A)  If the room is at all chilly, you ought to have a heater; afan may be appropriate in hot weather.  If you can’t get warm enough, put on a few clothes for posing: things will change.

B)  There should be a wide, sturdy model stand, with a soft rug
on it.  This brings the visual and mechanical center (the
pubic area) of a standing model more or less level with the
eyes of a seated artist, and allows comfortable reclining
poses.

C)  There should be a sturdy chair for you to sit on or rest
against.

D)  There should be enough light from outdoors or indoors so that
the artist can see the model clearly; that light should not
shine in anyone’s eyes.

E)  There should be an easily visible clock, and/or a wind-up
timer, so you can easily measure length of poses.

A)  A model’s clothes provide warmth, comfort, and (for many
people) a feeling of security, between poses, and provide
accents during poses.  An ankle-length robe can often be
useful for all these purposes, and can be useful as a rug,
if the floor is too chilly, or too rough.  Bring slippers,
too: tacks are a constant danger.

B)  Large hats, a staff, large or small balls, a scarf, sports
equipment, a book, or tools can give artists and models
fresh ideas for poses.  It is a good idea to bring one or
two such items to each session.

Getting undressed for modeling is very different from getting
undressed for taking a bath or for going to bed.  “Costumes” reveal,
accent, and conceal; the modeling costume – nakedness – is designed
primarily for revelation.  Decorations which contribute to expression
of the self “at the moment” make nakedness especially effective in
its expressiveness.  Here is a “pot pourri” of examples.

A)  Glasses help people communicate, when they are needed.
Communication often suffers when glasses are removed.

B)  Foreskins are a natural part of a person.  If they have not
been removed, they belong; if they have been removed – “Vive
la difference!”

C)  Watches, rings, and other jewelry: some people “feel naked
without them”, and therefore won’t be truly naked unless
they have them on.  These decorations also serve as nice
things to use for variety in different poses.

D)  Hairstyles are very easy to change: a comb will change them
and offer surprising variety to poses.  Pubic hair and other
body hair, like hair on the head, deserves attention, with
occasional changes in style during sessions.  Hair can be
shaved or trimmed on occasion: this both changes your
appearance, and shows your recognition that each part of you, and every aspect, deserves artistic attention.

E)  Women should wear tampons at modeling sessions during
menstrual periods, if they are comfortable with them, and
if menstrual flow is not too heavy.  When menstrual flow
is heavy, models should get substitutes.  If you are
wearing a tampon, don’t try to plan your poses so as to hide
its string.  That attempt is inhibiting, confining, and
unnecessary.  The string, under the circumstances, is a
decoration.

F)  When you tan (and people of any race darken their color in
the sun), do your best to make sure that the tan is “all
over” by sunbathing at a clothes-optional beach or at a
health-spa which allows for all-over tanning.  Untanned
areas offer visual distortion.

G)  Be careful to wear non-restrictive clothing before going to
a modeling session; otherwise there will be marks at waist,
wrist, neck, or ankles, which last a surprisingly long time.
These can be interruptive.  Women will be well-advised not
to wear brassieres before a session.  An example: if you
wear a wristwatch, take it off, as you read this.  See how
long it takes for the lines on your wrist to go away.

A)  A large towel.  This can serve many purposes: it can be a
comfortable rug, a comfortable seat cover, a drape, a
blanket, a furniture protector, a hair cover, and so on.

B)  A model-release form (several, if several photographers may
be present).

C)  A piece of chalk and a piece of charcoal, for marking poses.

D)  A male G-string (simple, not “jokey”), or a plain leotard,
(or body-suit) in case complete nudity is forbidden for some
reason – or you find nudity inappropriate for the people you
are working with.  Male G-strings can be purchased at
specialty lingerie shops in most metropolitan areas; leotards
are available at dance supply shops.

E)  A wind-up timer, so you can time poses yourself.

F)  Teabags, instant coffee, or something to warm you up
during breaks, in case nothing of the sort is made available.

G)  A couple of “interesting things” to pose with: see 22b.

H)  A pocket mirror: to check on your looks, and to use as a
“prop”.