Art Modeling - What does it involve & is it for you?

There is one subject sure to get the sniggers & the lewd suggestions within modeling & that's life modeling. Complete strangers starring at the sitters often nude body is open to all kinds of jokes, and getting paid "to take your clothes off" makes them even worse.

Life modeling is normally associated with artists, pencil, ink and paint rather than photographers.

The term has also been abused somewhat by certain photographers who use it to justify the nudity and lead on towards an adult shoot agenda.

The fact is many actors and artists choose to become involved in life work.

In London for a sitting you can expect around £11 an hour going down to around £10 in other parts of the country. Both sexes and all looks and ages.

Models can sit for individual artists, groups or classes. Employers are often Art Groups, Colleges and Universtites.

It is a great way to loose inhibitions [useful to actors & performers] and with careful work selection can be both enjoyable and profitable.

Photographers do employ life models but the style and requirements are different.

A photographer is working more in "real time" so there is less sitting about - but those new to

life modeling should check the shoot agenda carefully before commitment.

My life model shooting is more often than not to illustrate the model's work portfolio/profile or to build up confidence. I use a similar style with performers who may be struggling with the very idea of nude in performance for example.

The fact is however if both the artist/photographer & the model/performer are professional in their attitude towards the session then it actually is all fine.

Be aware when posing for photographers, or with the use of video how the images may be used & dispayed.

I shall cover this in more detail in the members section editorial.