It may seem strange to discuss wardrobe in an article that primarily focuses on taking photographs of nude women. However, if you want to make money from your nude photography, it’s important to know that commercial buyers will usually want some of the pictures to include clothing.

Most photo sets that appear on websites and in magazines follow a predictable sequence regarding wardrobe. Simply put, this sequence usually begins with a model fully clothed (in this case, “fully clothed” can mean anything from a full outfit to simply lingerie and heels). As the shoot progresses, the model incrementally removes pieces of clothing and ends up fully nude.

It’s important that you don’t spend too much time taking photographs with the model fully clothed (or even close to it). Pics of this type are used merely to “set the scene” for the more explicit pics to follow. In my sets, I shoot about 70% of the pics with the model nude or very close to nude.

Typically, you’re going to want to match the wardrobe style to the overall theme of the set. Each photographic niche has a different wardrobe stye that appeals to fans of that particular look. I’ll talk about this in more detail later. For now, I’ll simply say this: If you’re shooting an 18-year-old within a simple “Girl-next-door” set, you probably don’t want to dress her in a latex dominatrix outfit and six inch stiletto heels.

The best time to discuss wardrobe with a model is when you’re setting up the shoot. Simply tell her what kind of pics you have in mind and ask her to bring any clothes she has that might work well. You’ll want to request clothes that fit the type of pics you’ll be doing. For example, you would typically ask a “MILF” model to bring lingerie, heels, stockings, etc.; while you might request that a “Teen” model bring “everyday” clothes (T-shirts, workout wear, jeans, etc.). I discuss this topic in more detail in my ebook, “Money Shots: The Insider’s Guide to the World of Nude & Erotic Photography” (available at http://moneyshotsbook.com).

I’ve found that most models do a good job of handling their own wardrobe for shoots – though the amount they bring will differ widely. Some models show up with a plastic bag filled with a few things; others show up with three suitcases packed with just about everything they own. Either way, you and the model will always have to find a way to make it work. Shoots with limited wardrobe choices will usually require more creativity and teamwork between you and your models.

Even though most models do well with their wardrobe, it’s a good idea for you to build up a small wardrobe collection yourself. This way, you’ll at least know you can pull something out if you need to.

Since models vary in size and shape, I focus my wardrobe collection on things that can be worn by a wide variety of models. As an example, for “Teen” shoots, I keep on hand a variety of cotton panties, T-shirts, and leggings. All it takes is one trip to a store like American Apparel to stock up on these types of items.

For shoots that require a more dramatic look, it’s a good idea to keep a variety of stockings on hand. This is an especially good idea because, while models usually bring lingerie to a shoot, they often forget to bring the stockings that are needed to really make the look come together. Additionally, I have a variety of shoes in my collection (heels, pumps, athletic shoes, etc.). Most of them are size 7; I’ve found that the majority of models tend to be somewhere in that range. Lastly, I also have a selection of accessories that include necklaces, bracelets, bandannas, and hair ties.

Author Bio: 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 at http://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.

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