Naked Stress - or- why I don’t do many nude shoots

Getting Real About Nude Photography: It’s Not All Soft Lighting and Serious Faces

Ah, nude photography. That magical realm where art meets vulnerability and everyone pretends they’re totally, completely comfortable. On paper (or, more likely, in a foggy Instagram DM), it seems like a tasteful collaboration of artistic expression. But in practice? Oh, honey. Let’s peel back the layers—pun intended—and take a real look at the bumps, bruises, and awkward silences that come with this supposedly elegant art form.

For the Model: "Where Do I Put My Elbows?"

Let’s start with the model. Everyone assumes being a nude model is just standing there looking like a Greek statue. Reality check: Greek statues didn’t have to hold a pose for 12 minutes with one butt cheek hovering above a freezing stool while trying to maintain “fierce but soft” eye contact.

There’s also the constant, low-grade panic: Do I look confident or like I wandered into the studio by mistake? Is this lighting helping, or do I look like a skinned chicken? And heaven help you if there’s a fan on. Goosebumps and “artful nips” are not always the look you were going for.

And then there’s trust. Finding a photographer who will respect your boundaries cheerfully and not publish any shots without your permission is a feat in itself . You want to feel like a collaborator, not like you’re auditioning for a budget perfume ad in someone’s garage.

For the Photographer: “No, I’m Not a Creep… Probably.”

Now let’s swing the camera around. Photographers, especially those with a professional eye and a solid portfolio, often enter the world of nude photography with the very best of intentions. They’ve studied form, light, shadow, and the human body like it’s a Renaissance painting. I’ve been doing photography for 50+ years and I’m still anxious about doing a nude shoot. I have finished shoots being completely unable to remember anything about the models bodies as I was juggling lighting , poses , making jokes and worrying about whether the model is comfortable or not. Interestingly a few models love the simplicity of a nude shoot and feel less demands are involved - it’s a very different vibe.

But try explaining that to your wife or your kids, your next door neighbour or delivery man who sees your “Figure Study 6” hanging in the hallway.

Photographers quickly learn there’s a terribly thin line between “fine art” and “uncomfortably personal.” One wrong lens choice and your planned moody chiaroscuro art shot - turns into something that looks like it belongs in a bachelor party slideshow. And let’s not even talk about the existential crisis when you spend four hours editing skin tones only to wonder if you’re still making art or just learning Photoshop too well.

Some of my own disquiet with Nude shoots is firstly I don’t want to be “that nude photographer” and secondly - that many of the women who ask for them expect their nudes to possibly look bad and thus will never see the light of day - and when they actually look very nice - they are torn about showing it off on social media. (even though they possibly shouldn’t ) The opposite side is Only Fans content that even though the person is uncaring about the world seeing them naked - they can’t let that happen for free LOL … So my photos disappear behind a paywall - maybe never to be seen <sob!>

The Bottom Line: Communicate or Catastrophe

Both model and photographer need one magical thing: clear communication. Boundaries, expectations, comfort levels, editing preferences—if these aren’t discussed upfront, you’re one awkward silence away from a very uncomfortable Tuesday afternoon. Personally I take the view that when in doubt shoot everything and I’m happy for the model to sit down after the shoot and delete any she’s uncomfortable with - trust is the most important thing

And remember, if at any point during a shoot you find yourself thinking, “This feels weird,” it probably is. Speak up. Laugh. Adjust. Take a snack break … shoot something else !

Because at the end of the day, nude photography is still just photography—A crucial lighting puzzle … with a lot more trust, a little more skin, and a fair bit of chilly air.