Nude photography is typically viewed in one of two ways-as either pornographic or as fine art. The key to successful nude photography is learning to do it in such a way that there is no doubt when looking at the photographs that they are clearly intended to be artistic.
Rules for Nude Photography
First of all, there are a few clear rules that photographers who wish to shoot artistic nudes should adhere to.
Rule 1. Never do a nude photograph of anyone under the age of 18 years old and never without the person's full awareness and consent. In addition to being 18 years or older, the person being photographed must be of sound mind, legally responsible for his or herself, and exercising sound judgment-i.e., not impaired by alcohol, drugs, or anything else.
The only exception to this rule is shooting "naked baby" photos, and most photographers adopt the rule of "only up to one year old" for these, with parental consent, and with a parent present.
There are some occasions where parents will catch a snapshot of a child older than one year of age naked in the bathtub, running around the house after they have learned to undress themselves, and the like, but this is also the exception-and this is with your own children or grandchildren.
Rule 2. Always have a clear understanding-preferably in writing-with the model as to how and when the nude photographs will be used, printed, or published and by whom. I could write an entire article on that alone, but that pretty much sums it up.
For the purposes of this article, "nude photography" will refer to posed nude photographs of legal adults. All of that being said, let's focus on how to create tasteful, artistic nude portraits.
Rules for Nude Photography
First of all, there are a few clear rules that photographers who wish to shoot artistic nudes should adhere to.
Rule 1. Never do a nude photograph of anyone under the age of 18 years old and never without the person's full awareness and consent. In addition to being 18 years or older, the person being photographed must be of sound mind, legally responsible for his or herself, and exercising sound judgment-i.e., not impaired by alcohol, drugs, or anything else.
The only exception to this rule is shooting "naked baby" photos, and most photographers adopt the rule of "only up to one year old" for these, with parental consent, and with a parent present.
There are some occasions where parents will catch a snapshot of a child older than one year of age naked in the bathtub, running around the house after they have learned to undress themselves, and the like, but this is also the exception-and this is with your own children or grandchildren.
Rule 2. Always have a clear understanding-preferably in writing-with the model as to how and when the nude photographs will be used, printed, or published and by whom. I could write an entire article on that alone, but that pretty much sums it up.
For the purposes of this article, "nude photography" will refer to posed nude photographs of legal adults. All of that being said, let's focus on how to create tasteful, artistic nude portraits.