When did you begin?
I started modeling in Slovakia, where I come from, about 5 or 6 years ago. There it was very different in terms of how professional the photographers were. It was more there like ‘I’ll get you in Playboy etc. if you sleep with me.’ Then I moved to Austria and didn’t expect to continue but fell into my first photography shooting with Martin Wieland (Vienna Würstelstand says: this guy is one of Austria’s most famous nude photographers). This was more the beginning for me.
Why did you begin?
At the time I had a boyfriend who said ‘you have a beautiful body. Alles Passt. You’re not one of those plastic doll kind of girls. Why don’t you try it?’ So I thought I’d try it and contacted a few photographers.
And how’s your career going at the moment?
Really good. I’m often traveling for photo shoots. At the moment, I’m doing a lot of work as a model posing for workshops. But I’m doing a lot of shoots for calendars, advertising and magazines.
What’s the relationship like between a photographer and a nude model during, and after, a shoot?
It’s always different. Most photographers are relaxed and locker (translation: chilled) but at the workshops it can be awkward sometimes with some of the hobbyist photographers. You notice the difference between working with a professional and an amateur in a workshop. There’s an art to communication involved between the photographer and the model, ya’ know. Communication is very important. The photographer needs to know how to guide the model into the pose, while keeping it fun. Plenty of the workshop participants get a bit nervous when I get undressed.
But you must be a confident person to pull it off?
Yeah, the feedback I get from photographers often is that I’m relaxed and simple to work with. I have no problem getting naked in front of the camera anymore. I’m used to it.
Does something change in your head when you get naked and in front of the camera during a shooting?
It depends on the theme of the photo shoot. Nude modelling is also kind of a form of acting as well. The ability to pose, to make an expression that fits the theme is a huge part of it.
But in terms of what changes – I’m actually quite a shy person, so this changes in a shoot. (smiles)
How did you learn to pose as a nude model?
I taught myself. I just studied other photos and how other models do it and taught myself.
You do have a powerful, distinct look on your face in your photos. How would you describe it?
Yeah (laughs) – they’re always saying that I can’t look sweet. That I always look evil or bad-ass.
What do you think about in that moment when you’re posing naked in front of the camera?
It’s always different. The shootings are mostly just a laugh, but it depends on the photographer and the theme of the shoot. I tend to think about the taste of the photographer and what they like, especially with the ones I know. For example: a photographer friend of mine from Bregenz has a natural style in his photography so I tend to think very little about how I should pose, but instead I just act natural. Sometimes I’ll have to pose for a serious theme, so I’ll try and think about something serious.
Was it ever embarrassing for you to be naked in front of the camera?
Yeah, at the beginning this was really difficult. I didn’t feel so comfortable getting naked in front of the photographer and posing. To be honest, I drank a few Aperol spritzer to get over it (laughs). But the results of this shoot were surprisingly great. But now it’s normal and I have no problem – now, I’m a professional nude model.
Where was your best shooting location?
Definitely the most unique locations have been near Bregenz and around Voralberg. And there is some really WOW locations. The Bodensee (Lake Constance), for example. There I did a shooting for a San Francisco magazine. It’s difficult in Austria with finding a location to do a nude photography shooting as you need permission everywhere to do it. And often when you ask permission to do a photo shoot, people will say yeah, sure,’ but when you tell them it’s nude photography, they become very nervous and tell you it’s not possible, haha.
What’s the difference between pornographic pictures and nude photography?
There’s a huge difference in the style of photography and also the poses of the model. I don’t make photos where you can see everything. You can see my breasts but nothing down below, if you know what I mean. My vagina is always hidden, covered – for me it’s taboo to show that in my shots. While my full body is in the photos, there are tricks I use to keep it hidden. This is the difference for me. The art of nude modelling allows everybody, including the model, the photographer and the viewer a chance to tell their own story, Rather than simply reveal everything in the photo. Everybody has his or her own fantasy. I don’t want to just sit there with legs spread and say – here! (laughs)
How is it for your partner?
I was obviously already a nude model when I met my current partner, who funny enough, is a photographer. I naturally said to him at the beginning that if he’s not able to deal with the fact that this is what I do, then we shouldn’t begin anything. Of course he said that he’d rather that he was the only one who saw me naked, but he accepts it. A lot of trust is involved as I’m often traveling.
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