Nude Modeling: Before You Start - Part I

by Henna N, photo by Lone Shepherd

Alright folks, so here is the first installment of my advice to new models or people considering nude modeling.   Like I said before, I’m breaking this up into sections, so that its not just one long piece of text. Because I have a tendency to write a lot. (I talk a lot too…its a problem.)  I’m the kid who turns in a 10 page paper when the professor asks for a 5-7 page one.  Hah, anyway.

This section is: Before you Start: Part I.

I. Once you are naked on the internet, you are naked on the internet for good.

So you are considering nude modeling, and you haven’t actually started yet.

One of the most important things to realize is that with the nature of the internet and instant sharing and blogs and all that jizz-jazz, is that when you put a picture online, it will most likely be accessible for years and years to come.  Especially with nude work. People love nude pictures. Even if they don’t fit the definition of porn.

Model Insider Spotlight - Ravyn Black - MI 10719

How did you get started in modeling? What brought you to it?
Modeling was something I had been thinking about getting into since I was young. I was approached by agencies in high school but didn’t gain parental support till later in my life, so I had to turn them down, but later when a friend of mine told me about a modeling gig she had, I asked if I could come along as well, and so started my career.

Model Insider Spotlight - Vince Wolff - MI 370

How did you get started as an artist? What brought you to it?
I actually started drawing cartoons at age 6, and eventually studied art in college. After a lot of stops and starts, I became more focused on artwork about 10 years ago, specializing in pinups and glamour.

Model Insider Spotlight - Gustavo - MI 4634

How did you get started in photography? What brought you to it?
Started as a kid. I was introduced to film first at the age of 10. As a kid, seeing your very own black and white TMAX 400 developed in front of you from a blank piece of white paper to something was very cool at the time. Back then, it took the next day to develop your own film not like now, you can snap a photo and it's there.

Model Insider Spotlight - Saira Caroline - MI 10287

How did you get started in modeling? What brought you to it?
I was approached by a photographer asking to shoot with him and I said yes. A wonderful decision on my part, I think. I had seen friends of mine starting in modeling and was interested, so I thought that, why not try while I still have the energy, flexibility, body, and mind for it.

Model Insider Spotlight - GeM Photographic - MI 780

How did you get started in photography? What brought you to it?
It is something I've done as long as I can remember. I has an 8mm movie camera and 126 Kodak Instamatic as a kid. Moved into 35mm when in high school - I was mostly shooting landscape and nature back then. Buying a copy of Gowland's Guide to Glamour Photography was definitely an inspiration to what I am doing now. Even told that to Peter in an email.

Model Insider Spotlight - Daisy Nation - MI 9958

How did you get started in modeling? What brought you to it?
I used to work as a figure model for college art classes. During that time I saw an ad from a local photographer ( MI member John Poppleton) who was looking for models for fine art photography. I replied to his ad and we went on to create many images over the span of a couple of years.

Model Insider Spotlight - Tom Linkens - MI 1427

How did you get started in photography? What brought you to it?
From way back at the beginning, I was a hobbyist with a Pentax K1000 and occasionaly one time use film cameras. First digital was a Kodak C310. Started out professionally in February 2006, taking photos of Roya Hakakian at a lecture and book signing. The job was memorable, even though the pictures weren't.

Model Insider Spotlight - Bobbie - MI 6172

How did you get started in modeling? What brought you to it?
I’d have to say that it was my friends Curtis and Lisa Wood that got me in front of the camera. I have always been the family photographer, often showing up at events with multiple cameras. However, this meant that as I look back over the years there were very few pictures of me. I met Curt and Lisa six years ago at Mardi Gras and was thrilled that I could go through his photos and there I was. I was amazed by the beautiful images he captured of Lisa, and then I saw a few he took of me. It was so cool to see artistic photos of myself instead of just portrait or candid photos. I really liked being a part of the art.

Model Insider Spotlight - 3 Bees Digital - MI 1961

How did you get started in photography? What brought you to it?
That's a fond memory actually. My favorite aunt was married when I was 8 or 9 and I was so upset that she was moving (crying my eyes out actually) that she gave me her Brownie and told me to take her picture so I would have it. It worked. I quit blubbering.