What It’s Like to Be…a Nude Model

November 11, 2007 Posted in College, Getting Through

Nude Model Recently, I found myself strapped for cash and needed a way to supplement my income. Like most people, I decided to try nude modeling! The gigs were usually just a few hours, and they paid well above minimum wage. Why not?

By COED Staff

I called a few local college art departments. “There’s a shortage of nude models,” I was told. So, career advice No. 1: find an in-demand job, and there’s no interview necessary. Also, nudity is often a deterrent.

During my first class, things started out fine. I walked in, disrobed, ignored the goosebumps forming on my skin (note to profs: turn up the heat) and walked on to a platform in the center of the room as the professor gave me instructions for my first pose. It was pretty simple: I just had to sit still for twenty minutes.

But then my legs started shaking. It dawned on me that I was the only naked person in the room! I looked out at the rows of students, who were busily sketching me while their instructor discussed the angles and shadows of ‘the figure’ and I realized I was just their subject for the day. That’s it. And I took a deep breath and relaxed.

Now that I have done this for awhile, nude modeling has become just another way to make a buck. The other day I was standing in front of a professor, completely nude, while he discussed what he wanted the next pose to look like. And it felt perfectly normal. [Note: this took place in a classroom, not the professor's "private office." Perv.]

Besides the money, I’ve also gained more confidence in my body. Instead of hating it for what it isn’t, I can appreciate it for what it is: a unique work of art.

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Comments

9737 Responses2007-11-11+16%3A30%3A34COED+Staff to “What It’s Like to Be…a Nude Model”

Jake Spoon says:

November 11, 2007 at 5:00 pm

Interesting article. I've been modeling for art classes for nearly 10 years (started when I was 18). It's a great way to make money, it can be relaxing (though uncomfortable at times), and even as a male it gives me self-confidence. And you get to meet interesting people. Definitely a good gig…
jessica says:

November 12, 2007 at 3:36 am

wow, yes, many celebrities posed nude for magazine and nudist site. You can be the model of nudistconnect.com. The members will love you.
stacy says:

November 14, 2007 at 7:43 am

I'am enrolled at U.C.L.A. and found myself in the same porition. So I contacted a fine art magazine title Carrie Leigh's Nude. The publisher is also a well known art photograper. I was extremely nervious but after talking with her I decided to give it a try. I had a great time and when the magazine came out last September there were a few very artistic photos of me in it. I enjoyed it so much I recently called Carrie and asked to shoot again. Also, to be in a high quality magazine sure helps ones love life.
Westmarine says:

September 29, 2008 at 5:07 pm

I got asked to pose and thought it would be easier because it was for an aquaintance doing a student project, so only her and her classmate would be present. I hadnt modeled but most were women and she wanted to use a male. They reserved a classroom. The first half hour went fine. Then some hyper lady with 2 kids in tow knocked on the door to ask directions to some room. She marched in directed her daughters, 12-13yrs old to sit and wait. Problem Im
trying not to mess up the pose for the working student.
The hyper lady questions the classmate then rifled thru her purse while her girls are seated observing.
I'm no prude, sure sight of a nude male adult is not inherently unwholesome, but this situation was very uncomfortable.
Im not trying to talk anybody out of posing for artsake but please make sure you know in advance that the circumstances are sober and professional.
edo deweert says:

February 11, 2009 at 2:31 pm

ah, great! another innocent nubile young maiden felled by the myth!

sweetheart, it's all about sex…sex….

university professors keep telling the brass they need funding for models so "students can learn the basicvs about the human body"

free t and a, that's what they freally are after!when do we wake up and demand a stop to this pornographic activity?

for more, check out my blog at http://www.themodelundraped.blogspot.com
letstalk says:

September 16, 2009 at 9:19 pm

Edo has it a bit wrong yet a little right. I think some of the

University Professors, such as Steven Watts, are a bit excited when it comes to nudity and sex, he almost says so in his new book. But then again he lived at the Playboy Mansion where today nudity and sex are probably the same. I think the true art professors look at this subject as art and not sex.

Some of the other professors do not understand the difference and that could be confusing to a man who is all of a sudden enticed by nudity, they confuse it with sex. But to bring this to a head, the body is a beautiful object and has been since early man, the old cathedrals have art nudes on the ceilings and they are masterpieces. The problem with some Universities is that they, the professors who really do not

understand the subject matter may get confused and may foam at the models. This is a shame when grown men do not understand the difference. As s art model I know there is a difference and have seen both sides of the coin. The answer is to work with professionals and not perverted hacks.
edo deweert says:

November 20, 2009 at 3:56 pm

if a drawing of a naked woman drying herself after taking a barh, is done by an "established" artist, is it art, or could it be that even then it's just a picture of a naked woman for the purpose of titilation?

if the same was done by "just anybody", is it just for titilation, or is it art?

those who want to continue being able to feast their eyes on t and a will continue to insist that the act of drawing, painting, sculpting and photographiong the human (read:FEMALE) figure is all about art and not about sex are bizarrely dishonest.