The Nude Model
GOOD BEHAVIOUR - the Model

There is far more to it than being attractive, well shaped and prepared to take some or all of your clothes off. There is a skill and part of it is related to personality. The best art nude models, for instance, are often dancers or performers of some kind. The best glamour models are usually extroverted, uninhibited and have a sense of humour. As with any photographic modelling, drama training or ability is a plus – it is a performance.
You should not claim to be experienced if you are not.
You should make it clear in advance to a photographer what you are and are not prepared to do.
You should be on time and prepared to work.

Being Physically Prepared
Marks from tight clothing are hard to remove in Photoshop and take up to two hours to fade so a nude model should arrive for a shoot wearing loose clothing and underwear, no bra if possible and no tight underpants or socks, nothing that will mark. Keeping well hydrated helps here. It is impossible to stress the importance of this too much – the odd blemish or pimple matters not at all but a red line right across the back is awful and very difficult to retouch.
Honesty
It is important to remember that a photographer making contact will be (or should be) quite upfront about what sort of work they wish to do – for instance, they may be looking for a particular type of bottom or breast size and shape to suit the images they have in mind. Therefore photographs and personal details should indicate these facts clearly (measurements, bra size/cup) along with height and shoe size and show body type without being too explicit. A proper photographer is well aware that no-one is perfect and is able to reveal, conceal and compensate for good and not so good personal attributes.
Legal Release The model should expect to sign a release and accept that the photographer owns the copyright of images. It is usual for the model to receive a CD or DVD of images for their portfolio, especially from a TFP shoot but the model may not sell them without permission. See below.

MAKE-UP, ETC.

The art nude photographer usually prefers a nude face as well – make-up should be basic and natural, except for styles like pin-up, glamour, fetish and erotic. Glamour magazines expect body make-up as well (often to cover scars from breast enhancements!)
A note here on women and some men ‘shaving’ or waxing. Older images show models who may have shaved armpits but the pubic hair has been left or occasionally, shaped. The trend in this millennium is for a total removal of pubic hair. Many nude photographers do not like this as it makes a model look immature and this is a danger these days – any suggestion that a nude model is underage is to be avoided at all costs. They would prefer a natural look or a neat trim/wax if necessary.

MODEL ‘RELEASE’

Every shoot should involve a legal model release contract – for nude or any other work for that matter. The release gives the photographer permission to use images commercially. Some releases remove the model’s rights entirely but a good release contract will specify the rights of both model and photographer and allow for certain uses to be excluded. Typical exclusions that may be written in may forbid pornographic uses, submission to certain magazines and composite images for instance.
A model (and photographer) should be aware that –
• The photographer owns the copyright of images, even without a release.
• The photographer has the right to use the images for ‘non-commercial’ uses without a release – this includes artistic and public interest uses. They can be sold or published so long as they are not used to sell or promote a product or service.
• Both parties must sign the release and the model is entitled to a copy.
• The model can make amendments so long as changes are initialled.
• If the model is paid, then it is unreasonable to refuse to sign a release - if there is any concern, the release should be read and discussed before the shoot..
If the release does not have a section where exclusions can be written in, then you may do so in the margin if you need to – date and initial the amendment. Remember, if you sign the release as is, you may be giving the photographer permission to use the images in any way or for any purpose.