Professional vs candid pictures

[Anna Summer]

So I have been wondering what you guys prefer when looking for an escort and what leads more to a booking.

Recently I have been thinking to add a couple of candid pictures to my website but I'm not entirely sure about this. Currently I don't have much time to take new 'professional' pictures as my private time is extremely limited. Although the current pictures are still accurate (besides me having much longer hair now)

I remember briefly when I first started to do a bit of independent escorting in Germany and was surprised that guys often chose me based on my pictures (they were all taken by my laptop webcam and you can't really call them quality pictures haha).

Can you also explain why you would go for your decision.

 

[impish]

Candids are fine for instagram, but when you're trying to promote yourself professionally on your website the photos should be "professional" (ie no selfies through the mirror).

 

[namae]

I think snapshots would be fine. Modern cameras are pretty impressive.

The standard routine seems to be to hire a photographer and a hotel room and run thru six changes of exotic underwear. Then the photographer touches them up.

Maybe something different would catch people's attention - bikini shot on the beach, sporty shot, summer dress at a JPN temple, Sunday brunch/coffee shot, your OL/college look, Saturday night on the town look - all with a JPN theme/background to excite business travellers. These pics are more personal, more real and allow people to see your style and use their imagination to complete the picture. More is less sort of thing.

 

[Troilist]

In my opinion, it could vary depending on your market and geographic location. For example, if you were based out of Europe or the United States and worked in NYC or Vegas, it would have to be professional pictures for sure. During our research, it seems like the candid pictures are more acceptable in Japan compared to NYC and Vegas. When referring to NYC and Vegas, I am talking about the higher end market, which is what I am assuming you are targeting. I hope this is helpful!

 

[TokyoML]

I personally like candid pictures. Too professional, then it looks like it's Photoshopped.
Videos would be nice too.

 

[Frenchy]

Any type, as long as they are recent and accurate

 

[whocares]

All pics are lies...portrait lenses are more flattering than wide angle lenses...by definition you select the pictures you like and toss those you hate etc...etc.... but, having said that, to me it is the same as going on tinder...if you are representing something that isn't really you (older pics, photoshopped, change in weight etc...etc...) then you're going to show up and disappoint the client...so you have to find the balance between being authentic and marketing yourself...

I would say that any photoshopping that changes your appearance in an inauthentic way (removing a birthmark, turning your skin into a glassy pond like on magazine covers) should never be done...

I think we all expect you to choose flattering pics...but if you show up in a hotel lobby and I am not sure you are you, then there is a problem.

PS - All serious photographers edit their pics...so changing the exposure or making minor corrections or even removing a lamp or something is totally expected and fine if it makes the pic better...

 

[User#8628]

All pics are lies...portrait lenses are more flattering than wide angle lenses...by definition you select the pictures you like and toss those you hate etc...etc.... but, having said that, to me it is the same as going on tinder...if you are representing something that isn't really you (older pics, photoshopped, change in weight etc...etc...) then you're going to show up and disappoint the client...so you have to find the balance between being authentic and marketing yourself...

I would say that any photoshopping that changes your appearance in an inauthentic way (removing a birthmark, turning your skin into a glassy pond like on magazine covers) should never be done...

I think we all expect you to choose flattering pics...but if you show up in a hotel lobby and I am not sure you are you, then there is a problem.

PS - All serious photographers edit their pics...so changing the exposure or making minor corrections or even removing a lamp or something is totally expected and fine if it makes the pic better...

People remove their birthmarks and tattoos for privacy reasons mainly. Very easy to recognize someone from these body features even if they hide their face.

Personally, i'm usually told i look better irl than in my pics, and i like to hear that because i dont like to disappoint.

 

[whocares]

Right...but I mean if you are removing features that might make a difference to the client...i.e. if you have a full sleeve tattoo and you remove it for a picture, not telling a client (who might not be attracted to a giant tattoo) would be something I would discourage...sure if you remove a 1 inch butterfly tattoo, I doubt anyone is going to get too upset...

 

[wraithfive]

Personally, I like it when there is a bit of both. Professional pics add glamour, so long as they aren't heavily photoshopped. Professional shots with high end lingerie build up a fantasy and make me want fulfill it.

Real candids, not a planned shot by an amateur, but an actual taken in the moment picture, give me a better sense of the real you though and how I might enjoy our time together.

Basically, that old saying a picture is worth a thousand words. I can tell a lot more about a person from a candid photo than simply how they look. I was with an escort recently that based solely on her pro photos on her website and the lack of personality in the site, I never would have booked. I just happened to check her Twitter feed and her candids and personality convinced me. I'm so glad I did because she turned out to be one of the best ladies I've ever met in my life.

So basically, a bit of both is good. I mean ultimately at the higher end of the market you are promoting more than just sex and it's important for a client to feel he knows enough about you that you fit his idea of an evening in or out to get him to book.

 

[Nikkei Guy]

The professional pics are nice to look at, but the candid ones definitely give you better feel for the person. Although with all the apps with filters and beautifying, some of the candid shots can be a little deceptive. It's disappointing when you think your going to meet the girl of your dreams and someone totally different appears. Unfortunately this happens more often than not.

 

[Frenchy]

The professional pics are nice to look at, but the candid ones definitely give you better feel for the person. Although with all the apps with filters and beautifying, some of the candid shots can be a little deceptive. It's disappointing when you think your going to meet the girl of your dreams and someone totally different appears. Unfortunately this happens more often than not.

Well the opposite may happen too. A few times I met ladies who looked different than their pics because they had bad pics to start with. Also the personality makes them look better too (smile is important for instance , some people just can't smile naturally in front of a camera but have a terrific smile off camera)

 

[whocares]

"some people just can't smile naturally in front of a camera but have a terrific smile off camera" - My secret...when I do portraits, I find out what kind of comedy they like and I play an album from a comedian...always gets a nice natural smile...

 

[CharlieSimms]

Professional pics usually draw me in but blog and candids often seal the deal.

 

[RandomTokyoGuy]

I prefer candids, professional pics usually lack personality and I find candids usually more accurate.

Professional pics cost some money, so in my experience ladies tend to use them a lot longer (making them less trustworthy ).

 

[Karbon]

I browsed several indies' website recently and many showed some "arty" pictures that I found ... disappointing. It's better than nothing but
how can you make a choice with these blurred/dark/ not much revealing pictures ? It's a bit of a russian roulette though with TAG indies nobody should go wrong. I understand the ladies don't want to show too much and value their privacy but I don't see me asking for more pictures by email or pm like a weirdo. Hopefully some ladies display more than 3 pictures and pixellize a bit their face so we get a better idea without revealing too much.
On the opposite some websites reveal too much and I don't find the lady in a supposedly attractive pose ... attractive. May be I am not their type of customer.
Thankfully there are the precious TAG reviews which make up for the lack of usable pictures and help you make up your mind.
And finally you have that nervousness/fun/tension/adrenaline when you go to the first rendez vous ... and I like it Ding dong, someone is knocking at the door ... probably as tense as you !

 

[Coda87]

Why not have both candids and professional pics? Personally I like the candids because they are usually more closer to how a person looks in person. But some people are just really photogenic and a good photographer can really capture that.

 

[Rebeccalee]

I have both professional and candids on my site gallery! I'm just really happy I can satisfy my inner exhibitionist by taking nudes of myself

Professional photos are important because for me they already match my brand image. It would be a bit incongruent to write about myself like this and suddenly seeing a webcam photo as my promotional material. Not that webcam photos are bad, it's just a mismatch for branding.

I think candids are important because sometimes you get guys who somehow think that they are entitled to a "special selfie" - you can simply redirect them to the page where you post your selfies. It's also a good way to see whether you should continue wasting your time interacting with the person enquiring. I've had a few where they say "Can i see a selfie that is not on your gallery yet?" and my response was just "Sure, send me money that isn't in my bank account yet then i can take special photos for you if you really want to see them"

I think there's also the fear of bait and switch, which is really too common. I guess I could see from a client's POV(albeit slightly inexperienced and misinformed) that if you only have professional photos, there's really no way knowing for sure that the beautiful lady in the photos is what you will see in real life.