Photographed by JCP Photogray
Boone, NC
Last night I reviewed the photos on the back of my
collaborating photographer’s camera and saw a red line slashed across the back
of my right ankle. I had not seen this mark before and when I inspected my
ankle, there bumpy and red was the sure sign of poison ivy. I knew I had about
9 horsefly bites decorating my body with colorful round welts, which came about
during several hours of submerging myself partially in river water, twisting
around model Blue River Dream and holding gracefully as Steven Billups carefully
waited for the water ripples to calm and photographed us with film, but this
rash was new.
When spring approaches and until the last signs of warm
fall, I encourage photographers to take advantage of the warm weather to
photograph me outside. The chance of an unusual chilly day, or rogue summer
storm is always a possibility, but generally a less than optimal weather day
during the summer will trump a typical winter day in regards to outdoors
shooting conditions. The natural
environment allows for a distinct backdrop, complete with original “props,” or
rocks, trees, plants and other surprising elements, which lay there awaiting
your artistic sightings. Nature can
provide a complete playground for photography, but a little consideration to
the potential problems should be applied.
Unless you have permission to use a site for nude
photography, unappreciative onlookers who may notify the authorities, or even
the police themselves need to be looked out for. All of my shoots on a location
are artistic in nature, but my idea of art is absolute blasphemy to some
people. In some states, a bare bottom, a bit of fuzzy bush, or a little nipple
may be enough to put you in jail or on the sex offenders’ list, or on the less
extreme, result in an unwanted fine. In my 5 years as a professional model, I
have had two worrisome encounters with police, one with a security guard, and
countless onlooker sightings. After 20 minutes being separated from my
photographer conspirator, and questioned by the police, I learned early on that
once spotted by a disapproving person at a location, you best leave before the
cops can arrive. I also learned my first summer of modeling that even if a
location has never had onlookers, there will always be a first time when there
is someone sharing the space and they may not always share your views on nudity
as art.
Rob Randall
Boone, NC
A bit of prudence will help with outdoors nudes. Open ears, eyes and awareness is
indispensable. Always having a dress that easily goes on and off in the case of
warning signs of a person approaching is essential. If shooting outdoors on
public land, you will be glad your dress went on in less than 30 seconds when a
person shows up soundlessly around the bend in the path. Some people may spot you and be unperturbed,
but in the case of being seen, you can feel out the vibe of the person. Some
will find enjoyment in a beautiful sighting, but others will be deeply offended
and on occasion, an onlooker will smile and seem happy, but still pick up their
phone to call the police once they are out of your sight. Many professional
models are willing to push the boundaries of where they can shoot, but
ultimately a model’s comfort is the most important. A photographer is a partner
in a shoot, but in reality the model is the nude party and the one who faces
any legal problems, in the event of a worst case scenario.
The great thing about the outdoors are the plants and
animals which live there, but these things can be the worst elements as well.
Insects are expected to be found outdoors and to seek their meals where they
reside, and when we come into their paths, we may become their dinner. Dousing
yourself in bug repellent may not smell beautiful, but the welts of insect
bites ultimately look and feel much worse than a day of chemical smell in your
nostrils. There will always be some
sites which are more insect ridden than others, and sometimes amazing nooks are
where the most mosquitos hide and may make for incredible photos but the cost
of week long mosquito bite marks may not be a good enough win to warrant
shooting in such a location. The model’s discretion must be heeded as she may
show up to other shoots with a handful of marks from the elements, but there is
a limit to how many marks is seen as professionally acceptable. There is always
another location to shoot in, so if that dark, bug ridden cave is ruled out,
continue with your scouting and use a bit of creativity to find the angle with
another area.
I learned about poison ivy the hard way, stupidly twisting
within the beautiful plant for some photos.
As nice as they are, I cannot look at the photos from the poison ivy
afternoon. I am now cautiously watchful of poison ivy or other poison plants
when outdoors. My newfound poison ivy
rash proves that even prudence is not enough when outdoors in the woods every
handful of days, and hopping around to avoid poison plants is helpful but will
not fully prevent exposure. A cool shower, then washing off with soap with cool
water will help remove the oils, but will not completely help those prone to
reaction. I have heard alcohol wipes help, and that there are specific products
which are helpful but need to look further into this. I have prescribed myself
antihistamines and daily cortisone cream to help with my horsefly bites and
poison ivy rash, and a bit of faith that the systemic rash will not spread too
far. As of this morning, my rash is well
contained and not something which will affect any of my upcoming shoots.
Outdoors shoots often include walking and waiting time – a
model will likely not be nude the entire time. For slightly more public places,
waiting for other people in the area to come and go, will always be part of a
shoot, but this time can be used to figure out light and scout out the best
angles and possibilities. For photographers who will not be satisfied unless
are snapping photos of a nude model the entire duration of a shoot, I do not
recommend outdoors shoots in most locations; but for photographers who
understand photography as a creative, artistic process, outdoors can be an
ideal setting.
As I scamper on rocks and climb trees, I am always careful
to not hurt myself, but a few marks are often inevitable. I am little and
nimble, but sometimes choose to move slowly to avoid dragging my skin on
abrasive surfaces, more for the sake of my following shoots than my current
one. I look at the environment as a puzzle to fit myself within and sometimes
that involves exploration rather than immediate posing. There are a handful of factors with outdoors
modeling which I must be heedful to, but the chance to be in nature creating
art makes me an extremely happy model. And models who are happy and inspired
are the best muses.
Tree climbing
David Nonetknowles photography
Berkeley, CA
Eric Lowenburg
Bay Area, CA
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Beauty Outdoors Photography
Baltimore, MD
These two images from a nudist camp
Dave Lewis
Seattle, WA
