The word, \”set\” is commonly used within the field of nude photography. However, it can mean two very different things. I’m fairly certain that you already have an accurate grasp on these two meanings. But just in case you don’t, I want to discuss the two meanings in a bit more detail.

One of the ways the word is used pertains to the environment that a model will “inhabit” during a specific shoot. For example, if you’re photographing a model in a bedroom, the bedroom is the “set”. If you’re using a large studio and have created the look of a bedroom from scratch, this is also a “set”. Used in this way, a “set” is simply the physical environment where a shoot takes place.

The second way the word is used is to define a series of individual images that, when put together, comprise a logical and cohesive group. This is the definition that I am going to focus on in this section. If your desire is to turn your photography into a profitable enterprise, you’ll need to know how to create sets in the most marketable way possible.

Within the field of erotic photography, most sets begin with the model fully clothed; pieces of clothing are then removed as the shoot progresses; and ends with the model fully nude. To put it simply, it’s a “striptease” type of progression. Another possible set pattern is directing the model to begin the set with very tame poses and progress to more explicit poses as the set continues. Another logical pattern would be for the model to begin a set simply holding a sex toy, proceeding to more graphic “insertion” shots with the toy as the shoot progresses. 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://moneyshotsbook.com).

At this point, a logical question might be: How many individual pictures does it take to comprise a full set? The answer depends on what the eventual use of the images will be. For example, you may be shooting a model for publication in a magazine; you may be shooting a model with the intention of selling the pics to a website; you may be shooting for a calendar or poster; you may be shooting for your own personal portfolio; or you may be shooting for sheer artistic and creative enjoyment (perhaps hoping to come up with a single, stunning, once-in-a-lifetime image).

When shooting for magazines or other publications that feature nude and erotic photography, it’s a good idea to shoot between 125 to 150 images per set. If you’ve done your job well, this amount will give the buyer more than enough images to choose from. You don’t want to shoot too few photographs – this will likely result in the buyer not being able to find enough useable images. On the other hand, you don’t want to shoot too many – this may cause the buyer to disregard your set simply because he or she doesn’t want to spend the time necessary to wade through so many images.

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 and immediate download at http://www.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 http://www.moneyshotsbook.com.

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