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!
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!
View Heidi's Femme Fatale
Page>>>