Shooting models/glamour/nude

[Desidarius]

I just wanted to ask how people got into shooting such beautiful women, it certainly seems like a dream job. Did you go to some sort of photography school or major in photography in college? I just was curious as to how you get your start in photographing those kinds of shots; I can't imagine how I would go about starting to get jobs like that, being a 22 year old who looks 17 I think it would make women uneasy. Does anyone here do these jobs as a career or "on the side" I want to get a Powershot S2 IS for x-mas and start as a hobby. (not glamour shots yet, but anything I can lay my eyes on). I've seen all kinds of nature/landscape/portait shots, but I dont' think I'm alone in thinking that the female form is just about the most beautiful thing you can capture.

I know I've been looking through a lot of Jason Cole's work, he posts a lot. But my questions are for everybody; how did you make the transition into that kind of photography? (assuming you started photographing other subjects)

[themichael]

Started shooting artistic nudes when I signed up for a local workshop. Easy as that.. Did panoramic, family snaps, some portrait, and ignored still life. Didn't get it. Still don't.

Didn't think I would like working with models, not all that comfortable at giving direction. Managing yes, creative direction, no. Besides these women were naked! Sexy, hot, naked! Here for me to tell them how to pose and stuff!! Fantasy made real!! Wow, naked!!

Did I say "Naked!"?

The "wow naked!" lasted upto the point of "Where do you want me to stand?". Then is was all about settings, lighting, shadows, angles, posing, and trying to keep an eye on the rest of the photographers to see(um, steal) what they were doing. Nothing like jumping into the deep end....

Its not as easy as it seems. It is work. A lot of work. Doing it for art or fun is great. Doing it a job would way too stressful for me. Costs, studio, costumes, lawyers, diva models, clients, lawyers, rumors, and the relationship/marriage.

[coreypolis]

onemodelplace.com
modelmayhem.com
craigslist.com


find some amateurs looking to get started, then post your work, and get more work.

[Desidarius]

I was trying to imagine why girls would feel alright with me photographing them half-naked, especially when I first start out doing it. Do your clients expect you to have professional training? It just seems weird to me that people can get work just from teaching themselves and knowing their equipment; I'd thought that models would need more than that to have confidence in a photographer. How did everyone get started, is it a legal business or some kind of freelance? I'm unsure of exactly how people handle their jobs.

[bolantej]

I think it would be best to have a good understanding of lighting and a portfolio to show them so they know you mean business, and are serious about your work. You might have to pay someone to pose nude for you. Most (that I know) won't do it without it being a paid shoot. those sites listed above are good for finding locals that want help building their ports also. I am new, and I make it known that I am, and people seem to trust me. You just need to be professional and tell them what you expect. I think it's most important to be honest about your inexperience.

[Thornfield]

Honesty is the best policy. Tell them you don't have experience if you intend to get into this kind of thing. If you don't, they will find out in the end and may interpret things the wrong way.

[PhotosGuy]

How does one get into modeling?
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=134904
Modelling Agency... what exactly is it?
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=67014

MODEL SHOOTS:
All the poses you'll ever need:
http://polisphotography.com/Imagesforweb/posing.pdf
The Challenges of Glamour Photography
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=51826
Editorial portraiture by Neil Turner
http://www.dg28.com/technique.html
Shooting Beauty Series: Beach Beauty: The Images of Andy McFarland
http://www.onemodelplace.com/newsletter_glamour_article9.cfm
How to get your wife/girlfriend to pose for glamour shots
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=139829
Does any one photograph "Normal" woman anymore?
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=139021
What Do You Say To A Naked Model? - Working with glamour models, Part II
http://www.vividlight.com/articles/2911.htm
Models - Letter before a shoot
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=203023
Video PhotoTips for landscape, in/outdoor high/low key portraits, wedding, glamour, aerial, couples, children, sports, nature, time-exposures (Slow loading)
http://alwaysgirls.ezthemes.com/video/index.php?Photography
Is it possible to create home studio with Speedlites? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=179832)

MODEL RELEASES
Dan Heller's Photography Business Series (w/notes on other countries at the bottom.):
http://www.danheller.com/model-release.html
The Substantive Law Behind Model Releases
http://www.simslaw.com/model/model_releases.htm
Model Release Question
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=118362
Model Release Resources and Samples
http://www.inertramblings.com/archives/000779.html
Model release for a youth sports league.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=131599
Longwatcher's Standard Model Release
http://www.longwatcher.com/model_release_standard.htm
Sample adult model release
http://www.dcphotographers.com/common/pdf/adult-model-release.pdf
Sample minor model release.
http://www.dcphotographers.com/common/pdf/minor-model-release.pdf

GLAMOUR MAKEUP 101
http://www.bobpardue.com/glamour-makeup/

[LBaldwin]

Desidarius,

First of all it is NEVER like it is on cable late night... sorry. but the sexual activities between models and photographers happens about a gajallion times more in the movies that it does in real life. Many (MEN) people think that they would love to do this. Bu the truth is it is difficult to do correctly and actually come away with good images. Sure you can admire your model, we are human.

Most noobs start either by assisting or workshops. BTW you should never set up a glamour shoot with new (to you) model without a chaperone.

Les

[gcobb]

To add something to this on a similar scale, I had a shoot about a month ago. This girl is gorgeous. There were things I had to focus on when shooting that involved my posing her and the lighting so much that I didn't notice the sexy things until I saw the contact sheets. If you really want to do this, you won't focus on the nude factor. Because if you do, you'll miss what makes a good shot and could hurt your business.