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Heidi Van Horne
Photo: Chad Michael Ward
Hair and Make Up: Jennifer Corona

August 2007

This month, Heidi covers being uncovered in front of the camera. Got a question for Heidi? E-mail us! And don't forget to read Heidi's print column in Bachelor Pad Magazine



Heidi, I had a question.  In a lot of your photos you are naked but the photos are suggested nudity, like you would never see something like a nipple or more nether bits in a picture.  But how much nakedness is shown to the photographer and crew during said shoots? Isn't it weird being the only one in the room naked with people looking at you and posing you?

Good questions!! I do what's referred to as "implied nudity"--where you may be naked on set, but nothing "taboo" (by American TV standards) showing in the final image. I ONLY do these types of shoots with photographers I trust and know well or for very high-end, heavily contracted clients. I need to know that they will work professionally and that no "nip slips" or other out takes are ever released--to do so would directly violate ANY shoot agreement I have EVER made with ANY photographer or client. It's a standard I have had for many years, and have NEVER approved anything showing the "naughty bits" (nipples, butt crack, genitalia). In other words, let me know if you ever see somethin' showin', 'cuz I will need to prepare a lawsuit!   

Butt seriously (he he he)... I say it for all shoots, but especially for anything with nudity. I don't recommend ANY model do nudity of any level (implied included) without FULL paperwork and VERY detailed contracts--otherwise you might end up seeing your photo selling something horrible you had nothing to do with and that goes against your morals and/or business standards (ask me how I know!!) Just a verbal agreement will make it too hard (and PRICEY$) to prove in court. THIS IS WHY SKETCHY PHOTOGRAPHERS OFTEN WON'T EMAIL YOU OR PUT THINGS IN WRITING, AND WANT TO HAVE ALL AGREEMENTS VIA PHONE OR VERBALLY so should a problem arise, you would have a hard time disproving them. BEWARE photographers who only deal via the phone. I don't take calls from anyone about business until I get them to write me the details in an email. That way I have it in writing in the event that they don't follow through with their promises. MAKE SURE that any shoot that requires implied or any other kind of nudity is EXTRA detailed in the release form/contracts. And make sure to communicate what is and isn't okay in advance!

Now, all that said, the on-set approach is dependent on the photographer or client and YOU. If you are picky about WHO you do these types of shoots with, you are already going to ensure a little more confidence on set, since you chose a photographer you trust or know personally, someone who's work you are familiar with. You usually won't have to ask, but you can always request a "closed" set--where the only people there are vital to the shoot--you, the photographer possibly an assistant if needed and perhaps the makeup artist. On film and tv sets, obviously, the number of vital peeps go up quite a bit, but on still shoots, especially "artistic" ones--versus paid client gigs--the # of people on set should be very small.

Also, you should be picky about WHERE to shoot sets. NO PUBLIC places for nudity, unless you want to get arrested or to have Steve-the-guy-on-the-street taking his own images from whatever angle he's at and posting them on the web, or selling them to 1-900-DIAL-A-HO for their new ad campaign. If you make sure the location is private and discreet, you are making it a safer place to shoot. The safer you feel, the more you can relax and do your thing (and feel comfortable in your own skin!) and the better the shoot will be.

If the photographer knows what they are doing, they will help make you comfortable and relax so that you're all thinking about getting the best shot--not how you're naked on a set with people looking at you. If you choose professional people to work with, they should act professional. And if they don't, call them out on it! Remind them that if they aren't acting professionally YOU won't feel like acting professionally either! If they make inappropriate comments or if you feel like they are being creepy or lecherous, SPEAK UP! And if it continues, LEAVE! NO job or shoot is worth your dignity. And if they do it to you, you can bet they will do it to other models. People treat you the way you allow yourself to be treated. Don't put up with that sort of sh*t!

As for MY being on set nekkid, sometimes I am very modest, and covering everything up the whole time, just letting the minimum needed to show for the shot and staying covered on set, whereas at the last shoot with 2 photographer friends where I did implied, I was walking around in nothing but a tiny a g-string by the end, without thinking twice. But to even think of doing that on any other set, makes me blush! It's all about creating a safe environment and finding people you trust and feel comfortable with when its something so intimate.
 

Love and Pin-Ups! 
Heidi Van Horne 
www.HeidiVanHorne.com 
 
 

Bonus Photo #1!
Heidi Van Horne
Photo: Chad Michael Ward
Hair and Make Up: Jennifer Corona


 



 

A little about Heidi: "I starting acting in Texas at age 13, I have worked and trained as an actress in film, TV & commercials for most of my life, as well as working behind the lens on various projects. I have been shooting my own retro pinups since late 2003, when I started doing self-shot photos (just like Bunny Yeager did!) with a self timer and a tripod in my home. Since then, I've been on the cover of 3 books ("Hot Rod Pin Ups" by David Perry and MBI Publishing, "How to Be a Dominant Diva" by Avalon Press, and the new "Modern Vixens: World of Winytiki" by Octavio Arizala and Goliath Press) as well as being featured on the cover of 3 (and inside 2 other) Pin Up Calendars for 2007, magazine covers and countless layouts, features and interviews in counter-culture publications, as well as a few mainstream mags. I've gotten to work with tons of amazing companies and photographers, including original pinup, pinup photographer & living legend, Bunny Yeager--shooting on the same beach where she and Bettie Page made Pin Up history! Living in LA pursuing my acting, I've kept myself busy on the side shooting the genre I love the most- and I'm thrilled to see how the niche has grown and grown worldwide!" 

Have a question for Heidi? E-mail us and we'll send it along to her!
 


 
 

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