I posted my first few ads with regular old self-taken photos. I figured it was best to have professional photos to give a better image, but I'm disappointed with the results of my recent photo shoot. I got this page-long email from a client breaking down a million reasons my photos don't convey my full potential, looks or personality-wise. I'm actually kind of upset because I feel like business is slower instead of picking up since posting my professional photos! I confess they are a bit one-dimensional and not very dynamic or creative as far as poses. The lighting doesn't enhance any musculature whatsoever on my athletic figure and makes my torso look flabby and my chest look flat, with no visible contours on my arms or other body parts. I'm actually quite glum about it. I'm sure some of you guys think this is a provider forum topic, but I don't really care what other women think so much as men about my "real" vs "professional" photos. What gives? I feel like my pro photos that I paid good money for have propelled me into a slump and that I need to find a better photographer for another, possibly much pricier, shoot.
There are many of us who prefer a specific body type/shape, and sometimes profession pics can display a lady's assets better than real photos - but real photos can tell you more about a woman's personality. So, why not put both sets of pics on your site.
I have to agree. Different types photos reflect a different sense of physical assets versus personality
The better your photos are, the better you will do in the escort business.
Before selecting this photog did you research them with other providers including looking at lots (that is, hundreds) of their photos with a critical eye?
You need more than the standard wedding and bar mitzvah photog for good shots.
Lighting, pose, framing, background etc. are very essential to make a photo that leads someone like me to click on your contact button.
Sorry to hear that these results were poor. Don't waste any time finding a new and better photog.
Here's what I suggest: Look over sites of other escorts in your area and see what photos strike you as appealing, then contact that escort and ask for a reference to their photog. Interview at least three and then go from there.
Best of luck.
you'll find that many escorts have a lot of candid or amateur pics taken as well, and frankly in a lot of discussion on these boards the guys PREFER those over professional and Photo-shopped pics.
Why?
Because they feel there's a pretty damn good chance the lady they see will have been well-represented by her photographs.
Please don't read this as my allegation that ladies with professional photos are misleading; I'm not saying that at all.
BUT...rather than spending a LOT of time researching professional photographers, you might spend part of the weekend taking some more shots of yourself (or have a friend take some).
Even the most famous photographers attribute at least a part of their success to the fact that "if you take 10 pictures, you might not get a good one, but if you take a thousand, there'll be gold there somewhere."
Take a LOT. Use what you want. It's your business.
For your professional photos I would post them on a site like Eros.com, and for your non-prossional Backpage.
If you post non-professional on back, some guys will think you're too unprofessional, and will pass by. If you post professional pics on backpage, some guys will think you're a fake.
I wish you the best of luck................could you post a link to your pics? LOL! Who knows you could be a future ATF.
you'll do better in this business if you listen to a few of the more popular ones rather than dismiss their comments out of hand. The guys will tell you what THEIR favorites are, which will simply confuse the issue (if you haven't already noticed). The providers who have been in the biz awhile (more than a year) will tell you what REALLY works and with which KIND of client.
To dismiss providers as being of no value to you is rather short-sighted. That's like dismissing the geek for the jock even though it's the geek that's making the money.
Did you have any advice that addresses her question? "Listen to the girls", without an answer addressing her particular question, seems rather pointless.
In any event, I'll consider my opinion marginalized as part of the white noise contingent.
in a provider's opinion about how to market herself, which is behind the question. Whether or not to go to a professional photographer or use those from her own camera or camera-phone is only part of what she needs to know. So, I didn't answer it. I'm still not going to answer it.
Instead, I made a comment about her overall attitude of ignoring a part of the hobbying network that could do her a lot of good and save her a lot of headache (as well as help keep her safe). It's a comment I stand by.
I have no problem with guys voicing their opinions. They're the buyers of our time. However, it takes more than guys' opinions to answer her ultimate question and that is "How do I market myself so that you fellows will choose me instead of [fill in the blank of another provider's name]?"
That was the question she didn't want providers to answer.
So, I'm not answering it.
No need to get feisty, people! All replies to my comment were very helpful and relevant. I appreciate the responses.
satisfied with these pictures if they do not adequately show your positive features. Any legitimate photographer should offer to shoot pictures until you, the client, is satisfied. In hindsight, where did you find this photographer? Has he/she done other '"sexy photos"?
I'd say you have 2 sweet spots
guys looking for non VIP girls, who because of the $ and forum for ads are more exposed to risks of rip offs and fakes, prefer 'real' home shots that are also GOOD flattering shots. Gives confidence the girl is both real not B&S, and that she actually looks that way, as a diversity of real shots is hard to fudge.
guys shopping for high end, VIP, agency girls will prefer very hi end pro shots, which convey the quality of the service via the quality of the photographer's art, and the hi end girls or agencies have a rep not worth damaging thru photo fudgery, so that risk is less and so the bias to real shots is less
I agree with your logic 100% I'm targeting the high end market, but I'm new enough to confront skeptics. Also, I have no problem with someone on a more modest budget splurging on me!
Hi Ashleigh,
That sucks, I can totally understand where you're coming from. As someone who is both a hobbyist (still never understood why that word is used....can hardly compare this to collecting stamps), and a professional photographer I actually think BOTH real and professional photos are necessary.
Real photos are great because it lets us see what she really looks like. Photoshop, the right lighting, and angles can make anyone look amazing. That's where professional photos help - a lot. For the providers I have shot photos for, they get a lot of comments and bookings because of amazing photos that accentuate their features and make them look amazing. One of them actually got into Playboy because of our photos (posted on Model Mayhem).
Bummer you paid good money for photos you are not satisfied with. Have you talked to your photographer? Personally, if it ever happened that someone was unsatisfied with our shots, I would be happy with my shots I would gladly re-shoot them or refund their money. I definitely disagree that more money = better photographer and/or photos. There are TONS of amazing photographers out there who shoot for TFP/TFC. If you don't already have profile up on Model Mayhem (www.modelmayhem.com) I would try that out. However, the best photographers usually only do paid shoots.
Feel free to message me if you have any questions or if you'd like assistance picking a photographer in your area.
Thanks for your reply, I was browsing model mayhem recently and think that's the way to go. I'm certainly willing to pay, and a lot, to have great photos. I get spammed by escort photographers who seem to want a lot of money for low quality. I might enjoy the black and white route like Cayden who posted above. I think having both real and pro photos makes sense, now that I'm embracing reviews, I certainly want people to think I'm 100% like my photos. Not looking to mislead anyone, only accentuate my better features (minus the eyes since I can't show my face!)
When I had professional photos taken my call volume went through the roof. Sometimes different things work better for others than some... do what works the best for you....