Is there a market for glamour/nude photos?

[Moose408]

I've just recently started taking photos of models and enjoy it a lot. I've posted a few of the action photos on the stock photo sites and they have been selling fairly well. However I don't know what to do with the glamour shots. I also have had numerous opportunities to shoot nudes but have passed because I can't come up with anything to do with the photos except stick them in my portfolio, which is OK, but if I'm going to shoot nudes I would rather have some greater purpose.

So what do you do with all of your glamour/nude shots? Do you shoot with a purpose in mind? Is there a market to sell them like there is stock photography?

[Kagemaru]

I've just recently started taking photos of models and enjoy it a lot. I've posted a few of the action photos on the stock photo sites and they have been selling fairly well. However I don't know what to do with the glamour shots. I also have had numerous opportunities to shoot nudes but have passed because I can't come up with anything to do with the photos except stick them in my portfolio, which is OK, but if I'm going to shoot nudes I would rather have some greater purpose.

So what do you do with all of your glamour/nude shots? Do you shoot with a purpose in mind? Is there a market to sell them like there is stock photography?

No there's not unless you're really good you can submit to magazines but it's a long shot. Glamor is far too competitive and there are a lot of good shooters out there. Do it because you love it, not for the money. If you don't love it, don't do it.

[rawstudios]

I'm fairly new to the professional photography world. Can someone explain how "Stock Photos" work? Fees, copyrights, etc.... or a web address so I can read this for myself?

Thanks!

[Toblerone]

Kagemaru, in my book ur really good. Have u made mag submissions. Has anything been accepted? thanks!

[Kagemaru]

Kagemaru, in my book ur really good. Have u made mag submissions. Has anything been accepted? thanks!

Yeah I have. In fact I've been printed several times and I will be printed in two up and coming publications but that's not why I do it. I don't actively look to make money or to get printed. I just try and do the best I can do and if people like and pick it up then that's great. If they don't, who cares.
I quite honestly don't want to make money from it... or at least I don't want it to become a job. I don't want to make my passion a job with deadlines, guidelines, limitations etc..

[Toblerone]

Isn't having your passion be your job the ultimate win-win situation? :)
For me, it is.
Anyway, i understand it's strictly personal.

[Dennis_Hammer]

There is a market its just slightly different than hiring models. I shoot nude/semi nude boudoir photos for clients. I shot models early on to learn and make my mistakes there. I love the G&N section I have gathered many great ideas from some of the posters. Unfortunately I can't reciprocate because my shoots are completely confidential, thats how you keep doing that type of photography for clients. But I do 2-3 shoots a month and its a nice income stream they are people who usually buy most of the shots I present to them.

[Kagemaru]

There is a market its just slightly different than hiring models. I shoot nude/semi nude boudoir photos for clients. I shot models early on to learn and make my mistakes there. I love the G&N section I have gathered many great ideas from some of the posters. Unfortunately I can't reciprocate because my shoots are completely confidential, thats how you keep doing that type of photography for clients. But I do 2-3 shoots a month and its a nice income stream they are people who usually buy most of the shots I present to them.

Sounds great. I'm just personally not interested in taking on clients. I prefer to shoot who I want, when I want and no I don't pay them. When it comes to magazines, they just approach me with a budget and I almost have free reign of what to do.. I usually don't keep the money, I just spread the wealth between the model and MUA.

[Jon Foster]

Sounds great. I'm just personally not interested in taking on clients. I prefer to shoot who I want, when I want and no I don't pay them. When it comes to magazines, they just approach me with a budget and I almost have free reign of what to do.. I usually don't keep the money, I just spread the wealth between the model and MUA.

This brings up a question. What does the typical shoot cost everyone here? And how many people do you normally involve in a shoot? I have just secured my own MUA who has a fantastic reputation for his makeup, hair styling and body painting. I'm looking for an assistant too but that's about all I'm going to do right now. Actually, it's about all I'll be able to do.

Jon.

[Moose408]

So basically the majority of these nude photos people are taking and showing are just being used for personal portfolios? I could see where it would be fun to shoot but it seems a little strange.

[Kagemaru]

So basically the majority of these nude photos people are taking and showing are just being used for personal portfolios? I could see where it would be fun to shoot but it seems a little strange.

Why is it strange?

[Dennis_Hammer]

I understand Kage's method perfectly and honestly if I had the time I would be doing it also. Three years no more kids in the house so I amy take on that kind of work for fun and/or profit. You do learn alot shoot the "not a" model women, posing and lighting to make hide and accent different bodies and faces makes you learn and learn fast. I had one woman who looked at a shot and said "I love it if you couldn't see my tattoo you would never know it was me."

[Kagemaru]

I understand Kage's method perfectly and honestly if I had the time I would be doing it also. Three years no more kids in the house so I amy take on that kind of work for fun and/or profit. You do learn alot shoot the "not a" model women, posing and lighting to make hide and accent different bodies and faces makes you learn and learn fast. I had one woman who looked at a shot and said "I love it if you couldn't see my tattoo you would never know it was me."

Yeah there definitely is a challenge there but it's not inspiring to me. When I meet a beautiful model I think "wow, I would really like to work my magic on her" :D

[Moose408]

Why is it strange?

At the time I was writing that I was thinking that I would take the photos and then just keep them to myself, kind of like my own private porn collection and that is what seemed strange. It was a little while later that I realized that I would share them in forums like this and other places. I was just thinking about it wrong.

[Coastwatch203]

I look at Glamor & Nude photography as a way of becoming a more "all round professional" photographer. (and I'm not referring to my body shape! LOL

I spent years and years shooting landscapes, and outdoors things, and still love that side of photography, but i wanted more of a challenge so I moved on into wedding photography.

I had always been a member of the local "Camera Club" - who over the years had managed to buy themselves all the latest and greatest studio lighting gear.
(the club does studio shoots with local sports clubs to raise money to buy their gear)

Doing the "People" type shots got me very interested in now wanting to learn more about how to use this "off camera" lighting. Seasoned retired (and still working pro photogs) who are members of the club, taught me with answers and demonstrations with this gear, to every Q i could ask.

The club was a fantastic place to learn this, and before long id saved and brought all the pocket wizards, strobes and soft boxes i needed.

Being able to now take beautiful bridal portraits with studio lighting, - well it made me think, ..... - the beautiful artistic Glam & nude pic's ive seen on these forums, well could I do that? The more I saw the pictures and advice I saw here, the more I wanted to try it.
Its a natural progression to want to move onto a new challenge and learn how to become proficient & maybe successful at a new challenge like glamour & model photography.
I have a "very outgoing" single friend (who's 35 and currently going through a mid life crisis - nightclubbing till all hours etc) and who had initial contact, and set me up with my first glamour guinea pigs, LOL. That was a while ago, and ive never looked back since ...

Is there a market for this Glamor & Nude stuff ? Hell yeah!

The beautiful girls I have shot (and who are mostly fantastic people) are also very competitive and vain. They are beautiful and they know it. They love to show their pictures around, and hey, guess who gets a phone call for another shoot if they saw & liked how I shot Miss so n so...!

The number of times ive had a phone call that started with "hey, im a model, and really liked the pictures you took of Ruth, .....can we arrange a shoot sometime? "

To me its now an important part of my photography business, as these girls all seem to know a thousand people, (not like me who's more of a home body these days, LOL).

Who do you think these girls will recommend to a friend, acquaintance, or to anyone they know if they hear there's a wedding or portrait photo job to do??? hmmm?

- And of course, only if I did a great job with their pictures......which i enjoy doing and always exceed their expectations.

As people like Jason Cole have said, this business is 30% photography and 70% marketing.

What better way to market than by having lots of beautiful models showing off pictures taken by you to as many people they can..?
(I charge these shoots at a $ rate depending on their personal circumstances - more for an established model wanting to upgrade her portfolio, or much less for a newbie)

My partner Katrina is fully supportive, she does hair & makeup (qualified) and really enjoys the creative photography sessions we do - and the result!

So is there a market for this photography? YUP!!!

As long as you do it totally professionally, and give the girls the results they expect..
Not if your a perv looking to just shoot girls naked.

My Dad called me yesterday, "Im kinda busy at the moment Dad, got a gorgeous 21 year old girl running around my studio naked that im trying to photograph,,,, LOL"..
Lifes good, and it sure puts a new look on "wildlife" LOL!

Mark :)

[clarkent1]

good job Mark!

love the last part.

"As long as you do it totally professionally, and give the girls the results they expect..
Not if your a perv looking to just shoot girls naked.

My Dad called me yesterday, "Im kinda busy at the moment Dad, got a gorgeous 21 year old girl running around my studio naked that im trying to photograph,,,, LOL"..
Lifes good, and it sure puts a new look on "wildlife" LOL!

Mark "