy for the model, climate control, and availability of electricity, natural light, or any other requirements for making your photographs. Make sure adequate backgrounds will be available at the location.

6.       Agree on a time for the shoot. Make sure to consider time for travel, makeup, setup of equipment, or other preparations. Discuss preparation time with the model so she knows to allow enough time to arrive on time.

7.       When you meet the model at the shoot location, greet her and make sure she has everything she needs: a place to put her stuff, a place to check makeup and hair, water or other beverage, etc.

8.       When you start shooting, begin with clothed shots to warm up. This is especially important if you’ve not worked with this model before, or if she’s not especially experienced with nude modeling. Progress slowly towards nudity to maintain the model’s comfort. Don’t progress too slowly, as this can be frustrating or seem silly to a model who is ready  to pose nude.

9.       Direct the model verbally; avoid physical contact, and limit your proximity to the model especially when she is nude.

10.   If your model is new to nude modeling, make the first nude shots side or back shots, until she is comfortable with more revealing shots. There is no necessity to progress to more revealing shots unless both of you want to.

11.   Keep shooting as you direct the model, even if the poses are not exactly what you want. This will help keep the model’s confidence up. Continue directing the model verbally and shooting until you see the poses you want.

12.   Try a variety of poses. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Keep in mind that only the best shots need be used later. Refer back to your notes about what poses, backgrounds, light, props, etc. you want to use.

13.   When you’re done shooting have the model sign a release and get a copy if her government issued photo identification (including date of birth) if you plan to publish the images. Some photographers prefer to get the release signed before the shoot.

Nude photography entails more than just photographic technique, there is a huge interpersonal element; much more so than in any other kind of people photography. There are many articles on the photographic technique of nude photography, but herein I will address how to talk to a nude model. By learning these verbal techniques, you should be able to direct the action from behind your camera just like a expert.

1. Begin by introducing yourself, or greeting the model if you’ve already met.
2. Don’t be nervous, it’s contagious. The more natural you are the better everything will go. Act as if you’ve done it a thousand times – even if you haven’t. Don’t be overly chatty or bold, just keep working.
3. During the photo shoot, Avoid physical contact with the models during posing; it is much more efficient to stay behind your camera and use verbal direction. Touching models can also come off as creepy. New models need to learn to follow verbal direction, and new photographers need to learn how to give verbal direction.
4. Be professional. Whenever possible, use neutral terms, not slang for body parts. If you want the model to turn her chest towards you, refer to her chest — not any of the popular vernacular terms for breasts. What you don’t say is as important as what you do say.
5. One effective technique of verbal direction is to mention a body part, and to simply describe what the model needs to do to achieve the exact, desired pose.
6. Keep verbal directions simple and clear. For example it’s easy to say, “Place you right hand on your right hip, then move your right foot a few inches to your right.”
7. Once the model has achieved the basic pose, suggest specific, clear refinements as needed in order to perfect the pose. Your choice of approach will be a personal one, but I tend to tell rather than ask. Phrasing instructions as a questions can make you seem less experienced and less professional. By making clear, concise statements, you’ll keep the shoot moving with the poses you want and without any confusion.

1. Bring some of your own wardrobe
2. Look at as many sample photos as possible, make sure you know which poses are going to be expected of you
3. Ask about hair and makeup, should you arrive with it done? Fingernails and toenails are part of your makeup
4. Beware of elastic in tight undergarments it leaves lines on your skin
5. Stay hydrated, drink water (and avoid alcohol) the night before the shoot. This will help your skin “bounce back” from garment lines.
6. Practice posing at different curves and angles
7. Don’t automatically smile and look at the camera, mix it up a bit
8. In standing poses, rest your weight on one foot or the other, but not evenly
9. In sitting poses, keep your weight on the back hip or thigh to give a slimming effect to the front leg.
10. For some poses you may need to suck in your stomach even if you’re very fit, but don’t hold your breath
11. Make-up for camera can look different in the mirror than it will in the final image, make sure to listen to any on-camera makeup advice if you’re not experienced in this area.
12. Don’t be afraid to ask questions
13. Turn off your phone if you can; if you’re expecting an important call, make this known before beginning work.
14. Study poses that you like