Trust

Today I want to tell you a little bit about the trust :)

Trust is a basis of many things in a human society. Like a happy marriage, successful outsourcing, developing business, healthy parenting.. And of course trust - is a basis of a good art (nude) photography.

Sometimes there are exceptions of course - when a photographer is an eccentric and arrogant bully, but his art overshadows the rotten nature. And so the models, although they expect an unpleasant experience, still come to the shooting and try hard. But more often no art is that good, and models or clients quickly find out that it is better to avoid that person.

So I hope you agree with me, that it is way easier to work with a model, who trusts you and feels safe and comfortable

What is the (nude art) model's trust based on?

• Sexual safety

Model needs to feel that a photographer is not going to harass her or flirt with her instead of working. If she has doubts, her mind will be thinking about scenarios of escaping, not about the modeling.

How to achieve that without telling it in awkward words?

1. Do not come into personal space too often
2. Do not watch when the model changes outfits (obviously :)
3. do not make sleezy compliments (shooting is not a proper moment to compliment on boobs, butt and sexual appeal)
4. Do not ask a model about her romantic life unless she mentions it first

Also I always felt safer when a photographer mentioned his partner/children etc. Of course if you are single, you don't have to make up an imaginary girlfriend, but I guess you got the point :) 

• physical safety

Model needs to know that she is not going to break her bones, freeze to death or catch an allergic reaction.

How to:

1. Please check all the locations before asking the model to go there,
2. Please have a heater if it is going to be cold
3. Do not ask a model to walk in high heels on rocks, but bring the shoes to a shooting spot instead
4. Do not drop your equipment on a model :) (happens way too often actually)

• mental safety

Do not comment on models look and size. Please do not compare a model with other models, even if you think you are making a compliment. Do not play with our self esteem, it is damaged anyway 🙂

If you want to make a compliment, better compliment skills, not looks

And in general  talk to a model during a shooting, be friendly, please :)

• reputation safety

In art nude industry it is hard to define a line - weather it is art making or porn making. I am not judging anyone, but the model should know in advance what are you going to do with her photos.

• aestetical safety

Last but not least, model needs to trust your photography skills. During a shooting show the screen of your camera to the model from time to time (just a few best pictures, no need to show all of them). It will help a model to see if she needs to adjust anything in her look or posing, and also to feel more calm that a model is actually doing a good job. It is important to us, even if your shooting is already the 3rd one that day. 

Let me know, do you agree? And what shall the model do to make photographer trust her? :)