Nude Photography, Bisexuality, & Ethics?

I am a photographer, and often shoot artistic nudes. One of my girlfriends might like to have me do some pics of her. The pics themselves won't show much, but she'll have to be fully or partially nude to pose for them.

Here's the thing...we are quite close, but she does not know that I am bisexual (I'm female). It's just not something I've needed to share with her.

I have no problem seeing my models as models and not getting turned on or anything like that, but I'm concerned that it might bother her if she knew. I'm pretty certain she wouldn't be comfortable with a male photographer.

I feel I have two choices:

1. Tell her...let her decide if she's comfortable with it, and run the risk of her being uncomfortable *with me* (she's not homophobic, but because of some situations we've been in in the past, she might be uncomfortable).

2. Don't tell her, and run the risk of her finding out later...which could make her feel really uncomfortable about the shoot.

Help?

Tell her.

If you don't tell her and she finds out she might be mad, and you could even lose a friend.

If you tell her and she chooses not to pose, respect her choice as a model and as a friend.

Bisexuality doesn't mess up nearly as many friendships as secrets do.

Your friend is not homophobic, so the worst possible outcome of telling her would be that you have some free time to photograph another model.

I would tell her up front if you really feel that's neccessary. She might not even care.

So, like...hey girl...I'm bisexual!, well...you might want to bring it up casually...not a hour before the shoot when you're driving with her or someting. It's the moral thing to do...goodluck

Art is art. You aren't looking at her as a sexual object, you're looking at her as an artist's model. Explain this to her and tack on "My sexual orientation has nothing to do with me agreeing to photographing you. If it makes you uncomfortable that a bisexual photographer is taking your picture, you don't have to do it."

I'd tell her. That kind of embarrassment that could come from her knowing you are bi should fade in short time. Whereas she could really get upset if she will know about it after the shoot.

If you view her as a model/subject only and there is nothing sexual about seeing her naked, I don't see why you have to tell her at all.

If you think seeing her naked while she is posing will be difficult for you because you think you may view her as a woman rather than a model and it may turn you on, then yes...absolutely tell her.

If it is strictly a professional relationship though, no need to bring anything personal into it.

If your intention is to keep the personal from the professional, then keep your communication with her separate as well. When you talk to her, treat her as any other model you have worked with. Outside the photo shoot, you could focus on being her friend.

I think it's great that you care about her potential discomfort, but at the same time give yourself some credit for being upfront about your professional expectations with her.

I'd sit her down and let her know that you wanted to tell her this just in case it's something that would bother her. Offer to let her have another friend present for the shoot to keep the atmosphere unsexy. If you talk to her in a caring way that shows you're not trying to be creepy, but are just concerned for her comfort, she'll probably take it well.

But be sure to tell her that you're approaching this like you do all shoots - artistically and technically, not as a sexual thing - and that she's not your type anyway. ;)

I think you're making an awful lot of unwarranted and unnecessary assumptions. Even if your friend got another female photographer, there's no guarantee that SHE wouldn't be bisexual either...and is that a question she would normally be asking any potential photographer? Do people ask YOU your sexual orientation when you do a shoot like that? My guess is not.

1. Nude artistic photography has nothing to do with sex. Bisexuality has nothing to do with photography.

2. You're "pretty certain" a male photographer would not be at her comfort level. Perhaps for a stranger that would be true, but what about a professional male friend she trusted and has known for years? You're that same trusted friend, regardless of gender.

3. She has asked you this as a personal favor. You're not going to violate any boundaries during the shoot.

4. As a professional photographer, I'm sure you know exactly how to behave professionally during such shoots. Sure you may find some of the models attractive, but you keep that information to yourself and do nothing except what your client asks fo you. My guess is that you're not even attracted to your friend in that way. The fact that you CAN be attracted to some women, again, has nothing to do with her.

Based on all of the above, I see absolutely no reason why you should even bring up your bisexuality at all, unless you feel that the time is right for you to come out to her for other reasons. But just take the job as you would do with any other client, treat her as a professional photographer would, and believe me, it won't matter later. Tell her when you're ready to tell her, when you really feel she should know. She won't stop being your friend, and she probably would not be able to find a better photographer anywhere.

And, it's best that she remain at an emotionally comfortable level while she is posing. Remember, when pondering whether or not to reveal a secret to someone else, ask yourself three questions: Is it true, is it helpful, and is it kind? And only if two out of three are definite "Yes" answers should you say something. In this case, the last two are not, in this situation.