Nude modeling isn’t only about posing for erotic magazines or in a group setting. Art models pose for students or professional artists who are working on a piece of artwork.
Models can contact local universities or junior colleges with art departments to see if they need nude or clothed models for life drawing or painting classes.
The Basics
Whether you are an amateur photographer or an experienced model looking for a new challenge, working as a nude model can be an exciting and rewarding experience. As with any other career, there is a certain amount of work that goes into being a naked model. Besides being in front of the camera for long periods of time, there is networking, marketing, advertising and portfolio preparation. For an art model, this can include posing for students taking life drawing classes.
Having a little bit of art knowledge can help you, as the model, pose in flattering yet challenging ways that will allow students to better understand how to draw the human body. Art models need to be aware of how shadows and lighting are important in creating a realistic figure. In addition, the models need to be comfortable with exposing part of their bodies that are often overlooked because they are covered by clothing.
Nude modeling can be very erotic and sexual but it is also a great way to learn how to express yourself artistically. Many artists appreciate the sensual aspect of nude modeling and the ability to capture curves and lines that may be masked when the model is dressed in clothes.
If you are interested in becoming a nude art model, you can check with local universities or Jr. Colleges to see if there are any art classes that require figure models. In addition, you can look for art modeling jobs on popular job apps like Indeed or Craigslist.
One of the most difficult aspects of being a naked model is being socially ambiguous. It is the model’s responsibility to act professionally while exposing her nude body for an extended period of time in front of a room full of art students. This requires a level of confidence and indifference that is not found in many people.
In some cases, nude art models are asked to pose in costumes or with props. However, for most of the time, the nude model is expected to remain undressed throughout the entire session. This is a very delicate situation and if the artist feels uncomfortable with this, it is her responsibility to speak up.
Getting Started
If you’re interested in becoming a nude model, it may be helpful to take some classed at a trade or vocational school. These classes will teach you the basics of modeling and will help you to create a portfolio that will give you a better chance of finding work.
Another option is to contact a local art college and ask if they need models for their life drawing or painting classes. This is a great way to get started and is fairly easy to do. It’s important to remember that the artists who are working with you aren’t looking to judge your body or physique, they are simply trying to represent your image in their art.
While in a nude pose, it is extremely important to never look directly at the artist. This will make the artist uncomfortable and will make them feel self-conscious. Instead, the model should focus her gaze on some inanimate object that is either near the ceiling or the floor. If she looks directly at the artist, she should quickly and warmly look away before doing so again.
In addition to the basic rules of not approaching anyone while in a nude pose, it is very important to never touch a model who is posing. It’s easy to forget that this is a very sensitive session and if you touch the model, she will likely lose confidence in you and your ability to capture her image effectively. If you are feeling the urge to touch a model, try and distract her with something else such as a prop or mirror to help you calm your impulses.
It’s also important to communicate with the model and let them know what you are hoping to achieve from the session. This will help them to feel more comfortable in front of the camera and it will also allow them to express their own ideas about how they’d like to pose. This will lead to a much more productive and enjoyable shoot. It’s also important to provide a model with a copy of her photos so that she knows where her images are going and can feel confident about their distribution.
Preparing for the Shoot
The day of the shoot is finally here and it’s time to put all the planning into action. Taking the time to scout the location and understand the lighting conditions will ensure that everything runs smoothly during the shoot. Having a shot list ready will also save time and make sure that the photographer is not forgetting anything important. Having a backup scene in case something goes wrong or the weather is bad is another way to be prepared.
Be sure to arrive early on set to allow enough time to get everything setup and ready before the talent arrives. It’s also a good idea to bring any props that the model might need and a hair and makeup kit. The last thing you want is to run out of time or have to reshoot scenes that are already planned.
Before the photoshoot, it is important that everyone involved gets a good night’s rest and has healthy skin. This will help the models to look their best during the shoot. It’s also a good idea for the photographer to test the camera and flash to make sure everything is working properly. Getting a few extra batteries and memory cards will also be helpful in case one of the items breaks during the shoot.
It is also a good idea to bring any paperwork for the shoot, such as model releases or contracts. Having these ready to go will ensure that the shoot is running smoothly and prevent any legal issues down the road. Lastly, the photographer should be sure to have a copy of their insurance policy handy in case of an accident during the shoot.
It is essential for the photographer to organize a call sheet that lists all the talent and crew members and their contact information. Having a detailed call sheet will also help them keep track of when the talent and crew should be arriving for the shoot. The call sheet can be uploaded to a private online platform, such as Trafft, that will send out automated email or text reminders to the people involved in the shoot, helping to prevent any no-shows or tardiness during the shoot.
During the Shoot
Once you’ve booked the model and got all the details down you will want to send a “call sheet” out to everyone involved (model, hair/makeup artists, photographer) before hand. This will give all the dates, times and locations that need to be at where they need to be. This is also a good time to make sure you have a clear understanding of usage (how you’ll be using the images) from your booking agent. This is pretty important so you don’t get in trouble down the road.