Musings of a photographer - shooting beautiful women in the nude | CommandoArt.com | Thomas Holm

In voluptas mors redux

Mon, 05 Jan 2015 23:02:16 +0100

In late October I did one of the most challenging but also fun shoots for a long time to support the Movember movement. It involved 7 models spaced vary accurately to form a skull, essentially a redo of the old Salvador Dali & Philip Halsman image from way back when. The rigging required a lot of thinking and a lot more work than you would think (Thanks Stefan). Getting all the models coordinated was a huge job (remember this is a non profit thing so everyone gratiously donated their time for free - even though they got a T-Shirt in the end) and unfortunately one model never showed up for the shoot, so we had to reuse one model in two places. Look carefully and you’ll notice it’s the same woman (Rakel) both on top and bottom). Once ready we started building the set, adhusting the plates to stand, sit, lye on in relation to everyones body size. The tallest models were 185 and the smallest were 161cm. Bums needed to be coordinated to fit (it’s a tough job but somebody has to do it) and generally after that everything worked out nicely (the shoot took about 6 hours in total).

Empowerment and photographers

Sun, 26 Oct 2014 21:36:08 +0100

Many of my friends are a bit envious on my ability to spend countless hours accompanied by beautiful, attractive (nude) women. And they are absolutely right to be envious but not for the reason they think.

Obviously I love women and find great pleasure in observing a beautiful body (and most bodies are really). Most men would I think. And I adore toe oportunity to be able to create beautiful images with these gorgeous beings.

But what people should feel envious about is the oportunity to withess the empowerment and freedom I see when shooting with women. I did a rather large shoot a few days ago where I had 6 models (was supposed to be 7 but one cancelled at the last moment). All were naked modt of the time and it was completely natural, and it is so obvious that the women grow, mentally, by being able to just be naked without it in any way being a seksual setting, but rather an oportunity to be naked with others, looking at each others bodies, appreciate the differences, but really just be natural, free without any judgement.

Bush or no bush

Thu, 15 May 2014 15:41:33 +0200

This week I've had the pleasure (and I mean this literally) to be involved in the discussion of two models pubic hair look, for a shoot: Most Danish models are averted to wearing fur and prefer to go bare. I don't really have an opinion either way - until we talk images. The bare look makes it harder to make pictures that appera more "innocent" where a small wisk of hair both increases the contrast of the pubic area, offers some interesting possibilities with light and shade, but importantly also obscures the genitals slightly.

And thus it's fantastic fwhen you get a note from a model asked which kind of hairstyle I'd prefer for the "carpet". Whether I wanted wilderness, raceway, landing strip or bare. If you must know we decided for a triangle, slightly trimmed from the sides and not too long.

Yes it takes dedication and preparation to be a model.

Underestimated

Thu, 02 Jan 2014 16:37:59 +0100

I did a session with an agency model a few weeks back while visiting a foreign city. I like to shoot in hotel rooms and use the available light and interior if at all possible. It makes things a bit more challenging but also forces me to work differently with the setup than in a studio session. Anyway I did 2 sets with just the available light from a lamp equipped with low energy bulbs and the bathroom lights. I was shooting with my fantastic little Sony NEX7 camera, which compared to most Canon and Nikon cameras looks like a toy.

On the third set I broke out the light: a Speedlight and a silver umbrella and a reflector/diffuser panel and we proceeded to do 2 more sets with this. I could feel the model being a bit restless (read anxious) and she asked if we could look at the pictures on the computer together. After seeing the raw images she was flabbergasted and admitted she had grossly underestimated me, based on the small camera (smallest one she had ever seen a photographer with). Even before editing she said it was some of the best pictures she has ever had, and sure enough they are currently plastered over her model page.

How I get nude models to pose

Sat, 14 Dec 2013 20:55:36 +0100

I'm frequently asked by fellow photographers how I get hold of all the beautiful women who pose in the nude for me for my pictures. The thing is it's not very hard when you consider all the implications for the model:

Why would a woman want to take her clothes off and pose in the nude (a range of reasons that can apply):

Exhibitionism, the desire to create beautiful images, the desire to be in a beautiful image, self assurance, desire to be praised, the desire to look good (try and consider why women wear high heels - hint, it's not because they are comfortable to walk in) and to a degree, desire to make money. There can be other reasons but these are the main ones I think

What can prevent a woman to pose in the nude (minuses):

fear that the photographer is a perv, afraid she will not be beautiful on pictures, lack of self esteem (I'm not beautiful enough), insecurity, shyness, afraid she will be considered to be easy/a slut, afraid the pictures will be misused (which is especially bad if the pictures does not make her look awesome).

Shooting nudes in public

Fri, 06 Sep 2013 16:51:13 +0200

There is an interesting dynamic, or should I say degree of modesty, going on when shoting models in the nude. It goes without saying that when making a nude session the model is nude. The photographer inevitably looks at the model and depending on the model, the few seconds of awkwardness initially felt after unveiling herself, soon disappears. And a feeling of freedom in the ability to be stark naked with an often strange, man, as well as a certain feeling of elation sets in with the model. It is very rare that once the shooting starts the model exhibits much shyness and a comfortable model makes it much easier to take good pictures. Having an assistant present can change this dynamic, but even more interesting is what happens if shooting in a public or even semi public situation.

Some weeks ago I was shooting a model in the nude in a field, perhaps 100m from a nearby road, where cars would pass by on occation and have a fairly clear view of the scene. That is for 2-3 seconds, provided they would look out their side window, before the scene again was obscured by trees when the cars had passed the gap. In situations like this many models will be more shy towards the faceless passing strangers in a car, than a photographer standing 4m away, with a telephoto lens capable of showing even goosebumps clearly. And mind you the "others" are passing in a car at 60kmph and, if they look to the side, can see a naked woman 100m away.

The right shoes for the job

Mon, 05 Aug 2013 23:08:21 +0200

I was shooting a model, a dancer, one morning in a hotel room on one of my trips. I asked the model to bring a bit on lingerie and high heeled shoes (which work wonders for posture and look of legs). The model arrived early, wearing huge hiking booth and a mountaineering backpack. This is hardly the most nomal luggage for models to arrive with so obviouly I enquired about it. It turned out she'd been hiking in the mountains for 3 days prior to the shoot, wandering in snow and sleeping in small shelters and lodges. While carrying lingerie and 6 inch stiletto heels etc. I forgot to ask, but I couldn't help wonder whether she was walking around in those heels in the mountain lodges...

Being Shy or not

Sun, 07 Jul 2013 20:34:42 +0200

When shooting models without clothes it's rare that they are shy, towards the photographer. Depending on the experience of the model there may be the initial moment when they have to bear it all (which inevitable when shooting nudes) but after this for most models there seem to be a state of liberation coming over them. When you sit around and chat the models tend to cover up a bit as it just seems weird to being naked and chat with a clothed photographer. But when walking around the set nakedness just seem very natural to everyone. Oddly enough when models are then changing clothes (lingerie or a top say) many prefer to change in private. And if for some reason someone other than the photographer or assistant walks on the the set, most models are every bit as shy as the next girl and will quickly cover up or hide in the bathroom. Why is it that a model can be completely naked and without much inhibition to one bloke they have often never seen in their life (how has a camera) but at the same time extremely shy to someone else who they have also never met?

The cold season

Tue, 02 Jul 2013 12:10:19 +0200

It's winter time some years back and quite chilly outside. Preparing for a lingerie shoot with a professional model we have the heat well turned up to avoid goosebumps on the model.
The model comes into the studio a bit early for a shoot. I'm busy on the phone and just say 'Hi, you can hang your clothes over there by the mirror' - and get back on the phone. After finishing the call I turn to greet the model properly and get her a coffee, she's sitting by the mirror stark naked...
I meant hang your coat, she thought I meant get naked and thought nothing of it and so she did. Good thing we had the heat turned up.

'Virgin' nude model

Mon, 24 Jun 2013 15:22:26 +0200

There can only be one first time for everything including nude modeling.
At one of these "virgin" sessions the model brought a friend as it can be a bit intimidating baring it all in front of a stranger - and this is fine of course. I asked the the model why she wanted to be photographed in the buff. "Well, I'm normally really shy and timid, so I'm hoping this will help me loose a bit of the shyness. Also I would really like to have some beautiful pictures of myself and I liked your pictures a lot". Flattery is always nice of course, and 10 minutes later she was naked and running around the studio without a thread and enjoying it fully, radiating confidence and energy. And I mean radiate!

After a couple of hours and a lot of nude photography I said "I simply doesn't believe you are normally shy". Both the model and the friend said in chorus, you'd better believe it - VERY shy! I asked her what was different here at this session compared to normally? Model said, well I know Her (girlfriend) intimately we're old friends, and you, eh, you somehow just doesn't count. I can tell when you are looking at me, you're looking and seeing me differently than other men, very intense, but well, not in a way that makes me shy…"

Pubics

Mon, 24 Jun 2013 15:18:25 +0200

Prior to a scheduled shot in a European city, the model contacted me, saying, "oh, I just colored my pubic hair Pink, hope you don't mind? Perhaps if you prefer it more normal you could shoot B&W or colorrize in Photoshop"? I replied, I don't think I have ever seen pink pubics before, but I'm sure it will be a pleasure :). Model replied LOL... Think about it, How often would you share this kind of detail with someone you have never met before?

Hair

Mon, 24 Jun 2013 15:09:51 +0200

I love the details of a woman's body, and love to shoot close-up's. On this particular model, a blond haired girl, I discovered a host of beautiful blond hair - on the cheek of her 'rear'. Conversation went something like this: Wow you have these beautiful cute hairs on your cheek, let me take a close up… Model (standing on a wooden box): Are you serious? You are telling me I have a hairy arse - and you want to photograph it?!?