So, a couple of weeks ago, I had an opportunity to do my first nude shoot. I would have to say that as to being my first time, I was a bit nervous. Sorry, that did not come out right, but you get the point. I would say that most people not in the photography industry think that Boudoir or Nude Shoots are a free for all. This is definitely the case; of course your results may vary. Professionals are just that, professional. Here are some nude photography tips from a San Diego photographer:
Have an assistant or a chaperone at the shoot. This is a must, I’m not saying that all people are bad, but as a photographer you need to cover yourself, for any situation. As we like to say CYA.
Make sure that the environment is clean. No one likes to work in a mess and it looks unprofessional. Keep your shooting area, like you would your house when company is coming over. Some of you may wish to clean a bit better.
Make sure the temperature in the studio is suitable, for your clients. Your male or female model may not be wearing any protective clothing and will probably thank you, for being comfortable.
Be prepared. As, I always tell you, make sure all your equipment is ready to go and tested, before your client’s arrive. This includes batteries, flashes or strobe light, light stands, memory cards, soft boxes, or umbrellas.
Make sure you have enough model release forms and have them filled out and signed, if you intend on using the pictures in any way, shape, or form.
Keep beverages on hand. No not cocktails, you may wish to have juice, soda, or water. You want to keep you clients hydrated and not collapse. You can always have a drink, after the shoot.
Munchies might be a nice idea, but it make sure it’s healthy, because most people are trying to eat better and of course watch his or her weight.
Ok, now to get to your camera settings. By now, you should be shooting your camera in Manual or Aperture Mode, so let’s go ahead and take it off Automatic Mode. I am assuming that you will be shooting in a studio, so go ahead and set your ISO to the lowest you can. Cannon users will be at 100, while Nikon users should be at 200. For your white balance, I recommend the Flash setting. Your shutter speed should somewhere between 160 and 200. And last but not least your F stop should be at 5.6 or higher depending on what type of look you are going for.
If you plan on getting into this type of niche, I would highly recommend getting your feet wet, by signing up with a couple of Meetups. I like Meetups, for the fact that they have them for any type of hobby or interest you can have. They usually have one once a week or more and they are usually local to your area. Plus, most of the people that attend are great and you can build good relationships with them.
I hope I have not bored you too much. I had fun writing this one. I trust I have given you some valuable tips to think about, before planning your next shoot. It’s not all bad, just be clear and informative, it will save you a lot of headaches. Remember nothing is set in stone and there is not perfect formula, so go out and have some fun.
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