How does a photo shoot work?
Published on 17 December 2012 · updated in 2020
(This article was published in 2012 on pingoo.com, then lightly updated in 2020)
People often ask me a lot of questions about my nude shoots. It's usually the same questions, and so usually the same answers. Then recently, a reader asked me if it wouldn't be kind of cool for me to walk through the usual process.
Well, I say deal, let's try! And that way, when people ask me questions, I can always send them this article 🙂
- How do you find your models?
That's the most recurring question. Probably because people who do nude photography, and who aren't pros (I'm not a pro at all), really have a hard time finding models.
The first thing is to ask friends and girlfriends. I'm not shy about it, and I bring it up very easily, so generally it works out. And if it doesn't, no problem obviously.
Then there are pro models. Sometimes, when I need a specific model for a specific shoot idea, I end up paying models, you can find them on a billion sites, just search "photo models" on Google. Price-wise, there are few rules. If you're really good, some models will pay you for pretty photos, or offer a simple trade. Most will charge you, and there, no rule, it can range from 30 euros an hour to 200 euros, depending on experience, the theme, the location, all that.
You have to keep in mind that overall, the more experience you gain, the "easier" it'll be to find models. If only because you'll build a reputation, girls talk among themselves, and if you're cool, they won't hesitate to recommend you. Personally, I also sometimes ask on Twitter if there are any volunteers, and I often find some.
As I update this article, I mostly shoot my dear sweetheart, who is a lovely model! You can see the photos I've posted of her here, and more generally a selection of all my shoots here with most of my models here.
- What gear do you shoot with?
I started with a Sony Alpha DSLR, then I switched to Nikon, and finally to Fujifilm for a while now. On this "My gear" page you'll find the list of photo equipment I'm currently using. I also use an LED light (theoretically meant for video) for some of my shoots. I have a waterproof pouch for taking photos underwater, and overall I'm not afraid to take my camera with me and put it through some pretty extreme stuff.
– Where do you shoot?
Nude shoots? Well, mostly in hotels, at the models' places, at my place, in parks, etc. Here too no rule, I take what comes, and when nothing comes, I improvise. Some sites offer hotel rentals by the day, which is very handy for photographers. You can, for example, use DayUse. I have no desire to shoot in a studio for the moment.
- What about photo rights and permissions?
I'm entirely an amateur and don't commercially exploit the photos, so generally everything is based on trust. I chat a bit with the model, we see roughly where we're going to go, and at the end of the shoot, I offer her the photos I'd like to publish, she approves them or not. I only publish what she approves. Some pro models have you sign contracts, if you have the courage to have one signed every time, go for it.
- How do you process your photos?
At one point I used to retouch my photos, not anymore. I shoot directly in JPG and I don't retouch them, or just a few filters, or I remove tattoos or moles from models who wish to stay anonymous, but that's it. When I really need to retouch, I open the photo in Photoshop, simple as that.
- How and where do you publish them?
Well, after approval by the models, I publish the photos only on my photo portfolio, which is here now. I also sometimes post some on Instagram, or on a Twitter account dedicated to it.
There you go, if you feel like posing for me, you can contact me here 🙂
By Paingout