Can pictures be too professional or artsy?

[migueldeltoro]

I'm curious if anyone has had issues using pics that look too artsy or professional. I think my current pics are a good in between. The reason I ask is because Steven Underhill had me model for him this last weekend and while the pics are worthy of a coffee table book, I don't want to put potential clients off because I look unapproachable or that maybe the photos don't look real.

 

This particular profile in London really had me wonder:

 

Nicholas in London

 

I like the artsy look, but not sure what clients might think.

 

Any opinions or experience?

[doitb4ugo]

Yes

 

Pics can be too artsy in an escort ad....When looking at guys pics, I am trying to decide a number of different things:

1. 1. 
      
   2. Is the guy hot and someone who I am physically attracted to.
      
      • For this the artsy pics are not bad....
        

[*]Do I like the guy or the guys look. Can I tell from the pics what he might be like.

• For this descision, artsy can easily get in the way. Arsy tends to distance the viewer and provides a sub-text which overwhelms the textual nature of the subject.
  

[*]does the escort seem approachable or someone who would want to spend time with me....

• For this, the artsy is also not always good. Seeing the genuine guy or a semblance thereof helps inform the viewer. Not to suggest that good quality pics are not important...but staged artificial looks are not helpful.
  

Artsy pics have their place but the artifice needs to be kept toned down for escort ads. My opinion.

[+ sf westcoaster]

Miguel, I believe that there is a place for professional photos in escort ads, but the artsy ones belong elsewhere. I look at an escort's photos in an attempt to get some idea of who he is as a person. Artsy photso can be plastic and contrived and therefore not good indications of the real person. Professional photos (not artsy) when chosen carefully can be a positive method for an escort to say "this is me".

[orbital sander]

I am always surprised when I see bad photos in an escort profile. I just cannot believe that some use photos with another person cut out...but surprisingly, some very well know escorts have used such photo's. Camera phone photos are also pretty marginal

 

There are certainly photos that are too artsy as well. Like most things in life, I think a balanced approach is good.

 

Yours seem just fine to me Miguel.

[flguy]

Your "London" boy pics are fine by me but I always think when I see these the guy won't look as good when he hits my door. Please if you do artsey don't use the same hair style London Boy did.

[orbital sander]

Your "London" boy pics are fine by me but I always think when I see these the guy won't look as good when he hits my door. Please if you do artsey don't use the same hair style London Boy did.

 

Don't forget the Rugby Ball and the Camera !!

[Diverdan]

Professional but NOT "artsy"

 

When I see pictures taken with a camera phone, especially when bounced back off of a mirror, my impression is that the guy does not think enough of himself to get a good picture. I am sure we all have friends who can take good digital pictures to upload!

 

I agree that if you hire a professional photographer, make sure they don't do something that you might do for a "professional model's portfolio". I don't need to see a camera, a football, soccer ball or any other accompanying props. Ideally the photo should convey who you are and give me an idea of whether or not we can "click". I don't need to see everything, you can save that for "private" pictures or send via email after the appointment has been confirmed. A good narative description also helps, especially if there are limitations. Another alternative is to eventually develop a good web site, and then if you want to provide more explicit photos, make them password protected or have a disclaimer or similar protective device to limit your exposure... no pun intended.

 

Pictures that give a reflection of your personality are ideal. Look at some of the most well known and well reviewed guys on this site and you will have lots of ideas.

 

Good luck and hope these responses from a number of different guys are helpful.

[body2body]

A Good photo from a professional photographer can be your best calling card. I booked a multi hour appointment with one escort soley because his profile pics were so hot. When we met in person He looked exactly like his pics. His shots were perfectly lit, taken against a dramatic dark ground, and showed off all his considerable assests as well as projected his palpable focused sexual energy. They were not subject to photoshop editing, retouching, or anything that obscured the escorts true appearance or nature.

 

I find that I rarely hire from ads where the guy is standing in front of the bathrroom mirror with his phone/camera in his hand.

 

A few months ago I engaged a photographer (who I found on craigslist) I recognized, from the website he referred me to, that he had taken pics of a number of local escorts and masseurs. I am not a very handsome man, but I aksed if he could make the most of the assests I have. We did a 1 hour shoot, and I got what I asked for. I posted my shots on a social networking site. My profile in over the prvious 4 years had gotten about 600 hits. With my new pics, the same profile has had nearly 1500 additional hits in less than 4 months.

[Guest Merlin]

The problem with good professional photos is that the escorts often continue to use them for many years. And, in preparation for the photos, the escorts probably diet down, get a special hair cut, body shave etc. Bodybuilders often use photos in contest condition, when everyone knows they went out the night after the contest and downed enough pizza to gain 20 lbs of water and fat. For those reasons, I tend to be sceptical of professional photos.

Self phots with the escorts cell phone and a mirror, on the other hand, don't show much.

ESCORTS, let me suggest that you take your cellphone or camera to a meeting with a client and ask him if he would like to take some photos. Most clients will really enjoy it and if the photos are on your camera, they are under your control. If you don't like them delete them. Your client had fun and you didn't lose anything.

[+ Lucky]

Steven Underhill takes photos that do a very good job of looking "natural" while at the same time catching the better features of his subject. In California, at least, his photos are often seen in magazines and the guys look like they are relaxed and having fun rather than sitting for a photographer.

 

I liked his work so much that the bf and I had our pictures taken by him. I didn't get any escort business out of it though.

[MsGuy]

And on an extended session,

 

It might be a fun way of keeping the client entertained while taking a breather. Clever idea, Merlin.

[doitb4ugo]

I second hat idea

 

It might be a fun way of keeping the client entertained while taking a breather. Clever idea, Merlin.

 

Absolutely a great idea. I would love to be able to do that just for fun....You might also get a kick out of seeing one of your pics on the escorts ad in the future....talk about branding.

[whipped guy]

Absolutely a great idea. I would love to be able to do that just for fun....

Actually it might be fun to have the scort take a pic of you as well with your phone... I really don't have a pic of myself with a beet red butt...

 

Actually, I did take a pic of one guy a couple of years ago... but he then decided to go pro with his pics.

[JoeyBryant]

ESCORTS, let me suggest that you take your cellphone or camera to a meeting with a client and ask him if he would like to take some photos. Most clients will really enjoy it and if the photos are on your camera, they are under your control. If you don't like them delete them. Your client had fun and you didn't lose anything.

 

Naww...

 

unless the escort is a photographer himself and wants to buy a $2,000 Nikon camera...he'll save alot more AND get better photos by going to a photographer.

 

Being a model myself, taking pictures is hard work. There's lighting, angle, focus. I would feel obligated to pay the client for taking the photos.

 

I agree with the others. Professional, but not artsy. I let all my photographers know Im an escort, that way we can do stuff for them and for me.

 

But I don't agree with professional photos being 'suspicious'. I recently went on a (non-work) date with a guy in Denver who was around my age, and not only did he have professional photos that looked just like him, he was a pro baseball player too

[imrthr]

 

Naww...

 

snip snip

 

But I don't agree with professional photos being 'suspicious'. I recently went on a (non-work) date with a guy in Denver who was around my age, and not only did he have professional photos that looked just like him, he was a pro baseball player too

 

 

Sorry to disagree. When an old person has professional photos taken it is usually for a good reason; to hide lines and unflattering facets of the person's face.

 

However, when a young person resorts to having a professional photographer prepare photos, clearly the natural look of the young person is obscured by the "photo shopping" of the untouched photo. This makes me wonder why the young person (escort) would want to conceal his natural looks. I would even wonder what else the young person would want to conceal.

 

I personally like to see a natural pose and look of an escort rather than the bill board type advertisement look one so often gets by using a professional photographer.

 

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