For many people, nudity is taboo. But for USF student Marrissa Kaczmarek, posing nude is part of her job. She models for art students on campus.
Her gig requires her to display varying levels of nudity, but she says most of the time it’s implied. For her, this work is not erotic and she hasn’t experienced any sexual harassment.
Education
Despite the common assumption that nude modeling is mostly for fashion and beauty shots, there are actually many more opportunities for models to be naked in other contexts. Art models, for example, pose for students in art classes who may draw, sketch or paint them. This kind of model experiences nudity in a more isolated environment, and they sometimes have to re-contextualize the meaning of being naked.
The most frequent type of modeling is for art students. In these types of classes, a nude model is a staple for life drawing sessions, which are used to help students learn how to capture all aspects of the human body through their chosen medium. The models are often naked for up to three hours and must change in a closet or a stall in the art studio. They also wear a robe during class while the professor evaluates their work.
For many art students, the experience of being a nude model can be a profoundly transformative one. For some, it is the first time they have seen themselves in that way, and for others, it can be a powerful and meaningful moment of self-discovery.
As an added educational benefit, being a nude model can provide valuable career skills. For example, it can teach models to use a variety of facial expressions to enhance their appeal in photographs. Aspiring models often attend modeling school to develop their skills and learn how to create a portfolio and composite card, which they then use to find clients or find representation from agencies.
While some models may do a lot of their own marketing and self-promotion, most of them rely on agencies to scout out new opportunities for them. This allows them to focus on preparing for their job, and it also helps them keep track of their assignments. Typically, models will pay the agency a commission on all jobs they book through them.
Some models, like Colleen Cirocco, a student in the pre-biological/pre-medical illustration (BPMI) program at LSA, are hired part-time to pose nude for students in figure drawing and painting classes. The poses last from two to 20 or 30 minutes and are either seated, standing or reclined. During the longer poses, the teacher might set a timer or the models count Mississippis in their heads until they are ready to shift positions.
Experience
For most people, the thought of a nude model brings to mind images from the Playboy and Penthouse magazines. However, nude modeling is much more than that. It involves posing without clothing for artistic or educational purposes. Models may be hired by art instructors, students, or professional artists for such projects as drawing or painting. The basic qualifications for this type of modeling include an attractive physique and a willingness to expose the body for a prolonged period of time.
The model is expected to follow basic etiquette while she works, which begins with arriving at the scene of the drawing or painting at least a few minutes early. She is expected to be polite and respectful, although she should not be so nervous that she becomes aloof or detached from the artists. She should be able to communicate with ease and to give directions when needed. She is also expected to be a good listener, as the artist will often ask the model for feedback during the drawing process.
In most cases, a model is required to pose naked, though she may wear small jewelry and eyeglasses during the draw. This is usually called life modeling, and it allows the artist to see the facial expressions of the model, as well as her posture and gestures. Some models may be asked to avert their eyes during this phase of the drawing.
Most models work as independent contractors, and their schedules can vary widely from day to day. They are required to be on hand whenever they are needed, and they must be willing to travel for some assignments. Most of the models who work for art departments or for students at universities are hired to be figure models, a term that refers to the nude figures that expert and aspiring artists have portrayed since Classical Greece to perfect their skills.
Working as a figure model can be physically demanding, especially when long poses are involved. The model can expect to feel her muscles cramping or her limbs falling asleep, and it is important that she be able to hold her pose for the duration of the allotted time. During breaks, the model is permitted to remove her robe and take a drink of water. However, she should not approach anyone else present unless she has been granted permission to do so.
Personality
Sketching a nude form is an activity that involves more than physical effort. It is also a mental and spiritual exercise that requires patience and discipline, culminating in the successful rendering of a satisfying result. As a result, a model should enter the studio with an attitude of professionalism and propriety. She should smile warmly and deferentially when speaking to the professors or coordinators, exhibiting a nonchalant demeanor about her part-time employment as a naked model.
Ideally, a nude model should avoid looking directly at the artists. This would make them uncomfortable. Instead, a model should keep her eyes fixed on some inanimate object or in the distance.
Style
An art model poses, often nude, for visual artists as a part of their work. This may include a painting, sculpture or video. The models are a subject of intense scrutiny and can be vulnerable to stigmatization or exploitation. In some instances, they must make a conscious decision to stay in the public eye and accept the potential negative consequences of their profession. The models may be asked to pose in many different ways to capture a wide range of emotions, from erotic to artistic or abstract.
The status of art models has fluctuated throughout history. From the idealized physiques portrayed in classical Greece and Rome, to the cover-up of naked figures during the Christian era and the prudishness of the Protestant Reformation, art modeling has been a controversial occupation for both men and women.
Some models choose to be self-employed while others are represented by talent agencies that find them jobs. Regardless of their chosen path, all models must prepare a portfolio and composite cards to demonstrate their abilities to prospective clients. They also have to attend castings, and spend a significant amount of time networking, scouting for opportunities and preparing their look for each job they book. Some of these models are able to secure regular bookings, but most have to constantly search for new assignments.
It is important for a model to be comfortable with the fact that she will be naked in front of other people. This will be especially true if she is modeling for an art class, where the artist or instructor will be interacting with her in a very intimate setting. It is a good idea for the model to take some pictures with her smartphone before she goes to a session, in case the artist or teacher asks for samples.
Another aspect of nude modeling is choosing the right clothing. The outfit should be tasteful and not expose the genitals. It is also important to use soft lighting during a photoshoot. The lighting can help create a more beautiful image by reducing contrast and brightening dark areas.