Amateur or Professional? 

For the past several months, I've had the privilege of working with two excellent professional models -- Karina & Barbara.  Each has a world class, natural figure, a lovely expressive face, and gobs of experience.  To each of them, the word "professional" has specific meanings:

• It means that we respect each other's time commitments.  Both are punctual -- they have always arrived on time & ready to go.

• It means that they come prepared.  Modeling isn't a "mood thing" (as it is with many amateur models).  

• It means that they aren't shy at all.  They are comfortable with their bodies and are game to try various ideas.

• It means that they expect to be treated with respect.

In contrast, amateur models are often shy, nervous, and tardy.  With amateur models, one has to go slow & be gentle.  In a way, it's very endearing -- it's a very big thing for them to trust you and get comfortable in their skin in front of a camera.  With the professionals, well, I'm sure they are a bit nervous with someone new, but I enjoy a good reputation in the community, and after working with me for a little while, the professionals relax. 

Contrasts:

It's very interesting working with Karina & Barbara.  While both are exceptional & beautiful models, each has their own unique style.  Karina is adventurous, erotic, and sassy.  Barbara is sensuous, serene, and smart.  

I have to admit that I contemplate a model's personal style when I craft pictures.  Otherwise, it's like forcing a square peg into a round hole.

It's Ain't Bragging If It's True:

I've been photographing the nude semi-exclusively for several years now.  When I started, I wasn't very skilled, but I always treated models well & with respect.  After all, I can't exactly photograph nudes without willing models -- models are a vital participant in the artistic process.

During the past several years, I've photographed several dozen (hundreds?) men & women (mostly women) in the nude.  At first, it was very weird & unusual to meet someone at my front door, and ten minutes later, they are nude in front of me in my studio.  It was very exciting & new for me, too.

Now, it's just weird.  At first, making nude photographs was very difficult & exciting; now I'm confident & more in control.  When my schedule permits, I'm making nude photographs every 3 or 4 weeks.  

Over the years, I think I've gotten better.  At first, I just lit a naked person, and it was exciting.  Now, I have specific objectives & expectations for each session set-up.

But...

True, I've became more skilled (at least I think so).  I've also studied thousands of photographs made by other photographers.  But recently, the excitement has waned.  It's all so casual!  Don't get me wrong, I like the pictures Barbara & I did on the Nude Portraits page, but somehow she doesn't exactly appear "nude" to me anymore.  .

So, What To Do?

So, how to get the models to look "nude" again?  Well, that's the theme of my last two sittings.

In Karina Restrained, we attempted to get the thrill back with some mild bondage.  The act of trust involved in surrendering to the restraints made it feel like the first time all over again.  

In these More Naked Than Nude pictures with Barbara, we explored multiple facets -- the business-casual clothes, the yoga workout clothes, the lingerie, and the nude.  Just that little peek at the nude body, in juxtaposition with the other, is very exciting to me.  (To be honest, I think I like this smaller version best).    

More Naked Than Nude -- Outtakes