Sigmund Freud believed we are all driven by sex. This could sum up a lot of things, including this article. But it's not so easy to generalize. Public space, ethics, kitsch, and a sense of responsibility to our models also come into consideration. So, where do we start?

Nude photography is a difficult genre. To get good pictures here, knowing your camera and preparing good lighting are essential, but still not enough—you need a feeling for working with people, and tact. So we’ve prepared a few tips for you about what to think about and watch out for when photographing nudes.

Depending on the visual culture where you live, the genre called naked portraiture may be an occasional part of the “advertising environment” around you. It also turns up in beauty contests and in the marketing materials for cosmetics, hairstyles, and various other products. It combines nakedness and portraiture, though not necessarily in an erotic, unfit-for-television, or offensive way. After all, if it did, it would not be as widely used in advertising—at least in Europe—as it is. If you’re curious about this subgenre, how to photograph it, and what to avoid, read on.

People who are just photography consumers—non-photographers—often envy professionals for the models (the “naked” models!) they photograph. But there’s nothing simple about this photographic discipline, where your photos can easily end up as kitsch that flatters neither your model, nor you.

Every photography job demands some preparation. You need to check the batteries, card space, lens cleanliness, and more. This is all a core part of taking pictures, and yet doesn’t require any special pro knowledge. Are there more things like this you can do to push your portrait photography forward without being a pro? You bet!