Submitted by: Michael Charles X
Depending on whether you ve had any previous experience with nude or erotic photography, you may be wondering how simple (or difficult) it will be to find models to work with. This is certainly a legitimate question. However, you ll quickly learn that finding models is far easier than you may now believe. In fact, due to relatively recent changes concerning how nudity is viewed by the culture, finding models today is far easier than it has ever been.
There was a time, not so long ago, when a very large stigma was attached to a woman who posed nude. For example, if nude photographs of a female celebrity happened to surface, there was sure to be a great deal of controversy surrounding the situation. In fact, the resulting public reaction could lead to the demise of an entire career. However, opinions regarding this type of situation have relaxed dramatically in the last twenty-five years or so.
Without question, there are many reasons for this change in perception. In my opinion, an important catalyst in this shift was Madonna. Whatever you may think of her music, there is no question that she has been a trailblazer concerning how sexuality is perceived in our society. In 1985, nude pictures of her that had been taken long before she was a celebrity appeared in Playboy Magazine. Certain segments of society immediately geared up to destroy yet another career in the name of morality.
However, before that could occur, Madonna did something that hadn t been done before. Unlike those who had come before her, she didn t respond to the controversy by apologizing for the photographs or attributing them to a youthful indiscretion . Instead, she responded to the controversy by saying, I m naked. So what? .
I believe this simple act of defiance caused a large segment of society to question, for the first time, the longstanding belief that nudity always equals bad . Furthermore, when this segment of society took a fresh look at the situation, many of them came up with a new conclusion: She s naked. So what?
American society had long been accustomed to automatically equating nudity with some sort of immorality . Madonna s reaction to the controversy caused people to question that dubious connection. In my opinion, the result has been a more enlightened society. Of course, there will always be pockets of extremists who love nothing more than to try to impose their moral codes on society as a whole. However, I can assure you that, compared to twenty-five years ago, their numbers have diminished and their influence has become nearly inconsequential.
You may be wondering why I took off on that tangent of history. Quite simply, I wanted to give you a little background about how nudity was once perceived in our society; and how this perception has changed dramatically in the recent past. Perhaps most importantly, this simple change in perception will definitely help you in your quest to find models for your photography work. I discuss this topic in more detail in my ebook, Money Shots: The Insider s Guide to the World of Nude & Erotic Photography (available for purchase and immediate download at http://www.moneyshotsbook.com)
Females today who are in their teens, twenties, and even thirties have never really known a time in society when nudity and sexuality were looked upon as things to be ashamed of (or, at the very least, kept completely private).
Consequently, most young women today are far more comfortable with their bodies and their sexuality than previous generations. They have grown up in a society that is sex-driven (through music, films, ad campaigns, etc.) and they have seen many celebrities appear nude without having their careers jeopardized. Thus, the young women of today are far more comfortable with the idea of posing nude, and far more open to the possibility of trying it themselves.
About the Author: Michael Charles is a professional photographer based in Los Angeles, California. He is the author of “Money Shots: The Insider’s Guide to the World of Nude & Erotic Photography” (this book is available for purchase and immediate download at
moneyshotsbook.com
). For over a decade, Michael has shot exclusively in the world of nude, erotic, and adult-oriented photography. His work has been featured in hundreds of national and international publications and appears on a wide variety of prominent websites. For a complete course on the techniques, styles, moneymaking secrets, and amazing fringe benefits of nude and erotic photography, visit
moneyshotsbook.com
.
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