“But nobody has to see the nude for the picture taking to have benefit,” says Megan Ixim, branding expert, fat activist, and the founder and performer behind That Fat Babe. “Taking a photo can be a powerful way to celebrate your body, fight against body dysmorphia, and cultivate self-love.” You also need to worry about security and privacy, according to Javay Frye-Nekrasova, M.Ed., a sex educator with sex toy retailer Lovehoney. And that stands even if you’re never planning to send it to someone on your contact list or post the pictures to a public (or semipublic) page. “If you are someone who regularly passes your phone to others, you may want to store your nudes in a hidden folder or in a secure app like Photo Vault, which is password protected,” she says. Keep the virility of nude photos in mind when you’re trying to figure out what part of your body to snap, Carly S. suggests. “Consider that unique moles, scars, tattoos, and piercings can be used to identify you,” she adds. If you don’t want your body to be spotted, either angle those parts of your body out of frame, or cover them up either with makeup or in an editing app. PhotoDiva and RetouchMe are good apps for this. Finally, if you do plan to share your photo, make sure you get consent first. “You always need to ask before you send nudes to someone,” says Frye-Nekrasova. Yes, even if this is a person who has enjoyed your hotshots previously. “You need to make sure the timing is OK. After all, probably not the best idea to send a bunch of nudes when your partner is sitting in a meeting about a promotion.” Fair point! A simple, “Can I send you a nude right now?” works fine. But the more elaborate, “I got a little hot and bothered thinking about you and the fun we had together and took some pics of how you make me feel; is it OK if I send them to you?” works, too. This pre-picture practice can help ease any self-consciousness you may be feeling. “If you’re feeling confident, that will shine through in the picture,” she adds. “If you are trying to remain anonymous, you may also want to make sure the background of your photo won’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. Generally, it’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’s also something to be said about backlighting,” according to Ixim. “Backlighting can help create a very specific moodiness, so it’s worth playing around with.” Emo babes, this option is for you! “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. 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 your inner 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. “You can also play with the steam on the mirror or shower door [if it’s glass] so that you can only make out certain parts of your body,” she says. Not sure how to pose in front of the mirror? If you’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’re feeling more dominant, stay standing and hold the phone closer to your hips—this will make you look taller. No matter what the nude is for and how many other people are going to see it, don’t stress too much about getting the perfect shot. A clean background, experimentation, and a little creativity are all you need to have a successful solo photo shoot.
