If you are someone who is interested in modeling as a hobby or career you should be prepared to answer this question… Make sure you resolve it for yourself before letting someone convince you one way or the other.

The following question was posted in a public forum of models and photographers by one of our models /contributing writers.   Hopefully the various answers can help you to come up with your own program before following someone else’s agenda.

 My name is Chanel.  I’ve been modeling for 2 years and recently was introduced to the urban modeling industry. I am used to doing bathing suit and lingerie because I have the body for it but recently i have been prompted by numerous photogs to do nudes and imposed nudes.  This is something I’m not as secure about but I do want to succeed in the industry and this seems like it may be mandatory.  Do you think I should I do it or not?

1^st: anonymous: I would say it is up to you. It is not mandatory, but nude models are always looked for. You need to decide, however if that is what you want to do and the direction you want to take. Once you do a nude shoot you cannot take it back. You may have fewer choices for gigs (you may not) if you do not do nude work. There are plenty of models who do not do nude work and still make a living.

As a man... would I like to see you naked?  Yep, you are an attractive young lady and as a man I like naked attractive young ladies.  Will your career be better if you get nakkers?  Who knows.

 2^nd: anonymous:  As a photographer who wants to do nude art, I would say absolutely. As a photographer who probably won't actually get a shot at shooting you nude, I say it's a personal decision. It would probably get you more paid work. You say you’re not really comfortable doing nude so if you do choose to pose nude, choose a photographer not looking to do porn. I can only guess that for those models who do not do a lot of paid work, you would do well to pose nude.

 3^rd: Questions for you: 1. Do you want to do nude work? Once you start, the pictures are out there. You can't just take them back.  2. Are you OK with your friends and family seeing your pictures? Eventually some or all of them will.  3. Will posing nude have an adverse effect on the other parts of your life? (Boyfriend, boss, etc.) If you're jeopardizing a career or a relationship, you'll have to decide how much either is worth to you.

 4^th: I agree, with everyone including the model. Hip Hip hooray.
Listen to me love, as the father of a teenage daughter and you can quote me here....
"Don't you dare takes your clothes off unless you know that what you are about to create is art".
Now listen to me on this.
If you drop trough for any hack that comes along with a desire you’re going to throw it away.
So pick your artist very carefully.

 5^th: First, it’s absolutely not required and you should not trust anyone who tells you it is.

Second, you have enough height and a good enough look to do many different types of work. So many times on these sites, I find myself internally editing my response to a young model because, frankly, she is very average or really not very attractive at all. It gets hard to be honest with such girls, without coming off sounding like a mean person. In your case, I don't have to "softpedal" my response - you're a pretty young woman who will have opportunities if you chase the work hard enough.

The decision as to whether or not you should do nudes is a personal choice. It is entirely up to you but there are, indeed, external factors, such as family, significant other, career, etc. While the decision should be yours and yours alone, it’s OK to feel like you don't want to do something because of its effect on the relationships in your life. If you choose not to do something because it will have an adverse impact on something or someone else that is more important to you, it’s still a decision that you are in control of. What you should not do, however, is to give up something that has been thoroughly considered, and is something that really want to do, for a person who is not likely to be in your life for a very long time.

All of this said, based on your post here and your profile, my sense of you is that you really don't want to do nude work. If that is the case, and you are only considering it because you think it will enhance your career, I would say that you should leave your clothes on

6^th: Well, if you have gained 216 pounds, have a severe acne problem around your nipples or rear end, have breasts that sag to the floor, have 14 inch toe nails, have had 6 operations and the scars to prove it, have your back scratched up because you fell on a barbed wire fence, then if I were you, I think I would pass on the nude work.  Nude modeling has been around at least as long as there has been modeling. The only reason anyone in this country does not do nude work is for the reasons I stated, or, they are listening to those fake religious fanatics who belittle a person who does nude work. Nude art is prominently displayed in some of the greatest places in the religious world, all over the churches in Italy, and Europe, and somehow or other someone got the idea that it was wrong, and from that point forward, mostly here in the US, it became sinful.  Nudity is a personal thing, if you like being nude, do it, if not, don't.

7^th: think degrees of unclothed rather than "nude". There are some damn good art forms in that work. Be particular in the photog you decide to start with if you decide to go with unclothed. Lingerie would be a degree of unclothed and you've worked that.

8^th:  The best advice I can give is do what makes you comfortable. I am very comfortable in front of the camera as a nude model but not all models are. If you aren't comfortable it will show and the pictures will look unnatural.  The best suggestion I can give would be to work with a photographer that you have worked with numerous times and you are very comfortable with. Practice some nudes and implied nudes with them and see how it goes. If you warm up somewhat easily and have fun with it then it may be something to consider.  Some of the best things to remember is to be careful who you work with. Take in their tone in phone calls/e-mails, their release, model references, and the works.  Good luck and remember you don't HAVE to do anything. The choice is completely yours, just be prepared for all possible outcomes.

9^th: If you're not comfortable or secure with doing it, then you shouldn't. If you're unsure, then you shouldn't find a photographer that you trust and are comfortable with to explore that with.