How much skin?

eravedesigns · May 14, 2007

Hi everyone I was just wondering if someone can answer this question.

If I am shooting a 16 year old girl is it wrong to have some skin showing like have maybe a shirt unbuttoned a bit more. I am not saying make it look like porn but is there any laws or guidelines to this because If i have a young model I want to make sure I dont do anything that would be considered wrong .

For example could I do this?
http://www.arlenewilson.com/images/rotate/2.jpg
Courtesy of arlenewilson.com

craig · May 14, 2007

Your work should speak for it's self. Also depends on the intention of the shoot. Is this her acting portfolio? Is this a Victoria's Secret catalog? I mean to say that things will go south if you are trying to exploit the subject.

Love & Bass

eravedesigns · May 14, 2007

The shoot would be more for fun and maybe go into a portfolio for modeling.

craig · May 15, 2007

Cool! Sounds like it will be fun. Truth of the matter is that there is no such thing as "too much" skin as long as the model is comfortable.

Love & Bass

shorty6049 · May 15, 2007

I'm pretty sure if she's 16, there IS such thing as too much skin, and you can get in a lot of trouble for that. i know thats not what you're going to be doing though , so i just put that as a warning to anyone else who wants to do it... if the pictures are personal , its fine, but if you post them anywhere, or sell them, i believe it becomes a problem. For what you're doing, i'd say something like that is fine, and will make you look like a total player... so shoot on!

Peanuts · May 15, 2007

Being a 17 year old - I would be very surprised to see an image of one of my classmates taken by a professional photographer showing that much skin. Mind you, I have a classmate who is a model and she has several bathing suit shots - but, this is different (from looking at the sample image).
I would be tempted to say that if her parents don't approve - dont' do it. Of course it depends on her comfort zone, but from the limited reading in this field, my understanding is if you are... older (we shall say, and especially if you are male... please don't tell me I am being -ist) an adult she is comfortable with should be in the room as well. (Not saying you have other intentions - but I would recommend that as a shooter. If they have absolutely no concerns and say it isn't necessary well then... that is their choice)

mysteryscribe · May 15, 2007

Sometimes the parents dont have the best of judgement.

My rule was always take the lesser of the parents, my own conscience and the thought of my wife seeing them laying about as the high road.

Sometimes my own conscience stopped me. A sixteen year old who came to the studio alone wanted to get a little more sexy than I was comfortable with, so I said no. Still have trouble believing I did that but sometimes you have to be a professional about these things.

Remember one man's art is another's porn. Young can be dangerous to your livelyhood and your freedom.

Big Mike · May 15, 2007

Models start very young, and many of them do show plenty of skin (just pick up any 'teen' magazine). Of course, nudity is another matter and exactly where the line is drawn...is different for everyone.

Personally, I don't have a problem, as long as things are kept within the legal guidelines (no nudity or exploitation of minors).

I think western society is way to hung up on nudity (as a whole). In Europe, you might see an add for a sauna, with a photo of an entire family, naked. Here in North America, it's front page news if some one sees a nipple.

Either way, when shooting a young lady (or any young model) it's highly recommended to have a chaperon present at all times.

fotogenik · May 18, 2007

1st thing is you need to change the image above from display to a link since it is not your image. Yes I realize you gave credit to the owner but the forum rules say not to display images that are not your work, but to link to them instead.

2nd. I would not be comfortable shooting a 16 year old (or anyone under 18 for that matter) in any questionable state of undress.

My reasoning for this is pretty simple. In the image above if the shirt just accidentally slaps to the side as she is walking from dressing room to imaging area then technically you have broken a law. Whether anyone else sees it or not, you have, and just shooting that sort of image leaves you liable in many ways. I take the stance of better safe than sorry. Just my personal opinion, take it for what you will.

Thouchy · May 18, 2007

I say do all the research you can. You wouldn't want to do it because one of us said it was okay, only to find out it was not. And if you are doing it have her parents present. And if you have any form or contracts...write up some sort of consent for them all to sign and maybe even video everything. You never know what could happen. It could ruin your life and it is better to be safe then sorry. If something did happen you would sure wish you had these items.

eravedesigns · May 18, 2007

Great Replies!

Parents: Her parents would never come for many reasons especially because they wouldnt take me seriously and she wouldnt want them there (she might bring a friend)

Relationship: We are both friends and we talk a lot so she wouldnt be afraid to say no with me

We are pretty good friends and i dont think she would mind if I did see her nipple as we are both the same age and used to have a thing but its more for fun but I am afraid of legal issues and peopels opinions.

hazzayoungn · May 19, 2007

if its a personal, non sex thing, you shouldnt worry about legal issues, but as stated, research research research. i would recommend AGAINSt selling the pictures at any time though because of model releases and whatnot

as for people's opinions, thats really in your court. on the one hand, some people might find it offensive, but on the other hand, it would be good to expand your creative medium. i know a photographer about 18 who takes naked pictures of people quite a bit, some of which are underage, but its always in an artful manner. also, some people find gays, lesbians, ethnic minorities, feet, smoking, offensive, but it doesnt mean they havent been well documented

now...completely opposite of the advice i just gave you, i cant help but not post this

http://pbfcomics.com/?cid=PBF215-Kitty_Photographer.jpg#203

shorty6049 · May 19, 2007

hazzayoungn said:
if its a personal, non sex thing, you shouldnt worry about legal issues, but as stated, research research research. i would recommend AGAINSt selling the pictures at any time though because of model releases and whatnot

as for people's opinions, thats really in your court. on the one hand, some people might find it offensive, but on the other hand, it would be good to expand your creative medium. i know a photographer about 18 who takes naked pictures of people quite a bit, some of which are underage, but its always in an artful manner. also, some people find gays, lesbians, ethnic minorities, feet, smoking, offensive, but it doesnt mean they havent been well documented

now...completely opposite of the advice i just gave you, i cant help but not post this

http://pbfcomics.com/?cid=PBF215-Kitty_Photographer.jpg#203

I love PBF :lol:

bbrown2146 · May 19, 2007

Check with an attorney. If the image is shown on the web for any purpose, or in print for any purpose, depending on the laws where you live, you could get into trouble. Even though the girl is a contemporary of yours the laws are vague in most areas. I would not do the shots without a parent there and a release signed by the parents. Even then I would downplay the skin issue. Since this is not a shoot for a portfolio or a fashion session it is better to be safe than have your reputation destroyed.