Ten Things I Learned as a Nude Model.
For those of you who follow me or read any of my stories on Medium or Smashwords, you have probably figured out that many of the photos I use are of me. Yes, I was a nude model at one point in my life. I have since signed a contract with a leading men’s magazine that does not allow me to take nude photos any longer. I occasionally do bikini modeling now, or even some fully dressed. So, enjoy the pictures of me nude, as there will be no more. I have written down the things I have learned doing nude modeling in hopes that it may help someone else who wants to progress in that business.
1) One must be comfortable in their own skin. Being a bit of an exhibitionist won’t hurt. Being a naturist is even better. Most photogs do not want to spend their time making you feel confident. They have their work to do. You are their raw material. In my experience, most don’t seem to notice that you are naked.
2) You don’t have to be beautiful or even have a figure that fits some mold. You can always make yourself up to be beautiful. Photogs are looking for every body type. I was a high school track star with practically zero tits and thick thighs when I started. I still have the thick thighs. I have been told they save lives, but that makes no sense. After a number of beauty treatments and two breast enhancements, I did well as a nude model. (That is two different sets of implants. I did not get one breast done and then the other, although, I hear, that it is more common than you might think. With most women, the girls are sisters, not twins.)
3) You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. I was a nude model. I did tasteful or playboy-style nudes. I felt comfortable in a teeny bikini, and it was a short jump from there to tasteful nudes. I was comfortable with doing that, and it was what most photographers wanted. There is a big demand for porn, and you should do that if you wish. No judgments here.
4) You have to protect yourself. If you don’t know the photog, bring someone with you. I used to bring my boyfriend. He would watch TV while I did my poses in the other room. If you do know the photographer, still take precautions. Let someone know where you are and when to expect you to check back in. Carry mace, Taser, wasp spray, or oven cleaner. If you feel that you need to use any of those, use your track star legs and get out of there.
5) Have the photog supply you with a changing room. Otherwise, you are providing an amateur strip show. Stripping pays much better than modeling if you want to go that route. Don’t wear any tight-fitting clothes on shoot day. Bras, panties, and jeans all leave marks on your body. Wear a loose top and loose, pants-nothing else. Bring your own supply of sexy stuff to model in. The photog will have some, but yours are likely cleaner. As you do more shoots, you will accumulate a lot of this stuff since most photographers will let you keep what you model.
6) Don’t let a photog touch you. He is there to take photos or videos of your body, not to have a free feel. If he wants you to move a limb or a boob, tell him you will deal with it without his help. I have never been touched by a photographer, and none have ever attempted to do so. Maybe my thick thighs scared them. If you don’t mind being mauled, the stripper’s pole may be a better choice.
7) Get your gigs from a reputable site. I used Model Mayhem and got all of the work that I wanted. There are many other sites to use. Word of mouth will help a lot, too. Because of the way I dress and carry myself, I have also gotten offers at the gym, grocery store, night club, dentist’s office, and countless other places. I never took any of those offers.
8) Money: Charge what you feel is fair for modeling in your clothes. Double that rate for implied nudes where you are naked but not showing the lickable parts. Double THAT for full-frontal nudity. Charge a much larger amount for porn shots. Get paid in cash. Clothes are not cash, although I did do a shoot for a couch I wanted. You will be paid after the shoot. You will be required to sign an agreement that gives the photographer the right to use the photos exclusively. If you want some of them for yourself, for free, just ask. Most photographers know that your job is to line up one gig after the other; having some photos will help you do that. Never use a photograph with another man in it. You are selling your beauty and the illusion that you are available. Give the photographer credit for their work on your website. It helps them, too.
9) If you decide to do porn, have your boyfriend shoot with you. He may not be a photographic hunk, but it is likely that only his dick or his hand will be in the shot. Maybe the back of his head. You have been naked with him and had sex with him, so it should be a lot easier. The photographer is interested in sexy shots of you. It saves him from having to pay an expensive male model. If your boyfriend won’t pose with you, trade up.
10) The pictures and videos you take are forever. You should tell whoever cares about you what you have done as opposed to them finding your photos online. Of course, you could always ask what they were doing looking for nude photos online. I am not sure that will carry a lot of weight with Granny Emma. It is your body and your choice. There is no shame in making a living this way. At least not for me; there wasn’t. My family supported me all the way.
There are the ten things. I made my living doing photoshoots all over the world. I have visited more places and accumulated more clothes than any person should. The photographer pays for all expenses in addition to your fee. It has been a rewarding and interesting career for me and still is. I hope this has helped.