Model
Deja Mone
Posts: 12
Chicago, Illinois, US
I am a new model who is trying to make modeling more than just a hobby. Lately I have been getting paid job offers, but all of them seem to be for nude photoshoots. Is shooting in the nude a must if you want to be successful??
Photographer
AJ_In_Atlanta
Posts: 13053
Atlanta, Georgia, US
Not a must, but its not really uncommon. Even top fashion llamas shoot some level of nudity.
There is more of a market for freelance llamas in the nude (art and glamour) space and traditionally nude llamas are freelancers. So there is a natural gravitation between the two. You do not have agency stats so I would say there is more money available to you if you shoot nudes, but again its not required nor should you do anything you are not comfortable with.
Model
T A Y L O R
Posts: 2990
Seattle, Washington, US
If you're not agency height/weight/age standard ( www.newmodels.com has tons of info), it's almost impossible to make a living not doing nude work.
Photographer
Art of the nude
Posts: 12067
Grand Rapids, Michigan, US
The primary area where you can make steady money without some degree of nudity is commercial work. Chicago is certainly a decent place for that. To find out whether you're suited for it, check with local agencies.
Photographer
Farenell Photography
Posts: 18832
Albany, New York, US
Deja Mone wrote:
Is shooting in the nude a must if you want to be successful?? Not necessarily a "must", just damn difficult especially if you're on the freelance market.
Model
DELETE ACCOUNT
Posts: 5517
Eškašem, Badakhshan, Afghanistan
There are several types of nude work so the answer depends.
Photographer
Photographe
Posts: 2351
Bristol, England, United Kingdom
Deja Mone wrote:
I am a new model who is trying to make modeling more than just a hobby. Lately I have been getting paid job offers, but all of them seem to be for nude photoshoots. Is shooting in the nude a must if you want to be successful?? No. The highest ever paid model I shot, only shot implied nude.
Having said this, it's a minority of agency models that won't do lingerie or implied and it's usually for religious reasons.
I'll be honest though. If a model ticks "fashion" but also ticks "shoot nudes=no", then I chuckle to myself and wonder how they are going to survive 1 hour in the mua area. When combined with OTHER signals in profiles/portfolios, it CAN be sometimes an indication that the person is "stiff" in front of the camera, or if they don't fit model profile, it can indicate they are going to turn up with armed boyfriend escort and CAM you for asking them to slightly open their mouth and exhale, in other words a bit of an amateur. It's a wrong assumption, but when I'm limited by time and distance in castings, I have to make assumptions and take less risks. It's less risk to work with a model who is definitely going to be comfortable. So whether my job is nude or not, their willingness can often give me some indication of their experience.
Some models will tick "shoot nudes = no" but clearly in their port they will choose to do so, at their discretion, depending on the photographer.
Since agency models don't all go beyond implied nudity, you will find a lot of MM users are looking for models who are comfortable being completely nude.
Some models definitely need to be as versatile as possible, in fact art modelling may be the only reason they make money, but not all models need to do nude.
I would recommend to develop at least some skills in lingerie or implied nude, like beauty ads or fashion, but to be the one to choose who you are doing it with.
Photographer
Matt Schmidt Photo
Posts: 3709
Charlotte, North Carolina, US
IMO
Some Models can pull this off easily without hurting their brand . . .
Some photographers have an eye for capturing the best nude beauty . . .
Define in your own mind what is 'fine' art and what is 'smut'
Photographer
Peach Jones
Posts: 6906
Champaign, Illinois, US
AJScalzitti wrote:
Not a must, but its not really uncommon. Even top fashion models shoot some level of nudity.
There is more of a market for freelance models in the nude (art and glamour) space and traditionally nude models are freelancers. So there is a natural gravitation between the two. You do not have agency stats so I would say there is more money available to you if you shoot nudes, but again its not required nor should you do anything you are not comfortable with. +1
Photographer
Mr Banner
Posts: 85322
Hayward, California, US
in the internet modeling world... much of your paid work is going to be nude.
Model
Abigail Rose Hill
Posts: 540
Newcastle upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom
I've done ok for myself without shooting nude
Model
BellaStacie
Posts: 373
Hollywood, Florida, US
I'm doing good,and I do shoot nude!! And have alot of fun shooting nudes too!!!
Model
Vaudeville
Posts: 888
Richmond, Virginia, US
AJScalzitti wrote:
Not a must, but its not really uncommon. Even top fashion models shoot some level of nudity.
There is more of a market for freelance models in the nude (art and glamour) space and traditionally nude models are freelancers. So there is a natural gravitation between the two. You do not have agency stats so I would say there is more money available to you if you shoot nudes, but again its not required nor should you do anything you are not comfortable with. This.
But: if you want this to be a hobby (read: you have no intention of relying on this industry financially) then do what you want. If you want to shoot nudes, then do it. I used to be a full time model and worked primarily as a figure/art model; now I'm down to part time as acting is taking that financial burden off of me. However, I did not choose to pose nude for the money. I chose to work (and to continue to work) in that genre because I find it fulfilling artistically. I think it's one of the most beautiful forms of artistic expression imaginable.
If you're not 100% comfortable with the idea of posing nude (regardless of genre), then don't do it. You'll likely regret it. If it's something that you'd like to peruse, then by all means do it. It hopefully will lead to a lovely experience and many fabulous collaborations, but the decision shouldn't (IMO) be made solely because you'll make money/become "successful."
ETA: Doh, just saw that you want to make this more than a hobby. Yes, with your stats, nude work would likely be your biggest money making market. However, I stand by what I said above. Best of luck/feel free to PM me if you do choose to come on over to the dark side. 
Photographer
ontherocks
Posts: 23575
Salem, Oregon, US
sometimes it's just easier to shoot a nude model even if you want to do some clothed, too. gives you more flexibility. and it's often possible to get clothed models on trade.
some models limit themselves to lingerie and maybe implieds and do ok i think.
Photographer
Digital Hands
Posts: 928
Milton, Ontario, Canada
It depends. If you want to be successful, no matter if you are into nude, implied nude or clothes, you need to network to the right people. They will spread words for you.
Photographer
Wysiwyg Photography
Posts: 6326
Salt Lake City, Utah, US
Deja Mone wrote:
I am a new model who is trying to make modeling more than just a hobby. Lately I have been getting paid job offers, but all of them seem to be for nude photoshoots. Is shooting in the nude a must if you want to be successful?? Unique skills or 'few' available skills are what make a model successful.
the reason why nudes get paid more often then anything else is because only about 15% to 20% (rough guess based on search results) will actually do them.
So it's more in demand.
But, there are models that also double as dancers... models that are ooober flexible, models that can emote and show emotion as if she is staring right at you through the photo itself...
these models do not "have to pose nude".. but if thy do, they can charge more then average as they are more than just a naked body to be photographed.
Supply and Demand my dear...
If all you have to offer is a pretty face.. well.. MM is full of pretty faces and willing to shoot trade... Trade nudes are less common to the 'unskilled' photographer, but an unskilled photographer can still get clothed trade.
I guess this was the long way of saying that no.. it isn't required to be successful, but it helps.
Photographer
ddtphoto
Posts: 2590
Chicago, Illinois, US
If you hope to make any cash and your business model is based on MM then as a model most often you're going to be doing nudes to some degree. But also as a nude model there are non internet options like art schools available that hire models for drawing classes. Chicago has a lot of them, including community college art programs.
It's a pretty different skill set than glamor type nude photography though because it involves you to be very conscious of your body lines and holding poses for extended periods while looking graceful.
Photographer
Le Beck Photography
Posts: 4114
Los Angeles, California, US
I would say, don't shoot nudes unless you have a passion to make such photographs. The best nude models are passionate about nude art. Those with whom I've worked who aren't haven't been the best to work with.
Photographer
B R U N E S C I
Posts: 25319
Bath, England, United Kingdom
T A Y L O R wrote:
If you're not agency height/weight/age standard (www.newmodels.com has tons of info), it's almost impossible to make a living not doing nude work. +1
OP, for feedback on your portfolio you need to post in the Critique forum, but in general terms I can say that you're more likely to get paid work (especially via MM) as a nude model than as a clothed one.
Just my $0.02
Ciao
Stefano
www.stefanobrunesci.com
Photographer
Dario Western
Posts: 703
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Deja Mone wrote:
I am a new model who is trying to make modeling more than just a hobby. Lately I have been getting paid job offers, but all of them seem to be for nude photoshoots. Is shooting in the nude a must if you want to be successful?? Not necessarily.
Photographer
Art of the nude
Posts: 12067
Grand Rapids, Michigan, US
Deja Mone wrote:
I am a new model who is trying to make modeling more than just a hobby. Lately I have been getting paid job offers, but all of them seem to be for nude photoshoots. Is shooting in the nude a must if you want to be successful?? Dario Western wrote:
Not necessarily. How many models have you hired for a fully clothed shoot?
Model
Emily Nicholsmodel
Posts: 7
Houston, Texas, US
its not a must, but it is helpful.
but you should only model nude if you are completely okay with it, because once pictures are out there then that is that :-)
but personally i think people should be proud of nudity.
Photographer
Dark Shadows
Posts: 2269
Miami, Florida, US
It's easier to get paid and to build up a portfolio if you're comfortable with nudity.
It's not impossible to do those things without posing nude, just more difficult (how much more difficult depends on your look/age/measurements/personality).
Photographer
DevotedCreatives Studio
Posts: 691
London, England, United Kingdom
You could always try and get work as a parts llama if you have photogenic hands, hair...teeth etc.
Modelling is just clothed, implied or NEKKID!
All depends what your aim is, if you're getting a lot of paid offers for nude work, maybe that could be your thing. if you had a standout look for fashion that's no doubt what people would be offering to pay you for.
Photographer
Dario Western
Posts: 703
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Art of the nude wrote:
Deja Mone wrote:
I am a new model who is trying to make modeling more than just a hobby. Lately I have been getting paid job offers, but all of them seem to be for nude photoshoots. Is shooting in the nude a must if you want to be successful?? How many models have you hired for a fully clothed shoot? I hired a model for a fully clothed shoot on Wednesday. Roughly about 60:40 of my photographic work has been fashion to nude.
Photographer
Wysiwyg Photography
Posts: 6326
Salt Lake City, Utah, US
Art of the nude wrote:
How many models have you hired for a fully clothed shoot? I know this question really wasn't directed at me, but you are right that usually when I hire a model I try and get as much mileage out of her as I can..
That being said, since I love to photograph a lot of different genres, I hire a nude model as I can always put clothes ON her, but taking clothes off of a non-nude model would not be acceptable.
So even "clothed work", the gig is 90% of the time given to a nude model.
That being said.
I have hired models for clothed work and the idea/concept was ONLY clothed so I have hired a few models that didn't do nudes.. but it's rare.
And of the non-nude models I have hired fit the concept I wanted to do. I VERY rarely cast for non-nude... I have probably done it twice in the time I have been doing photography.
Photographer
Rich Burroughs
Posts: 3259
Portland, Oregon, US
This is a difficult question to answer without knowing how you define success. People model for many different reasons and have very different hopes/expectations.
Model
Erin Holmes
Posts: 6583
Albuquerque, New Mexico, US
Depends. Are you freelance or agency? As agency, no. Freelance, yes if you want to make money, but you can still be successful as in getting published and creating an amazing body of work.
Photographer
Philipe
Posts: 5302
Pomona, California, US
AJScalzitti wrote:
Not a must, but its not really uncommon. Even top fashion models shoot some level of nudity.
There is more of a market for freelance models in the nude (art and glamour) space and traditionally nude models are freelancers. So there is a natural gravitation between the two. You do not have agency stats so I would say there is more money available to you if you shoot nudes, but again its not required nor should you do anything you are not comfortable with. +1
Photographer
ontherocks
Posts: 23575
Salem, Oregon, US
for my part i've paid gas money to a few clothed llamas and i gave a couple clothed llamas a tip for coming to an event but otherwise i haven't paid a fully clothed llama. not that they aren't worth paying (if i were on a trust fund i would happily pay all my llamas) but you can often get them on trade. i would probably pay for a llama that had a great fashion wardrobe but those are hard to find. Art of the nude wrote:
How many llamas have you hired for a fully clothed shoot?
Photographer
ontherocks
Posts: 23575
Salem, Oregon, US
one of our models said she was an eye model and had us take some closeups of her eye. Black Technicolor Art wrote:
You could always try and get work as a parts model if you have photogenic hands, hair...teeth etc.
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