Photographer
A K - Fine Art Images
Posts: 336
Charleston, South Carolina, US
I’ve spent two decades avoiding complicated situations. Based on the stories I hear from nude photographers and nude models, I consider myself lucky. I’m compiling some stories for a blog post (or possible series) with a working title of “Dirty Secrets of Nude Photography”. If you have something you would like to send me, I may include it. It can be anything that surprised you or you wished you'd have known. I’m mainly interested in complicated situations that you either found yourself in or narrowly avoided – there needs to be a lesson to learn and it needs to be common enough that it will help other nude models or nude photographers.
Please use PM, as you may not want follow-up questions posted publicly.
Photographer
Jerry Nemeth
Posts: 33355
Dearborn, Michigan, US
I have photographed nude models for years without problems.
Photographer
A K - Fine Art Images
Posts: 336
Charleston, South Carolina, US
Jerry Nemeth wrote:
I have photographed nude models for years without problems. Thanks Jerry, I'll be sure to tell people about that 
Model
BeatnikDiva
Posts: 14859
Fayetteville, Arkansas, US
A K wrote:
I’ve spent two decades avoiding complicated situations. Based on the stories I hear from nude photographers and nude models, I consider myself lucky. I’m compiling some stories for a blog post (or possible series) with a working title of “Dirty Secrets of Nude Photography”. If you have something you would like to send me, I may include it. It can be anything that surprised you or you wished you'd have known. I’m mainly interested in complicated situations that you either found yourself in or narrowly avoided – there needs to be a lesson to learn and it needs to be common enough that it will help other nude models or nude photographers.
Please use PM, as you may not want follow-up questions posted publicly. I think I'm the lucky one, since I've yet to encounter a nude photographer.
Model
BeatnikDiva
Posts: 14859
Fayetteville, Arkansas, US
Jerry Nemeth wrote:
I have photographed nude models for years without problems. I can change that! 
Photographer
Good Egg Productions
Posts: 16713
Orlando, Florida, US
The dirty secret of nude photography is that it's exactly like regular photography except that the model is not wearing clothing.
I think people want to believe that the models who do it are somehow morally less than clothed models, or the photographers who shoot it are somehow more perverted than others.
I'm sorry, but your blog is probably going to be pretty boring.
Photographer
Jerry Nemeth
Posts: 33355
Dearborn, Michigan, US
DivaEroticus wrote:
I can change that! You're dirty? 
Photographer
Leonard Gee Photography
Posts: 18096
Sacramento, California, US
That leaves out the clean secrets and the down right filthy secrets.
Photographer
Stephen Fletcher
Posts: 7501
Norman, Oklahoma, US
I find nude models are some of the finest and nicest people I meet. They have a lot of self confidence and are great to work with. The ones that are afraid to show a little skin are some of the most suspicious and worst.
Model
Isis22
Posts: 3557
Muncie, Indiana, US
I have been reading advice on here for quite a while about nude shoots. It's been said over and over if you don't like what's happening walk out. Not so easy when it's a shoot happening at your place. I handled it. That's my 2 cents.
Photographer
American Glamour
Posts: 38813
Detroit, Michigan, US
It is interesting ... I am sure that the OP is looking for some horror stories that he can share on his blog. The truth is that Internet modeling and photography is growing up. I think we are all starting to learn that the negative sensationalism that we had for so long just hurts us as a group. What I would like to see is more positive blogs!
Artist/Painter
MainePaintah
Posts: 1892
Saco, Maine, US
GPS Studio Services wrote:
It is interesting ... I am sure that the OP is looking for some horror stories that he can share on his blog. The truth is that Internet modeling and photography is growing up. I think we are all starting to learn that the negative sensationalism that we had for so long just hurts us as a group. What I would like to see is more positive blogs! I totally agree with the above!!!!
I paint female nudes and I find about 80% at a local college. These "models" think it would be a great experience to pose nude for an artist "once"! Many of my "one time" models end up modeling for me for months, and even years. They tell their friends what a unique (and NEVER scary) job it is.
WHY THE HELL DO YOU NEED TO SCARE OFF WOULD BE MODELS WITH A STUPID AND NEGATIVE BLOG?
Photographer
A K - Fine Art Images
Posts: 336
Charleston, South Carolina, US
GPS Studio Services wrote:
It is interesting ... I am sure that the OP is looking for some horror stories that he can share on his blog. The truth is that Internet modeling and photography is growing up. I think we are all starting to learn that the negative sensationalism that we had for so long just hurts us as a group. What I would like to see is more positive blogs! I agree that sensationalizing is not helpful. I'm avoiding using the term "horror story" or even "cautionary tale" -- But I think there are examples of complicated situations that people can learn from. Maybe a different title would be appropriate, if someone has a suggestion.
For example how one model learned that her mother was a former Playboy model and got into modeling herself. Or how a model dealt with her family's attitude on her modeling.
I think somewhere between boring and horror, there are some meaningful experiences that people have had. Anyone who has been doing it for a while has surely gained some intellectual and emotional insight through the passage of time. Those kinds of transformations are something that interest me.
Model
BeatnikDiva
Posts: 14859
Fayetteville, Arkansas, US
Jerry Nemeth wrote:
You're dirty? SHHHH! It's a secret!
Photographer
A K - Fine Art Images
Posts: 336
Charleston, South Carolina, US
MainePaintah wrote:
WHY THE HELL DO YOU NEED TO SCARE OFF WOULD BE MODELS WITH A STUPID AND NEGATIVE BLOG? Hi MainePaintah. Thank you for your input. I will attempt to produce something that is neither stupid nor negative.
Photographer
A K - Fine Art Images
Posts: 336
Charleston, South Carolina, US
DivaEroticus wrote:
SHHHH! It's a secret!  Well, they're secret until we tell. I intend to keep most stories (unless they are about me) anonymous.
Artist/Painter
MainePaintah
Posts: 1892
Saco, Maine, US
A K wrote:
Hi MainePaintah. Thank you for your input. I will attempt to produce something that is neither stupid nor negative. Thank you. You may want to change your title then. "Dirty Secrets" just sounds dirty, titillating and negative!
Photographer
A K - Fine Art Images
Posts: 336
Charleston, South Carolina, US
Leonard Gee Photography wrote:
That leaves out the clean secrets and the down right filthy secrets. The clean secrets have to do with lighting, optics, etc. The downright filthy stuff I'd rather leave out. Somewhere in the middle. Maybe, the "Unsung Not-So-Secrets of Nude Photography?"
Photographer
HHPhoto
Posts: 1111
Denver, Colorado, US
A K wrote:
I agree that sensationalizing is not helpful. I'm avoiding using the term "horror story" or even "cautionary tale" -- But I think there are examples of complicated situations that people can learn from. Maybe a different title would be appropriate, if someone has a suggestion.
For example how one model learned that her mother was a former Playboy model and got into modeling herself. Or how a model dealt with her family's attitude on her modeling.
I think somewhere between boring and horror, there are some meaningful experiences that people have had. Anyone who has been doing it for a while has surely gained some intellectual and emotional insight through the passage of time. Those kinds of transformations are something that interest me. Maybe inside secrets instead of dirty secrets? Maybe stories instead of secrets? Maybe inside stories isn't sensational enough.
I object to the idea of the models or photographers being dirty because nudity is involved.
Photographer
SayCheeZ!
Posts: 20615
Las Vegas, Nevada, US
Data analysis shows that more grandmothers die right before a model's scheduled session than any other time of year.
The same data shows that many models have 4, 5, or 6 different grandmas.
(Source: Internet rant forums)
Photographer
Rays Fine Art
Posts: 7504
New York, New York, US
Given your title, I have to assume that you're looking for purely (if that's the right word) pruriently sensationalistic material. I'm afraid that it's unlikely that you will find much of that here. There will be some, of course, because however rarely, that sort of thing does happen and because even here, there those who, for lack of a better expression, get their jollies from dreaming it up even when it doesn't happen. Usually these are the folks that do not have actual experience in the field. Sadly, they will be the ones who provide you with most of your source material.
For those of us that do shoot nudes, on both sides of the camera, the experience is neither prurient nor sensationalistic. Actually, the stories are pretty mundane. Nude photography compares to non-nude photography in pretty much the same way that black coffee compares to coffee with cream. It's all a matter of taste.
All IMHO as always, of course.
Photographer
A K - Fine Art Images
Posts: 336
Charleston, South Carolina, US
MainePaintah wrote:
Thank you. You may want to change your title then. "Dirty Secrets" just sounds dirty, titillating and negative! titillating is okay with me. I want to draw people in. I don't mind if people jump to conclusions and then are pleasantly surprised.
People do jump to conclusions, for example: "Nude photos of wife" makes people think of various things. I think of Alfred Stieglitz's photos of Georgia O’Keefe.
Its a working title, subject to change.
Photographer
A K - Fine Art Images
Posts: 336
Charleston, South Carolina, US
HHPhoto wrote:
Maybe inside secrets instead of dirty secrets? Maybe stories instead of secrets? Maybe inside stories isn't sensational enough.
I object to the idea of the models or photographers being dirty because nudity is involved. I agree that dirty and nude is not the best word pairing. I like insider, diary, tales, etc...
------
A lot of us have wisdom that we have acquired so slowly that we may not consider it wisdom. I've heard from people who have offered insights that I would not have thought of.
Photographer
Shot By Adam
Posts: 8091
Las Vegas, Nevada, US
Good Egg Productions wrote:
The dirty secret of nude photography is that it's exactly like regular photography except that the model is not wearing clothing. Bingo! I've had way more drama and nonsense happen on set with fully clothed models than I ever have had on nude shoots. WAY more. I've had some funny things happen on nude shoots before, but unfortunately I just don't have any "dirty little secrets" to share.
GPS Studio Services wrote:
It is interesting ... I am sure that the OP is looking for some horror stories that he can share on his blog. The truth is that Internet modeling and photography is growing up. I think we are all starting to learn that the negative sensationalism that we had for so long just hurts us as a group. What I would like to see is more positive blogs! This is the approach I have taken on my blog. Talking about drama may be good for getting some traffic but it's not good for business.
Photographer
Rays Fine Art
Posts: 7504
New York, New York, US
OK! having read your further comments, while I don't withdraw my earlier concerns, here's one on me that I tell pretty regularly.
Once, when I was a brand new newbie at shooting nudes, I was trying to get a piece of fabric to lie in place over the model's breast. It kept slipping and I kept trying to place it "just so" without touching her breast. Finally, in exasperation, she took my hand and pressed it firmly against her breast, saying, "Oh, for God's sake! It's just a fat roll! It won't bite you!" I now keep a roll of toupee tape on hand for those situations.
Photographer
A K - Fine Art Images
Posts: 336
Charleston, South Carolina, US
SayCheeZ! wrote:
(Source: Internet rant forums) Definitely not an insider secret!
Photographer
I M N Photography
Posts: 2350
Boston, Massachusetts, US
A K wrote:
titillating is okay with me. I want to draw people in. I don't mind if people jump to conclusions and then are pleasantly surprised.
People do jump to conclusions, for example: "Nude photos of wife" makes people think of various things. I think of Alfred Stieglitz's photos of Georgia O’Keefe.
Its a working title, subject to change. Stay true to yourself and initial purpose.
If you want an inside view of nude modeling, then so be it
If you want titillation and sensationalism... go for it!
There is no rule that states you should ALWAYS write nice things, or restrict yourself to anecdotes that do not affect OTHERS.
Some truths are worth exposing. Some people are very naive, and they only learn to be careful by example.
Just be sure that you vett your sources.
People can embellish as well as downright lie.
Yes - the truth can hurt business for some photographers, but if it is the TRUTH and not some made up bullshit, then it is worth sharing, no matter how scary it may sound. People that are sitting on the proverbial fence looking for reasons to try (or not) nude modeling should make decisions based on knowledge, not ignorance.
Photographer
Stephen Fletcher
Posts: 7501
Norman, Oklahoma, US
SayCheeZ! wrote:
Data analysis shows that more grandmothers die right before a model's scheduled session than any other time of year.
The same data shows that many models have 4, 5, or 6 different grandmas.
(Source: Internet rant forums) And Cats! They go through 9 lives at an unbelievable rate.
Photographer
Gallery-MG
Posts: 86
Arlington, Virginia, US
Once I was at the studio with a nude model. I had cleaned beforehand, but when the model arrived she found a broom and cheerfully swept out the area where she would be posing. I learned the lesson: models don't like rolling around on dirty* floors. Now I always thoroughly sweep and clean out the studio before working! *See how I worked the thread title in there?
Photographer
Michael Alestra
Posts: 539
MOUNT ROYAL, New Jersey, US
i just dont get the purpose of this. you are sensationalizing bad experiences no matter how you attempt to rationalize it. that's never a good idea when the experience is positive for the overwhelming majority.
Photographer
I M N Photography
Posts: 2350
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Michael Alestra wrote:
i just dont get the purpose of this. you are sensationalizing bad experiences no matter how you attempt to rationalize it. that's never a good idea when the experience is positive for the overwhelming majority. The purpose = marketing.
Boring = no sales.
Interesting=lots of sales
Exposé=mega-sales.
The difficult part in the OPs task is not succumbing to myths, and embellishment.
Photographer
Michael Alestra
Posts: 539
MOUNT ROYAL, New Jersey, US
I M N Photography wrote:
The purpose = marketing.
Boring = no sales.
Interesting=lots of sales
Exposé=mega-sales.
The difficult part in the OPs task is not succumbing to myths, and embellishment. oh so like all modern news outlets.
Photographer
Gary Melton
Posts: 6680
Dallas, Texas, US
There are lots of little tips to be passed on that aren't lurid or give our profession a black eye. For example: If you're doing an outdoor nude shoot and a "civilian" sees the shoot taking place - pack up and LEAVE as soon as possible...cops are sure to follow. I was doing an outdoor shoot within city limits in a heavily wooded area a few years ago - a guy came through claiming to be looking for his lost dog. After making some crude comments (like "how old is that girl?"), he disappeared and we kept going with the shoot (for another 20 minutes or so). Having done dozens of outdoor nude shoots with no problems (including several at that very location), I was lulled into thinking nothing could happen. Turns out the guy had gone home and called the cops (who met up with us just as we were leaving). I did a whole forum thread on the incident: https://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thread_id=354929
Photographer
A K - Fine Art Images
Posts: 336
Charleston, South Carolina, US
I M N Photography wrote:
There is no rule that states you should ALWAYS write nice things, or restrict yourself to anecdotes that do not affect OTHERS. If there is, it hasn't stopped me yet.
Many interesting stories are not bad experiences, but rather complicated situations. Not about people who intended malice but new situations where people were not quite sure what to do until they solved it.
Photographer
I M N Photography
Posts: 2350
Boston, Massachusetts, US
A K wrote:
If there is, it hasn't stopped me yet.
Many interesting stories are not bad experiences, but rather complicated situations. Not about people who intended malice but new situations where people were not quite sure what to do until they solved it. Therein lay the purpose of the piece.
As long as it helps people figure out how to handle their own complicated situations, then you've done your job.
A lot of hand-holding goes on in an industry where adults should be making informed decisions.
Photographer
I M N Photography
Posts: 2350
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Michael Alestra wrote:
oh so like all modern news outlets. Similar.
Freedom of the press, but without the opinions, or self-editorializing.
I know it sounds like I am being glib about the whole thing, but I sense paranoia when I hear people upset about something that might result in some negative publicity.
Nude modeling pre-dates photography. Artist models have done it for ages, and contemporary models have built entire careers (and fortunes) around it.
Anyone that thinks "yet another" exposé is going to ruin the industry is mistaken.
This isn't a case of a "man behind the curtain."
Nude modeling is here to stay, and for every model that is scared of the big bad photographer, there are plenty of others that do it professionally without a problem.
Photographer
ms-photo
Posts: 538
Portland, Oregon, US
I always have to wonder about people's motives who like to stir up drama.
Personally I like to avoid drama and spend more time shooting.
Photographer
I M N Photography
Posts: 2350
Boston, Massachusetts, US
ms-photo wrote:
I always have to wonder about people's motives who like to stir up drama.
Personally I like to avoid drama and spend more time shooting. You are an artist.
Photographer
Greg Kolack
Posts: 18392
Elmhurst, Illinois, US
SayCheeZ! wrote:
Data analysis shows that more grandmothers die right before a model's scheduled session than any other time of year.
The same data shows that many models have 4, 5, or 6 different grandmas.
(Source: Internet rant forums) I actually that excuse was just urban legend, until I actually had it used on me. I literally remember exactly where I was when the model told me that. I remember almost laughing out loud and almost saying "Wait - you mean models actually DO use that excuse?"
Photographer
Vector One Photography
Posts: 3722
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US
First, I've never had an issue or a problem with any fine art figure model I've shot.
And I do question your blog mostly because it focuses on the sensationalism of the negative side of the issue. And secondly you seem to have a need to answer each response... this is not Facebook.
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