Body Painting Jobs
By Shawn Petrovich of Totally Ripped of Los Angeles, which specializes in photography and video of fitness models.
If you have read our other career advice for male models, you know that we stress that because there is a lot of competition in the industry, you should take steps to make yourself "stick out" from the crowd. Choosing that one smart tactic that gets you noticed can do wonders for your modeling career - especially if you are starting out. That is why becoming a Campus Man can help so many guys who are just starting their career, because being a Campus Man allows guys to develop a Fanbase that can be used to support their career efforts.
However, not every tactic can be good for your career, and some modeling jobs can make you look just plain stupid.
One type of modeling job that has the potential of being wither tremendously helpful to your career or highly embarrassing is body painting jobs. You should be highly selective with whom you work, keep the nature of the design applied to your body and the pose from being too sexual in nature.
A Photo from an Abercrombie and Fitch Quarterly Issue
Body Painting Can Go Wrong Easily: Avoid Bad Designs on Your Body
Most importantly, if you are a male model, you need to know that the design applied to your body will be masculine and helpful to your career. Many artists want to paint on flowers and other avant guard images. Once again, obtain a copy of the design and pass it by friends and family before you agree to do the job. They can be your best nudges of what looks good. don't leave them out of the process and later surprise them with an distasteful, effeminate photo or pose.
Ask to See The Design Before Agreeing to a Body Painting Job
You need to know exact what will occur, what will occur and what it will "look" like - before you agree to the job!
Ask to see the design before it is applied to your body. This is your body, your image and your brand. You have the right to know how your brand will be depicted before the shoot. You don't just agree to whatever the artist wants to paint!
Most professionals pre-design their creative work using storyboards. For example, the artists that worked with the Sports Illustrated "painted on swimsuits" did not simple have top models show up and "decide what to paint." They planned out the entire shoot from start to finish.
If a realistic design is used, you have a less chance of resulting in an embarrassing photo. For example, if the artist wants to have a photo that shows you seeming to be wearing tighty-whiteys or a swimsuit, your chances of having a positive experience is higher. Many goofball artists will not want to do realism because it is much easier for them to get some male model naked and paint on stupid flowers.
If realism works for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, you have a higher chance of realism also working on you - as a male model.
If your painter is unwilling or unable to show you a mock up of the design that will be applied to your body before the first cap is unscrewed from any jar or tube of paint, you are probably working with an amateur. Statements such as "I work freestyle and decide what to paint spontaneously" are unacceptable. A professional will not get upset or be threatened by your asking, for these steps. If anything, a professional will have more respect for you as a professional.
You need to demand the same standards. If an artist won't show you what will be painted on your body, don't agree to do the job. Lazy artists are often unprofessional artists. Don't work with amateurs.
Avoid Sexually-Charged Designs
Being nude with paint on your bare skin is already by nature risque and "sexy." There is no need to make the design applied to your body to be overly sexual. Even a tame design applied to a naked body will be automatically risque. This means the design should not make your penis the main "focal point."
Getting Felt Up While Paint is Applied
Shawn Petrovich of Los Angeles-based Totally Ripped Photography frequently uses body makeup when covering tan lines. Petrovich warns models working with artists for the first time: "Watch out for the pervert factor."
"Painting on naked skin is a perfect opportunity for a non-professional to 'feel up' a model."
People who cannot normally have sex with you might use a body painting job to take it to the edge. It is easy to stick in an unneeded stroke, caress or sexualized act when the artist is inches from your naked body. You need to be your own advocate for safety and professionalism during the procedure.
The Day of the "Real" Photo Shoot
The application of body makeup should be treated highly professionally and you should be informed well-in advance of what will occur before you show up for the job.
The painting should be done in a professional setting, without an audience. There should not be numerous and random people at the shoot whenever a model is nude. Don't be afraid to ask to bring a chaperone to attend the procedure if you have never worked with the artist before.
Be aware of all photos and video that are produced during the session. If you body hair must be shaved, will footage of your body being shaved be plastered on the internet? Be aware of what your model release agrees to publish.
Consider the Pose & Establish Poses Days Prior to the "Real" Shoot
The pose is also important. A good painted-on design can be ruined by a poor choice for a pose. How will your body be posed after the paint is applied? Will your painted butt be shown or will frontal nudity be seen in the photo? You should practice the pose and be fully aware of the exact position of your body before the shoot. When you show up for the "real" shoot, you should already know your pose!
In summary, body painting jobs are usually embarrassing to a model's career because it is so easy for them to be non-professional overly sexual. Protect your career by requiring the design be planned and shown to you before you agree to do the job. Show the design to family and friends and only agree to do the job when the overall reaction from them is positive for your career.
