Question for models

Sorry….   I know you said “models”…

The trend against nudity, and particularly “art nude”, is rather UK and/or US centred.

Art nude is thriving on the continent, BLBP and OF rather less important.

….    Discussing with another “Art Nude” photographer yesterday how we were lucky to have started when we did, and how it may die when the current great models pack up.

Apologies for jumping in.

For me personally, it's important to produce nude work that resembles art, is empowering or thoughtprovoking in some way. It's not always down to me if this is achieved, but for the most part I take the artistic approach.

I'm not a fan of the glamour or sexy look when shooting to nude, but I do get asked occasionally and try to have fun with it if I trust the photographer and their skillset, however, it's just not my style and I think it ultimately shows. I have specifically wrote a lengthy portfolio intro to deter people that may not have the best intentions, and I am now in a position to turn down work that's not to my taste, although it wasn't always like this.

I'm also not afraid to speak up to firmly set my boundaries, but this wasn't the case when I was just starting out, and this confidence has been forged over the years.

Ultimately, I'm not a fan of the cheesy "look into the camera and smile" whilst wearing my birthday suit, and I had to have this conversation several times during shoots, which obviously rubs some people the wrong way, but it's me who is in the nude, so I get the final say in how I am portrayed.

Just to clarify, I have been asked to literally "look into the camera and give a big smile", whilst nude, which is very different to simply engaging with the viewer. As far as the nude genre goes, cheesy and badly lit bedroom porn, kills it for me.

INFINITY Model said

For me personally, it's important to produce nude work that resembles art, is empowering or thoughtprovoking in some way. It's not always down to me if this is achieved, but for the most part I take the artistic approach.

I'm not a fan of the glamour or sexy look when shooting to nude, but I do get asked occasionally and try to have fun with it if I trust the photographer and their skillset, however, it's just not my style and I think it ultimately shows. I have specifically wrote a lengthy portfolio intro to deter people that may not have the best intentions, and I am now in a position to turn down work that's not to my taste, although it wasn't always like this.

I'm also not afraid to speak up to firmly set my boundaries, but this wasn't the case when I was just starting out, and this confidence has been forged over the years.

Ultimately, I'm not a fan of the cheesy "look into the camera and smile" whilst wearing my birthday suit, and I had to have this conversation several times during shoots, which obviously rubs some people the wrong way, but it's me who is in the nude, so I get the final say in how I am portrayed.

"but it's me who is in the nude, so I get the final say in how I am portrayed" - that's so important, well said. 

Huw I'm not into "naked chicks on rocks" but I agree with you that I think the entire scene's days are numbered.

As I've said before, the vast majority of models who will pose to nude are over 30, with very few under that age. That suggests to me that the ones who are still doing it started in their 20s, when the scene was much more active, and we haven't had a new supply of models come in, disrupting the churn cycle.

Furthermore, the ones who are coming in often aren't that serious; many struggle in particular with Comms in a way the previous generation didn't. Broadly speaking, there's a marked difference in the way a model born in the 80's or 90's handles her Comms versus those born in the early part of this century.

Consequently as the existing models mature, some will drop off for various reasons, and the handful that remain will be able to just name their price. As Valerie says, supply and demand is such now that these models can (quite rightly) pick and choose their work.

The slowdown in activity this year has been quite pronounced, with flaky behaviour, ghost Comms and barren casting responses all featuring far more heavily than they even did a year ago.

I do think the time is coming and I'd even go as far to suggest sites like these will cease to exist in a few years.

AdultFolio, with it's more Readers Wives approach, may hang on a little longer as there's still photographers willing to pay the eye watering premium those sorts of levels still attracts, and I can only think it's the money side of things that's stopped OF eating their lunch in the way it's eaten ours.

Edited by JME Studios

A agree with Valerie. I'm at my best nude in nature. You can do so much more on location vs a studio. You can use rocks, forests, water, I love textures vs skin in images and a nude on a jagged rock by a waterfall is one of my favourite things to do.

I'm not a fan of cheesy bedroom or studio glamour. I don't suit it and it isn't my forte.

I prefer empowering images where I am in control of my body.

I'm not a fan either of a girl with open legs on a bed with dodgy lighting. At least be creative with your set and lighting.

The last thread were a photographer directed it to models had two model responses. Looks like this will turn into the same style photographer worries type of thread.

Lenswonder said

The last thread were a photographer directed it to models had two model responses. Looks like this will turn into the same style photographer worries type of thread.

I'd argue that models just don't use the forums.

JME Studios yes but it doesn't mean photographers have to keep posting the same read before repeat worries.

Lenswonder said

JME Studios yes but it doesn't mean photographers have to keep posting the same read before repeat worries.

And two posts from you….    At least I apologised.

Edited by Huw

Art nude is my favourite genre. I aspire to do a lot more of it next year, especially art nude in nature.

The work of the likes of Thomas Bichler, Tim Pile, Huw, and Amazilia Photography really appeals. If only distance wasn't such an issue!

I do not shoot glamour or any open leg, and prefer my nude work to be feminine yet empowering. I do not wish to be portrayed as vulnerable.

Sorry.

I'm not specially bothered about which genre I work in, but I do hope for some artistry in its execution.

I have seen outstanding work in ALL genres - though having said that, in some it is very rare. 

For me it's a meeting of minds and imaginations. If the photographer (or anyone else on the team) has a fresh or exciting vision (or simply agrees with my entrenched views ha ha) and competence to deliver it, I'm willing to try more or less anything. 

Clothed or unclothed makes no odds to me (until it comes to ironing...)

I do tend to shy away from stereotypes and clichés, and I don't really care to be cast in macho or violent roles - but that's pretty much saying the same thing again.