Jojo West
Posts: 929
Washington, District of Columbia, US
Autumn Rose Brightly wrote: Any advice from people who have done them before? Calming nerves, what to eat/drink before....
Don't worry about what to eat or drink. To be honest you will be a bit nervous maybe throughout the whole thing. Try to lighten your mood and the photographers, maybe talk so you don't focus on the fact that you're naked. I usually try to make jokes, it helps. Relax, you're a lovely lady, nothing to worry about
Actually, when it's a model's first nude shoot, I spend the first half-hour or so just making a damn fool of myself trying to get her to laugh and enjoy herself. Usually I do a "mug shot" series, front, back, both sides and make a compcard as part of the shoot. That way she has something to submit in the future when asked for nude pictures (perfectly reasonable if the shoot will be nude) but more importantly to get those first few nude frames out of the way without worrying about expression, etc.
The idea is to get to the point where skin is just another costume as quickly as possible so it's best to just jump in without "teasing" yourself into it.
And above all, enjoy it! All shoots should be fun, but nude shoots the most fun of all. At least that's what my nude models have told me. One said that her rule of thumb is that a nude shoot should be more fun than seeing her gynocologist but not as much fun as seeing her boyfriend. As long as it stayed within those boundaries she figured she had it right.
Alisyn Carliene
Posts: 11,743
San Bernardino, California, US
I promise as long as you begin with a photographer you are comfortable with, you won't be as nervous as you think you will be. it will come more natural to you.
Rays Fine Art wrote: Usually I do a "mug shot" series, front, back, both sides and make a compcard as part of the shoot.
Back in the dark ages we shot 20 or 30 frames with no film in the camera to allow the model to calm down. Guys older than me used sheet film holders with no film in them. There must be a similar technique in this digital age?
Being a photographer myself who does also nude shoots, my advice is to choose the photographer for your first nude shooting carefully.
I did a number of sessions with models who did no or only a few nude images before. From the other side of the camera, as photographer behind the camera, I made the experience that when you give the feeling that you fully respect the model as a person and don't force anything than you normally have a relaxed and creative nude session.
So, look for a photographer where you feel comfortable for your first nude shoot ...and you will have great pictures
JP09
Posts: 32
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Well being that its your first shoot, I'm assuming that you've picked a photographer you're comfortable with. Chamomile tea or peppermint helps calm your nerves. I always do a bit of a music meditation before the shoot. I wouldn't recommend eating anything heavy before hand... I also get lot of photogs request not eating at all, because it does show sometimes. However not eating before a shoot sucks. So I do fruit and juice. I usually stick to straight soft veggies a week before. No wheat.
Breathe, relax, have fun. If you find that you're uncomfortable, just say so.
I draw and paint a lot of models who are posing nude for the first time.
I always spend the first 45 minutes showing the model dozens of my drawings that show her different, artistic poses that she can copy AND feel comfortable doing.
We always talk about her comfort zone first. For example a few of the models were only comfortable posing semi-nude for the first session, which was fine with me.
Oh Gary photography wrote: Back in the dark ages we shot 20 or 30 frames with no film in the camera to allow the model to calm down. Guys older than me used sheet film holders with no film in them. There must be a similar technique in this digital age?
Yeah, I did those things. Film costs money.
The photographer probably has more to do with making the model comfortable than the model can do herself.
If the model is local, sometimes I'll suggest that we do a fashion or lingerie shoot before her first nude shoot, so she gets comfortable working with me. Maybe we'll do a topless set at the end of that shoot.
Sometimes a model will express interest in doing a nude shoot after we've done another shoot, so she's already comfortable working with me.
You can always do some extra preliminary shots, i.e., lighting tests.
One thing I do at any shoot where the model seems a a little uptight is to have her exercise and loosen up her facial muscles, i.e., spend a few minutes making faces at me.
Athletes do stretching exercises before a game. Singers and public speakers exercise their vocal chords. Musicians tune their instruments and play a few riffs before a concert.
I shoot each face, then go through the photos with the model. More often than not, looking at the photos brings laughter and helps the model relax.
And the exercise does indeed help to relax the facial muscles.
At any shoot the first few minutes are basically a warmup for the model and the photographer anyway. I've never heard of a photographer (other than Horst P. Horst) who could shoot 1-2 photos of a model, say "That's a wrap" and walk out of the studio.
So you can make those first few minutes unstructured and let the model do her thing - or give her a prop to play with.
Anything you do that leads the model to the conclusion that you're more interested in the lighting and the photos than gawking at her (and that this is just like ant other shoot for you, the photographer) helps the model to relax.
Be conversational. Having a conversation and making small talk duing a shoot is always better than dead silence.
Have you been to St. Louis before? (Or how long have you lived here?) Did you have any trouble finding the studio? I hope you didn't have any problem finding a parking space; the Rams are playing today. Just help yourself to the cookies (or the grapes and crackers, etc.). Is it warm enough in here?
At any other type of shoot I may set up the lights at the beginning of the shoot and not move a light for the first hour. Since artistic nudes are largely about light and shadow, the lighting needs to be more precise and is frequently adjusted for a particular pose.
While I do that, I tell the model what I'm doing and why. And I'll show the model the photos on the LCD screen a lot more often. Seeing what we're getting on the CF card often helps to relax and reassure the model.
Doesn't really matter what you have to eat - anything you normally would before you shoot. The majority of the time I just eat some fruit. An apple or a pear.
You're going to be nervous no matter what. So instead of focusing on being nervous, focus on your poses, your expressions and "sucking it in" lol.
Also, I can't say this enough, but shoot with someone who you trust and is a good photographer who knows what he's doing.
Do you get nervous undressing at the doctor's office? In a health club's showers? Seriously, the only difference is the camera. Remember you are the same person with or without clothes. You are the same person at the doctor's office or the photo studio.
I do not think the slow strip or lingerie reveal works well for some. It just makes you more aware of the exposure and makes it last longer. But I'm a jump into the deep end of the pool sort, rather than a stick a toe in and ease down the pool ladder type. Others might find using a piece of material as a means to control the exposure but knowing they are naked on the other side an easier way to reveal themselves to the camera.
In between set-ups, a robe is a good idea, slippers or wool socks are smart, too, since many photo studios are cold. Ask them to turn up the heat.
Rays Fine Art wrote: Actually, when it's a model's first nude shoot, I spend the first half-hour or so just making a damn fool of myself trying to get her to laugh and enjoy herself.
I do that without even making a special effort, and much quicker.
But, yeah, I typically spend a fair amount of time after the model arrives, but before we start, just looking over sample images, doing paperwork, and so forth. Especially with models who are new to nudes.
I shot nude once for a friend and he was more nervous than i was !!
There's this idea that nude art is pornography. Thats what society has completely brainwashed us to think. Beauty is loving your own skin and not being afraid to show it. Embrace your body in all its natural-ness !!! There is absolutely nothing to be ashamed or nervous about.
I would add that practicing by being nude around the house for hours at a time, doing poses in front of a mirror while you are nude will help you become comfortable to the point where you forget you are not wearing anything. I think getting there is the most important step. From there on, it is just modelling for a photographer, which you have already done many times.
Relax and have fun. Remember no underwear or tight clothes like socks or jeans that leave skin marks while on the way to the shoot. I usually wear either a really loose dress, or baggy sweats.
Autumn Rose Brightly wrote: Any advice from people who have done them before? Calming nerves, what to eat/drink before....
Approach it the same way you would any other gig. Plan, be professional, and if you don't have confidence, fake it until you do. You're going to be beautiful anyways, either as a beautiful nude model or a beautiful nude deer-in-the-headlights. I recommend going for the model look myself.
I'd also like to add that the photographer can be just as nervous if not more nervous than you are. Shooting nudes is tough to do well. Anyone can take an iPhone camera and snap a few mirror shots. Taking the nude figure and showing it's beauty requires more of the photographer than most think. Myself, for example, always get my nerves frayed when shooting a client or model nude because I feel a deep responsibility for accurately showing the awesomeness of their nude form.
Barely StL wrote: You might also want to take some baby wipes to clean the soles of your feet - in case the photographer doesn't think about it.
true and good pointer ..also guilty as charged.
Also as mentioned, bring a robe.
To relax, I use music and laughter. For you as a model, ensure your attention is drawn to the technical aspects of the shoot that the photographer is working on...lighting, pose, keep yourself busy with simple things such as props/clothing/sheets helping the photographer make them "look" good.
Natural Means
Posts: 287
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Your nerves can actually work in your favour - my crap jokes get heaps more giggles when the model is nervous.
And based on what models tell me (as others have said here too) after 10-15 minutes you'll wonder why it seemed so daunting. And after 20 you'll wish the clock would slow.
Autumn Rose Brightly wrote: Any advice from people who have done them before? Calming nerves, what to eat/drink before....
Hi,
You will likely feel more at ease in your own skin than in clothes...once you relax into the shoot. It is important that you like the intent of the shoot and trust the photographer. I usually make sure that I am not hungry before a shoot but not too full either, (don't want to feel all bloated or uncomfortable.) Usually I will bring some snacks too.
Drew Smith Photography wrote: Stay warm - goosebumps are a devil to retouch.
+1 Yes, even ask the photographer if s/he can provide a space heater and also crank up the room temperature. As a photographer who has shot lots of nudes I always jacked up the house temperature and provided a space heater, because a cold model is not good for posing and will be freezing their arse off. Keep in mind the photographer is used to the nudity, is not judging your beauty (is already glad to you have as a model), may have an art background drawing/painting lots of art models (i did for years before I went into photographing nudes), and is thinking more about the poses and lighting. Have fun; I used to do an entire evening with a model, we would break for pizza and watch a little of TV then get back to more photos. Think how beautiful and artistic you are going to look in the photographic compositions!
Drinking Cinnimime tea will relax you it will calm your heart down as in most cases some tend to get their hearts pumping 100 miles an hour. Nudes shoots are no different than walking around or poseing with just thing panties and wearing pasties you should start out wearing that once your in relax mode then take off the pasties pull off the panties and get ready to pose your heart out.
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