Fine Art Nude Photography

No Shame: Nude Photography

One of the most photographed subjects is the human body. Many artists consider this to be a perfect form, and photographers are no different. However, things may get a bit difficult when dealing with the human body in its purest form-nude. Before you jump headfirst into this subject matter, take some time to gain an appreciation for the art form and learn the laws surround nude photography. Always be professional when dealing with nudes, and keep things classy to help you grow as a photographer.

Before you begin photographing nudes, take some time to study the body. Many colleges offer classes focused specifically on nude photography, but even a drawing or painting course in this subject matter will help you learn the form and techniques for creating beautiful pieces of work. Anatomy resources that teach about muscle and bone structure may also come in handy. Take some time to photography people in tight fitting clothing before you jump into the nude realm. Get a feeling for this human form in general by doing clothed portraits. Even in nudes, facial expressions are some of the most highlighted points of the picture.

Once you are ready to begin photographing nudes, first find out about the laws surrounding this art in your state and country, especially if you are outside. You may need special permits or permission to shoot nudes outside, or even in your home studio. It is also a good idea to have some sort of signed contract with your model-some places require it, but you should have one in any case to prevent lawsuits in the future. Make sure your model is comfortable with being nude and talk about how you plan to use these photographs and if the model gets a say in which pictures you use. For example, some models may only be comfortable with their pictures being public if their face is not shown. Work with your model and respect their wishes.

On a special note, children are especially tricky to use as nude models, so this should be avoided. Even if you are simply taking artistic pictures, many people will view this as corrupted, due to the high amount of illegal and sick child pornography on the Internet. Even some parents are being questioned when they get rolls of film developed showing their newborns or toddlers in the bathtub. While these are, in most cases, simply a matter of parents getting a cute shot of their kids, most developers have the policy to report child nudes. If you must use a child nude in your photography, make sure to thoroughly comply with the law and always have the child's parents and other adults if possible, in the room the entire time. With children, as with all nudes, it is better to be safe than sorry and protect yourself from lawsuits by having other people present and signed contracts.