Question 1 - Art Vs. Porn
This one is mainly for the guys. It was posted yesterday, but it apparently disappeared during yesterday's problems.
Art pics vs. porn pics
If a stripper were to offer a few pictures of herself to a select group of regular customers, do you guys feel that artful pin-up / tease type photos would be more appropriate, or would pure porn? Personally, I have issues with the idea of doing pure porn, and therefor would restrict myself simply to the lingerie & pinup type stuff. However, at the same time, if there is non-existent interest in such things amongst customers, then there is no point in even doing that. So what do you think guys?
As for the ladies, what have your experiences been in this respect, regarding what worked with your customers?
McCain
Re: Question 1 - Art Vs. Porn
Well, I could use a new picture to pin up in the barracks. ;)
Re: Question 1 - Art Vs. Porn
I would also go with the pin up picture. Hell to expand on ed's comment which I totally agree on, you can get a pic on the net at anytime.
Re: Question 1 - Art Vs. Porn
Well, we'll leave this open for guys to continue contributing opinions as to which they prefer.
BUT in the meantime, what kind of pin-up / lingerie / tease photos do guys like? I mean, baby-doll nighties, virginal white coton stuff, stuff like Elvira, the St. Pauli gir style, older Playboy style, etc? Throw me a one here (no pun intended) as to what content seems to work best for y'all, in terms of being generally pleasing.
The whole thing that started this is that I am thinking about setting up a subscription area on my site my customers, where for a flat-rate of $15-$20/6 months, they would get 1-2 new pictures each month. But I want to make sure it will be worth my while, while simultaneously providing something the guys like at a very reasonable cost. Comments or thoughts on this idea?
McCain
Re: Question 1 - Art Vs. Porn
I agree. If I wanted a picture of a favorite dancer, I'd want a sort of a promo shot - composite or headshot - something that showed her in a classy way and looked legit.
As for style, I'd say it should depend on your personallity and look. If you can pull off the older playboy style, go for it! Those would be pretty nice.
Re: Question 1 - Art Vs. Porn
Pin-up is always better then just a joe-schmoe porno shot. The outfit, props, and environment give the photographer, or in your case, the subject, an extra oppertunity to express themselves. As for what to use, it all depends in the medium on which these pictures are going, and the demographic you are targeting.
If you do the "online subscription" are you planning only 2 pictures a month, or are you planning two setups a month, with 20+ poses on each setup? Shooting digital is super cheep, but make sure you get a really nice camera, or your pictures will look like shit, no matter how good your photoshop skills are.
I think a poster would sell great. I pick tons of them up at trade shows, and usually the models are there to autograph them for you (my garage is lined with them). You could easily get $20 for a nice autographed poster, as long as you keep it "tasteful" enough to be found in the average man's garage (or your local dorm room wall).
As for a "theme" to go with, I'm a car guy, so I always dig on anything to do with cars, especially the classic hot-rod style. I know I want to do a series of photos once my car is finished. I still have a killer 35mm camera from all my photography classes, now I just need some models.
Re: Question 1 - Art Vs. Porn
Re: your question, ASU...
I am thinking more like 1-2 actual photos, because I most likely will not be going the digital route. There is a guy who hangs out at our club that does photography for some of the girls, and he's pretty good. So I'm thinking more in that direction. His only gripe is that he doesn't like trying to shoot pics inside the club, because he says it is so damned hard to "catch the girl herself", if you understand what I mean.
I would prefer to take 40-50 pics, and then select only 1 or 2, as a matter of quality over quantity. I could probably figure out something to do with the outtakes, but I'm not very concerned about it at the moment. Another reason, though, is also the fact that I am considering some careers down the road that may be difficult if everybody and their mom has provocative pictures of me.
As for posters, I did a few tasteful one-of-a-kind b&w pin-up posters when I was 16 & 17 (my face never shows in them for obvious reasons), where I made a $50 commission on each one sold through my "connection" at the time. There was a market in my hometown for such things, and since they were each unique, the posters were selling for about $250 each. Sold a series of 20. These days, I'm not sure I would do that, as I am not sure I want a blown-up pic of my mug plastered anyplace where people might gather. I live in Idaho - this place breeds pervs and serial killers... and I have a very paranoid mind....
McCain
Re: Question 1 - Art Vs. Porn
Just from a mans point of view there as many tasts for pin up art types as there are men some old fashioned stuff done with a new face is nice do what you feel best doing it will come thru the lense
Re: Question 1 - Art Vs. Porn
Now I have a little better idea of where you’re trying to go.
When you say you want him to "shoot inside the club" do you mean during actual business hours, with customers present, or after hours, just posing? I can agree with him on not wanting to shoot while you're working (I can't imagine even trying to), plus it seems like a club would be very hard to light, although I have no idea what your club looks like, I’ve only been in a few full nude shitholes here in AZ. With such poor lighting conditions it seems he would have to push the film, and the pictures would come out like shit.
Seems about right, you can assume a ratio of one 24 or 36 exposure roll, per pose, would yield one quality photo, maybe two. As for everyone & their mom having photos of you, if you make this something someone has to pay for, then it isn’t like you’re broadcasting it out on the wideband. Only those dedicated fans, willing to shell the dough, are going to have access to these pictures, and by then they already know you. And as long as they are "tasteful" it isn’t anything worse then the cover of Cosmo or Maxim.
As per the poster idea, I thought you were trying to come up with a way to make some extra money off your website, now I understand it is more of a thing for your regulars. It seems online photos would be more likely to fuel some psycho, rather then a poster, but in actuality, anything outside of the club has the possibility of sparking a sicko.
I could honestly dig it if you just want to get some semi-professional photos done, irregardless of where they end up. If you use them on your website, hand out 8x10 glossies to the regulars, or show the grand kids what a hottie you used to be, it's all cool in my book.
You got to love Idaho. Don't forget the "bass heads" the small towns breed up there, nothing like building a van with enough subwoofers to blast bass louder then a 747. I did some shows up there for The Buzz Shop, and some of those kids have WAY too much time on their hands.
Re: Question 1 - Art Vs. Porn
I think that it would be in your best interest to have 'glamour' photos done. I mean, what's the point in seeing you in a porno-ish photo? He is getting his fantasy fulfilled right there. But...if you have a nice, flirty phone...sorta teasing like..that will get his mind racing and he'll want to come see you. As far as what type of look you should go for..who isn't better to ask than your customers? Ask them what they enjoy seeing you in. Ask them how you would have to look in a pic to make them want to come down to the club (regardless of where they are at the moment) just to see you?
Re: Question 1 - Art Vs. Porn
Playboy is considered art by most. Hustler is considered porn. Position means alot when it comes to porn or art. That is just one example of the difference i see sll the time.
Pamela
Re: Question 1 - Art Vs. Porn
Mystique Magazine IS art. Playboy, in my opinion, is not, as well as Penthouse.