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Author Topic: Advice re spending money on photoshoots  (Read 2276 times)

SamIAm

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Advice re spending money on photoshoots
« on: 07 August 2015, 02:04:02 pm »
Seeking some advice!

How important do you think professional photos are, as an investment? I've had a few photoshoots over the past couple years, all with average or low-priced photographers, and mostly I'm not happy with the photos. I don't really have the money right now, but I'm thinking of hiring Alan Thomas as a tog (I think his work is amazing), though his nicer locations are VERY expensive, like ?700-?990. I was thinking of putting it on a credit card and hoping it paid off after August is over. Business hasn't been good for me recently*, so I can't tell if that's MORE of a reason to do new photos or less. Would love to hear from others who paid beaucoup bucks for photoshoots as to whether they made much of a difference or not. Many thanks for any thoughts!

*I currently can't access Adultwork (my main source of business), as they banned me for using 'non-exclusive photos' for my profile photos. (I had no idea that was a rule until I was banned... yikes!)
« Last Edit: 07 August 2015, 02:33:56 pm by saucysophia »

ParisB

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Re: Advice re spending money on photoshoots
« Reply #1 on: 07 August 2015, 02:30:45 pm »
I've always used professional photographers /semi professionals but not the london based ones as I'm generally to stingy

But I'm due new photos so I'm using a top London photographer on the recommendation of another Escort who is a friend it's costing me ?650 and her photos are gorgeous

But another lady on here told me she as a photo shoot with same photographer and she didn't get one usable photo

But I've spoken to another lady on here who was kind enough to show e her website with photos from the same photographer and her are absolutely gorgeous as well
 Lots of buts  ;D


So I'm hedging my bets and booking a session in with my regular photographer in Bristol who is ace and very reasonably priced and for the same price as the london shoot I will get 20 photos edited and probably 7 -10 videos that I can use as we'll
Plus extra pictures are only a fiver

The only reason I'm really using this particular London photographer is that I want a change of location/ background  for my photos and he has some amazing locations 
« Last Edit: 07 August 2015, 02:47:55 pm by ParisB »

geordie

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Re: Advice re spending money on photoshoots
« Reply #2 on: 07 August 2015, 02:34:07 pm »
I'm also keen to know if professional photos are necessary. At the moment I only have 'selfie' type ones (used to have professional ones before I was outed and was very busy). I regularly read punting forums and when this topic is raised, they seem to prefer selfie/natural photos to heavily photoshopped, professional ones. I, however, like the look of professional ones, and if I knew it would definitely be worth it, I'd be willing to fork out for them.

Fabulassie

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Re: Advice re spending money on photoshoots
« Reply #3 on: 07 August 2015, 03:59:43 pm »
I think a mix can be good - so long as there isn't a massive disparity between the glossy glamorous you and the selfie you.

To the OP: if your business is slow, I don't think spending money on expensive photos is the answer. You may actually have really awful photos right now (I don't know as I haven't seen your advertising) but you can fix that by simply taking better selfies and amateur shots. Ask clients to take them, get a friend to take some, use a timer and your laptop... it can be done.

Good photos definitely make a difference but if you're not getting calls it is likely down to something else about your marketing. Are you presenting yourself well overall in the words you use?

ParisB

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Re: Advice re spending money on photoshoots
« Reply #4 on: 07 August 2015, 04:13:11 pm »
I think a mix can be good - so long as there isn't a massive disparity between the glossy glamorous you and the selfie you.

To the OP: if your business is slow, I don't think spending money on expensive photos is the answer. You may actually have really awful photos right now (I don't know as I haven't seen your advertising) but you can fix that by simply taking better selfies and amateur shots. Ask clients to take them, get a friend to take some, use a timer and your laptop... it can be done.

Good photos definitely make a difference but if you're not getting calls it is likely down to something else about your marketing. Are you presenting yourself well overall in the words you use?

I agree to a certain point what Fabs saying but every time I get a new set of photos which can cost around the ?600 mark generally I make that money back straight away within the first few days

KittenCandy

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Re: Advice re spending money on photoshoots
« Reply #5 on: 07 August 2015, 04:18:52 pm »
I have spent quite a lot of money on photoshoots I'd say about 2 grand in all. I have used alan thomas as well. I didn't quite like my photos to be honest. Plus from his website it kinda comes across as thought he doesn't really do explicit shoots just simple model like poses and stuff that doesn't really do much for punters apparently.From what I've been told though, the best pictures are the ones that haven't been taking professionally with photoshop etc. Men hate them but women love them. I like them. it looks pretty in my eyes but in men eyes it looks fake. So unfortunately I've had to stop doing professional shoots with photoshop cuz at the end of the day I want business and Have to advertise in a way that would get me more clients within reason ofcourse lolz. Plus I save money too  ;D I've had clients say to me that the best pics on my profile are my selfies. I may do some professional photoshoots without having it photoshopped as I like the lighting and location. maybe very very light retouching. But I have to agree with Fab. don't be like me. When I wasn't getting business I would run have a photoshoot then when i get my pics and put it up and still wasnt getting business i would book another photoshoot for the following week. This went out for like 3 or four months lolz.

amy

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Re: Advice re spending money on photoshoots
« Reply #6 on: 07 August 2015, 04:53:31 pm »
I think a lot of it depends on how you market yourself - somebody charging sky-high rates is going to need glossier promotional material than somebody firmly in the midrange. Punters have different expectations, and not everybody looks for the same things.

It also depends on how confident you are that you'll like them. I (to my cost) decided to try some pro photos for the first time in seven years as I was making my new website and booked a photographer that I've rarely heard anyone say a bad word about (and whose photos I liked, although not his 'boudoir' ones and I made this clear when I spoke to him) and wound up without a single usable image, nothing to go on my site and over ?400 lighter - I took some myself (as I've always done) and got my friend to take a few down on the beach and punters always like.

I agree it's normally good for business putting new pictures up but I think that's because they're new, not because of how much they cost :).

ParisB

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Re: Advice re spending money on photoshoots
« Reply #7 on: 07 August 2015, 05:27:47 pm »
I get mine done twice a year generally
I've just started doing selfies my avatar on here is a selfie that I took and I use
Only reason is that in the middle East they prefer selfie to glamour / professional ones as they know you are real they think all the high class glamour ones are fake

Kay

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Re: Advice re spending money on photoshoots
« Reply #8 on: 07 August 2015, 07:27:20 pm »
I spent ?250 with David at Courtesan, and that was for 2h (which way over-ran), I think 20 touch ups, and CDs of all the raw pics. I found it was a good experience, not least as you can learn what works and what doesn't, which poses and costumes are most flattering etc. But I wouldn't spend a lot of money on having them regularly.
"There is no sin except stupidity" - Oscar Wilde

Emma_C

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Re: Advice re spending money on photoshoots
« Reply #9 on: 07 August 2015, 09:07:01 pm »
You can get a fairly decent photographer for around 100-250 a day nowadays. Not much money in it I heard unless they are very professional & selling in the rag trade. Net model or pure storm are good place to look for local photographers. You can even get "time for prints" some will do it for the experience so all you need to pay for is petrol, & maybe a hotel room if they don't have a studio. You can hire local studios too. I know a few good ones in East Anglia. A friend of mine works for 100 a day with no time limits. He used to shoot for Paul Raymond publications.

Caledonia

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Re: Advice re spending money on photoshoots
« Reply #10 on: 07 August 2015, 09:16:56 pm »
I am a typical stingy Scot, so I won't spend money on anything that might not be usable.

I actually do all my pics, including my avatar on here just using my phone, a tripod and a photo editing app and the most editing I do is cropping, blurring my face and sometimes changing to b&w.

My latest main profile pic is my absolute favourite ever and I cringe to think what it would've cost to have it taken professionally.

ParisB

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Re: Advice re spending money on photoshoots
« Reply #11 on: 07 August 2015, 09:36:51 pm »
The guy I use in Bristol i got  from a model site I think if you look for photgraphers outside of london the prices can drop drastically
I pay around ?200-?250 inc 20 retouched photos. Around a 3 hour shoot,  unlimited changes He can do professional videos edited for ?30 with your face blured

You have to get a studio / hotel room but it'still a good deal

amy

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Re: Advice re spending money on photoshoots
« Reply #12 on: 07 August 2015, 09:39:58 pm »
I don't think the OP's looking for recommendations so much as asking whether pro pictures are worth what it will cost her to get them business-wise :).

I do think the TFP options is worth a look if you really can't find a way to get decent ones yourself (or find a willing friend to help). Personally, and with the earlier caveat about how you're marketing yourself, I don't think it matters.

cheesypeas

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Re: Advice re spending money on photoshoots
« Reply #13 on: 07 August 2015, 10:04:18 pm »
I only use selfies....only of lips and boobs.
My hourly rate is never less than 160.
Can be 500 for 2 hrs.

Depends on how many clients you imagine
pro photos will bring in I suppose.



« Last Edit: 07 August 2015, 10:06:12 pm by cheesypeas »
Random idle thoughs...Can I manage 100 sit ups a day for a year...?

JulieBach

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Re: Advice re spending money on photoshoots
« Reply #14 on: 08 August 2015, 10:08:32 am »
I did the really expensive photoshoot
Mine costed 1000pounds for pics + 300 for location + trip to London, I don't even work there
It really made a difference, but for TS it might be different, I think hardly any of us post selfies, we are kinda plastic already, we think we are divas lol
I did the whole prep for the pics: work out and diet, facial cleaning, hair colour, professional make up artist, good location, good outfits

I think if you want good results it's worth considering making an investment, specially for females ... with the amount of competition you got you have to find a way to stand out ...
I want to make video next time, not many girls do it and there's no photoshop in videos, I think it's a huge turn on for clients, a short 1 minute video clip

The best way is to be verified and have comments on forums saying you look like in the pics
and yeah if you are not looking like the pics don't open the door. If a client comes and I'm not ready or the flat is a mess and I'm not wearing make up I just say I'm busy ...
Bad reviews have a huge impact and I think they love to write bad reviews in London