Richard Kern's erotic photog guide -- finding the right model

FINDING A MODEL

Avoid the professional nudie models. "I've never ever used them. These are girls who are working, making a living as nude models. They usually get jobs with some guy who's a lawyer who wants to shoot their feet."

First timers are the best. "They haven't learned how to look in photos, so they just have a certain look in their eye that is hard to get with a model who's done a lot of work. They seem kind of like, 'What am I doing here?' Which is always a good look."

Trusty Craigslist. "My favorite model now I found on Craigslist, which I've done maybe three times. She wrote, 'I've never modeled; I was just looking for a way to make some extra money.' I've shot her six or seven times now and got really good stuff. She said, 'I was looking for something fun to do while I was out of school for the summer.' ... Those models are the best. [I've] gotten maybe three really good models from Craigslist."



Should you choose models for personality or aesthetics? "Purely aesthetic. And also, it depends on how much they've shot before. If it's something they're doing every day, they're generally not as bouncy or as fun to shoot as if it's their first time and they really awkward and innocent. Try shooting someone from LA who's shot for porn magazines. It's like you're in a grindhouse. They can run through the poses real fast, but they look used. Sorry if I'm being blunt here."

Build trust with new models. "These days what I try to do is ask them to come by and talk to me for a few minutes. First, I can make sure they're gonna show up. Second, I find out what their limits are. And third, and this is a big one, is to see what they actually look like! I ask them, 'What are your limits? You're topless, you're naked, you want to do crazy stuff, what do you want to do?' Just ask them."