It is hard to pinpoint the “reason” I went into nude photography. It went against my nature as a somewhat introverted person and I certainly didn’t go into it for the money…so then, why?
My answer is blunt and somewhat anticlimactic. I just like to see nude women. I like being able to catch a special portion of their spirit and to show the viewer how I sense them: round curves, soft, – pure beauty. A nude woman is just about the most gorgeous thing in the world and being able to capture that beauty through photography is something I simply just love to do. In my opinion this is quite a worthy and honest reason.
However, as I began my career in nude photography I had some unexpected hurdles to jump.
Self-doubt and fears hinder the creative process and it can prove to be quite difficult art and many artists to overcome these anxieties. Some people drink, some people overcompensate and some people learn to harness their nerves and use them to their benefit. I was lucky enough to learn how to quiet my self-doubts on set and utilize my reserved nature to help me in developing my own unique photographic style.
I’ve been a people photographer before almost over a decade. Growing up though, you would have never expected me to go into the niche of nude photograph. Nudity was not really a topic in my family or in my childhood. It was not discussed as being wrong or as being particularly good. There was not a part of me that was either for or against it; nudity was just a null topic.
In 2002 I began shooting nude models for the first time. I was fortunate in that I was starting out in Prague where the abundance of talented models was plenty. Working with these models for the first time was not easy though.
The very first shoot I did I was so nervous that I got drunk before I met with the model. For it being my first shoot and being drunk…I think it went alright. She was being paid well and was content but the photographs ended up being rubbish. The model never contacted me after that and never again have I used alcohol as a crutch to ease my nerves before a shoot. It throws something off in my mind and I simply cannot do my best work.
After that first difficult shoot, things progressed slowly. Working clean made me feel much better but by the end of the day I was burnt out. I doubt the models could tell at the time since I was a pretty reserved person; I was concentrating less on my communication with them and more on surviving the shoot. Being self-reliant was the only option I had. There was help on set like the makeup artist but they were only able to assists with makeup…not the bigger issues I was handling.
With increasing amount of work and new solid routine, I became more confident and comfortable with my job. Being able to focus less on just keeping my head above water I discovered that I was able to direct and communicate with the models better. This ability to steer, or guide the mood of the shoot was still difficult but felt somewhat natural to me as well. Considering myself a quiet, introverted person I have a knack for picking up on subtle cues from other people. This comes in handy when you are trying to charm a model but also has its serious down side. My reserved attitude can manifest as self-doubt and that is the touch of death to a photographer. Baseless fear only holds back inspiration and confidence and often seems impossible to make go away. I needed to figure out how to balance all of these complexities of my character while not losing any of my “true self” at the same time.
I was able to figure out how to disarm fear and remain “cool” on set by thinking one thought frequently:
“The other people here are just like me – they are doing their job so you need to fulfill yours too. The others are probably fearful and anxious just like you are too. So what’s to worry about? We are all the same pretty much, except that I am the boss. I have been booked because I am talented, or I am working on this project myself and at the end of the day, I cut the checks and I am in charge.”
Being able to repeat this thought whenever I became anxious helped boost my self-confidence greatly. Along with my little mantra, I recognized the varied stages of overcoming my nerves and how to be able to effectively talk to models.
I designated them as follows:
- Recognize and acknowledge your fears
- Face up your fears
- Overcome your fears with your personal tricks and create room for communication skills
- Use this room for talking first about technical and personal things
- Repeat and rinse the small talk and create with that room for “keen interest creation”
- Once you’ve internalized your set of tools – I call them “commando fear fighters” – start to interact with your counterpart’s personality (the model you are working with)
- Strive for your own sincerity and you will be able to honestly connect for a shoot long
Using this new set of tools I suddenly had the first taste of actual fun and excitement with my job. I stopped having self-doubting thoughts and realized that it is natural for people to be awkward in unusual settings; it didn’t mean I wasn’t a good people person.
Realizing that I am good with people and especially the models I worked with came as a surprise. In my normal day to day life I am not the kind of man that hands out compliments to girls I barely know. This used to make me think that I would just be too awkward if I attempted giving a compliment to the model’s I worked with. But I was very wrong. On set I am totally different and able to charm and flatter the models in a friendly, playful and genuine way. It certainly is not hard when you have a gorgeous (nude) model standing in front of you. To put it simply: I got over myself. At this point my career was going well. I have developed my own signature style, my reputation was growing quickly and everything was right on track. The sense of assuredness I had helped me be able to concentrate on the image creation process and have further control of the matters on set.
There is always a next step in a career and mine came unexpectedly. I was presented with the opportunity to shoot with some of the big names in the industry, ie: Kyla Cole, Marketa Belonoha, Jenni Gregg (aka Jenni Czech), Ariel Piper Fawn and others. My “fear reflex” came back full force when the time came to work with these renowned models. “They are so well known and I am still just a nobody. What if something goes wrong…” thoughts like this ran through my head as the day approached to do my first shoot.
I shot Kyla Cole that day and found myself not choking up but rising to occasion. Using my set of tools to stay cool and be able to chat with Kyla made for a really amazing shoot. My professional relationship with all the girls, Kyla, Jenni, Marketa has continued to be excellent and I have been able to get beautiful results from these talented girls.
Being a balanced person, not too confident but not too reserved has made me an easy person to work with. I always receive positive feedback from my models and my staff. I truly believe they love working with me and, I do them. At this point you would think that I wouldn’t concern myself anymore with the “tools” I developed to battle my nerves. But I do…because being a balanced and centered person does not happen all on its own, it takes effort.
Understanding that there is a good and bad side to personal uncertainty has helped me immensely. Using my introverted tendencies to assist me in the detailed process of nude photography has turned it from something potentially bad, to something important.
Embracing this “weakness” in all reality has been highly influential to creating my signature style. It is the delicate, careful approach that is mirrored in the beautiful aura I capture in my images of women.
As a an amateur Swiss photographer recently relocated to Prague, this is very inspiring, I am in this phase of uncertainty, and you just have the cool words and attitude to help overcome it. I love all your work, you’re my hero! I hope we can meet and work together one day. Cheers! Alex
Hi Alexis, thanks for singing up, commenting and your kind words! Welcome to Prague! WOW, what a coincidence you being here following a similar path. Sure would be cool to meet up for a coffee and chat a bit about possibilities. I am always keen to explore potential working fields to push SWP further. May I contact you via the email address you use for commenting here (= your login email address)? Happy Easter and enjoy the city! Cheers, Dan PS: I don’t know about that “hero” thing but I am certainly happy if you get some insights and inspiration… Read more »
Thanks for reply! Yes you can contact me with that email address. I’d be happy to help with anything.
Hey Dan, I love this small personal insight and can relate to many of your your own fears and approaches (tools) to overcome them. Although I’ve been shooting glamour for nearly 10 years, I shoot infrequently and on occasions still experience the familiar stomach churning sensation before a shoot. Over the years I’ve leant to semi expect this feeling and now consider it a good sign that I’m engaged and excited by the shoot ahead. Of course I don’t mind when it’s not present but I have found this more usually the case when I’m shooting for the 2nd or… Read more »
Hey DB, thanks a lot for reading and commenting. I consider “stage fright” as most helpful for being attentive and pumped for doing the job. Once I would loose this thrill I guess I should move on and find another job/challenge. But like you, when shooting with a model for the 2nd time and onward I am much more “calm”. Funny thing is that it is the same with any person I meet in my life. While I rely, radiate and tie very well with people in all the actions on set, the hurdle that kills me every time is… Read more »
Hi Dan, It was fascinating to read about your first time experience shooting nudes with all the anxieties that were happening, and it was quite thrilling. I don’t know if it was a nude woman standing there presenting herself to you or shock or doing this type of photo art. To get around this, I would normally have a pretty good chat before the shoot to break the ice, so when it starts, the nerves are gone. Working with the top models in the industry such as Kyla as I have met at last weekend Erotica, I see why the… Read more »
Hello Roy,
as an introvert is was really hard to have pretty good chats in the beginning of my career. Now I am used to and shoots have a certain routine. Which gives me finally the freedom to concentrate on the actual work.
Glad you like my insights and welcome here on BLOG+!
Thank you,
Dan
PS: Yes Kyla has an irresistible look!
I have been following as much as I can. I started this venture a few weeks ago and have not been able to get started (family, work, other areas of procrastination). I have been a “photographer” as part of my design, teaching, and other creative avenues for as long as I remember. I have shot industrial equipment, inside and outside objects, nature, loads of things, not people. My wife actually takes the photos of the family on vacation while I always see some odd clump of dirt or tree bark or textural aspects of nature to take a photo. People,… Read more »
Hello Rob, thanks a lot for your comment and explanations. Glad you’re following my journey. Here a few “no fluff” inputs: 1) Building your port – My experience shows this: No nude professional model will do nude pics on TFP basis (Time for Print/CD). If you want to shoot on your own first: I really recommend you to start your first shoot with a professional(!) model. You have to invest money, but that’s the deal. You will need this experienced model as you will battle with your lights, ideas, confidence and more during the first shoot. The model will help… Read more »
Dan, great article and great tips you give here. I am comfortable taking clothed portraits, but I want to develop more into (semi-fine art) nude photography. These tips will help me get started. I’ll definitly start by hiring a professional model and mua, so I can focus completely on my concept and lighting. And definitly no booze before a shoot to calm my nerves, lol! Can’t wait to get started!
Hi Richard, thanks for reading & commenting! Glad you get some useful info out of my personal stories. A pro model and a – in particular – MUA that support you is the safest was to go for the the first few shots. And yes, no booze please 🙂
Good luck, you will kill it! and #ShootBold!
Hi Dan, This is a great story… I did laugh at your blunt introductory statement: “I just like to see nude women.”
When you said “In my normal day to day life I am not the kind of man that hands out compliments to girls I barely know” I feel the same way… Thanks for sharing the rest of your personal story too, about how you faced your fears, and found ways to remain cool, and achieve the goal of making magnificent images of women.
Hello Dana, thanks for joining my story and your comment.
Yes sometimes it’s dread simple and no truisms needed; I mean regarding the reason “why”.
On the other hand things can be a heck of complicated inside oneself. So finding a good balance first and then continuously stick to it… – that’s the goal.
I am somewhat halfway there 😉 Imagine how great images will be once I really feel confident, lol.
Thanks again!
Dan, thank you for sharing this experience. Nude photography is certainly a challenge, particularly for introverted persons, but it is a great reward when a model said that she like what you have done.
Salut Eric, thank you for your comment!
You are absolutely right and a great aspect you’ve mentioned: after quietly battling with one self over hours before and during the shoot it’s indeed a good feeling if the model and all team is happy with the results. And even more if the client likes it too (very important… – commercially seen).
But having a happy model opens you doors to other ones and helps your reputation, true.
Dan, your first paragraph well says it all and admitting this truth to your self and being comfortable with it is the anchor from which all the rest swings. Thanks.
Hey Winston, thanks for reading my personal note and your comment.
It took first a longer time to sense it, then to describe it, after that to accept it and finally to work with the “setup” given. The path is now somehow more set and development joyful.
Read this with a good cup of tea reminds me of my first shoot with a professional, but each shoot becomes easier sometimes harder but as ever Dan thank you for sharing
Hey Will, thanks for sharing your experience! I believe most of us started out the same way being a kind of (hyper) nervous.
As long one is aware about things will get better shoot by shoot.