Expert: Kitty Kavey - 4/6/2004

Question
This isn't so much a question, but more of a request for your opinion.  My girlfriend is an amateur model and has had limited success.  Of course she is constantly bombarded with offers to do nude work.  She has been opposed to it, but the temptation of money and frustration with fashion modeling are changing her outlook.  She's even thought about doing nudes under a fictitious name.  Anyway, I was just wondering if you ever did nudes, and what your opinion is on it.  Would it have possitive or negative effects on her career?  Any thoughts would be appreciated.  Thanks for your time.

Answer
My first suggestion is to get a good agent.  It is difficult to earn a living and be a professional working model by oneself.  It would also eliminate any questionable or nude offers of work.  However, there are people who prefer to work freelance, without an agent.  If your girlfriend is working as a model just to make money, there is certainly quite a bit of money to be made in adult modeling.  She would have to decide what her goals are in the industry and her personal life, and if doing nude work would conflict with that.  For example, if she is planning to have children, go into acting, or apply for a position where a background check might "reveal" her previous work--what are her feelings on that?  If she thinks she might be embarrassed, or would want to "hide" any nude work--my suggestion is absolutely do not do it.  If, on the other hand, it is not something she would feel the need to hide, and her family/friends are fine with it, and she feels comfortable, then go for it--so long as her career goals are to move in that direction.  Personally, I have nothing against adult modeling.  It's just not something that's appropriate for me at this time.
Best of luck to you both,
~Kitty