If you’ve never created nude photography, you might find this genre very intimidating.
There are some strict guidelines you have to keep in mind throughout your photo shoot. But you can make nude photography fun and creative experience for everyone involved.
Here’s how!
Create Your Own Version of Nude Photography to Develop Your Style
Nude, or semi-nude, photography doesn’t have to look a specific way.
You can photograph your nude models from the shoulders up or take close-ups only. You can use dramatic light to cover up most of their body parts. Or you can do the complete opposite and go for soft lighting.
The key to this art form is knowing your style. Experiment with different lighting and posing techniques at your nude photo shoot. It’ll make it easier to have a creative shooting experience.
Make Sure the Location Is Warm
Every professional nude photographer has the same tip they share with everyone. Make sure your model is warm!
If you’re shooting outside, make sure the location is peaceful and has a spot where the model can change or warm up.
Indoors, make sure the heating is up. Have a robe nearby in case your model needs to take a break.
Ask Your Model for Feedback and Treat Them With Respect
It’s easy to feel vulnerable when you’re standing with a naked body in front of a stranger. To make your subject’s modeling experience easier, prioritize their comfort.
You can do this by asking them for feedback, showing them your photos, and giving them compliments. Make sure not to make them uncomfortable though.
If your model feels acknowledged and heard, they might share creative ideas of their own.
No matter what, treat your nude photography models with respect. You’re guaranteed to have a comfortable business relationship if you do.
Start With Limited Light to Make Your Model Feel More Comfortable
Even if your nude photography model is a professional model, they might still feel uncomfortable with someone they’ve never worked with before. You can introduce them to your boudoir style by working with limited light first.
Limited and anonymous light will hide parts of your model’s body and work as a cover-up. It’ll give them room to experiment with different poses. It will also give them a chance to get to know your unique approach to nude photography.
In turn, you’ll be able to experiment with creative lighting techniques.
Use Body Makeup to Add Emotional Depth to Your Nude Images
You might associate nude photography with minimalistic photos of faces and human forms. You don’t have to create this specific look in all your photos, though.
To make your nude art stand out from everyone else’s, use traditional art techniques during your photo shoot.
This means using body or face makeup to create very specific emotions. You can either hire a professional artist or paint something abstract on the nude body yourself.
If you want to get even more creative with your nude portraits, paint a realistic image on your model’s face. Andrea Hübner’s close-up portrait is a great example of this.
You can also use your painting in conceptual nude photography. The design can blend in with the background, for example.
Use a Zoom Lens to Give Your Model Lots of Space
To create artistic nude photography, it’s important to give everyone enough space to move and think. Once everyone feels comfortable, you can move on to brainstorming. And then taking the most beautiful images possible.
If you stand close to (or worse, touch) a nude model, you’ll end up with a very negative experience.
One of the many ways you can make your model feel comfortable at a nude photo shoot is to give them a lot of physical space.
You can start with a zoom lens. This will allow you to take high-quality photos of your model without having to stand too close to them.
Some of the best zoom lenses for portrait photography are:
- Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II
- Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8
- Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM
Hide Body Parts Using Clever Props
Another way to make your portraiture more creative is to use creative props to cover up the model’s body.
Instead of revealing the entire human body, you can hide parts of it using trees, blankets, clothes, flowers, etc.
This will help you shoot nude images that are both tasteful and mysterious.
If you use a large aperture (such as f/2.8) and cover part of the lens with a prop, you’ll create beautiful blurred shapes. You can also use these to cover specific parts of a composition.
Make sure your model has something to cover themselves with throughout the photo shoot. Even something as simple as a robe will keep them warm. And it’ll give them access to a little privacy whenever they need it.
Include Several Models to Create a Sense of Familiarity
Ask your model if they are comfortable with posing next to another nude person. If they are, you’ll have lots of opportunities for more creative shots.
Having two models in one frame creates a sense of familiarity, even if they’re not related.
This is a popular design concept that’s called Proximity. It can help you take photos that are both emotional and relatable.
You can also use several models to emphasize differences or similarities in makeup, face shape, and so on.
Shoot in Black and White to Focus on Shapes and Light
Nude photography can easily be sexualized if it’s approached the wrong way. To make your photos artistic, make sure you focus more on lighting and shapes than on specific body parts.
One of the easiest ways to do this is to look at photography from an unusual perspective, such as black and white.
Shooting nude photography in black and white will take you out of your comfort zone and help you look at the human form from a creative point of view. It might also conceal blemishes or distractions that stand out in color.
Conclusion
Nude art has been around for centuries. It has helped many people improve their knowledge of lighting, posing, and communicating.
You can use nude photography to improve your work and take photos that are both artistic and empowering.
