Conducting Outdoor Nude Photo Shoots

[Imagebuffet]

I like to conduct outdoor nude photo shoots, but in trying to find locations and avoid legal issues, I've had difficulty determining how to get the necessary permissions and the the necessary precautions to take. I've gotten as far as locating the Dallas permitting department and contacting an insurance company for photographer's insurance. That hasn't helped me conduct any shoots, though.

I'm thinking that it would be a useful resource if someone could put together all the steps that need to be followed for the various cities within the Dallas Metroplex to conduct outdoor nude photo shoots. Any ideas on what should be included?

[groovyone]

Extra time on a treadmill and good running shoes?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

I could see how this would be a complicated potential legal issue. What was the purpose of the insurance? In case of lawsuit or arrest?

[Imagebuffet]

Originally Posted by groovyone

Extra time on a treadmill and good running shoes?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

I could see how this would be a complicated potential legal issue. What was the purpose of the insurance? In case of lawsuit or arrest?

It is my understanding that the Dallas permitting department will require the photographer to carry photographer's insurance before they will issue a permit. I understand that this is generally true of government-issued permits, such as for state parks.

[CobyPhoto]

I am not 100% sure on this, but it probably works something like TV production. If you want to use a public place for a nude shoot or production, then you will be responsible for the associated costs (police, security, etc.) to prevent people from entering the area and prevent complaints. Even in State Parks, National Parks etc. you have to abide by the law, and nudity in public would be an issue.

You are talking a pretty handsome exspense jusst to get some outdoor shoots with a nude model if you are using a venue that allows public traffic, normally.

My suggestion would be to find a private, seculded spot and work there. Unless you have a paying client that is willing to pick up the expense for the public location that you are shooting.

CJ

[Daniel W.]

Big piece of private property or a painted muslin that simulates outdoors?

[Imagebuffet]

Originally Posted by CobyPhoto

My suggestion would be to find a private, seculded spot and work there.

That is what I've been doing, and it has worked OK, so far. But, I would like to do more, and I would like to know how to make this work so I could take full advantage of my opportunities.

[CobyPhoto]

One answer...$$$$ To do it in a public place would cost.

CJ

[Imagebuffet]

Originally Posted by CobyPhoto

One answer...$$$$ To do it in a public place would cost.

CJ

To some extent. I've seen a range of $25 to $125 for a permit from the City of Dallas. I haven't seen them actually require all the extra personnel suggested in this thread, though a member of the permit department did recommend some, depending on my circumstances. But, the circumstances don't always require a lot of personnel to make them work.

[CobyPhoto]

If it is a public venue, open to public traffic, you would have to have the "extra personnel" to secure the area while you were doing a nude shoot. You would most likely have to have some way of preventing passers by from being "exposed" to nudity and the problems it could create. So yes, if it is in a public place, they may not require it, but how many images are you going to get when your model is arrested for public nudity (bet your permit doesn't specifically say you can do that) and you have to pay for bail and the fine.

Regardless of a permit, you still have to abide by the law...public nudity is against that law.

CJ

[Al Buckner]

Originally Posted by CobyPhoto

..... you have to abide by the law, and nudity in public would be an issue.... CJ

Interesting! Then why do I see reports (and blacked out photos), even TV stations reporting, that a big rock music fest or biker rally somewhere has lot of nudity (or at least toplessness) and the cops are walking around in the crowd.... and no-one is arrested?

Must be the big $$$$$ going into someone's pocket.

[Dokk]

Originally Posted by Al Buckner

Interesting! Then why do I see reports (and blacked out photos), even TV stations reporting, that a big rock music fest or biker rally somewhere has lot of nudity (or at least toplessness) and the cops are walking around in the crowd.... and no-one is arrested?

Must be the big $$$$$ going into someone's pocket.

Usually, in those cases, there are jsut too many people to arrest and not enough jail space. Most times, such venues nudity is brief and to be expected in some cases so law enforcement just turns a blind eye unless someone complains. (I'm sure in my case, I'd get a lot of complaints if was flashing my stuff, LOL)

BTW, whatever happened to making sure the coast is clear, drop the duds, take a few quick pics and get the heck outta dodge? Seems to work ok for me...

[CobyPhoto]

Originally Posted by Al Buckner

Interesting! Then why do I see reports (and blacked out photos), even TV stations reporting, that a big rock music fest or biker rally somewhere has lot of nudity (or at least toplessness) and the cops are walking around in the crowd.... and no-one is arrested?

Must be the big $$$$$ going into someone's pocket.

What Dokk said and if the venue is private property, then it might not be an issue. The point here is, go downtown Houston, Dallas etc. in a public park, with a nude model and you are going to cause a scene and ultimately (if they get there in time and it wasn't like Dokk said a quicky, drop shoot and run) you will be arrested. You can't go into a public place, get naked and do a photo shoot in when you are exposing others to that nudity and possibly disrupting traffic and use of that public venue.

CJ

[Al Buckner]

Originally Posted by Dokk

Usually, in those cases, there are just too many people to arrest and not enough jail space. ....

I like that idea... Let's just get a couple hundred (no, make that a thousand) nudes out for a group photo shoot. I'd be willing to volunteer to come shoot!

[Imagebuffet]

I think the both of you are looking for the most disruptive, sensational examples you could imagine. I didn't say that my shoots were in downtown Dallas (though, I would like to do that, too). I usually shoot out in the woods. These are public areas, and anyone is allowed there, but not very many go there.

As I understand the State laws, nudity is illegal if someone is present who is likely to be frightened or offended by the display of erogenous zones. Local ordinances may vary, but most are based on the State law.

Per my conversations with the permitting department, a permit is necessary for permission to conduct activities that are illegal, such as high-speed car chases, explosions, setting fires or public nudity. A permit is required for nudity even on private property if it is possible for someone off the property to observe the nudity.

I don't do the "drop-shoot-run" technique (unless I have to). I spend 2-6 hours conducting a photo shoot, and I need the freedom to compose and move around and just plain stare at the model. So, none of this drop-and-run stuff.

[dfwlens]

Maybe a decade ago there were 911 calls about a couple having sex in public in downtown Dallas. The cops showed up and sure enough, the were going at it in full view in front of a camera. For any of us that's public lewdness, good for up to a year in the pokey (pun intended) .

The guy in charge pulls out a film permit for the location from city hall and it worked like a garlic on vampire. Im sure when they went down and got the permit they didnt say they were going to film hardcore out in public, but they got it. The finished filming and left.

In Austin years ago there was a girl that took it up on herself to walk buck naked down 6th street. She was arrested for disorderly conduct ( a ticket misdemeanor) and took it to trial. Turnes out, ladyjaybird was a UT law student. She put the arresting officer on the stand, had him read the law (display genitals in public place). She then had him concede that genitals on a female are internal, that she wasnt out spreading herself like a pole dancer, just walking around. She beat the charge and made it onto the wire services.

Both stories more trivia than strategy. But FWIW, there is nothing is state law that says a woman cant have breasts showing in a public place. If there's nothing in the ordinances where u plan to shoot, then it ain't illegal.

Maybe you can be a triva news story too.