There are lots of reasons someone might want to take a nude picture. For couples, snapping and sharing nudes can be a powerful way to minimize the miles between them, initiate intimacy,spice up a sext, and celebrate (or tease) one another. For influencers, models, and sex workers, nudes and partial nudes can also act as an effective marketing tool and income generator.
"But nobody has to see the nude for the picture taking to have benefit," saysMegan Ixim, branding expert, fat activist, and the founder and performer behindThat Fat Babe. "Taking a photo can be a powerful way to celebrate your body, fight against body dysmorphia, and cultivate selflove."
But how do you take a good nude, exactly? Ahead, your ultimate guide to snapping a saucy, sensual, or seductive selfie from the very first click.
Tips to take the best pics:
1.Give yourself a pep talk ahead of time.
Before you start snapping, list out some of the things you like about your body, suggests Carly. S. "Talk to yourself the way you would talk to your best friend before a photo shoot," she says. "You would never talk shit about your best friend or their body, so don&39;t talk shit about yourself or your own body."
This prepicture practice can help ease any selfconsciousness you may be feeling. "If you&39;re feeling confident, that will shine through in the picture," she adds.
2.Clean your space.
You wouldn&39;t take your wedding pics in front of a Dumpster, would you? Well, you shouldn&39;t take nudes in front of a pile of trash, either. Ahead of clickclickclicking away, FryeNekrasova recommends cleaning your space.
"If you are trying to remain anonymous, you may also want to make sure the background of your photo won&39;t have any signifiers in the background," she notes. College university paraphernalia, photos of friends and family, and piles of mail should all be removed from the room.
3.Find your light.
Fear not, finding the best lighting is easier than it sounds at first! "Set your phone to the frontfacing camera. Then, take 20 seconds and spin around the room paying attention to the way your body reflects the light," suggests Ixim.
Generally, it&39;s considered best practice to position the light in front of your body, according to Carly S. For instance, taking a selfie in front of a window can result in some fire emoji shots.
"But there&39;s also something to be said about backlighting," according to Ixim. "Backlighting can help create a very specific moodiness, so it&39;s worth playing around with." Emo babes, this option is for you!
4.Experiment with angle.
"Having your phone slightly above you is typically the more flattering angle," according to Carly S. Shooting high above your body typically allows you to capture more of your silhouette compared to at face or eye level.
"But play around with what feels good for you and best highlights the parts of your body you want to highlight," she adds. For instance, if you want to accentuate the length, tone, or strength of your legs, you might experiment with shooting from the ground up.
5.Don&39;tfeel like you need to drop dough on equipment.
If you want to drop big bucks on a fancy camera and tripod, go for it. But Ixim says it&39;s really not necessary. "Honestly, you can get some really great shots with just a water bottle to prop your phone against and the selftimer feature," says Ixim.
6.Bring in blankets.
"There is something to be said about having the majority of your body covered while still giving off an aura of sexuality," says Ixim. One of the best ways to do that, she says, is by lying on your bed and draping a throw blanket or sheet over your body artfully. "You might play around with showcasing some side hip and neck," she says. Or maybe you experiment with flashing a little side boob or bum.
7.Make bath bubbles your best friend.
If you want to take a playful partial nude, consider grabbing a bottle of bubbles and running yourself a bath. "Covering your nipples and genitals with bubbles is an incredibly fun way to give the illusion of sending a nude, without actually sending a nude," says Ixim.
Because your hands are going to get soapy, set your phone up on a tripod and start a video. Then, splish, splash, and smile as the video records you connecting with yourinner child. When the bathtub is over, dry your hands, scroll through the video, and screenshot the best stills.
Of course, you could also just invest in a waterproof phone case and go nuts taking selfies while splashing about.
8.Post up postshower.
Even if a bath isn&39;t your thing or isn&39;t accessible, there are ways for you to snap steamy nudes, too. "Attach your camera or phone to the mirror across from your shower, and allow yourself to be captured stepping out of the shower," suggests Ixim. Whether your shower is enclosed with a shower curtain or sliding door,this option allows you to show off as much or as little of your justwashed body as you&39;d like.
"You can also play with the steam on the mirror or shower door [if it&39;s glass] so that you can only make out certain parts of your body," she says.
9.Don&39;t snooze on the mirror selfie.
"Sometimes a mirror selfie really is the best way to get a booty picture," says Carly S. Furthermore, it&39;s fast! All you have to do is pose, take, and send.
Not sure how to pose in front of the mirror? If you&39;re feeling submissive, try kneeling in front of the mirror and position the camera at eye height.This position is a great way of showing the receiver how good you look on your knees.
If you&39;re feeling more dominant, stay standing and hold the phone closer to your hips—this will make you look taller.
