I don't know what made me think of the past when I first started doing this but honestly its what makes you learn to be a better provider and that in itself is truly important. When I first started posting which was a long time ago it was on Craigslist. Hey lets face it I didn't know of Eros or P411 or ANY other site. Also what I didn't know was about pictures. My first pics were taken by my webcam by me. Not bad but I have to say if it weren't for the Nickster who actually took the time to sit down with me and give me a quick lesson on what it takes to be a successful provider So at the beginning it was amazing how many men SAID they were "photographers" and I wouldn't have to pay a dime and they just would take out in trade for their services. WOW how great was that!!! I have to laugh at myself to think back on all those crappy pictures that those self proclaimed photographers took and not the first picture was even close to professional. The best photographer to me was the guy who actually scheduled an appointment and after the appointment he said "Hey do you mind if I take a few shots of you as I've just gotten into photography and I would like to see how well these turn out. To this day that man has been my photographer AND the photographer of many providers and he truly is probably one of those "I just lucked out" appointments I've ever had. Sometimes things just turn out that way when you least expect it. He obviously saw all my other pics and just knew that ( I feel) "deserved" better How many of you ladies did that happen to or something else you are willing to share that happened when you first started the biz. Something that you thought was a great idea and learned a lesson from.
Yesterday a lady sent me two photos she was thinking of putting on her webpage and wanted my opinion. This falls in category of "does my butt look fat in these jeans" type but I never learn. One picture was great, black and white very sexy. The other was a canned pose and totally wrong for her body type. My mistake is I gave her honest feedback not picking up she was very proud of her photos from a "famous" photographer. Damn
If the picture does not highlight your best features and convey what is truly amazing about you, it does not matter how professional it is, guys will just click thru it. Have fun with the session regardless of how you find your photographer
Nice post Scottie, just because some guy has a Nikon D300 with several lenses and a bootleg copy of Photoshop CS5 that does not make him a great photographer...lighting, outfits, poses, makeup artists, background and so much more have to be taken into account... I have taken better pictures with my cellphone than some guys with $2000 cameras and studios.
Sometimes the desire to have "professional" photos over-rides the common sense of some ladies who are tricked into free sessions in trade for some free pics. Some learn some don't.
As a former professional photographer, I tend to be picky about photos on any sites, not just provider sites. When I see shabby photos, I feel bad for the provider, as the photos aren't showing her in her best light.
It doesn't take a $5000 camera with all of the bells and whistles. It takes a good quality camera used by someone with an eye for light, composition, textures, etc, and the technical know-how to put it all together. It cracks me up to see someone who went to college for four, six or eight years to be (insert profession here) think that he can be a photographer in a few weeks.
If a provider wants to make top dollar, she needs to spend money to get there.
I am a photographer, website, lights, equipment etc etc.
I have posted here in the past to do photos but no one has taken me up on the offer. I wasn't even asking for a "trade" like you were referring to Scottie.
As a photographer, I have just wanted to do some fun sexy photos.