To shoot nude or not to shoot nude?

I shoots nudes much less often these days. 15 years ago I did quite a lot because I did mainly TF shoots and so many hobby models wanted to shoot nude. Due to much wider use of Internet searches when employing/recruiting has stopped this (three of these models became Primary School Teachers, one a doctor). It is more difficult to find the right models these days, as I am not one of those photographers who is happy to shoot anyone nude. If I want to include nudity in my images it is difficult to find models within my parameters, who are willing to travel it seems. Messages go unanswered, castings I post only get replies from people who do not fit what I have asked for and some have crazy pay rates. I am quite happy shooting without nudity, so not a real issue. If someone comes along and we shoot with an element of nudity, we do. Whatever I shoot, it is the quality of the photography that matters, not posting an unedited/badly exposed nude image every 15 minutes. Each to their own.

You definitely get more loves for images, and indeed attention overall, if you shoot nude or pose nude.

Let's also consider the commercial implications.  There's (not entirely invalid) reasons models don't shoot nude TFP. On top of that, most - not all - models charge significantly higher rates to shoot nude than they do clothed; added to that, when you think about it, the profit margin is significantly smaller compared to the huge margins they make on nude (as you have the outlay for clothing, plus laundry/upkeep to factor in.)

I find it's the clothed models who tend to post castings more these days as well, certainly when it comes to the more "speculative" castings rather than targeted "Studio Day" type castings, which do get posted by a much broader church.

So, whist it's up to the individual, the - maybe slightly uncomfortable - reality is that no clothes will always get more attention and do a bigger commercial trade, than clothes.

Edited for SPAG.

Edited by JME Studios

Keira Lavelle said

what I find cringier than that is people who protest too much and make a big deal about how holy they are making an active decision NOT to shoot nudes. Like bruh - nobody really cares.

Indeed.

I love some nude images, equally some can make my a little nausious if im honest, and then i love some fashion shots, some headshots even, adore some of the location work people manage to get or wildlife i can only dream of. composits can be imposibly good by some and this is a very long way of saying i like lots of work in lots of various styles that are done well for the right reasons. i do not think less or different of someone who does nude well than someone doing fashion or landscape well each have ther eown challanges and if they create an image i or others like - good on them :-) 

Whether it’s right to shoot nude or not, technically clothing is one of the most unnatural things in the world—fact. It can look great, but it’s not natural. If you photographed a mountain covered in a patchwork quilt, it might look great, but it wouldn’t be natural.

Edited by ANDY00

I'm probably in the minority here, but despite shooting since before Sir Tim invented the worldwide web, I've never actually asked anyone to pose nude. The handful of nude shoots I've done have taken place when a model with whom I have already worked has specifically asked me to do so. And only then on the strict understanding that the images would not be published or passed around.

Majority of my models are enthusiastic amateurs, with careers, family, relationships, occasionally even religious beliefs the preclude nude work. Meantime, many of my own customers are quite conservative (with a small "c"). Added to which, these days my wife assists with all my shoots. She organises costumes, sets up lights, ensures costumes are laundered and that the changing facilities are clean and presentable etc. She's not keen on nudes. Consequently we concentrate more of "dress-up" type shoots and generally avoid working with those who shoot the higher levels. 

As an added benefit, there's still plenty of TF around, certainly in my geographical area, for those working in the dress-up/pin-up type genres. That said, I'm not bothered about what other photographers shoot. It's literally none of my business. I take the view that what suits me may not be appropriate for you, and visa versa...

Keira Lavelle said

JMPIX Oh paragraphs are great! 😎 But I must admit, for a largely rant-based forum where people mostly just spew as if they’re talking… I honestly couldn’t be bothered. 😂 If I’m writing an article for a magazine or something it’s different. But I wasn’t - I was stuck waiting for my cat to move off me; of which, when that very moment did occur then I’d be putting the kettle on with immediate effect. 🍵🤓👍 No time for paragraphs! 🏃🏻‍♀️ If folks are interested, they’ll read it. 😉

Ms Lavelle -- I often moan about lengthy, self-indulgent posts. I usually go into 'lose will to live' mode. However, at the risk of sounding like a toadying fan-boy I must say that your posts are always a joy to read. Yes - they're lengthy. But they're interesting. You have a very entertaining style - I'd describe it as a 'conversational' style - which invariably holds my attention.   

When reading your posts and/or messages in the past I'd often thought that you should be writing for publication. (I know, I know - I'm reaching a new level of toadying :)) But having read the above post I now realise that you do write for publication. I'm pleased. Your writing style deserves a good audience. 

[*Returns smoke-blower to the cupboard.* ]

As a nude model, I do shoot a lot of it. However I do get shoots where I shoot no nudes at all. Theres definitely a good amount of photographers who only shoot a certain theme or level each time and some of them include just fashion or lingerie. 

JMPIX Im the same as you now. I find it more challenging to shoot models with clothes on. I love the styling to the location to the right model for the look. I just get bored with shooting nakedness for the sake of it. It's more challenging to make a model look like a fashion shot when you have shot glamour and nudes for so long.

I mainly do lifestyle images with some sexy images with the regular models. However, once I’ve done work with some models regularly and they see my images they move onto artistic nude or implied nude due to the visual imagery. It totally depends on the photographer and their genre.

When I lose interest in shooting naked women, it's time for my family to call the undertaker.

If I start wanting to shoot fashion, I've probably been taken over by an evil alien intelligence.

;)

Whenever I hear said that it is easy to shoot nudes and difficult to shoot clothed models I reach for an analogy.

The one I like is from the Theatre

John Gielgud was discussing high end classical theatre and comedy and in particular farce.

He made the point that farce is as difficult, if not more difficult as is Classical Theatre.

It is just as difficult to shoot very good nudes as any clothed images.

It is easy in both cases to shoot poor stuff.

A good photograph is a good photograph but we all have our own preferences.

JPea said

Whenever I hear said that it is easy to shoot nudes and difficult to shoot clothed models ...

Whenever I hear said that it is easy to shoot nudes and difficult to shoot clothed models ...   I go and look at the portfolio.

Usually I'm disappointed in the quality of the nudes, but seldom surprised.

Simplicity is hard.
Zen is hard.

Great nudes against a plain studio background probably the hardest of all.
That's not something I particularly try to shoot, and nor is it something I'd consider I'm good at.

I was discussing this with both my partner and a model recently. For me nude is a great leveler, few of us have access to the authentic high-end fashion that the top-tier photographers and models do, but nude is authentically nude no matter where you are on the photography food-chain. It's not dis-similar to why I think a studio backdrop is iconic, its accessible to all. 

Edited by 8-bit Fashion

It's an artwork, for some who want, not for those who don't.

I tend to do boudoir wide open, so the eyes are sharp and the body, however naked or part naked the model is, is then already soft focus. That way there's a bit left to the imagination, and there is more of an emotional connection between the subject and the observer.

I'm still missing proper outdoor nudes, would want to do something sereal if I ever get round to it.

Edited by StubbsPhotography

Edited by StubbsPhotography

Edited by StubbsPhotography

8-bit Fashion the authentic great leveller. I like that explanation! 😊