Questions for providers / slight dilemma

[Rebeccalee]

Hi providers!

When taking new photos for your portfolio, do you tell photographers upfront that you are a sex worker? There's also that dilemma of really really wanting to shoot with a photographer that has such good work but might not be sex-worker friendly..... :/

I have been doing that this whole time and things have been going ok because they can work around my needs for discretion, just that I have the gut feeling that photographers deliberately quote a lot extra than their usual from me the moment they look at my site and see my rates. I wish I was rolling in as much cash as the photographers think I do! LOL.

 

[Anna Summer]

I don't have much experience with photographers as I always take the pictures by myself with a camera and tripod thanks to @Jasmine Blair 's instruction. Before that a friend took the for me.
Maybe trying to find a photographer who is well known among the escort scene for being trustful.

 

[User#8628]

I think if someone does not want to work with sexworkers and take pictures of you and you use them for your website and they would find out about it, it would be a very bad situation... better to be honest. If you can find a photographer who quotes their prices on their website, you can hold them to it.
But like Anna, i also haven't used a professional photographer before so i am not sure.

 

[Rebeccalee]

I don't have much experience with photographers as I always take the pictures by myself with a camera and tripod thanks to @Jasmine Blair 's instruction. Before that a friend took the for me.
Maybe trying to find a photographer who is well known among the escort scene for being trustful.

I think it's super difficult for me to do that because I don't know my body's angles most of the time! Hahaha plus what the eye sees and what the camera snaps can be so different most of the time.
There are a few photographers that have been advertising themselves as escort friendly etc but on top of geographical distance and costs, SO MANY providers use them - their portfolios are now all a blur cause they all have the same photo style across different providers.

 

[Rebeccalee]

I think if someone does not want to work with sexworkers and take pictures of you and you use them for your website and they would find out about it, it would be a very bad situation... better to be honest. If you can find a photographer who quotes their prices on their website, you can hold them to it.
But like Anna, i also haven't used a professional photographer before so i am not sure.

Lucky you two!! Photographers can be so expensive. One photographer quoted me $4000USD for a shoot that would take up 8 hours.... Man, she would earn more than me! And yeah, I've just been sticking to sex worker friendly photogs that can offer complete discretion and secrecy! It's just completely not worth it to be outed by anyone or have a potential avenue where people can find my full unblurred picture from.

 

[impish]

Photography is my hobby, I read a lot about it, about the legal aspects of it, as I don't want to get myself in legal issues when I take photos.

If you are paying the photographer to take the photos, it's work for hire. You should be signing a release in that you own the photos, the copyright of the photos belong to you and not the photographer. This prevents them from using the photos commercially, but they are legally allowed to put it in their portfolio. As long as the work is done as a work for hire, if the photographer later learns that you are a sex worker they have no recourse other than removing their photos of you from their portfolio, so if you hire a photographer, it is my opinion that they don't need to know what you're doing with the photos. You paid them for a job, the photos are yours. Just make sure you're release with them states just that and you're fine..

If there is no release stating you own the photographs then, the copyrights for the photographs fall to the photographer, however he can't use them commercially unless you sign a release giving them permission to use them commercially and you are compensated for their use. In this situation if they were to find the photos on your site they could legally go after you.

Doing self photography can be real hard. It's not so much about knowing your bodies angles. Getting yourself in frame the way you want is really difficult when you can't see the viewfinder.

In the past I have offered privately to 2 of the indies here to shoot photos for them when I saw them bring up photography topics. I want experience doing boudoir photography and it's not always easy to find models. One of the indies politely declined and I respect that, and the other showed interested but asked for time (a few months after the time I asked), and when the time came never responded for whatever reason. That's cool too.

Anyway good luck, hope you find a way to get what you need.

 

[e-smile]

Hi providers!

When taking new photos for your portfolio, do you tell photographers upfront that you are a sex worker? There's also that dilemma of really really wanting to shoot with a photographer that has such good work but might not be sex-worker friendly..... :/

I have been doing that this whole time and things have been going ok because they can work around my needs for discretion, just that I have the gut feeling that photographers deliberately quote a lot extra than their usual from me the moment they look at my site and see my rates. I wish I was rolling in as much cash as the photographers think I do! LOL.

photographers also wish they were rolling as much cash as some people think they do

I think it's fair that the photographers charge more if their work is used by the customer for a business oriented advertisement.

 

[impish]

photographers also wish they were rolling as much cash as some people think they do

I think it's fair that the photographers charge more if their work is used by the customer for a business oriented advertisement.

This is exactly why I didn't go professional 10 years ago. Many people seem to think that great pictures come straight from the camera and that they can just hand a camera to anyone for their photos, but in reality besides having a good eye for a photo, good photos take time in post process to make them look great. They think $1500 for a photographer is expensive, when in reality they don't understand the time it takes to take photos, sort through them and post process them afterwards. THEN there's the cost for the equipment photographers need. It's not cheap for them to produce photos, and most photographers barely make a living these days.

 

[e-smile]

This is exactly why I didn't go professional 10 years ago. Many people seem to think that great pictures come straight from the camera and that they can just hand a camera to anyone for their photos, but in reality besides having a good eye for a photo, good photos take time in post process to make them look great. They think $1500 for a photographer is expensive, when in reality they don't understand the time it takes to take photos, sort through them and post process them afterwards. THEN there's the cost for the equipment photographers need. It's not cheap for them to produce photos, and most photographers barely make a living these days.

and you didn't even count the time and learning needed with the investment it involves to know how do things right.

 

[Rebeccalee]

This is exactly why I didn't go professional 10 years ago. Many people seem to think that great pictures come straight from the camera and that they can just hand a camera to anyone for their photos, but in reality besides having a good eye for a photo, good photos take time in post process to make them look great. They think $1500 for a photographer is expensive, when in reality they don't understand the time it takes to take photos, sort through them and post process them afterwards. THEN there's the cost for the equipment photographers need. It's not cheap for them to produce photos, and most photographers barely make a living these days.

I am not familiar with the market for photographers, so I can't comment! I understand where you are coming from - quite similar to escorting in a way!

 

[Rebeccalee]

Photography is my hobby, I read a lot about it, about the legal aspects of it, as I don't want to get myself in legal issues when I take photos.

If you are paying the photographer to take the photos, it's work for hire. You should be signing a release in that you own the photos, the copyright of the photos belong to you and not the photographer. This prevents them from using the photos commercially, but they are legally allowed to put it in their portfolio. As long as the work is done as a work for hire, if the photographer later learns that you are a sex worker they have no recourse other than removing their photos of you from their portfolio, so if you hire a photographer, it is my opinion that they don't need to know what you're doing with the photos. You paid them for a job, the photos are yours. Just make sure you're release with them states just that and you're fine..

If there is no release stating you own the photographs then, the copyrights for the photographs fall to the photographer, however he can't use them commercially unless you sign a release giving them permission to use them commercially and you are compensated for their use. In this situation if they were to find the photos on your site they could legally go after you.

Doing self photography can be real hard. It's not so much about knowing your bodies angles. Getting yourself in frame the way you want is really difficult when you can't see the viewfinder.

In the past I have offered privately to 2 of the indies here to shoot photos for them when I saw them bring up photography topics. I want experience doing boudoir photography and it's not always easy to find models. One of the indies politely declined and I respect that, and the other showed interested but asked for time (a few months after the time I asked), and when the time came never responded for whatever reason. That's cool too.

Anyway good luck, hope you find a way to get what you need.

This is very interesting, thank you for the legal insight! Yes, my own pro camera doesn't have a viewfinder that flips out, it sucks when it comes to deliberately taking flattering photos of myself.

Man, you should come to Singapore! Many girls (typically social media influencers) are willing to collaborate with photographers for most types of shoots, including boudoir shoots.

 

[impish]

I am not familiar with the market for photographers, so I can't comment! I understand where you are coming from - quite similar to escorting in a way!

It's that way for most industries. You want to be a good chef, you buy expensive knives and other tools, programmers spend thousands on their machines, and then hundreds if not thousands of hours learning their craft, sometimes paying for classes and certifications. And yes even escorts, hotel fees for incalls, expensive lingerie, perfumes, gym memberships to stay in shape, medical exams to stay clean, travel etc...

Anyone who has a "profession" and not just a "job" tends to invest to move their profession forward. A lot of people don't understand that and seem to think that everything they want should be cheap.

As for the "market" it really depends. Are you going to their studio, or are you meeting at a location? Studios are usually already configured to just go in make some adjustments and start shooting therefore less work for the photographer. Location shoots require more time, and if it's a location that you have to pay to access then you have that to contend with. Are you buying prints (in your case probably not) or is it work for higher. So many variables...

 

[impish]

This is very interesting, thank you for the legal insight! Yes, my own pro camera doesn't have a viewfinder that flips out, it sucks when it comes to deliberately taking flattering photos of myself.

Even if it did you may not still see it if you need to look away from the camera. One body motion can change a lot on the body.

Man, you should come to Singapore! Many girls (typically social media influencers) are willing to collaborate with photographers for most types of shoots, including boudoir shoots.

I'll get there eventually, but who knows when. :-p

 

[Jbagz]

I do photography and I think you are more likely to get the type of photos you want if you are upfront with your photographer. An experienced photographer should be asking you a lot of questions about the shoot and what you are going to do with the photos.

Boudoir photography isn't easy, so I would be wary of paying amateurs. Ask to look at their portfolio, and if they are an amateur, ask about their camera and lighting equipment.

Like @impish said, the location is important, it is all about the light. A professional will want to know about where the shoot will be so they can prepare for it. Many amateurs or hobbyists will try to wing it.

While some hobbyists are extremely good, many aren't.

If they are some yokel with an entry-level DSLR and an on-camera flash, they will take crap pictures and it will likely be a waste of time for you.

 

[impish]

If they are some yokel with an entry-level DSLR and an on-camera flash, they will take crap pictures and it will likely be a waste of time for you.

There's nothing wrong with an entry level DSLR. They work no different than the more expensive DSLRs just with less features. Those extra features aren't really needed to take great photos. Every DSLR I've had in the last 10 years has been what you would consider an entry level DSLR and I've taken some damn great pictures with them. I'd be more worried if they have the kit lens that comes with the entry level DLSR than the camera itself.

 

[Jbagz]

There's nothing wrong with an entry level DSLR. They work no different than the more expensive DSLRs just with less features. Those extra features aren't really needed to take great photos. Every DSLR I've had in the last 10 years has been what you would consider an entry level DSLR and I've taken some damn great pictures with them.

Sure, I'd go along with that statement to a certain extent. The sensors in an entry-level Nikon D3200 are capable of producing outstanding images in the hands of someone who knows what they are doing with it.

But compared to a Nikon D610 or D750, there is a significant difference in capability of the sensors.

I'd be more worried if they have the kit lens that comes with the entry level DLSR than the camera itself.

Bingo! This is more of what I was talking about. Not to mention lighting equipment.

Before this turns into camera chat, feel free to hit me up in a PM. I love to talk cameras and photography.

I shoot wildlife, sports and do a bit of street photography too. I shoot photojournalism style using available light and rarely use a flash.

I'm a Nikon guy.

 

[Rebeccalee]

Hahaha, looks like I have 2 photographers I can contact when I visit Tokyo again!

 

[Jbagz]

Hahaha, looks like I have 2 photographers I can contact when I visit Tokyo again!

I'm in Thailand

 

[Rebeccalee]

I'm in Thailand

oops, my bad! Thailand is beautiful, and just a 2h flight from Singapore..........

 

[User#8628]

oops, my bad! Thailand is beautiful, and just a 2h flight from Singapore..........

So envious! It takes 6 hours from Japan.

 

[Rebeccalee]

So envious! It takes 6 hours from Japan.

I've always contemplated just heading to Thailand over a weekend when I'm sick of school etc hahaha. I'm sad, Japan is 7 hours away from me! I have to start planning for another trip to a different part of Japan soon, and spend just a couple of days in Tokyo!

 

[impish]

I've always contemplated just heading to Thailand over a weekend when I'm sick of school etc hahaha. I'm sad, Japan is 7 hours away from me! I have to start planning for another trip to a different part of Japan soon, and spend just a couple of days in Tokyo!

Kyoto is my favorite place in Japan, big enough for public transportation, but small enough that you can get out of the city quickly. The bamboo forest of Arashiyama and the Monkey preservation park on Iwatayama are 2 of my favorite places to photograph. When I go to Kyoto I can spend all day in the monkey preservation by itself...

 

[RoboReptar]

Another photographer chiming in. $4k for 8 hours is absolutely ludicrous, even if paying for studio time. Being upfront with the photographer is pretty key though as the focus points will need to change from the eyes to elsewhere. I do agree with previous posts that you should make sure you're signing papers to have control of the photos though, always a good idea so they don't try to pull one over on you (as rare as that may be, most photogs want repeats)

 

[impish]

Another photographer chiming in. $4k for 8 hours is absolutely ludicrous, even if paying for studio time. Being upfront with the photographer is pretty key though as the focus points will need to change from the eyes to elsewhere. I do agree with previous posts that you should make sure you're signing papers to have control of the photos though, always a good idea so they don't try to pull one over on you (as rare as that may be, most photogs want repeats)

I agree, $4K is a wedding price for multiple cameraman wedding shoot, not a single cameraman nude/semi-nude/lingerie model shoot in a studio, which is essentially what @Rebeccalee is looking for. When I was shooting weddings I was doing 4hrs shoots for $1000 plus whatever I made on selling prints etc... I would typically spend another 6-8hrs doing post production so 10-12hrs for $1000 is about $100/hr.

 

[Rebeccalee]

Another photographer chiming in. $4k for 8 hours is absolutely ludicrous, even if paying for studio time. Being upfront with the photographer is pretty key though as the focus points will need to change from the eyes to elsewhere. I do agree with previous posts that you should make sure you're signing papers to have control of the photos though, always a good idea so they don't try to pull one over on you (as rare as that may be, most photogs want repeats)

My jaw literally dropped when I saw what she was quoting me, hence my original post about feeling like photographers charging me more than what they would usually charge just because they saw my rates. The prices she quoted were in USD too! My goodness. It's not even in the studio.... It's just various locations(public + hotel room), and I'd also have to pay for additional hotel room costs......