How to Recruit or Hire a Nude Model

As a nude art photographer, your greatest (or at least first) challenge is finding someone willing to pose nude. This handy guide will help you find--and keep--models.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Determine what kind of nude photography you are looking to do. Outdoor? Indoor? Figure study? Fetish or erotic nudes? Work out what your plan is, and then you can set about finding a model to fit the plan. Never contact a model without at least a vague plan, but the more specific the better.

2. Utilize ModelMayhem.com and other highly-rated industry networking sites. Nore: this does NOT mean sending a note to random myspace users asking them to drop trou. Look for models who have expressed interest in shooting nudes in your area, and check travel announcements for nude models from other areas. Make sure your portfolio and bio page are up to date.

3. When approaching a potential nude model, be up front about what you're looking for and what you have to offer. If the person is someone you met by chance, rather than someone looking for modeling gigs, explain who you are and what you're looking for. Clarify often about your style and what you will and won't ask the model to do. Don't invite someone to sit for you and then surprise them with a request for nudity. It will just make the model uncomfortable, and nothing looks worse in photos than an awkward emotional state. Additionally, models all know each other, and they all talk together about every photographer ever. If you commit an indiscretion on a shoot, professional or personal, every model in your area will become aware of it eventually. This is called blacklisting, and it IS still common practice.
   
   Being honest in the beginning will get you more "no" answers off the bat, but it will save you from going into the studio and THEN being turned down. If you treat your work as respectable, then respectable models will treat it the same way. Don't hide or shame nude photography--it's not a bad thing! If you act as if it's wrong, other people will too.

4. When contacting any models, be up front about the style of shoot, the concept (if you have one), and what you intend to pay. Some models have non-negotiable rates, and some will be more willing to work with a budget. Many models are more willing to work for cheap or trade for an established, well-known photographer, or one with exceptional talent or unique vision, but others look to negotiate for emerging talent. Don't be afraid to request negotiation, but if the answer is no, accept it. If you're offering TFP/TFCD (time for prints or CD), let the model know right away. If you're on a tight budget, let the model know right away. Again, it's better to have a "no" now than a "no" after three weeks of planning.

5. When a nude model has agreed to work with you, be as flexible as you can when setting up a time. A model is not your employee, but your collaborator: treat him or her with respect. You don't have to cancel your plans to do a shoot, but "Tuesday at noon or no dice" will likely be no dice. Remember that the ultimate goal is to produce photos, so do what it takes to get there.
   
   Some models will want to bring someone to the shoot to act as an escort. You should allow this, but you do have the right to ask that the escort wait in another room, or to ask the escort to leave if he or she causes problems or distractions. An escort is often a safety precaution, and respecting an escort is respecting the model's comfort. Most managed models will have a manager with them, and agency models have the assurance of the agency. An escort is a reasonable measure, and if you have no ill intentions it shouldn't bother you.
   
   Some nude photographers require that the escort is not a romantic partner, to avoid jealousy or arousal. This is something for each photographer to decide for him- or herself.

6. At the shoot, you should be professional and respectful at all times. Look the model in the eye, and speak to him or her with confidence and courtesy. It is acceptable to look any part of the model's body when necessary to check posing, lighting, etc, but unnecessary gawking is unprofessional in every field. Wherever possible, adjust posing verbally (see how in related articles). If you must touch a model, ask permission first. Just grabbing at someone at work is never acceptable. Remember that you are in a professional situation at all times, and behave as you would in any other professional environment. The presence of a naked person should not adjust your attitude (except possibly to make you more cautious).

7. Be sure to fulfill your end of the deal promptly and faithfully. Whether it's cash or photos, deliver promptly. After the shoot it is good form to follow up with the model and thank him or her for shooting. If all goes well, you should have an established contact whom you can work with again.

8. Not every model is a "yes." If things don't work out in the planning process, be polite. Models may have a million reasons not to work with you, and chances are very, very slim that any of them are personal. Often two people just don't mesh professionally, or there are obscure concerns which do not allow collaboration. Take every refusal as politely as you would acceptance. You may even work with today's no votes later on!
   
   If someone declines an offer, thank them for their time and move on. A parting compliment is appropriate, but try not to wax poetic about what might have been. A polite and professional acknowledgment of a "no thanks" can win you more good reputation than having the model in your portfolio, so ALWAYS play nice. If the "no thank you" is not so amicable, just don't respond at all.
   
   Never harass a model for ignoring a shoot request or declining a shoot. This can get your account revoked on many sites and can damage your reputation with other models. In general, it's just a sleazy thing to do. If you applied for a job and didn't get hired, would you show up and throw a fit in the office? Probably not.

Tips & Warnings

• The golden rule is your guideline for success--don't do or say anything that you wouldn't want done or said to you
• If you have to cancel, cancel as far ahead as possible and with many apologies. Try to reschedule right away if you can.
• If someone cancels on you, give him or her the benefit of the doubt the first time. Especially in this economy, things really do come up that can't be avoided. Always give a second chance. If the person blows the second chance, move on. No need for angry words or blacklisting, just move on.
• Avoid public anger at all costs. Models will conduct background searches, and if all they find is your flame-war with someone who prefers a different brand of camera s/he probably won't be impressed.

Resources

• Model Mayhem
• Muse Cube
• One Model Place
• Craigslist

[sweetsaah]

on 11/13/2009 nice ............

[dorigillman]

on 3/26/2009 good info and nicely done. maybe your cyber stalker just doesn't like the subject!

[poetryman69]

on 3/26/2009 you are thorough and informative. good article. One thing, not sure what the following means: "agency models have the assurance of the agency"Is this "assurance" a person, place or thing? Is it a concept, a bond, or something else? Just curious.

[rayjsm]

on 2/19/2009 Excellent article with good resources 5* and rec

[miasavc]

on 2/18/2009 Very good article with lots of info! I learned something new after reading this! :-)