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How to Choose The Perfect Model For The Job

December 20, 2012 by Leave a Comment

This image is from one of my favorite nude shoots ever. Though the paint makes things appear a bit messy, it was actually a very simple shoot to execute. The model, Jubilee, is one of the most free-spirited and experimental nude young models I’ve ever worked with.

The scene was very simply lit. I simply used four flash heads bounced into four umbrellas to light the set very evenly. This was done so Jubilee could freely move around a fairly large area and still be well lit.

Apart from the lighting, all that was required was putting up some seamless white paper and making a quick trip to the art supply store to pick up some inexpensive paints.

I gave Jubilee the paints, a few foam brushes, placed her in the middle of the large white “canvas” and gave her the instruction, “Do whatever you want.”

From that point on, all I had to do was photographically document the proceedings.

With this type of shoot (one in which the model will be setting the pace), the most important thing you can do is find the right model. Preferably, one who is fearless in front of the camera, likes to experiment, has few inhibitions, and is willing to do just about anything it takes to get great pictures.

Since I had worked with Jubilee many times before, I knew she would be the perfect girl for the job.

From a purely business standpoint, this set of pictures has been one of my most profitable ever.

Not only did I sell the pictures from the set you see here many times over, I also sold the images that I took immediately after the shoot featuring Jubilee in the shower and bath washing the paint off her body.

The most important lesson to be learned from this shot is that sometimes the most important talent a nude photographer can possess is the ability to choose the right nude model for the job.

 

 

Improve Your Photography Skills! Guaranteed.

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For more information, visit InsideGlamourShop.com.  Available for purchase and instant download.

 

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 Tips, Techniques, and Ideas for Glamour and Nude Photography

 

 

 

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“SKIN: The Complete Guide To Glamour & Nude Photography”

August 23, 2012 by Leave a Comment

The following is an excerpt from my eBook, ”SKIN: The Complete Guide To Glamour & Nude Photography“.

In the book, I deal with everything you’ll need to know to succeed both creatively and financially in the world of glamour, nude, and erotic photography.

If you’re interested in learning more about SKIN, please visit InsideGlamourShop.com.

 

 

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Photo Shoots: Be A Professional (Or At Least Act Like One)

By this point in the book, you’ve learned quite a bit about the equipment, technique, and preparation that goes into making a shoot successful. Most likely, you’ll soon have a model knocking on your door who is ready and willing to be your personal muse.

This particular model may be experienced and calm or inexperienced and nervous. However, whatever mood she’s in when she arrives, it’s your job to put her in a state of mind where she can feel comfortable, safe, and confident.

The most important thing you can do when a model arrives for a shoot is to set a professional tone from the very beginning. That doesn’t mean you have to be unnecessarily serious or detached; it simply means that you should provide her with a professional environment.

 

 

 

No matter how inexperienced or nervous you may be, it’s important to let her know, through words and actions, that you respect her and that you respect the situation.

It might be helpful to look at the situation from the model’s point of view. Most likely, she won’t know you too well (if at all). She also knows that she’ll soon be naked and completely exposed in front of you. No matter how experienced she may be, she’s bound to feel a bit of nervousness.

It’s a big part of your job to find a way to soothe any anxieties she may have. You’ll take a big first step to accomplishing this task if you simply convey to her that you appreciate her time and that the main focus of the next few hours will be working with her to get the best possible pictures. In other words, act like a professional.

However, don’t misinterpret my use of the word “professional”. I don’t mean to suggest that you should pretend to be an “expert professional photographer” if you’re not one. In fact, if you’re new to this type of photography, it can take a great deal of pressure off you if you let your models know this (and the models will appreciate your honesty).

What I mean by “act like a professional” is that you go about your shoots in a way that lets your models know that the primary focus is on getting the best pictures possible.

Whether you’re a beginner or you have a great deal of experience, your models should get the sense that you’re focused on the job at hand.

Ideally, you’ll want to find a good balance between being friendly and being focused.

 

 _________________

Improve Your Photography Skills! Guaranteed.

 Get your copy of my popular eBook: 

SKIN: The Complete Guide to Glamour and Nude Photography

For more information, visit InsideGlamourShop.com.  Available for purchase and instant download.

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Stunning Nude Photographs: Using “The Magic Hours”

June 3, 2012 by 2 Comments

This is an exquisite picture of a young model. Even if there was nothing else in the shot to make it special, the simple gesture of her grasping her wet hair makes for an interesting image.

However, what really makes this particular image stand out is the lighting. Fortunately, it’s not difficult to figure out how the lighting was achieved. In addition, it’s relatively simple for anyone to get similar results.

The most important thing is shooting at just the right time of day. However, it’s also important to know that this window of time is very brief.

From the trees in the background, it’s obvious that the picture was taken outside. From the golden glow of the light, you can be certain it was either taken very soon after sunrise or just before sunset (when the sun was low in the sky).

These two times of day are often referred to as The Magic Hours.

However, to get a picture like this, you won’t have an hour. In reality, you might have just a few minutes.

From the highlights on her hair and the rim of light on her body (most visible in the bottom right corner of the image), you can be certain that she had her back to the setting (or rising) sun.

To fill in any shadows on her face and the front of her body, a gold reflector was used to bounce light from the sun back onto her (further enhancing the golden glow).

 

Improve Your Photography Skills! Guaranteed.

Get your copy of my popular eBook, SKIN: The Complete Guide to Glamour and Nude Photography

For more information, visit InsideGlamourShop.com.  Available for purchase and instant download.

 

Sign up for the free Inside Glamour Photography newsletter and instantly receive your free report “7 Killer Mistakes to Avoid When Shooting Nude Models!” You’ll find a quick and easy sign-up box at the top right of each page.

 Tips, Techniques, and Ideas for Glamour and Nude Photography

 

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What Can You Learn From A Naked And Annoyed 19-Year-Old?

April 17, 2012 by 3 Comments

The story behind this picture can teach you a valuable lesson. Trust me, I was there.

I took this shot many years ago. In fact, it’s from one of the first three or four nude shoots I’d ever done. I wish I could tell you that I was in complete control of the shoot and impressed this model with my expertise. Unfortunately, that’s not how it happened.

Like all new photographers, I was struggling to juggle all the variables that a nude photo shoot requires. However, unlike the models I’d photographed before, Tara was very experienced and had little patience for my frequent confusion regarding what to do next.

During one of the many self-caused delays, I looked over at her and she was staring at me with a look of disdain that 19-year-old girls seem to do so well. Still, I couldn’t help myself. I quickly snapped off this shot.

In spite of the circumstances, I really like this picture. It’s not posed. It’s honest. It’s authentic.

Looking back, I wish I hadn’t added the extra grain and the purple tone; but it was during my early days with Photoshop and I couldn’t help myself. Unfortunately, I’ve since lost the original slide.

So what’s the lesson to be learned from my experience?  Simply this:

If you’re new to shooting glamour or nude images, don’t worry about things going wrong during a shoot. Trust me, things are going to go wrong. Simply accept that fact and move on.

And don’t worry about being nervous before a shoot. There’s nothing wrong with a little nervousness. Nerves are proof that you care (or so I’ve been told).

But here’s the good news: Not only can I guarantee you’ll survive the shoot, I can guarantee you’ll learn a lot in the process.

And before you know it, you’ll be the one with the experience.

 

 

Improve Your Photography Skills! Guaranteed.

Get your copy of my popular eBook, SKIN: The Complete Guide to Glamour and Nude Photography

For more information, visit InsideGlamourShop.com.  Available for purchase and instant download.

 

 

Sign up for the free Inside Glamour Photography newsletter and instantly receive your free report “7 Killer Mistakes to Avoid When Shooting Nude Models!” You’ll find a quick and easy sign-up box at the top right of each page.

 Tips, Techniques, and Ideas for Glamour and Nude Photography

 

 

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Shooting for Adult Magazines: Variety is the Key

October 17, 2011 by Leave a Comment

If you have a goal to make money from your glamour, nude, or erotic photography by shooting for “Adult” magazines, you’ll need to get used to shooting “image sets.”

An image set is a a series of individual images that comprise a logical and cohesive group.

It’s from these image sets that magazines choose what pictures will be featured in the actual magazine layout.

Within the field of “adult-oriented” nude photography, most image sets begin with the model fully clothed and end with the model fully nude. Essentially, a fairly  obvious “striptease”  type of progression.

Your image sets should consist of between 100 to 150 images. This amount  will give editors and art directors a variety of shots to choose from (without overwhelming them with too many).

It’s important  that your sets include a wide range of different looks.

This range should include a mixture of poses, camera angles, amounts of clothing worn by the model, and degrees of explicitness as far as poses (make sure your poses are appropriate for the magazine you’re shooting for).

You’ll also need to shoot a selection of both horizontal and vertical images.

Some poses work especially well in a vertical format, some work especially well in a horizontal format, and some can go either way. The image seen here is one in which a horizontal format is the obvious choice.

If you typically take the majority of your shots in one orientation or the other, you’ll need to train yourself to mix things up. Ideally, you’ll want about half the shots to be vertical and half to be horizontal. It’s not necessary to be exact, just make sure that your set includes a good representation of both formats.

Remember, the more variety your image sets contain, the more likely you are to profit from them.

 

 

Improve Your Photography Skills! Guaranteed.

Get your copy of my popular eBook, SKIN: The Complete Guide to Glamour and Nude Photography

For more information, visit InsideGlamourShop.com.  Available for purchase and instant download.

Tips, Techniques, and Ideas for Glamour and Nude Photography

__________

Sign up for the free Inside Glamour Photography newsletter and instantly receive your free report “7 Killer Mistakes to Avoid When Shooting Nude Models!” You’ll find a quick and easy sign-up box at the top right of each page.


  


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Tips For Photographing Young Models

October 4, 2011 by Leave a Comment

This image includes two factors you’ll want to know about if you’re going to shoot glamour and nude  photographs of young women.

I took this shot as part of a set for a magazine that features younger woman (primarily 18 and 19-year-olds).

When shooting nude images of models this age it’s important not to style the shoot in a way that makes them  look even younger than they actually are.

Believe it or not, it wasn’t long ago that publications featuring young models had them posing with teddy  bears and lollipops. Fortunately, that style is very rarely seen these days.

However, you’ll still want your pictures to portray young models as having a sense of youthful innocence. To  help do this, I instructed this model to apply minimal makeup. I also supplied her with accessories that  convey a relatively youthful style (pink hairband and bracelets).

Along with the youthful styling, there is a second important factor in this image that is often overlooked by  many photographers.

At first glance, it appears that the model is resting her head on her left hand. However, in reality, she’s holding her head up so it barely touches her hand. The reason for this is that if she were to actually rest her head on her hand, the left side of her face would – for lack of a better word – have a “squished” look to it.

This potential problem is something you’ll have to keep an eye on no matter what style of photography you’re doing or what age model you’re shooting.

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Improve Your Photography Skills! Guaranteed.

Get your copy of my popular eBook, SKIN: The Complete Guide to Glamour and Nude Photography

For more information, visit InsideGlamourShop.com.  Available for purchase and instant download.

Sign up for the free Inside Glamour Photography newsletter and instantly receive your free report “7 Killer Mistakes to Avoid When Shooting Nude Models!” You’ll find a quick and easy sign-up box at the top right of each page.

 Tips, Techniques, and Ideas for Glamour and Nude Photography


 

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The One Unbreakable Rule Of Nude Photography

July 15, 2011 by 1 Comment

While looking through some old files, I came across this shot of a girl named Kitty. When I saw it, I knew it would be a good idea to include it here. Not because there’s anything special about the picture itself, but to use it as a visual reminder to those of you who do nude work.

As I’m sure you’ve already noticed, Kitty looks very, very young. Though I can assure you that she was 18-years-old at the time of the shoot, she certainly doesn’t look like it. That’s why I went to great lengths to confirm her age before I even considered picking up a camera.

When it comes to nude models, there’s only one type that you should absolutely never work with. Quite obviously, that’s the underage girl.

Never photograph anyone nude who is under the legal age. It’s impossible for me to stress this enough. Before you even consider setting up a shoot with a model, make sure she’s of legal age.

You’ll need to find out what the minimum age is for your particular location. This advice also applies to those of you reading this who live outside the United States. The legal age differs from state to state and country to country.

Photographing an underage girl is a mistake you never want to make. As I’m sure you’re well aware, the legal ramifications can be extremely serious.

 

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Improve Your Photography Skills! Guaranteed.

Get your copy of my popular eBook, SKIN: The Complete Guide to Glamour and Nude Photography

For more information, visit InsideGlamourShop.com.  Available for purchase and instant download.

 

Sign up for the free Inside Glamour Photography newsletter and instantly receive your free report “7 Killer Mistakes to Avoid When Shooting Nude Models!” You’ll find a quick and easy sign-up box at the top right of each page.

 Tips, Techniques, and Ideas for Glamour and Nude Photography


 
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