ABOUT PHIL YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHY
LEVELS
This is a vital area to mention. I have seen so many different versions of levels on various sites and various understandings of models on those sites as to what a posing level actually means. What is lingerie? Some think see through is okay, some not. What is nude? Is nude the same as art nude? Especially with new models, they hear a term and have their own understanding of what it means, but I think you don't want a photographer hiring you to shoot topless and the model having her hands covering her boobs the whole shoot but thinking it is topless as she has no top on. Believe me, I have heard stories and seen pre shoot comms these misunderstandings. Much like my page on Chaperones, I'm not so much saying this is right or this is wrong, it's just in the work I did for my sites, this is how my members saw it, so it was how I shot and described it.
I always aim to have my levels below cleared with a model before a shoot of any nudity, and shoot that level on the day. Anything outside of these levels should be discussed with me before the shoot and any questions should also be asked pre shoot to modelsofaj@hotmail.com
These are my more clearly defined levels:
1 - Clothed - As it says, but people can walk into a shop and see you clothed.
2 - Swimwear - Surprisingly wearing swimwear.
3 – Lingerie non sheer – So wearing anything lingerie but no nipples or anything seen through the material
4 - See thru – lingerie or other see thru clothing. Includes blouse or tops, basically if nipples can be seen through material, it fits here.
5 - Topless hands and / or hair across. In essence, topless but no nips or lower frontal showing.
6 - Artistic Nude - the model has no clothes on, but due to lighting or hands or other body parts covering her up, nothing boob or lower frontal is seen. Whether a bum can be seen and how much needs clarifying. Same applies to side of boobs appearing in a shot but no nipple seen for sure. This is a very broad area and it's better to know that ask for something and the model think you are pushing her levels.
6 - Topless. This is basically for me where the model has no top on and nipples can be seen. Whether this is shot in conjunction with art nude (ie the model does or does not having panties on) again needs to be clarified pre shoot.
7 – Fully Nude - pubic area showing. Also nipples allowed. There are a fair few sites out there that have models nude and lower areas showing, but they don't want their nipples seen. Most members of sites don't want that, so I shoot nude to be lower frontal and nipples allowed. Anything else is back to art nude.
8 - American nude - legs spread - showing all the wonders therein.
9 - Continental - putting fingers and toys inside.
I apologise if any offense is caused by the frankness of the descriptions, but it is nothing to the awkwardness of a photographer and model thinking a shoot meant different things. Pre comms are vital to sort these problems out and I will only shoot once levels and all other aspects are agreed. Once I have agreed a shoot with a model, any change in levels (upwards) must come from her.
If you wish to write to me in regards to a shoot, please email modelsofaj@hotmail.com
Thanks for Reading,
Phil