We have all heard the stories and warnings about creepy photographers. Guys With Cameras (GWC), perverts, abusers and manipulators. I have seen public posts, forums, Facebook pages dedicated to model safety, and even parodies on TikTok. Good. We have some sick puppies out there and in a community with no specific regulations, working with freelance models, clients and amateur models, there will be individuals who take advantage of the lack of consequence.
There are photographers who just want to take photos of pretty people. Those who enjoy the company of young pretty people as well as the photographic task. Those who worked out they can hire women who will remove their clothes and have pictures taken of them. Those who enjoy photography as a hobby and prefer to work with women, preferably nude.
Then there is a bit of a trap for photographers. Let’s say I am taking good photos and have worked with nudes. I would like to earn some money from my time consuming ‘hobby’. The best way to earn money is to sell your images or become a shooter for hire. The best selling images on the pay-sites or image selling sites seem to be erotic or porn. So, as a photographer wanting to make money, I veer towards this genre more. The more erotic or vivid, the higher the sales. Now what do I want to shoot?
These are things I have heard about as a photographer.
Take shots in between poses to get great candids (and to catch more of the model as they shift position)
Having a second camera as a spare (which is video recording the shoot unknowingly)
Turning off the beeps on their camera settings allows shots as the camera is by their side.
Take advantage of the power balance. I’m paying so I have the power.
Slowly push the limits as the shoot continues. Build rapport then push the boundary by asking for provocative poses.
Explain their images won’t be posted anywhere, they’re just personal practice.
Some photographers will sell sets privately and not have them posted anywhere.
“I want it to look erotic but I will use shadow so you can’t see anything” Unless that shadow exists to your limits, be careful what will be added in editing.
Things to remember as a photographer working with talent (models, subjects, amateurs).
Full time models need photographers. You hire them and you are their customer. Remember we all have work personalities that are customer focused and service orientated. Don’t misread this as personal. If they do like you, you will know.
Don’t ask them to do something you won’t do in front of a camera. Seriously. Having this mindset creates a respectful boundary.
You hire a certain model because you can see them in your work and something about them is attractive. They will turn up, do their session and leave. You may have built up a great connection but leave it at the shoot. Same with all your subjects unless they’re friends obviously.
Don’t expect reciprocal support. You want to post your work and gain followers, support or clients. A model will only post images that support their portfolio or public image. Just because you worked together doesn’t mean they now need to promote you. That’s business.
Our brains are being bombarded by signals that biologically are signs of attraction. Smiles, nudity, provocative posing and cooperation can fool our brains. If you have a hard time controlling this, then this is not the hobby or profession for you.
Great photos capture a connection but don’t mistake that connection.
We can all judge inappropriate behavior after the fact and support models when they post about model safety but, we need to put the focus on teaching people how to act professionally.
I cannot stress this enough: What is your hobby is their job. This is your spare time, this is their workday as a professional model. For those less experienced subjects, this is an experience for them and they’re feeling very under pressure.
Watch your language. Don’t use terms that carry sexual connotations and use terms you may use when talking with your grandma. Legs, knees, hips, chest, shoulders, butt etc.
Occasionally a model, professional or not, will sign your release and do a shoot with agreed boundaries. The model may now change their mind about making the images public. If it was a paid shoot, a refund or buy-back could be the option but ultimately it’s on you and your conscience. Will this one shoot alter your goals as a a photographer?
Some personalities may feel a bit used. Professional models can be expensive and you are really just another shoot for them. They may not post your work together or like it as much as you do. If you feel this way, examine why you’re doing this.
Being published doesn’t matter anymore. Every model and photographer has heard people explain how they capture emotion or the ‘real you’. Every boudoir photographer is empowering women or just capturing the beauty of the feminine. Everyone is an artist and produces art. All of these are to some extent; true. However, examine your intent honestly. Try to avoid cliches in your bios. I am guilty of this.
I have tried to avoid gender here and inappropriate behavior can happen to anyone. I have heard of models using photographers for money or gifts. People using others happens on all levels and in all parts of life. It’s all down to consent but ask yourself whether this is attraction or is it compatibility? Truthfully, what are the odds you’re going to start hanging out together?
I know I’ve forgotten something and I haven’t covered “Working with Models” 101. Don’t touch, don’t leer, don’t touch, don’t be sexual, don’t touch. That’s basic etiquette.
If you want to add something, please do in the comments. Everyone reading can read your comments too!
When you have a relaxed professional model, they can give you a lot of themselves. It’s always up to them - how much they give you.
Cheers and I am rebuilding my Patreon with unseen edits, photographs and sets along with “How I Got The Shot” and an emphasis on image quality, content and exclusivity to that platform.
All good points. I'm not a professional, ergo I'm a hobbyist. This was definitely self-therapy when I started and I probably owe an apology to everyone who had to listen to me wallow around in my sadness for a year or three. After seven years of obsessive photographic work I find myself a bit ambivelent about the nature of the genre for many of the reasons you've brought up in these articles. Last October, as a birthday gift to myself, I joined an online site that featured over a thousand photographers in a monthly magazine/archive format. I'll let it remain nameless. The one constant was the editor (and invariably "featured" photographer) who has run the site for about 20 years (impressive!). Maybe this was some kind of model for what to do with MY work? It might be but damn if it wasn't the worst collection of crappy photography I've ever seen in one place! Truthfully, it was a great gift in that it gave me a lot of confidence that my aesthetic was more pleasing to me than many many others. I was doing OK. I still don't exactly know what to DO with myself but there are some ideas percolating.
Once again you have succinctly and clearly provided an excellent overview of the many of the common challenges of the photographer/model working relationship.
Though not directly related to working with nude models, I’ll share a couple of thoughts. In my experience as a photographer I’ve worked with unpaid models only. While I fully support the models who choose to model only for hire, I have chosen to work only with models who chose to model for other reasons.
Noteworthy, and to be fair, I have not tried to monetize my present-day photography. My personal feeling is once money or monetary gain enters the equation, both the model and the photographer should have equal opportunity to participate for profit. That might be done with the model being paid by the photographer and the photographer marketing the photos, for example.
I have never sought to work with nude models. Instead, I’ve sought to work with models who wanted some degree of collaboration or a platform of expression. One could say that (and the edited photos) is my remuneration to the models.
It took a while for me to find my style of working with models, but now I always start by telling the model they are in charge, that “I’m just the photographer.” I tell them they are welcome to say “no” at any time they wish. Any request I make such as turn a bit more, or any question such as “would you be comfortable with this pose” is always their choice which will always be respected.
With that out of the way, I try to find a way to lighten the mood. When I can find the model’s sense of humor (that doesn’t always happen) the time, the photos, and the experience will usually go very well.
Even for those who like to model as a way of quiet self-expression, or meditation, or whatever is their calling, I find that if I let them be in their own comfort zone the clothes will sometimes come off. Some will even ask me if it’s ok if they disrobe. I’ll just say “I want you to be comfortable and I’m here to photograph you as you wish to be photographed.” Some of my favorite photos have come from such sessions.
I’m speculating here but maybe one of the reasons some models choose to model with me is I no longer use social media and plaster photos of them all over the web. Prior to that, I’d post only the photos that the model chose to post. Years ago I, like many photographers, posted a lot of my photos.
To succinctly reiterate some of what you’ve said: Treat models the way you would like to be treated; with dignity, kindness, and respect. Using that basic premise seems to have worked well for me.
All good points. I'm not a professional, ergo I'm a hobbyist. This was definitely self-therapy when I started and I probably owe an apology to everyone who had to listen to me wallow around in my sadness for a year or three. After seven years of obsessive photographic work I find myself a bit ambivelent about the nature of the genre for many of the reasons you've brought up in these articles. Last October, as a birthday gift to myself, I joined an online site that featured over a thousand photographers in a monthly magazine/archive format. I'll let it remain nameless. The one constant was the editor (and invariably "featured" photographer) who has run the site for about 20 years (impressive!). Maybe this was some kind of model for what to do with MY work? It might be but damn if it wasn't the worst collection of crappy photography I've ever seen in one place! Truthfully, it was a great gift in that it gave me a lot of confidence that my aesthetic was more pleasing to me than many many others. I was doing OK. I still don't exactly know what to DO with myself but there are some ideas percolating.
Hello Robin,
Once again you have succinctly and clearly provided an excellent overview of the many of the common challenges of the photographer/model working relationship.
Though not directly related to working with nude models, I’ll share a couple of thoughts. In my experience as a photographer I’ve worked with unpaid models only. While I fully support the models who choose to model only for hire, I have chosen to work only with models who chose to model for other reasons.
Noteworthy, and to be fair, I have not tried to monetize my present-day photography. My personal feeling is once money or monetary gain enters the equation, both the model and the photographer should have equal opportunity to participate for profit. That might be done with the model being paid by the photographer and the photographer marketing the photos, for example.
I have never sought to work with nude models. Instead, I’ve sought to work with models who wanted some degree of collaboration or a platform of expression. One could say that (and the edited photos) is my remuneration to the models.
It took a while for me to find my style of working with models, but now I always start by telling the model they are in charge, that “I’m just the photographer.” I tell them they are welcome to say “no” at any time they wish. Any request I make such as turn a bit more, or any question such as “would you be comfortable with this pose” is always their choice which will always be respected.
With that out of the way, I try to find a way to lighten the mood. When I can find the model’s sense of humor (that doesn’t always happen) the time, the photos, and the experience will usually go very well.
Even for those who like to model as a way of quiet self-expression, or meditation, or whatever is their calling, I find that if I let them be in their own comfort zone the clothes will sometimes come off. Some will even ask me if it’s ok if they disrobe. I’ll just say “I want you to be comfortable and I’m here to photograph you as you wish to be photographed.” Some of my favorite photos have come from such sessions.
I’m speculating here but maybe one of the reasons some models choose to model with me is I no longer use social media and plaster photos of them all over the web. Prior to that, I’d post only the photos that the model chose to post. Years ago I, like many photographers, posted a lot of my photos.
To succinctly reiterate some of what you’ve said: Treat models the way you would like to be treated; with dignity, kindness, and respect. Using that basic premise seems to have worked well for me.
Just a few of my thoughts,
Daniel