Melanie J Utz wrote:
I'm doing my first implied shoot and would like to hear what kind of advice you guys might have for me. Also,  what are done methods you have tried, liked or disliked as far as pasties (etc) goes?

Shoot a bunch of selfies in the mirror. Study them. Send them to me to study. This will make you comfortable.

Don

All Yours Photography wrote:
Ditto on Keith's post above.  Poses should be relaxed, natural and just so happen to leave strategic areas out of sight in the photos.  If your first concern is keeping your ladybits out of the photo, you will not look relaxed and natural.

This shot was from this model's first implied shoot.



Work with a photographer whose work you like and whose references have checked out, ideally, someone that you've worked with before to give you a little more comfort with them.

Likely that it will feel a bit awkward for the first 15 minutes or so.  Don't do "the" shot that you really wanted first.  Save it until you're had a chance to relax a bit.

As far as pasties, I've never had a model use them, although it wouldn't bother me if she did.  I have had a few models that didn't want me to see them and I would turn my back while they got into position.  A minor inconvenience, but if it keeps the model looking comfortable in the photos, it's worth it.  About 1/2 of the models that started the shoot on this basis would tell me midway through the shoot not to worry about it, as they became more comfortable being nude on the set.

Ronald N. Tan wrote:
...I could clearly see your model was nude, but due to posing, her vagina and breasts aren't showing.

It's pretty tough to photograph a vagina anyway, because it's an internal organ. As in photographing a colon, an endoscope or some serious stretching is required.

But the model's vulva is not seen in the photo.

Don

Yoda wrote:
Do or do not, there is no try.

Either you summon up the courage to do a high-fashion nude like Kate Moss or Gisele Bundchen or you don't. Your location plays an important factor. If your idea of nude is exemplified in the 18+ contests, I wouldn't even consider doing nudes. Be mindful that once your nude goes on the internet, it can't be retracted. There is a chance that someone out there in cyberspace saved a copy for their private collection.

Nudity—when execute properly with the right, competent photographer can be a rewarding experience.
 

Melanie J Utz wrote:
I'm doing my first implied shoot and would like to hear what kind of advice you guys might have for me. Also,  what are done methods you have tried, liked or disliked as far as pasties (etc) goes?

Thanks!

D. Brian Nelson wrote:

It's pretty tough to photograph a vagina anyway, as it's an internal organ. Like photographing a colon, an endoscope or serious stretching is required.

But the model's vulva is not seen in the photo.

Don

Keith Allen Phillips wrote:
ETA: Don't know why you'd wear pasties.

Oops... I've read "pastries" in the OP and envisioned her smearing frosted cupcakes somewhere... LOL

                                                                        Silly me! 

Ronald N. Tan wrote:
I sit here corrected. Thank you for pointing my incorrect identification; my grasp of human anatomy is rusty.

You're welcome. I doubt it's at all rusty. You followed the MM convention and were perfectly clear, but it's one of my many pet peeves. Apologies for stepping on your post.

Don

Carl Blum Photography wrote:
Keep all of your clothes on....

+1

Melanie J Utz wrote:
I'm doing my first implied shoot and would like to hear what kind of advice you guys might have for me. Also,  what are done methods you have tried, liked or disliked as far as pasties (etc) goes?

Thanks!

Lots of tips:
1.  Distinguish between "implied" (meaning, you could be nude in the shot but b/c of shadow or the pose, it's impossible to tell if you're nude or you're wearing a bikini bottom and bandeau top) and "demure" nudes (demure means you're obviously nude but your nipples and labia aren't visible...maybe a sheet is strategically draped over them or you've got a hand bra going).
2.  You're going to be nude in front of the photographer.  I'm not trying to make that sound prurient.  It's that don't think you can pose so the photographer can't see you nude.  You need to be completely, absolutely nude in front of the photographer.  You need to be willing to have your nipples exposed or have your pubic area visible.  B/c the purpose is not to hide your genitals from the photographer.  It's to create certain type of poses.  Case in point:  I did a shoot with a model who does NOT shoot nudes (not even implied or demure nudes).  But for the concept we were shooting (her leaping and spinning while covered in lace) she had to be completely nude while draped by a lace sheet.  And in some of the poses, as she spun and leaped, she'd expose her labia or her breasts or her butt.  And so I deleted those.   And in all of the results we had implied nudes.  But she had to get nude in front of me.  So if that's an issue for you, then don't do the shoot.
3.  Pasties are great...if you're shooting a concept where you play a stripper.  I don't really see any value in having them.  If you trust the photographer to not take nude photos of you, then lose the pasties.  If you're not sure, than don't do the shoot.
4.  Some other logistical tips:
--get some examples of some sample poses and print them out...not to copy but for inspiration.  If you're nervous, that will help you get started.
--don't do this gradually where you strip down bit by bit by bit during the shoot.  If you're nervous now, that just makes it worse.  if you're going to take off clothes and then shoot implied nude poses, strip down right away and get in to it.  You'll be less nervous, you'll work through the stiffness, and get in to a flow.  You'll probably find your best poses come at the end of the shoot after you've had 15-30 minutes to stop being self-conscious and instead focus on creating great poses.
--lighting (especially shadow) is great for shooting implied and demure nudes.  Just did a shoot with a model last friday, all nude.  Her one rule is "no pink."  Well, we did a series of her kneeling towards me with her legs spread.  But b/c of the positioning of the soft box, everything is in shadow.  In fact, 1/3rd of the shots from that look would pass muster as a "Safe for work" avatar on MM despite that her hands weren't covering anything and her legs were open and facing the camera.  What you're after her are good poses, not crossing personal boundaries by posing almost nude and then feeling a bit risqué.
--if you're going to be fully nude (and then do implied and demure poses), bring a robe or kimono of some sort.  Check the posing space for temperature (it often gets colder when the clothes come off) and drafts (you may work up a sweat posing and a draft of even warm air can produce goose bumps).
--as a general rule, I appreciate models who moisturize the night before a shoot.

Best of luck and I hope you have a great experience.

Ed

afplcc wrote:
Just did a shoot with a model last friday, all nude.  Her one rule is "no pink."  Well, we did a series of her kneeling towards me with her legs spread.  But b/c of the positioning of the soft box, everything is in shadow.  In fact, 1/3rd of the shots from that look would pass muster as a "Safe for work" avatar on MM despite that her hands weren't covering anything and her legs were open and facing the camera.  What you're after her are good poses, not crossing personal boundaries by posing almost nude and then feeling a bit risqué.

To add to the above, if you trust and can work well with the photographer, even shots that are otherwise great but reveal a bit more than you want can often be rescued with Photoshop

afplcc wrote:
2.  You're going to be nude in front of the photographer.  I'm not trying to make that sound prurient.  It's that don't think you can pose so the photographer can't see you nude.  You need to be completely, absolutely nude in front of the photographer.  You need to be willing to have your nipples exposed or have your pubic area visible. B/c the purpose is not to hide your genitals from the photographer.  It's to create certain type of poses.  Case in point:  I did a shoot with a model who does NOT shoot nudes (not even implied or demure nudes).  But for the concept we were shooting (her leaping and spinning while covered in lace) she had to be completely nude while draped by a lace sheet.  And in some of the poses, as she spun and leaped, she'd expose her labia or her breasts or her butt.  And so I deleted those.   And in all of the results we had implied nudes.  But she had to get nude in front of me.  So if that's an issue for you, then don't do the shoot.

I have done my fair share of implied shoots without seeing nipples or pubic area so I totally disagree with this. 

To the OP, don't do any leaping or spinning.

Eye of the World wrote:

To add to the above, if you trust and can work well with the photographer, even shots that are otherwise great but reveal a bit more than you want can often be rescued with Photoshop

For someone doing their first implied shooting, I would stay away from any provocative poses.

Melanie J Utz wrote:
I'm doing my first implied shoot and would like to hear what kind of advice you guys might have for me. Also,  what are done methods you have tried, liked or disliked as far as pasties (etc) goes?

Thanks!

I think that if you feel more at ease with pasties, you should go for it (after discussing it with the photographer).

When I did my first “total” implied (not only topless), I used pasties and a C-string.

I felt more comfortable because:
1) I had to sit on sofa/bed/ecc… and I think that using a C-string, even if little, was more hygienic.
2) No fear of ruining a good shot with some “slipping”.

I worked with that photographer many times and he knows I trust him and I have no problems being nude in front of him (I don’t shoot nudes for work reasons, not personal ones).

The shooting went really well and it is one of my most voted sets on Zivity.

Not a general rule, just my opinion (and experience).

Keith Allen Phillips wrote:
I can tell you what drives me crazy. It's seeing photos of women who are obviously and awkwardly covering up their bits and pieces for the photo. It should either look very natural OR overly exaggerated in my opinion. Anything in between is just fake looking.

ETA: Don't know why you'd wear pasties. If you're actually worried about the photographer seeing you naked you'd be better off just not shooting that type of stuff. It'll show in the photos that you're uncomfortable being nude.

+1

Trying to shoot "implied" with a model not comfortable with being nude (and being photographed nude) is almost always a waste of time.

Either own it, or don't bother.





Just my $0.02 etc. etc.

Another Italian Guy wrote:

+1

Trying to shoot "implied" with a model not comfortable with being nude (and being photographed nude) is almost always a waste of time.

Either own it, or don't bother.





Just my $0.02 etc. etc.

+1000

Melanie J Utz wrote:
I'm doing my first implied shoot and would like to hear what kind of advice you guys might have for me. Also,  what are done methods you have tried, liked or disliked as far as pasties (etc) goes?

Thanks!

Relax.  Don't take it too seriously, because then you'll tense up and it will show in the images.  It's implied, so you need to think of how the clothing/props are going to look from the camera's angle, so try to work with that idea in mind.

Most of all- try to have fun and enjoy it.  I don't know anyone who was 100% comfortable their first time doing nudes or implied, so be aware that you may not have 100 stellar images- 5/100 is a good goal.

Charger Photography wrote:
Back in 2009 I booked a shoot with a model... she told me she was cool with implieds but not nudes... During the shoot she was just trying to cover herself and all the pics were a waste.. I cut the shoot short... every single image she had that look of not comfortable... since then... I shoot with models who do nudes... and if the final image is an implied its all good....
They are lots of models who are comfortable being nude.... they just don't want pics showing their bits... and walk around the studio butt nekkid... no problem working with them....
Just make sure you are comfortable nude and have fun shooting

I agree... given two choices for a model for a non nude shoot, and "all things being equal" (which they never are, but play along... ) I'd pick the model who does do nudes  just because overall because *usually* they are more comfortable with themselves.

What I think is silly is "no nudes" in the profile, from someone who is going nude studio shoots every other week.  I've seen plenty of models with two profiles, one nude, one 'regular.'  Even one who I shot with who has a nudes-but-no-face profile.

-JAY- wrote:
Depends on who you're working with.

With a legit  photographer... realize you'll be nude and nobody cares. With someone who wants to see boobies, even with pasties, they'll get their fix, you're covered, and its still no big deal.

Mmmmmm... Boobies

Another Italian Guy wrote:

+1

Trying to shoot "implied" with a model not comfortable with being nude (and being photographed nude) is almost always a waste of time.

Either own it, or don't bother.





Just my $0.02 etc. etc.

Completely matches my experience.

Another Italian Guy wrote:

+1

Trying to shoot "implied" with a model not comfortable with being nude (and being photographed nude) is almost always a waste of time.

Either own it, or don't bother.





Just my $0.02 etc. etc.

I agree.

DwLPhoto wrote:
I agree... given two choices for a model for a non nude shoot, and "all things being equal" (which they never are, but play along... ) I'd pick the model who does do nudes  just because overall because *usually* they are more comfortable with themselves.

This, 100%.

My experience is that wannabe/inexperienced models who make a big deal of the whole "ZOMG NO NUDES" thing come into a shoot - even if it's fully clothed - with an adversarial or defensive attitude and have a hard time taking direction.   Not worth the headache.