me_pman, that is the reason that a board like this exists. In fact, I like reading respectfully stated opinions when they disagree with mine. I learn something. Thank you for posting it.
It is a late night once again, so I will write for a bit. I will take the GC thing on again and then put forward my opinion, as a punter, on the industry as it relates to provider pictorials.
As to GC regarding their pictorials, yes, there is a bit of photo work there. I have booked 3 there (and oh would book again with any of them) and have met most of others there at GC through the M&G's. In my opinion the pictures are quite accurate. GC is just doing good business. He puts a little polish on the product. Also, something that was not mentioned and that was the photographer himself. He too (assuming the photo person is male) is doing good business for himself by doing some picture work. No way for me to know who did how much to the pics, and I don't care. Also, pictures are media and only one part is the sender the other is how the receiver takes it.
An example, and staying with GC. Brooke has some well done pics. When I saw them, I admit, I passed. Why? Too good looking. Yep, I was intimidated. I will admit it. Still, I admit, "wow, what a looker she is". Then, I met her at a M&G. A nicer person would not be found anywhere. So see in my instance her pictures missed the mark. Again, just me as I am sure she does quite well. I did get to share that honestly with her over a lunch M&G. I flat out told her 'I think that I could take better pictures in what you are wearing right now than in your pictorial". She is not convinced which I understood as she did not know me.
Ok, since its late and this thing is really buried deep in a thread, a bit about me. I have taken a lot of provider pictorial pictures. I was raised in Tennessee by a foster mom. Since age 3. That woman was then what we called a madam. She worked as a provider in the 1940's and 1950's and then opened a house. I lived in that house. Age 3 to young adulthood. A provider tutored me in Algebra in between her bookings. Another provider, when actually more than one, taught me sex. Others taught me how to ask a girl for a date. Others how to tie a tie, write a term paper, how to be a gentleman, etc. Second, many years later, I helped run an agency in London for a period of time. Was part owner. I understand a bit about pictorials. Note - I am not in the industry, I run a business that does international managerial consulting work.
Ok, my view on pictorials in the industry. The industry suffers a paradigm. It takes pictures in Playboy model mode. To me that is not real. Also, far too many girls forget to smile. Huge mistake, but that is just my opinion. An example of a smile and how it works - Ginger Taylor. Now I would not book with Ginger. Why? I am not up to her speed. I would feel like a male lap dog having sex with a thoroughbred. Now what wins about Ginger is her smile. Her pictorial gets it right. It provides the impression, "I'm fun, what you want to happen is going to happen, you will succeed in what you seek". Ginger (and I am safe because this a buried thread) understands marketing despite if she was taught it or is self taught. Sales are made on emotion. Pictures have to capture that. She gets it. Smart lady, sexy too. Now, I admit when I get somewhat close to her, my body wakes up. Those of most men would. It is the intangible. That is what her pictures explain. It speaks to why she does well, A lot of these new 20 year old girls should pay Ginger, in classes, to teach them the business. These young ones, and I book many, would be better off and safer and more sane, too.
Now when I was in London, I did agency theme pictures. Southern Antebellum, Secretary, Hooters Girls (ah, until I got caught), Swimsuit, School Days, Sorority Night, and a few others. The girls found it fun to do and it did very very well. Now, that market is very different there from here.
So, I think the agencies here in town do the best they can. My final thing is. Sex is not all about the looks, it is the intangible. Now, I like a certain look. Me, I like petite spinners. Why? I am 5'7" and the angles just work better. But I look for the fun aspect. I overlook the flaws in the girls because they overlook mine (well to my face they do -lol). Back to GC for a bit, as an example. In all three bookings I had with them, all of them looked me in the eye while stuff was going on. Now, think, how many times have we booked with providers and left not knowing the color of their eyes. I have made that mistake too, but thankfully not too often. I was taught that, so again, it is why GC get it right. It is abut the experience. I think in the photo work, GC, like any good agency in town is just looking to add to the experience we have. Also, these pictures are on the web. My business pictures are on the web and you can be damn straight they have work on them. I don't think anyone is trying to deceive. It all comes down to choice. That's mine.
If anyone has bothered to get this deep in a tread and read this - thanks. Hope you enjoyed it. Have a good day
I will definitly take your advice !!
Keeps the guys in the know of how you are looking then and now! 