How to Establish a Positive Reputation as a Nude Art Photographer

Marketing is a big part of most jobs, but for an artist--and especially a nude artist, it's especially important. A bad reputation can quickly kill your career, but a good reputation will take you far. This guide will assist you in establishing respect with models and the community.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. The first way to start establishing a positive reputation is in your public face and recruiting. Having a website is important, even if it's not open to the general public. Get a unique, classy URL that's easy to remember. Avoid free-host sites like geocities, blogspot, or angelfire. These sites can be great for casual public groups, but for a serious artist, they say "I'm too cheap to spend $20 a year on a URL"
   
   On networking sites like Model Mayhem, keep your bio and casting information intelligent, professional, and concise. Be honest and well-organized. Never use chatspeak, and if you need to, run your proposed bio through a spelling and grammar check.

2. When contacting potential models, explain who you are and what exactly you want to shoot. It's not necessary to give out detailed concept layout, but it's important to note where you'll be shooting, how long a shoot will last, compensation offered, and the "level" of shoot (implied nude, artistic nude, glamor nude, etc). Always let potential models know if you intend to have multiple models, or if the shoot will include substances or themes with common allergies or phobias. If a model expresses an unwillingness to do something you've asked, you can choose not to shoot or retool the concept around the limitation. Never try to pressure a model into something he or she is not comfortable with. A detailed guide to recruiting nude models is linked in related articles.

3. A professional reputation is in large part derived from how as well as where you shoot. Not everyone has a fancy commercial studio and thousands of dollars in lights. However, many low-cost rental studios are available in most major cities. Where a rental is not available, or you prefer to make use of a home studio, try to devote a garage or interior room entirely to that purpose. Have a clean set or backdrop, and use lights which are devoted to photography. This doesn't mean they have to be expensive--starter-level strobe kits can be bought on eBay for $50, and compact fluorescent systems can be built for even less.

4. This is the most important step with models! The ultimate in establishing a positive reputation with models is your behavior before, during, and after a shoot--or negotiations.
   
   1. While negotiating a shoot, be up front and friendly--but professional!
   2. If negotiations result in NOT shooting (ie a model turns you down, or a model has requested a shoot whom you do not wish to work with), stay cordial. Things often change, and you'll never know when you run into or work with someone on a later project. A polite "no thank you" or a "thanks for your time" can even mean a reference to someone who does fit your style better.
   3. Have a release form! When you've agreed to shoot, discuss your release form ahead of time. Whether shooting for portfolio or commercial use, it's important to have legal documents ahead of time. When shooting nudes especially, have a section of the release set aside for recording legal name and DL number, or photocopy the model's ID and keep it with the paperwork. Never, ever shoot a model nude without seeing a picture ID.
   4. During the shoot, maintain professionalism at all times. Just because you don't have a manager doesn't mean you can do whatever you want. Keep your directions and conversation professional, and remember not to push a model into anything that wasn't agreed on in advance. Never book a model for a clothed shoot and then ask her to pose nude. Don't ask for artistic nude and then ask her to masturbate.
   5. After the shoot, it is considered good form to write a quick email or "tag" on modeling sites thanking him or her for the shoot. If the shoot was TFCD, make sure you get images to him or her in a timely fashion. Generally speaking, one month is the outside span for a TFCD. Once you get into a pattern, you should be able to estimate how long it will take you. It's a good idea to let the model know how long he or she can expect to wait. If the shoot is a cash arrangement, payment is expected same-day. Whether you pay before the shoot begins or after it ends is between you and the model.
   6. Avoid "flaking" at all costs, and when a model flakes (it will happen eventually), keep your cool. You don't have to give the model a second chance, but don't publicly trash talk someone for failing to show up. Yes, he might just be lazy. Or he might have been in a horrible car accident. Things happen. Even if it is a habitual flake, just move on.

5. A positive reputation with other artists is harder to achieve. The first thing that will get you "points" with respectable artists is a positive reputation with models. Art communities are often small and tight-knit even in big cities, and models will often share good experiences with others. Casual meetings at networking events, industry parties, and group shows can also make contacts. Always be polite to other artists, even if you can't appreciate their personal style. Try to avoid "pissing contests," "flame wars," etc.
   
   Know the difference between a tip that's being shared with you and an artist talking about his or her own project. Just because you have a piece of information doesn't make it morally acceptable to use it. If someone shares an idea or vision with you, respect them and yourself by NOT shooting it. If you're in a jam for concepts, do some soul-searching. Watch your favorite movie, listen to music that inspires you, or research promising themes in your personal style. Ripping off your friend is ALWAYS a bad idea.
   
   If you participate in a group shoot, be conscientious about line of sight. Make sure that as you move you're not blocking another photographer, or if you do need to block someone, you wait until they have the shot and do so as quickly as possible, with a quick "excuse me" for good measure.
   
   Where possible, attend gallery shows by local and visiting artists. Showing support for the community displays a big-picture motivation as well as personal class. Gallery shows can also be a good way to meet potential models before a shoot in an appropriate and safe setting. This does NOT mean you should try to aggressively recruit the showing artist's models (who often come to shows).

Tips & Warnings

• Many nude models prefer to bring an escort, driver, or assistant to shoots. Where practical, this should be permitted as long as the escort is unobtrusive. If you plan to shoot in your home, the model's home, or a hotel room, allowing someone else to be there is a very good idea.
• Everybody makes mistakes. If you think you've done something to hurt your reputation in the past, try to fix it with the people that matter.

[shoucate]

on 3/26/2009 Sounds like practical advise. I think it would be wise to have a chaperone for the model and perhaps a witness for yourself so you don't get accused of something that didn't happen.