When evaluating any assignment there are three aspects that need to be considered: INTENT, USE, and DRESS. Many beginning models are only concerned about what they will be wearing (the dress or wardrobe). What they really should be asking is why are the photos needed, and how will they be used. It would be foolish of a model to base his or her decision to pose simply on the type of clothing or level of dress required for the photos. The intent and use of the images are also very important. If a model poses in a conservative business suit and then ends up as the main photo for an article about STDs the model may be horrified and embarrassed by the use of the photo.
Intent: "What is the intent of the assignment?"
There are many different categories of intent; here are a few, but there are many more:
Clothing display:
Runway work or photography for commercial advertising, promotion, catalogs, or product use
Acting or performing:
Commercials, TV, or theatrical or film productions
Spokes modeling:
Greeting the public at tradeshows and conventions
Photographer projects:
Photography for portfolios, personal projects (model's, photographer's, or art director's)
Use: "What will the final product be used for?"
Product promotion, printed advertising, catalogs, posters, postcards, greeting cards, calendars, T-shirts, advertising promotions, internet publications, fashion tests of outfits by designers, packaging labels, illustration guides, stock use, gallery-oriented artwork, artwork books, private sale to collectors, magazines, book covers, the list goes on.
Dress: "What will you be wearing, or not wearing, during the assignment?"
Casual:
T-shirts, jeans, golf shirts, slacks, khakis, summer or sundresses, shorts, etc.
Eveningwear:
Gowns and tuxedos
Business:
Suits, skirts, and conservative dresses
Swimsuit:
Swimsuits, bikinis, thongs, cover-ups, etc.
Lingerie:
All types of undergarments and nightwear, including sheer fabrics.
Glamour:
Tasteful lingerie, topless or nude.
Art:
Usually means nude poses, but can include any artistic project.
Art Nude:
Definitely means nude poses, models' faces often do not appear in photos.
Erotica Art:
Artwork poses that may include genitals exposed, may include sexual themes.
Adult, softcore:
Adult material, excluding actual sexual intercourse with other models.
Adult, hardcore:
Adult material, including actual sexual intercourse with other models.
Alternate Definitions:
Casual/Fashion:
Includes street clothes, regular swimwear and possibly character costumes.
Non-Sheer Lingerie:
Lingerie that is not see-through. Includes swimwear with thong bottoms.
Implied Nude:
Model keeps clothing on, however images do not show any clothing, implying none are worn.
Covered Nude:
Model is nude, but with some sort of opaque drape, prop, or even limbs covering private areas.
Sheer:
Private areas are somewhat visible through a sheer material. Material may be clothing or something else.
Semi-nude:
Models breasts and possibly behind are visible at the same time as models face.
Art Nude:
Full nude, interestingly framed, strangely posed, or oddly lighted so as to look artistic.
Figure Nude:
Full nude, light is direct, expression is neutral, little to no makeup is worn.
Casual Nude:
Full Nude, casually posed, full-body pictures of model in direct lighting.
Glamour Nude:
Full Nude, provocative expressions, sensual poses. Think "Playboy".
Adult Nude:
Full Nude, Sexually explicit poses. Model may be engaging in, or suggesting to be about to engage in sexual activities (adult toys, etc.)
Looking at the definitions above, it s not hard to see why the terminology used to describe job assignments confuses many models. The above terminology may help, but always verify what is meant before accepting an assignment. Note that the definitions do not go by volume of skin exposed, as a model wearing a bikini is a lot closer to nude than a model wearing a crotch-less bodysuit. The first isn't even semi-nude and the second probably equates to at least nude.
