Models guide

Introduction

What is a model

Cardinal rules of modelling

Roadmap to modelling

 

Requirements

Age, height and such

Calculate your BMI

Size zero facts

 

Types of modelling

Introduction

Fashion modelling and catwalk

Editorial

Catalogue modelling

Commercial and advertising

Glamour modelling

Nude modelling

Life modelling

 

More info and tips

Copyright

Model release

Personal safety

Appearance

Agree everything

Come prepared

Be professional

Be private

Models, photographers and sex

 

Make-up for models

Introduction

Say NO to animal testing

Top tips index

Yo-Yo Tayler on make-up

How to prepare your skin

How to choose foundation

How to apply foundation

Gina's black and white tips

Sharon's tips for photographic make-up

 

Skin care for men

Introduction

The regimen

 

Just for fun

Astrology for models

 

Other Sections

Models Guide

Market your talent

Modelling scams

Modelling opportunities

About

 

Latest updates and additional information

blog/models

blog/modelling scams

 

Contact the Models Guide with your question about modelling

 

Nude modelling

On all modelling assignments you should be prepared for at least some degree of nudity. It is a reasonable assumption that a model should not be all too prude. Still, it must be your choice.

For nude modelling, you will probably be a freelance model. Requirements vary. See also: life modelling.

 

Nude modelling in art and art photography

Nudes, artistic nudes, fine art nudes or simply body or figure is usually an artistic interpretation of the human body. Often very innocent, it can also be extremely explicit and sexually aggressive if it helps the artist get his message across. Whatever it is you are asked to do, even if you find it shocking at first, is never to titillate, but to aid artistic expression.

There are no universally accepted definitions of what constitutes art and what separates it from pornography. Often, pornography is defined as the representation of the human body with the aim of sexual arousal, created purely for financial gains.

Then again, a work of art could have sexual arousal as its central theme. Consider this:

Some of Egon Schiele's (Austrian painter; 1890 - 1918) work is extremely explicit, sexually stimulating and was considered pornographic at the time. The same can be said for some of Gustav Klimt's (Austrian painter; 1862 - 1918) work, particularly his drawings. And yet, both are today considered to be among the greatest, most important artists.

 

Other types of nude modelling

There are many more types of nude work with even more names, which have nothing in common with artistic interpretation: adult, hardcore, open leg, Continental, boy/girl, girl/girl, boy/boy, etc., often simply referred to (rightly or not) as pornography.

The more explicit the work you are considering, the more difficult it is for you to say no if you do not want to do something.

Be careful when considering photo shoots that involve (foreign) travel. The offer of a few weeks in sunny California (or wherever) may be tempting but you may find yourself grounded in the middle of nowhere with your passport and return flight ticket confiscated ("kept safe"), which makes you very vulnerable.

The type of nude modelling which is found on page 3 and in boys' magazines is covered under glamour modelling.

 

Photographer participation

Generally speaking, the photographer should make photographs, not participate in them. I have been told by models that it is not that uncommon for certain modelling assignments.

More on photographer participation.

 

Nude means no clothes

If you decide to model nude, it means that you are not wearing any clothes. Sounds obvious?

You cannot model nude but, at the same time, not want to show this or that part of your body. If you model nude, it's all of you.

The term "implied nude" is a favourite with aspiring models who fancy the idea but promptly get frightened by their own courage. The term is also nonsensical. You are either nude or not.

If implied nude were a linguistically proper term, we would all be implied dead.

The artist may decide to partly cover you, but as a nude model you have to offer your whole body.

 

Conclusions

Make up your mind what you are prepared to do, then discuss and agree with the photographer in advance and in detail what is expected of you - and stick to it.

 

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Wolf's Models Guide is owned and maintained by Wolf Kettler Photographer. © Copyright Wolf Kettler. All rights reserved.