Pls help - Good photographer in London for profile pics?

[francesca_d2011]

I started escorting a couple of weeks ago and have had practically zero interest  (apart from a few timewasters)

I realise this is partly because it's v. competitive in London and very difficult to stand out from the thousands of other profiles on there.

My profile clearly needs a lot more work on it, but I don't have much of  a clue as to how to go about it, though I've been reading lots of threads on here as guidance.

I am aware that my photos prob need improving & would at least be a step in the right direction -- (after which I would look at other AW features eg blogging, available today, etc).

My other issue is 'private gallery' pics as have no friends with camera with whom I would feel comfortable enough for that.
I would however, feel less awkward with someone (a photographer) that I don't know that well (even though that might sound weird)

I would be really grateful if anyone could recommend /point me in the direction of a good photographer or studio who charges reasonable rates in London....

This is probably wishful thinking (reasonable rates in London...!!!!), but I thought I'd give it a shot and ask you very knowledgeable ladies, since right now I really need all the help I can get  -- and I'm just about ready to give up.
Am feeling v. discouraged

Thanks lots xx

[EmilyJones]

Hi Francesca, welcome.

There's a thread here about photographers in London that you might find useful; I'm not sure if you wanted more adult pictures for your private gallery (i.e. sort of more like porn than the kind of less explicit soft-lit glamour that's in most non-private galleries) so if that's the case, you might be looking for a professional adult photographer rather than a glamour photographer and you might need other suggestions. I'll leave this thread here just in case.

[Anika Mae]

Do you have a webcam (many computers have them built in)? I find that the easiest way to take pictures of myself is to film myself and then extract stills from the video (I can explain if you don't know how). Doing it with a webcam is particularly good because I can see myself while I pose. (If you have a video camera that you can plug into the tv/computer while you're recording that would be even better.) Most of the pictures in my private gallery were taken this way and people seem to like them.

I know a great adult photographer, so might as well mention it since it's just an hour on the train from London (Brighton). http://www.trashmeister.com/ I haven't had a shoot, but someone on here has. I think she said it was ?150.

[naughtyjas]

I use a digital camera on timer and a tripod.  It's a bit time consuming, but I have control over the images.  The tripod was about ?20 from argos and worth every penny, as you can adjust the height, angle etc.

And that's for my profile, private gallery and website pics. 

Jas x

[francesca_d2011]

Thanks for your replies

Hi Francesca, welcome.

There's a thread here about photographers in London that you might find useful; I'm not sure if you wanted more adult pictures for your private gallery (i.e. sort of more like porn than the kind of less explicit soft-lit glamour that's in most non-private galleries) so if that's the case, you might be looking for a professional adult photographer rather than a glamour photographer and you might need other suggestions. I'll leave this thread here just in case.

Thanks, Emily, I don't know how I missed that thread since I did search on the forum earlier and it didn't come up - obviously was too early for my brain cells to be functioning properly.

I've checked out all the links to photographers/studios on both threads, and everything seems v. expensive - at the moment I am totally strapped for cash. 

For the private gallery I think I'll go with Anika Mae's suggestion and use my webcam or possibly get a digi camera & tripod (thanks Jas for that suggestion)
I  am def. going to use the webcam for private gallery videos -   the image is not v. good quality - now sure how much that would matter though? I'll give it a try:)

I would use the digi camera & tripod for the main profile pics too, but I really wanted pics with some good lighting, and in an ideal world, someone who could direct me --- I haven't got a clue re: flattering poses, and how to look more appealing, glamorous, etc, since I'm terribly unphotogenic.... plus possibly some retouching of the pics after ... but i realise now that I need a fair bit of money for a photo session like that, so I'm going to have a big re-think about all this.

Thx again for your suggestions.
xx

[Anika Mae]

If cash is a problem, TFP/CD (time for prints/CD) shoots may be an option. The thing with this is you can't expect control over the images, so it's not for everyone. The idea is that models and photographers who need to build up their portfolios (or just like shooting for fun) get together and make some pictures without money changing hands. This can be a good way of getting some nice photos, but since you're not paying for a service you have to expect to accommodate the photographer to some extent, so s/he'll want to be able to use the pictures in a portfolio at least, and may not be happy shooting faceless shots. Also remember that copyright always belongs to the photographer unless it's specifically assigned to someone else.

If that sounds ok, go to purestorm or modelmayhem. If you sign up with amateur pictures you'll attract some icky people, but you're not a naive wannabe model so you should be fine. Another thing to bear in mind is that those sites are fussy about people using the site to get escort work (sounds awful to me but apparently there are silly girls who do it), so you need to be careful if you mention your work. I think you should bring it up before agreeing to a shoot though; photographers usually want credit anywhere their work is published, but they may not be happy to have their name on adult sites, plus if you want to sell the images I don't think it's fair to do that with TFP if you haven't asked first.

[ParisB]

HI
when you say expensive what do you mean  100 200 300 400 500  and what do you expect to get
the photographer that i use in bristol  i pay him 130 for 2 -3 hours i get all the photos on a disc and they are in black and white colour and tinted  i normallyh edit them myself but if i cant he is happy to do it for me
 

i have used this guy also  lots of time a lot of his photos are on my website  its  not london but watford so not far and his name is andy milne i have used him for several years and he is really great  he is very reasonable and a good guy  ie not sleazy wanting freebies ect
if you look outside of london ie brighton oxford ect you will find more reasonable photographers as well

http://www.onemodelplace.com/photographer_list.cfm?P_ID=78364


you might also you find more sucess with semi pro photographers  which is what i always look for rather than the professional photgraphers
just google  semi professional photographers and look at model site and amature photographers as well
as they are a lot more reasonable than the so called professionals

 

[Pennymoney]

Guys, on the whole, don't particularly care if your pics come from a pro photographer or from yourself. So long as they can see what you look like, what you're wearing, no mess in the background and the pics aren't blurred, they'll be happy.  I've noticed that they do seem to prefer the 'amateur' look to photos on there.

 On my AW profile, I just have pics of me out and about on holiday  and some quick and dirty ones of my corsetted up chest from my webcam.

[francesca_d2011]

Anika, thanks, for those tips - was definitely thinking of amateur photographers but wasn't sure where to even start looking for ones that were good/reputable, so you've been a great help by providing those 2 names.

ParisB thanks for your insight too,  I agree that going outside London is an option I need to consider if I want to spend less. And thanks esp. for recommending the photographer in Watford, as there is nothing I'd want less than to end up with someone dodgy, so thanks lots for that.

Re: how much I want to spend for pics, I don't yet know exactly as as it's quite a gamble to spend any money at all, since nothing might come of  this  --- I still haven't had a single booking; all I've had is a few Directcam sessions, and OK it's only been a week but it might stay that way. Especially as I have no real self-promotion skills to speak of.

Pennymoney- I have been told quite a few times that clients prefer real images as opposed to professional, but I still feel my profile could do with a bit of glamour, just to 'stand out' a bit more --
Also as a side note, I was reading posts on places like Punternet,etc, and most of their recommendations and field reports were links to these gorgeous women (with prof. photos) whom I could never look like in a million years lol.

Anyway I'm rambling now, sorry guys. I'm grateful for all your advice, and it's great that you're all given me lots of options to consider. 
This is possibly the most badly-written post in on your entire forum -- apologies as I haven't been up very long (i got up 7.30 pm!!)  Thanks xx

[Your Tera]

Not "reasonable"--but amazing. I bought a Groupon for Shine studios for a boudoir shoot and I had some really hot topless and some arty nudes. It was very costly to buy the photos even on digital but Cassia made me look breathtaking-- I'm even cropping one of the photos to use on dating sites and sending it to my parents!

xx
Tera