Photographing your girlfriend is all about presentation, i'm talking about you not your photos. many of the beginners wonder about how to get started.

If she thinks you're a pro with a lens, you stand a much better chance of her saying yes when the subject arises.

Carrying an impressive-looking piece of gear helps too, and you should know your way around it without fumbling.

if you have a tripod or other equipment handy, that will increase her comfort level, even if you don't use it.

Lighting often separates good photography from bad. You probably don't have a fancy setup, so try to shoot during the day using window light. if it's too bright, hang a piece of gauze over the window.

anything in a photo that takes attention away from the girl is a negative, so get rid of clutter by shooting in front of hanging bedsheets.

the more the shot focuses on her, the more pleased she'll be with the results. you don't need to get her entire body in, so don't be afraid to shoot close; it's another way of focusing the viewer's attention.

Haje Jan Kamps, one of my favorite photo gurus, wrote a great, more detailed beginners guide on how to take nude photos of your girlfriend.

We talked about about all the communication issues that you need to keep in mind when you’re working with models. But how do you find your model in the first place?

You may be surprised at how easy it is. when you are just starting out, your partner or a friend might be your first muse for your fine art nude photography project. or ask at your local art college—most will have details of models who pose nude for life-drawing classes and body photography.

Once you have a portfolio of your work, you might do what many nude photographers do, approach photogenic strangers and ask if they would consider posing for you as a nude photography model.

If you are friendly and polite, your motivation is clear and honest, and you have examples of your work to show them, there is no need for anyone to feel embarrassed.

Of course, there are also plenty of model agencies, but the internet can also be useful as most countries have web communities of models and photographers where you can find models for your future fine art photography projects, often a mix of amateurs and professionals, with online photo galleries of their work that you can assess.

The best nude images are created when the model and photographer work as a team.
Photographers can choose from a multitude of styles and approaches, so your model needs to understand exactly what you want to express, which means you have to find a way to get your
ideas across.

Communicating with your model
Clearly, the first requisite for a successful working relationship is clear and open communication. Some photographers—professionals as well as beginners—can forget that the model isn’t a prop, but a human being with values and expectations.

By revealing themselves in front of a camera, they give part of the control over their bodies to you as photographer.

They place themselves in a vulnerable position and must be able to trust you to handle the session with tact and respect.

Nothing is guaranteed to ruin a session more quickly and irretrievably than tension. hidden agendas kill the atmosphere, so you must be entirely honest with your model about the type of image you are intending to create.

So, these are all issues that you need to keep in mind when you’re working with models,

The way that you use color in an image has a strong impact on its mood and atmosphere. We tend to think of colors as warm or cold, bright or subtle, dark or light, and so on, but the perception of color is not absolute since it changes according to the surrounding colors.

Generally, strong colors work best with other strong colors—think of a tanned model against a blue sky and turquoise sea—while a soft pastel palette works well if you want to create a fragile, romantic atmosphere.

When composing a color shot, remember that anything that contrasts strongly with other
colors in the scene will immediately draw the eye—so unless it is an important element, try to avoid it.

Color harmony
soft blue-grays and shades of orange and pink are repeated and refected throughout this image. the pastel tones are in harmony with the stillness of the pose, the natural look of the model, and the dreamy expression in her eyes.


1 the slates of the roof pick up a refection of the brickwork, creating a subtle combination of peach and gray tones, which is also just visible on the model’s upper arm.

2 the mortar between the bricks corresponds to the colors of the roof and the window frame.

3 the deeper rose-pink of the nipple, and also the model’s lips, matches the darker tones in the bricks.

4 softer shades of blue-gray are reflected on the body, while darker shadows are repeated in the unlit parts of the window frame.


Reflected color
The charm of this image lies in the green reflections on the model’s body. this not only creates an interesting color contrast but also a connection between the model and the setting, which would be lost in black and white.


Notice too that the skin tones and the green color cast are in the same range of saturation, and that the model is brighter than the background, which automatically focuses attention on her.

Color balance

this image fnds a balance between a neutral, almost cold light and the patch of warm, late evening light from the window. the model is lit by both and the mysterious quality of the image is
enhanced by the shadow on the wall behind her.

Blocks of color

Here, the strong color works as a frame, strengthening the image and imparting energy to the pose. the hint of cool blue light on the model’s face contrasts nicely with the vivid red and the dark shadows.

Color cast

The underexposed blue evening light gives this image an eerie feel, which works well with the pose and the camera angle. notice the orange glow in the background, caused by a tungsten light at the end of the corridor.

There are different themes and styles in Nude Photography, Black and white is an abstraction of reality, reducing the world’s countless colors and their various shades into a scale of gray. a monochrome image loses the effects of color harmony or contrast, instead relying on differences in density and light and dark to create impact.

Many photographers find it easier to work in black and white for their fine art nude photography projects, precisely because most of the tricky issues associated with color photography are avoided.

it could be argued that some nudes are more “acceptable” in black and white, and indeed the majority of the most famous nude photographs are black and white. the absence of color forces you to focus more attention on tone, contrast, and texture.

Texture and structure

Freed from all color distractions green trees, blue lampposts and red graffiti—that were present in the scene, the play of light and shadow, interesting textures, and contrast between the structure and the model can be fully appreciated.

1 the soft curves of the model and the subtly drawn lines of sunlight on her body contrast with the geometry of the concrete pillars.

2 the repeating, receding lines of pillars and girders give rhythm and structure to the image.

3 textures and shadows provide depth and additional visual interest.

4 strong lines running through the image converge on the hazy rural scene in the distance that is somehow at odds with the
industrial nature of the location.

Ambiguity

deliberate unsharpness can create intrigue in an image, especially when the subjects are in motion. in black and white the effect is enhanced because the images resemble stills from a surveillance camera, adding to the mystery.

Simplicity

the clean, unfussy feel of this image is created by the central position of the model, the artlessness of the pose, and the absence of distracting background elements.
The angular hairstyle is important to the symmetry of the composition: this would be a completely different picture if the model was sporting wild, unruly hair.
If this image was in color you would see yellow sand, green foliage, and very pink sunburned upper arms. reducing it to black, white, and gray gives it a serenity that would otherwise be lost.

High contrast

this image makes use of contrast in two ways. there is a strong contrast between the light and
dark areas, and also between the model and her environment.
The image has a very cinematic feel. the model’s pose is introspective and thoughtful but she is looking into the environment and in the direction of the light.
the position of her legs suggests confidence, yet her arms are protective. if this was a film
still, what would the image say to you?
The concrete wall creates a frame around the model. the softness of her skin contrasts with
the rough textures of her surroundings.

Grainy effect

Much of the character of this image lies in the grainy texture—the result of using a fast, sensitive film. Working with high iso values on a digital camera will introduce “noise,” which produces a similar effect.
Many image manipulation programs include “grain” filters, which allow you to artificially apply these kinds of effects to clean images.
The light is coming from the side, sculpting the torso. details and close-ups work in a graphic way, and the anonymity invites the viewer to study the shapes and forms in detail.

there are so many different themes and styles in the fine art nude photography it would be impossible to cover them all here.
as well as the more obvious areas, such as glamour nude photography, fashion nude photography, and erotic nude photography, you can portray nudes in an allegorical, scientific, pornographic, political, educational, or purely graphic way.

categorizing images into specific styles can be a dangerous exercise, since your interpretation of a picture may be completely different to mine, but at the same time it serves to refine our way of thinking about nude photography and helps us find a style of our own.

choosing a style has a lot to do with your personality, so whatever direction your nude
photography takes, you need to feel comfortable with it.

Glamour Nude Photography

this type of image is all about seduction, with models usually seeking eye contact with the viewer. the pictures are not about deep inner emotions, but rather the play of the protagonist with his or her environment. Models look confident and extroverted—they are attractive
and want to show it.

Portraiture Nude Photography

here, the model’s personality, or at least a facet of it, is important. the photographer has to connect with the model, who must pose naturally rather than play a role. in nude portrait
photography, models literally lay themselves bare for public scrutiny, showing their vulnerability but also their strength and courage.

Fashion and Beauty in Nude Photography

in the pages of fashion magazines the nudes and semi-nudes are all about presentation of accessories, products, or the body beautiful. the atmosphere evoked is a key factor in the image’s commercial success: romantic, glamorous, erotic, polished, grungy, graphically aesthetic, and so on.

Erotic Images in Nude Photography

When the intention is to stimulate the viewer, the model becomes a sexual subject, often showing availability. there are as many erotic styles as there are fantasies images of other themes shown here may work in an erotic way for some viewers.

Cinematic Styles in Nude Photography

When images create a story line they work like a film still a small part of a bigger picture. something is happening and we as viewers want to know what it is, but we are not given enough information to fully understand.

Romantic Images in Nude Photography

one of the most popular genres of fine art nude photography is one that conjures up thoughts of tenderness and romance. these images are emotional, rather than
sexual, often using soft light and introspective poses and expressions.

Unusual Contrasts in Nude Photography

some nude images are designed to surprise, to make us think about things in a different way and consider previously overlooked possibilities. this type of attention-grabbing image is often used in advertising and publicity.