So I'm dipping my toes into the provider pool for the first time and I've found TER to be a HUGE resource in getting started, especially the newbie board.  
I've done pretty much all of the preliminary things - set up a personal website, email, done all the health screenings, research the market (DC - whoooo!), etc. and I'm just about ready to launch but I have one major problem: PICTURES!  

It just gives yourself a more professional, credible persona. I have seen girls mix professional shots with just candid selfies, you can do that also. To many guys, pictures are what seals the deal specially if you are brand new to the industry without reviews. I know the investment can be a bit over the top, but remember, it is an investment, your ROI (return on investment) will be extremely high if the pictures are nicely done (I seem to think that not very revealing, sexy but classy pictures work best). You can always ask on your regional board regarding a photographer and compare prices and quality of work.

and you will find that $1,000 will get paid back very soon versus taking selfies.

Some of the girls I have met make do with just selfies, but usually they are people who are very artistic/creative by nature.  I do see a lot of people posting some pretty ordinary selfies, and I don't want to seem rude but they just don't make me interested.  Facebook and Twitter are full of selfies - they scream "I know I look good, and I don't even need to try.  Why would I try for you?".  The cost of a professional photo shoot will be easily covered by a couple of high quality appointments.

with digital available today, you can get good results without a professional photographer.  A decent camera is not that expensive.  I got a good quality camera (Cannon)...  used...  at a yard sale for $10...  bought a bigger SD card at WM.    
You can hide or blur your face.  My rule of thumb is I want the see several pictures (In my experience stolen photos or outdated only have a few, always the same view.)  You need a variety of dress & undress, props & poses.  No more than one rear view!  Need not be totally explicit but taken in total, I want to know what you look like naked before I arrive at your door.  They can be fun & classy with a theme.  I've seen as few as 6 or as many as 12 frames.  They need to open large enough & with good resolution to clearly see.  Thumbs are of no value unless they open.  This is your big chance to sell your service...  like the sizzle on a great steak!  

a year or two.  The hobbyists have all said a similar message--good pics are necessary when you want to attract business, especially without reviews.

You could also look into having a photography student take your shots for you. My first set of pics were done by a photography student the at SF academy of art and it was around $150. Although the pics weren't truly edited, the angles and shots were pretty good. Or even try Groupon for boudoir

Pictures for newer provider!

* I agree with Palomam, I invested in professional pictures when I first started! Sometimes you have to spend money to make money, and I would say pictures are definitely a good investment!! Sexy, yet not to revealing, and classy pictures are what I choose to do! (You want to leave a little for the imagination, and build anticipation for client ...

You came to the right place for help getting started. I was in the same boat as you a year ago, and the cool thing is that school can be a great resource for photographers. Try the fashion department, as well as the graphic design department. It's very likely that you'll find someone who can help at little or no cost.  

I like to see at least a few "real" shots in addition to the pro shot ones,  but yeah, pics are where it's at, better pics, more biz.

However, be very cautious if you choose to see a photographer from the site

-- Modified on 1/29/2014 11:09:12 PM

is important as well. When I'm perusing a girls pics I look to see what she's not showing. If there is no clear standing shot of the belly area, you can be sure it won't be her best feature, for example. I'm sure everyone else does this too.  
The idea ppl have put out about finding a student to take them seems like a good one. Maybe you can get some technically good/ sexy pics without them being of the overdone "boudoir" variety. Worth a shot.

use the 30 days...  look at other gals pictures on their web sites & ads.  You ought to survey the prices charged in your area and the services offered (as best you can tell) before you commit to a price point.  Also gets you use of the Private Message system.  

Experienced providers have offered in the past to mentor new providers.  They could be very helpful in many ways.  
Screening is one way.  Every gal has her own system but it should not EVER be dicusssed on a public forum.  Stalkers, bad clients & even LE can read open boards!  

Thanks for the reply! I definitely have seen that mix before too (I swear I've been cruising more provider sites than even the biggest hobbyist lately!) and I like the vibe it gives off - professional but still accessible.  

Very true! I feel like I'm getting real world start-up experience here, managing these ROIs, start up costs, marketing... Will this count for class credit?!  

Hahah oh good point! I'm so far removed from the Facebook/Twitter bubble generally that I kind of forget about the ubiquity of selfies these days!  

Mmmm... STEAK!

Thanks! Fingers crossed things go well!  

Ahhh Groupon! That's seriously a GENIUS idea! I had no idea they even had offers for photography stuff. Haha I suppose I could try asking someone at school, although that could potential be a little awkward. Not to mention I'm not even sure I know any photography/art majors!  

Re: Pictures for newer provider!

Great advice! And oh my goodness, I love your site - It's so pretty and fun!  

Posted By: Kayden_love.lv

* I agree with Palomam, I invested in professional pictures when I first started! Sometimes you have to spend money to make money, and I would say pictures are definitely a good investment!! Sexy, yet not to revealing, and classy pictures are what I choose to do! (You want to leave a little for the imagination, and build anticipation for client ...  
   
 ** When I first started, I found a photographer that wasn't to pricey. He offered 4hr,6hr,8hr sessions. Since I had a budget, I choose the 4hr session. Not very long, but luckily I was able to get enough pictures from the shoot for my website.  
   
 *** As someone else mentioned, I would go onto your regional board to ask other providers about photographers in your area. Go onto personal websites of providers in your area to look at the different work. That way you can get a photographer who has a style you like!  
   
 **** Aiming to stay close to my budget, I choose a cheaper web designer (so that I could spend a little more on pictures)... Now that I have been on TER for half a year, I have set aside money planning to do another photo shoot soon, and add to my picture gallery!!  
   
 Most importantly, I wish you good luck with your search!  Sometimes you can find photographers that are going to school or are trying to build their portfolio, they might have a cheaper rate?!  They will be basic and cheap but you want to have pictures on your site. Then in about a month, after a few dates-  have a real photo shoot done and... VOILA!!  
   
 XOXO Kayden

Hahahah oh wow, I am in LOVE with your username!  

Ha signing up for TER VIP was basically the first thing I did, silly goose! I may be young but I'm no fool! :P  

Oh my goodness, this whole post was HUGELY helpful so THANK YOU!!  

with a selfie pictures.
just because someone spend 500 on photos does not mean they are going to get the better calls or make any more or less money than the next.
Italian Jasmine in the top 10 for Boston as am I
we both use self taken photos and I always have
in fact the number one complaint of the guys is that some for tographer make people look better than they are and that they show up in the woman is not quite as pretty as her photos
you can sugar coat things and put up glamour photos or you can be realistic and just show a crappy one on a cell phone
either way if you are sexy go to eat you do work out like an animal dress really nice
as well as keep a positive attitude and respect your clients and treat them well
don't act like a money grubbing, disrespectful ungrateful person
always have more than enough and it will not matter whether you use Backpage or eros VIP
take it from someone who has tried both.
in the long run it doesn't matter if you provide good service your pool light on the phone and you have an overall awesome vibe people are going to be drawn to you like a magnet no matter where you go or what field you going into life.
if you are fine and charismatic and have character substance in a personality you'll make it anywhere and it's not going to matter what clothes you wear it's not going to matter what pictures you have
it's the presentation and the intention behind it.
there is a gorgeous about 20 years old super model body in the top 10 for Las Vegas.
she has a pair of loose fitting in bluejeans on in the photo and it is nowhere near anything looking professional or fancy.
if you're hot you're hot and if you're a dick your erotic.
and if you're in it just for the money and you're not really a sexual person
also going to shine through fancy pictures and expensive lingerie or not.
so take all this advice with a grain of salt and you'll have to find out for yourself because everyones experiences different and there is no Bible of rules and what works for me definitely will not work for the next good luck with your adventures and I hope you find which way would work best for you and you prosper and enjoy this field.!

that's even more impressive if you can still look amazing in un edited photo and you can tell you work hard on your body and your appearance and you are very confident in yourself.
500 is the going rate for a photoshoot.
there is a saying the way to get to the top is to get off your bottom.
I know you're busy and your students but suck it up and go do some extra point mints this week drink yourself some lattes from Starbucks get yourself some of that new blueberry redbull and go in and kill em girl
get yourself two or three professional photoshoots over the next year.
I don't want to hear that school is expensive and you can't do it.
I know because I went through school and work as a dancer the whole time and had a boyfriend and did not do a single appointment the whole time.
you think going to school and escorting stuff tried going to school and dancing.
you can do it just grab yourself an extra appointment or two
the guys do love the fancy professional photos if you are like me and you experiment with different workout routines different diets different looks different hair.
for me it is not realistic to be getting professional photos as I can look like a different person from one week to the next depending on what diet I am doing that week what workout regime mind doing that week or what is going on in my life
if I am working in hotels I almost immediately start to look a little puffy because I'm not eating of my Foreman grill and eating my good food I eat at home when I can cook.
last week I stayed at the Park Plaza for 3 days and it was like to hunt down a piece of organic frozen salmon. I tried to order room service they brought me up this greasy fatty steak with no steak knives.I eventually found a health food store and davios the street. and again here I go putting my business out there but trust me it's not going to put a dent in my work on my clientele how much I make I know that for a fact.anyways I do have major depression I'm on meds for it I do have bipolar and I do have fibromyalgia disorder.
what I eat can mean not being able to get up off the bed or being able to get up at atm 16 hours of sleep and then stay up til 3 a.m. And make a ton of money exercise clean have a productive day.if I don't get proper nutrition and healthy foods I cannot do anything my fibro acts up I will have severe back and neck pain and leg pain and be bedridden.
if you change your hair a lot and you change your looks around a lot don't even bother wasting your money on the professional photos like I did I got professional photos and then changed my luck and they were worth nothing after