BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

Photography Question 

Corine Stacks
 

Bare Babies


I am a mother of 2 children (4 yr old girl and 2 yr old boy). I took a photography class from a local photographer based on natural lighting. I took some photos of my son (then 18 mos.) sitting naked with only some flowers in his lap covering up his private area. Some people that I have shown the photos to say that it is illegal to take these types of photos. Is this true? They were are not meant to be dirty, but meant to be artistic with the softness that natural light gives to photos and the innocence of a baby. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.


To love this question, log in above
April 11, 2004

 
pcmlphotography.com - Pamela C.M Lammersen

BetterPhoto Member
Contact Pamela C.M Lammersen
Pamela C.M Lammersen's Gallery
  Hello Corine,
from the discription of the shot you took it doesnt sound like there is anything wrong with it to me. Especially as you had flowers 'you know where' :-) . If your shots were explicit, of course, they would be illegal but they are your children, you had a great subject, covered up what needed to be, and I bet it turned out really cute for your project.
I just had a shoot this weekend with a 5 mth old baby boy and some of the cutest photos of a baby are the nudes. People are very sensitive now days with lots of things that years ago no one thought to worry about. I reckon that if you had everything covered you are fine, there is a big difference between nudes and 'porn' but there again this is my own personal feelings and I am sure there is alot of people that dont agree.
-Pamela


To love this comment, log in above
April 12, 2004

 

Corine Stacks
  Pamela,

Thanks for your input. I feel the same way as you. I realize that people are more sensitive now and I know that some photographs are not for everyone.

Maybe it was because my son was 18 mos. old in the photo. As a photographer, what age do you think is too old for these types of pictures?


To love this comment, log in above
April 12, 2004

 

Diane T. Phillips
  Hi Corine, I have worked for two different photo companies and photographed many, many kids. The first company I worked for didn't allow us to photograph anyone nude. The second one allowed us to photograph children up to 18 months nude as long as we did as you did and kept it in good taste. Hope this helped. Diane


To love this comment, log in above
April 15, 2004

 

Carol J. Guernsey
  Your photo sounds adorable. I worked in a photolab and now work in social services. The rules of the lab werereporting anything illegal (cruelty or sexual acts -animals or people). You covered the area that a bathing suit would cover. 18 months and younger is a good rule of thumb, however there are plenty of print ads of toddlers and preschoolers with bare behinds and this seems to be fine with the majority of the population. When I worked in the photolab I learned many people take pictures of adults in states of undress - we prinyed the ones that weren't too graphic. There was a lovely older woman who would finish off each roll of film with a nudie shot of her husband exiting the shower, she would always giggle when she received her prints.
Keep being creative!


To love this comment, log in above
April 17, 2004

 

Chuck Freeman
  Just watch for the politically correct NAZIS who do not mind killing an unborne child, but detest a bare photo of a small, child. Use common sense and know your developer


To love this comment, log in above
July 26, 2004

 
- Gregory LaGrange

BetterPhoto Member
Contact Gregory LaGrange
Gregory LaGrange's Gallery
  I see the bride of Chucky didn't do anything to calm Chucky down.

can nazis be politically correct?


To love this comment, log in above
July 26, 2004

 

Nancy Grace Chen
  Hi Corine. I personally think bare baby pics are adorable, but you should probably be reeeeally careful about posting them on the net... even if you meant it in an adorable, artistic way, remember that there are sickos everywhere. Someone may see it differently or even download it and use editing software on it. Just be careful.

Nancy


To love this comment, log in above
July 26, 2004

 

Lisa Lenderink
  Hi Corine! Those are my favorite baby shots to take. You just can't beat those baby dimples. They don't stay that way for long. I agree with everyone else, as long as you try to keep their privates private....I've never had any problem getting mine developed and the only comments I get are of how great those shots are! I usually stop with the nakey baby shots at about a year....anything after that and good luck covering anything up as you are shooting a moving target! :)


To love this comment, log in above
July 26, 2004

 
Log in to respond or ask your own question.