Nude Photography is the hobby of your choice? Sure! Why not? Many people practice this rather unusual hobby with quite some passion and meticulousness. I think it is a necessity to learn the ways of other fellows.
Hence, I would not only like to offer the opportunity to look over the shoulder of a professional photographer but also giving the photo enthusiast a chance to speak – because all of us once started as enthusiasts. And we all have countless tips and experiences to share.
Today we start with Eric from Paris who is an IT professional in his normal work life…
Interview by Dan Hostettler
Where do you live and what is your primary profession?
I am living in Paris but I am native of a town named Montendre, at 60 kilometers in the North of Bordeaux.
I am a service desk manager in information technologies.
Since when is nude photography your hobby to?
I made very few nude photography fifteen years ago for a short time. With the arrival of affordable digital cameras, I recovered more seriously in the photography and I really started again nude photography 3 years ago.
What is the fascination that got you started shooting nude-oriented photos?
I am fascinated by the work of some photographers in this domain but it is more a personal challenge that drives me than copy styles from others. I wanted to prove to myself that I could make it.
Do you prefer a certain style (like NudeArt, glamNudes) and what is your idea/vision behind it all?
I like many styles. Perhaps a preference for NudeArt. I think it is a good manner to emphasize the body. I also like Glam style as it is shown by Springbok Designs 
(Hilgard Muller, ed. Note).
How do you cast about the models for your projects?
I rarely contact models, most of the time I am contacted by the models themselves after they have seen my Model Mayhem profile .
Do you normally pay the models for a shoot or do you negotiate other deals like e.g. TFP (Time for Print)?
I pay the models because I think that any work owes to be paid and even more the one of the models.
Where and how do you present and publish your work (e.g. competitions, guest blogs, real galleries)?
I have a profile on Model Mayhem and Tumblr. I actually publish only for self-promotion.
How do you continue your education to stay up-to-date in nude photography (e.g. gear, styles, societal influence and trends)?
I take a look on Model Mayhem profiles. There are here tons of talents as well as photographers as models. I find a lot of pictures for inspiration.
Many enthusiasts would like to explore nude photography but just don’t know how to get started. Any advice for those taking their first steps?
To start, I would recommend attending a workshop to produce a first set of pictures. Then, opening a free account on Model Mayhem and put you best pictures in your gallery. After that, still in Model Mayhem, participate to the daily contests.
This will bring some traffic on your profile and there is chance that models will start to contact you. Using this method allow me to work with professional models who can really help me to achieve great pictures.
What are your next photography goals?
I would like to realize more sophisticated pictures and try this in the NudeArt style. I like the work of photographers as Igor Amelkovich, Karel Vojkovský or Nacho Kamenov.
As mentioned I am also a big fan of Springbok Designs in the Glam style and I will probably go in this way sooner or later. Other photographers that inspire me are Stefan Soell and Stefan Grosjean. All these photographers have styles that I would like to explore.
Tech QNA: Eric’s Gear DNA
What type of camera(s) do you work with?
I have a Nikon D7000 with Sigma 17-50 2.8 and 70-200 2.8
Do you prefer shooting indoors, in a studio or rather outdoors?
I have not really a preference. I have shot in each situations and I like them all.
How important is Photoshop for your final images?
Since a few months, Photoshop is taking a bigger place in my work. It is interesting how you can give multiple interpretations to a single image.
Are you rather a Mac or a PC lover?
Although I like technology and beautiful things, I am still resisting to the sirens songs of the Mac World. I work on PC because it responds to my needs and I can save my money for new gears or for models.
Eric, thanks a lot for joining us and the time you dedicated to my readers.
Hello Eric, great work! I am also in IT working in Hollywood, California. I am a fan of one of your models Melisa Mendini. There are some Twitter accounts that claim to be her but are fakes. Next time you photograph Melisa it would be good to have a picture of you and her holding up the local newspaper showing the front page and then post it on her website and Twitter account so that it is clear who the real Melisa is.
Hi Michael,
thanks for your comment on BLOG+. I talked with Melissa this week here in Prague and she was exactly complaining about all the fake FB- & Twitter accounts out there… – but the good news is: she just opened her real, one and only 100% original website: http://melisamendini-world.com/
Just as a hint 🙂
Greets from Prague,
Dan
Hi Michael,
Thanks for your comment. I don’t know when will be my next shoot with Melissa, but as she travel all around the world you could check her Model Mayhem profile. She post travel notices, so you could do the shoot yourself next time she will come to LA 😉
All the best,
Eric
Hi Michael!
The Twitter account of Melisa Mendini is this one. https://twitter.com/MelisaMendini
Yes, Roy I am aware of the real Twitter account but thanks for also confirming it. The fakes are @MelisaMendiny and @KristinaUhrinov for anyone else that lands here.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and images Eric.
It’s interesting to see how other enthusiasts approach this, and get a taste of where they have come from, and where they might be going to.
Thank you Dana.
I am also curious to hear from other enthusiasts and I hope that we will read from some here.
I do appreciate the words of wisdom of those who are working in the field. I am behind in my work and getting started however, I am taking notes and have already started the process you have mentioned in your interview.
Hello Rob
I am really happy to hear that the description of my approach can help others. I hope that it will be useful for you.