Emmas Story
Have you ever wanted to pose nude for a photographer? Emma Scott did & here’s her story.
‘What have you always wanted to do, but have never done?’ my best friend asked me whilst handed me my third glass of wine. I gazed around our circle of friends in the pub. All eyes were on me, eagerly awaiting my reply. I gave a standard cliché response. Swimming with dolphins, marry Brad Pitt; write a book etc, but at the back of my mind, I had grand illusions of posing nude. I daren’t say, so I quickly threw the question back at one of the quieter girls sat round the table. She amazed me when she told me her dream was also to pose nude. She further amazed me when she said that her husband had loved the pictures! She had done it! This, I must see! Surely not?
Later that week she showed me her portfolio, not terrible impressions of a playboy centrefold. But sensual & intimate nude photographs. Her husband loved the prints. She told me that several where on show in her bedroom, for them to treasure. If she could do it, so could I!
So here I found myself at 10.30 am on a Thursday morning, stone cold sober sitting in my car feeling more like I was going to a job interview than a photo shoot. The studio, a converted period building looked smaller than I imagined, I took a deep breath & walked in, inside I was pleased to find it both warm & welcoming.
The photographer, Mark, introduced himself & the make-up artist Sharon & offered a cuppa. With coffee & biscuits in hand we went through some paperwork confirming I was over eighteen, a few ‘rules’ to keep everyone safe & the level of nudity I wanted to work towards; we then looked through books with sample images so they could better understand the style of images I desired.
As for many woman being photographed naked has always been a quiet fantasy, I know all to well that I don’t have a ‘perfect 10’ figure & at 36 my body has seen better days, however I was here now, to late to change my mind so I may as well ‘go for it!’ after all I would be the only person who would see the pictures (unless of course I looked amazing, then I’ll show everyone whose interested & a few that aren’t!)
The experience started with Sharon removing all my make-up & applying very natural make-up whilst chatting about make-up tips & how beautiful the resulting photography will be, then came the moment of truth.
Luckily the first poses were sitting down as this helped hide the fact I was visibly shaking, Mark had sheets full of tasteful poses which I self consciously copied; with mark directing me, chin down a bit, relax your shoulders; I did as I was told.
After about half an hour I started to enjoy the clicking of the camera & relaxed into the fantasy role of being the total centre of attention of a professional photographer & make-up artist / stylist.
During the shoot both Mark & Sharon were listening to my ideas & suggesting poses, the session was very relaxed & fun with as many costume, hair & make-up changes as I wished, four hours later I’d pranced around the studio in only high heels, I’d rolled around on a sheepskin rug wearing only a smile & vamped it up in black lingerie & gothic make-up, when the time was up I felt liberated & proud that I had achieved my dream.
Two weeks later my heart raced when the postman called for me to sign for the plain package I knew to be the photos, I poured a large glass of red wine, took a deep breath & slowly removed the portfolio, the four large printed images and a cd slideshow of around 35 photographs to music gave me a new confidence, Mark had captured me in moments of unselfconscious nakedness. My critical eye headed straight for the cellulite & stretch marks, however thankfully either the soft lighting or maybe delicate airbrush & black & white film worked wonders.
I got to see myself looking sexy, this was a revelation for me, the first time I got to see myself looking sexy through someone else’s eyes & not as I see myself in front of a mirror focusing on every imperfection.
The only problem now is I am so familiar with the pictures I want to show them to everyone.
So next time you feel like doing something a little different I can recommend a studio with a good photographer & make-up artist & so what if the camera doesn’t always tell the whole truth? You can still enjoy the results & move on to the next item on the list - now where’s Brad Pitt?!
‘What have you always wanted to do, but have never done?’ my best friend asked me whilst handed me my third glass of wine. I gazed around our circle of friends in the pub. All eyes were on me, eagerly awaiting my reply. I gave a standard cliché response. Swimming with dolphins, marry Brad Pitt; write a book etc, but at the back of my mind, I had grand illusions of posing nude. I daren’t say, so I quickly threw the question back at one of the quieter girls sat round the table. She amazed me when she told me her dream was also to pose nude. She further amazed me when she said that her husband had loved the pictures! She had done it! This, I must see! Surely not?
Later that week she showed me her portfolio, not terrible impressions of a playboy centrefold. But sensual & intimate nude photographs. Her husband loved the prints. She told me that several where on show in her bedroom, for them to treasure. If she could do it, so could I!
So here I found myself at 10.30 am on a Thursday morning, stone cold sober sitting in my car feeling more like I was going to a job interview than a photo shoot. The studio, a converted period building looked smaller than I imagined, I took a deep breath & walked in, inside I was pleased to find it both warm & welcoming.
The photographer, Mark, introduced himself & the make-up artist Sharon & offered a cuppa. With coffee & biscuits in hand we went through some paperwork confirming I was over eighteen, a few ‘rules’ to keep everyone safe & the level of nudity I wanted to work towards; we then looked through books with sample images so they could better understand the style of images I desired.
As for many woman being photographed naked has always been a quiet fantasy, I know all to well that I don’t have a ‘perfect 10’ figure & at 36 my body has seen better days, however I was here now, to late to change my mind so I may as well ‘go for it!’ after all I would be the only person who would see the pictures (unless of course I looked amazing, then I’ll show everyone whose interested & a few that aren’t!)
The experience started with Sharon removing all my make-up & applying very natural make-up whilst chatting about make-up tips & how beautiful the resulting photography will be, then came the moment of truth.
Luckily the first poses were sitting down as this helped hide the fact I was visibly shaking, Mark had sheets full of tasteful poses which I self consciously copied; with mark directing me, chin down a bit, relax your shoulders; I did as I was told.
After about half an hour I started to enjoy the clicking of the camera & relaxed into the fantasy role of being the total centre of attention of a professional photographer & make-up artist / stylist.
During the shoot both Mark & Sharon were listening to my ideas & suggesting poses, the session was very relaxed & fun with as many costume, hair & make-up changes as I wished, four hours later I’d pranced around the studio in only high heels, I’d rolled around on a sheepskin rug wearing only a smile & vamped it up in black lingerie & gothic make-up, when the time was up I felt liberated & proud that I had achieved my dream.
Two weeks later my heart raced when the postman called for me to sign for the plain package I knew to be the photos, I poured a large glass of red wine, took a deep breath & slowly removed the portfolio, the four large printed images and a cd slideshow of around 35 photographs to music gave me a new confidence, Mark had captured me in moments of unselfconscious nakedness. My critical eye headed straight for the cellulite & stretch marks, however thankfully either the soft lighting or maybe delicate airbrush & black & white film worked wonders.
I got to see myself looking sexy, this was a revelation for me, the first time I got to see myself looking sexy through someone else’s eyes & not as I see myself in front of a mirror focusing on every imperfection.
The only problem now is I am so familiar with the pictures I want to show them to everyone.
So next time you feel like doing something a little different I can recommend a studio with a good photographer & make-up artist & so what if the camera doesn’t always tell the whole truth? You can still enjoy the results & move on to the next item on the list - now where’s Brad Pitt?!
