How do I go about having nude photos taken of me?
January 21, 2008
I want to have nude photos taken of myself - what's best way to find a reputable photographer?
How you find a photographer will depend on what you need the photos for. If you just want something to get laid online, then have your friend take a few rolls of pictures with his automatic camera. Have the rolls developed locally or send have a mail-order. Or better yet, use a digital camera. Many mail-order companies are happy to develop nude or explicit photos. Just do a web search for "discreet photo developing".
If you are looking to pose for professional or semi-professional quality photographs to display in your home, then you will want to try a different approach. Perhaps the cheapest option is to put up a sign in your local college art department building saying "male model willing to pose in exchange for nude shots of himself in exchange for prints." Art students are always looking for opportunities to build their portfolios, so nude models are highly in demand especially if you pick up the printing and developing costs and pay a small fee. Be careful when using this option though, as some students may be wary this is a scam to attack young female photographers.
Of course art students are not the best option if you are looking to have more sexual shots of you in the nude. For example, if you want to have an erection during your shots. If this is what you want, a web search for "nude photography" will net several options. Calling your local gay and lesbian information line may find a few gay photographers as well, as may looking in your local gay publication. Any ad looking for models to pose for magazines or websites will inevitably lead back to a photographer as well. Consider responding to those ads to ask for the name of their photographer.
Once you find a photographer you would like to work with, ask to see their portfolio. Photographers take nude pictures in a wide variety of styles, not all of which will interest you. Depending on how specific or artsy you want the photographs to be, the more searching you will have to do. You should also ask what sort of camera the photographer works with, as most professionals will be shooting with something better than a run-of-the-mill 35mm camera. Ask if the camera is large or medium format. Medium format negatives cannot be blown up as large. If the photographer is unable to say what type of camera he has, or does has difficulty answering your questions or negotiating, take that as a sign the photographer does not know what he is doing.
Whatever photographer you finally select, be sure to clearly negotiate whether you want color or black & white photographs, the number of rolls, the number of exposures per roll, and the fee for the photo shoot. Ask how long they expect the shoot to run, and who pays for print and developing costs. Find out if the fee includes a second meeting to go over the contact sheet to pick which pictures to print. Finally, be sure to negotiate who keeps the negatives as well, in case you want more prints done sometime in the future.
If you are looking to pose for professional or semi-professional quality photographs to display in your home, then you will want to try a different approach. Perhaps the cheapest option is to put up a sign in your local college art department building saying "male model willing to pose in exchange for nude shots of himself in exchange for prints." Art students are always looking for opportunities to build their portfolios, so nude models are highly in demand especially if you pick up the printing and developing costs and pay a small fee. Be careful when using this option though, as some students may be wary this is a scam to attack young female photographers.
Of course art students are not the best option if you are looking to have more sexual shots of you in the nude. For example, if you want to have an erection during your shots. If this is what you want, a web search for "nude photography" will net several options. Calling your local gay and lesbian information line may find a few gay photographers as well, as may looking in your local gay publication. Any ad looking for models to pose for magazines or websites will inevitably lead back to a photographer as well. Consider responding to those ads to ask for the name of their photographer.
Once you find a photographer you would like to work with, ask to see their portfolio. Photographers take nude pictures in a wide variety of styles, not all of which will interest you. Depending on how specific or artsy you want the photographs to be, the more searching you will have to do. You should also ask what sort of camera the photographer works with, as most professionals will be shooting with something better than a run-of-the-mill 35mm camera. Ask if the camera is large or medium format. Medium format negatives cannot be blown up as large. If the photographer is unable to say what type of camera he has, or does has difficulty answering your questions or negotiating, take that as a sign the photographer does not know what he is doing.
Whatever photographer you finally select, be sure to clearly negotiate whether you want color or black & white photographs, the number of rolls, the number of exposures per roll, and the fee for the photo shoot. Ask how long they expect the shoot to run, and who pays for print and developing costs. Find out if the fee includes a second meeting to go over the contact sheet to pick which pictures to print. Finally, be sure to negotiate who keeps the negatives as well, in case you want more prints done sometime in the future.
