Q. Oliver - Photographer

Anonymous asked: I've always wanted to get into nude photography. How did you do it? I just find it hard to ask a girl about a nude photoshoot. And then figuring out where too shoot, clothes etc. I just it feel it might be a bit awkward. How was your first shoot?

The first thing you want to do is consider is WHY you want to photograph nude women. Is it just a way to see naked girls or do you find genuine artistic value in the human form? What inspires you? Why not landscape or architecture or wedding photography? Once you’ve answered those questions for yourself and you make sure that what you’re doing is genuine and that you’re not just a creepy guy/girl who went to wal-mart/best buy and bought a cheap DSLR as a way to perv on people, then you move into actually finding models.

I just walk right up to women and ask if they’re interested in working with me. I explain what I do and give them my contact info and that’s that. Two things will help you in your approach- 1: Confidence! If you walk up to someone and you’re stuttering/stammering over your words or you lack the ability to approach a woman all together, then photographing women or people in general is probably not for you. 2: Again, you have to be genuine. If you have a real desire to create art and you’re not a creep, people will pick up on that!

Easiest way to find a model to practice with is to ask your girlfriend or a close friend who you’re comfortable with. People often forget that in order to make a good nude photograph both the model AND the photographer must be comfortable with each other. If you feel it might be awkward, nude photography likely isn’t for you.