Taking a nude photo is one of the most liberating things you can do. But the concern that the photo could be stolen or circulated without your consent is likely to be at the forefront of your mind. Provided you’re with a consenting adult and your partner is enthusiastic about developing this side of your relationship, there should be nothing stopping you from taking nudes.
Sharing nudes with other people without the owner’s consent is abuse no matter how you look at it. If you want to be comfortable taking and sending nudes, you need to fight back against the idea that “you shouldn’t take nudes if you don’t want people to see them”. Make sure you are contributing towards a nude-shaming free world.
Sending better nudes is about more than just getting the right angles and lighting. Like discovering BDSM for the first time, there are ground rules to establish and etiquette to follow. These are our top tips for sending better nudes.
Be comfortable playing around and spending a little time figuring out your angles. You’re not catfishing anyone when you take a super flattering photo, you’re simply playing with the camera. The first photo you take won’t be your best, so don’t be afraid to fill your camera reel with a few rejects. Don’t be afraid to experiment to find something that works. A photo of your mirror taken from across the room could keep most things under wraps while still giving your partner an eye full.
There are a few steps you can take to prevent your nudes from falling into the wrong hands. Make sure your phone has password protection and turn off message preview notifications. Having remote access to your phone so you can wipe the contents if it goes missing will also give you some peace of mind. Also be wary about automatically uploading your photos to the cloud, particularly if these are then easily accessible from your computer. And finally, never use a work phone to send nudes.
Before you hit send, make sure your partner is on the same page. An unprompted nude could land someone in hot water if they open it at work or with their parents. Establish a code that indicates if you’re in a position to sext or send nudes. You might have a code word to signal you’re ready to play or that you need it to stop. This can be helpful if you’re trying to get in the mood while you’re both at work.
Your photo doesn’t have to be crystal clear to be effective. Play with the focus and see if you can create something enticing and playful. Your bedroom eyes in focus with your naked body out of focus can be incredibly effective. With soft lighting and good framing, this could help to hide anything that makes you hesitant to share nudes.
An extreme close up of your most intimate regions might leave your partner guessing and wondering all day. A nude doesn’t have to be easily distinguishable – some of the best nudes leave the other person thinking and wondering all day long. A close-up nipple or clitoris shot could be mysterious and enticing.
Not feeling very sexy today. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be the subject of every sexy photo you send. Take a photo of your vibrator right after you’ve used it. Or take a photo of the lingerie you’re planning to wear tonight. Anything that lets your partner’s imagination run wild is sure to get their engine running long before they make it home.
Art has become a lot more liberated and free, so you can find erotic inspiration all around you. Take inspiration from the Instagram models you know your partner follows, or the ones that make you feel empowered with everything they post. Explore different aesthetics and don’t settle for what seems most like “you”. The best part about sending nudes is that you can be anyone you want to be, and this will be a huge source of stimulation to your partner.
