Classy vs. Trashy: Women in Photography

We’ve all seen them on instagram, on ads: pictures of scantily clad women meant to be sexy… but they just look trashy.

TRASHY adjective

\ ˈtra-shē \

trash​i​er; trash​i​est

Collegiate Definition

1 : INDECENT

2 : being, resembling, or containing trash : of inferior quality

I’m not talking indecency here. Indecency can be sexy. I’m talking inferior quality. Who wants to take or be in a photo of inferior quality?

Personally, I’m all for whatever makes someone feel great about themselves; but I’m also of the opinion that, as my mom used to say: “sometimes the sexiest things are the ones you can’t see: the suggestions of what’s beneath.”

Writer/Actor Breanna Maloney

The biggest problem I have with these shots is that they’re usually taken by amateur male photographers who, seemingly, are just looking for an excuse to get models in their skivvies in studio. I’ve had offers to pose for these kinds of shots. As a model just starting out, it may seem tempting to accept these offers; you need to fill your portfolio. If you choose to work with these guys, I would say, at the very least, do not go alone. Sure, most of the time you’ll be completely safe, but on the off-chance that you’re alone in a studio with a man you don’t know, half-naked, and they say - or even do - something that doesn’t sit right, it’s better to have someone there to back you up or even just to validate your own reaction to this behaviour. It’s not just about feeling safe. It’s about feeling respected, and treated with dignity.

What makes partial nudes trashy?

Partial or full nudes can be really classy and beautiful. What makes them trashy is something like when you wear bright red lipstick with dark eyes: we don’t know where to look, and because there is so much boldness going on the look ends up coming across as garish. We’re already looking at something which is essentially both vulnerable and sensual. If you “kick it up a notch” with an intentionally “sexy” glare into camera, lip-lick or lip-nibble, it travels quickly into the realm of information overload. If you’re going for classy, trust that your wardrobe (or lack thereof) is already creating a sense of sex appeal paired with *AND READ HERE* your personality.

Some might not think modelling requires personality, but trust me: who you are shines through every photo, whether you’re posing or being captured in a candid way.

Five Keys to ensuring your photos are classy:

Singer/Songwriter Jemuel Roberts

1. Don’t overdo it. Trust the sensuality of the look, and find an honest place to be in it.

2. Don’t perform “sexy.” The sexiest people don’t know they are. It’s that classic model joke… “I’m aware of you [camera] but I’m just looking at something mildly interesting over there.”

3. Trust your audience. Don’t hit us over the head with your hotness. Just be you and know that we’ll see how hot you are.

4. Communicate with your photographer. Make sure you feel safe, make sure you feel good. If you don’t: any discomfort you feel will show in the photo and undermine what you’re trying to achieve. Also, if you are a model and you know there will be partial or full nudity required in a shoot, it is never too much to ask that there be an intimacy coordinator present. Intimacy coordinators help facilitate safe and appropriate communication, and act as an advocate for your safety.

5. Lighting! If you’re modeling it’s not really your job to set this up.. but if the photographer has got you in full light with no shadows and you’re barely clothed it leaves nothing to the imagination. There are respectful ways to suggest to the photographer that you do some in lower lighting, or warmer lighting. Unless you’re doing something really stylized (like a pinup look) this can take a shot from looking like a Sears photo gone naughty to something artistic.

That’s it, folks!! Stay safe, have fun, and keep it classy!