Victoria Phoenix 3403 Report post Posted March 29, 2015 I must vent over the " over kill" of photo shop! My photos may not be high quality , nor did I spend thousands on a photographer, to make me look like someone I'm NOT, but they are Real, and there me, not someone who looks 20 pounds lighter then they actually are, or someone with a flawless complexion or someone who looks completely plastic, because then you would be looking at someone who does not exist! Every one of us, service providers has a flaw somewhere in their physical appearance, and yes, we All want to look our absolute best, for future companions, but photo shopping to the extreme, is a true misrepresentation, to the person you are meeting, more over just a lie! I myself, if I was the person meeting someone, who looked nothing like their pic, would simply turn around and leave,, in my honest opinion, it just makes common sense, to represent yourself as what you truly look like, not what you think looks better, and what others want you to be! Don't get me wrong , make up, dressing sexy and appealing , hair done, all of that is extremely important, especially in this industry, looking our best, at All times, but be yourself in pictures, because when push comes to shove, the ones you are misrepresenting too, may just turn the other way,, just my opinion 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cinelli 22184 Report post Posted March 29, 2015 Reality is a lot of guys do leave when the actual product is way different than the ad. Patronising those who mislead only encourages them. I admire the ladies who are honest and work hard at looking their best. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CristyCurves 169032 Report post Posted March 29, 2015 I agree with you Victoria but, I think some do this because they may feel a need to please all. In this business there is a lot of pressure to stand out, shine and be the "one". Perhaps, some may think, perfecting their image in photographs as a way to. Of course it is a misrepresentation and no one will know until they meet the person. So awkwardness about staying or leaving will become an issue for some. Those of us who take selfies can also be criticized though. I'm told occasionally that I should have a pro take my pics because they are grainy, not good angles, or not showing enough. So no matter what one does, in this business, someone will have something to say, or advice to give about what they'd like to see. Next thing will be having to provide virtual images, lol. I remember the days when a gentleman was happy with a description given over the phone and as long as she resembled that, all was good. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Victoria Phoenix 3403 Report post Posted March 29, 2015 I agree with the " need to please" but when the companion see's you, being 20 pounds heavier and buck teeth and 34a instead of 34D, that need to please, goes out the door, along with him!!! Lol I just think being honest and forthcoming is the only way to go, I myself would absolutely love to look like Angelina Jolie, and with enough , or should I say A LOT of photo shopping I could,, but when that door opens, it's Victoria, Not Angelina! To protect both the client and service provider for both their best interests, just be as close to what you Really look like, instead of what you don't , as for selfies , my opinion they are the best route , your showing everyone, your True Self! Professional pics are great too, I'm actually getting some myself in the upcoming weeks, but without photo shop, to me another taking your picture , you get to see more, then what my phone can take, but will still be the real me,, if I happen to end up looking like Angelina,, well then, I'll have to change my opinion lol 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
someguy 67067 Report post Posted March 29, 2015 You should show yourself the way are, men will except the real you and when they come see you, they know what to expect. If you don't look like your photo's, they may be disappointed and walk away. To be successful in this business, you need to be honest with yourself. We know that most women do not look like models and even models without all their make up may not be considered beautiful to most. Photoshop should only be used to hide identifying tattoos and others. Many times the woman in the pro shots do not even look like that in real life. Photo shop pictures can totally change the look of a person. For an example of an amazing transformation look at this clip: Be yourself, be real and I think most men will be happy to accept you the way you are. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Victoria Phoenix 3403 Report post Posted March 29, 2015 My point exactly! If the women don't look anything like themselves, it's complete false information , which I honestly feel sorry for the person going to meet her! It just does not make any sense to me, to present yourself as someone your not Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CristyCurves 169032 Report post Posted March 29, 2015 I agree with the " need to please" but when the companion see's you, being 20 pounds heavier and buck teeth and 34a instead of 34D, that need to please, goes out the door, along with him!!! Lol I just think being honest and forthcoming is the only way to go, I myself would absolutely love to look like Angelina Jolie, and with enough , or should I say A LOT of photo shopping I could,, but when that door opens, it's Victoria, Not Angelina! To protect both the client and service provider for both their best interests, just be as close to what you Really look like, instead of what you don't , as for selfies , my opinion they are the best route , your showing everyone, your True Self! Professional pics are great too, I'm actually getting some myself in the upcoming weeks, but without photo shop, to me another taking your picture , you get to see more, then what my phone can take, but will still be the real me,, if I happen to end up looking like Angelina,, well then, I'll have to change my opinion lol In your first post, I felt you more discussing what most professional photogs do, they photoshop. They remove some flaws, perfect poses, create magical lighting etc. Misleading, yes, but not really bait and switch. Your second post speaks to bait and switch, imo. The extremes. Which I don't think occurs often as it is frowned upon and would cause more ruin for the companion than success. But lets face it some like to live in a fantasy world, hobbyists and companions alike. Additional Comments: You should show yourself the way are, men will except the real you and when they come see you, they know what to expect. If you don't look like your photo's, they may be disappointed and walk away. To be successful in this business, you need to be honest with yourself. We know that most women do not look like models and even models without all their make up may not be considered beautiful to most. Photoshop should only be used to hide identifying tattoos and others. Many times the woman in the pro shots do not even look like that in real life. Photo shop pictures can totally change the look of a person. For an example of an amazing transformation look at this clip: Be yourself, be real and I think most men will be happy to accept you the way you are. Lets look at this another way- If tattoos were removed, that could be considered a misrepresentation, if one wears makeup, dyes their hair, wears heels, dons sexy lingerie or other sensual attire, dims the lights, scents the air, wears perfume. All these things could cause someone to say we're misrepresenting ourselves. If we are all to be ourselves then we should all answer the door straight out of bed, naked in the sunlight, lol. But then where is the fantasy? Yes I get the point of the thread, take a picture of what's going to be seen, don't misrepresent, but in a sense, we all do, regardless. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest M***ell***A Report post Posted March 29, 2015 I absolutely agree that too much photoshop is a bit of a misrepresentation however I have had people tell me I look nothing like my photos and leave when all they've seen are my selfies! My selfies are 100% not edited at all (unless you count cropping out the excessive amount of background because I'm still not great at them! lol) and all of them are within the last three months. I like professional photo shoots more for my own personal vanity than anything. Yes I admit it. I love how a professional shoot makes me feel like a model! I always tell them to go easy on the photo shop though, I want it to still be me after all, just me a little more polished with proper lighting and poses that I cannot capture myself with my phone. Obviously I use professional pics to promote myself but I also use selfies and I think most whom have met me would agree that my pro pics not over done. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Lep*******1**7 Report post Posted March 29, 2015 I absolutely agree that too much photoshop is a bit of a misrepresentation however I have had people tell me I look nothing like my photos and leave when all they've seen are my selfies! My selfies are 100% not edited at all (unless you count cropping out the excessive amount of background because I'm still not great at them! lol) and all of them are within the last three months. I like professional photo shoots more for my own personal vanity than anything. Yes I admit it. I love how a professional shoot makes me feel like a model! I always tell them to go easy on the photo shop though, I want it to still be me after all, just me a little more polished with proper lighting and poses that I cannot capture myself with my phone. Obviously I use professional pics to promote myself but I also use selfies and I think most whom have met me would agree that my pro pics not over done. I agree with Michelle that there is a distinction to be made between Over-shopped and professional pictures. The first is a blatant misrepresentation and the second is just putting your best foot forward by getting the best representations of who you are. It is totally up to the individual whether to post selfies or not, but in most cases they under-represent who the person is. Good phototography is like dressing well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eric Northman 16522 Report post Posted March 29, 2015 My theory is that everyone should follow "The Principle of Least Astonishment." That is, what can I do that will astonish the client the least? Shiny touched-up pro photos are great but they only tell us your potential under ideal circumstances, not the reality. Selfies that look like they were taken with a potato are similar in the opposite way. They show us the basic look that will likely be much better in person, with makeup, etc. I think that if you don't want clients to be surprised when they reach your door, having a good mix of photo styles is probably the best. Some pro, some natural and maybe some candids. Even better, just choose photos because they actually look like you would look if someone walked in your door. I feel like you don't want to surprise people in either direction. While it's better to pleasantly surprise someone (OMG she looks so much better in person), if that happens a lot, you might be leaving money on the table. Slightly 'truer' pictures might catch more eyes and topple some fence sitters over to your side. In any event, we know it's not all about looks but the photos definitely seem a critical part of the initial generation of interest. From what I can see from many profiles, quite a few ladies seem to treat them almost as an afterthought. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest **cely***r***ne Report post Posted March 29, 2015 I LOVE the the whole photo shoot event! Hair, makeup, poses...it all makes me feel beautiful. Yes it just like a fantasy. It makes me happy..no fault in that. Photo shopping slight imperfections is fine..you pay 1000.00+ for a photo shoot to look your best and OMG theres a zit on your forehead? ZAP! Its gone..pimples don't last forever, so editing things such as that is a wonderful luxury IMO. If you're editing to the extremes that is your downfall. And the thought of it makes me sad. There is nothing wrong with the real you, we're all beautiful in our own ways. Be real, be true and the right ones will find you. Recently I had to edit some of my pictures that are on my site because I have personal issues with a certain person harassing me, to the point of cyber stalking.. (No one here) My tattoos had to be removed..so what? At the end of the day I am who I am and I don't try to be anyone different... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
50 Shades Raven 31380 Report post Posted March 29, 2015 When it comes to pics, I have been asked, 'why don't you have pro photoshots?' Up until now, I did not feel the need for them, and at the cost of $1000+ it wasn't justifiable. The pics I have are selfies, and they are of me, just as I am. When I open the door, that is the image you will see. No expectations of anything less. I discussed with my photographer about photoshopping, as I don't want that. I don't believe that it conveys a true and accurate picture of who I am. If there happens to be a zit, yes, that will be 'filtered' out, but nonetheless, they will be an accurate depiction of who I am. My photoshoot will have different scenarios of me, in different positions, different stages of dress/undress, and hair and makeup done in different ways, but will still be a depiction of what you see when I open the door, the true me. I don't want to give someone a false illusion of who they are visiting. If you photoshop your pictures to the point of where you don't even look like yourself, it is a great disappointment to those that wish to be with you, the fantasy image that they have of you is no longer. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EmilyRushton 253370 Report post Posted March 29, 2015 As someone who invests 110% in their business and marketing I feel I need to say something. Yes, I use professional photos on my website and ads, yes they are photoshopped to make me look my best(there is no harm in evening my tan or whitening my teeth). NO I have never been walked out on and I frequently get told I look better in person than my photos. I don't lie about using photoshop and I have no issue with it all all, I've been upfront on numerous occasions about being glammed up in my pics. I also tweet a lot of selfies (which are untouched), however i would never use them in my advertising. If one is going to be professional and treat this as business you need to invest in it. Once you have a professional shoot (in a studio or hotel, with hair and makeup) you don't go back. There is nothing better than being made to feel beautiful for an afternoon and have others make you feel your best. Your photos speak louder than your ads and they are usually the FIRST thing potential clients look at. I mean there are ladies who have pics with piles of laundry in the background or a full garbage can (you'd never get pics like that from a professional) I don't judge ladies who can't be bothered to take professional photos, but I don't think those of use who do should be judged either. Don't knock it till you try it. 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LXIX60 100 Report post Posted March 29, 2015 They only tell you that because it is true, you are better looking then the pictures and honest to a fault (if that is possible). Those that misrepresent not only hurt their peers, but it such a short-sighted ploy with long-term consequences. Word of mouth is a powerful marketing tool, both in the negative and positive sense. IMHO Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roamingguy 300292 Report post Posted March 29, 2015 As someone who invests 110% in their business and marketing I feel I need to say something. Yes, I use professional photos on my website and ads, yes they are photoshopped to make me look my best(there is no harm in evening my tan or whitening my teeth). NO I have never been walked out on and I frequently get told I look better in person than my photos. I don't lie about using photoshop and I have no issue with it all all, I've been upfront on numerous occasions about being glammed up in my pics. I also tweet a lot of selfies (which are untouched), however i would never use them in my advertising. If one is going to be professional and treat this as business you need to invest in it. Once you have a professional shoot (in a studio or hotel, with hair and makeup) you don't go back. There is nothing better than being made to feel beautiful for an afternoon and have others make you feel your best. Your photos speak louder than your ads and they are usually the FIRST thing potential clients look at. I mean there are ladies who have pics with piles of laundry in the background or a full garbage can (you'd never get pics like that from a professional) I don't judge ladies who can't be bothered to take professional photos, but I don't think those of use who do should be judged either. Don't knock it till you try it. As someone who has seen one or two ladies (OK maybe more ;-) ) in this lifestyle I've never bashed a lady over her photos...not ever!!!!! If a lady chooses, for whatever her reasons to use selfies from a cell phone as her photos, I won't criticize. Likewise a professional companion who chooses to invest in a professional photo-shoot shouldn't be criticized. Yes a professional photographer photoshop's the photos. But in my experience, seeing ladies with professional photos, what those photos do is enhance the natural beauty already there. They don't produce fake photos. When the lady came to my room, and I only had the professional photos to go by, they have always been an accurate representation of the lady. BTW just as a sidebar, does anyone think professional photo-shoots of professional models, such as Playboy, Victoria's Secret, SI Swimsuit Edition etc doesn't involve photoshopping. Maybe some would say those pictures are glamourized, but no an inaccurate portrait of the model. Anyway back to the topic at hand Some ladies, such as Emily also take selfies, on Twitter for example. Those photos complement her professional photos, or is it her professional photos compliment her selfies. And the same holds true of other ladies I have seen. And those selfies also show a bit of time and effort on the part of the lady. If anything, some ladies should take dare I say it, better quality selfies. A photo from a cell phone can still look high quality. But a lot of selfies from a cell phone look like they were done quickly, using a flash which is reflecting in a bathroom mirror. A little patience with the selfies, a bit of attention to lighting, would pay dividends in the end. As long as a lady's photos are an accurate reflection of her, then there are no issues from this client, prospective client. And if you are using photos, they need to be kept up to date. Photos going back to 2010 should not be used now as current pictures on a lady's profile/website. That is to me as dishonest as using someone else's photos A rambling RG 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Victoria Phoenix 3403 Report post Posted March 29, 2015 I am so looking forward to my upcoming photo shoot, hair make up, Glam! But at the end of all the glam, it's still me! Not someone that looks nothing like me :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fortunateone 156618 Report post Posted March 29, 2015 I agree with ER as well. There is a type of companion where these very professional finished photos represent the type of companion that they are. They would not be not well represented by selfies or non professionally touched photos in any of their site galleries or advertising. When they see this type of photo, potential clients know that they are professionals, who are investing heavily in their reputation and presentation. & no I do not think mirror shots with a cellphone will be attractive to that clientele ever. It will make him think twice about contacting that escort, because he is looking for an escort, professional, companion. There are some escorts who people (on review sites) always denounce for 'over' photo shopped photos in ads. But they are usually the ones who haven't seen them. Anyone who does says in spite of the touched up photos, the escort looks like the photos, there is still no misrepresentation. I've seen videos of the same sps, and yes, in real life that is what they look like. Just because a photo shows someone who appears unbelievable doesn't mean they are lol. And lets' not leave out the ones who actually steal photos off of catalogues etc, and they will never look like the photos in the ads. That isn't a problem of photoshopping, it is a problem of stealing pro photos. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Victoria Phoenix 3403 Report post Posted March 29, 2015 Unfortunately though , I have actually met some ladies , who look unbelievable , in their pictures, but in person look Nothing like their photos , what so ever! A true misrepresentation! In this industry, beauty, inside and out matters, marketing yourself matters, everyone can not dispute the fact that we All want to look our absolute best, at all times, rather in a photo or a meeting, just present yourself as you, not someone 25 pounds less, or someone else, such as what has been previously mentioned, stealing others photos Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Isabella Gia (Banned) 53881 Report post Posted March 29, 2015 (edited) With all due respect OP I am having a hard time trying to understand why another lady would care about the way other ladies run their business. Don't get me wrong, I do have my opinion on the way certain people do things but my opinion doesn't mean what I think is right and why would I tell others what I think they should or shouldn't do? If someone uses photo shop in a deceitful way then it will impact their business and they will have to correct that or suffer the consequences, simple as that. If it's meant to be as advice that's cool but to be honest it doesn't sound like it to me plus I believe in this case any of us who do photos a certain way whether if that way is using Photoshop or not, pictures being professional or not they (we) do it because is what works for us meaning there is no rule on the type of photos to use. I didn't want to mention about anything about the way I do mine because don't want to come across as me thinking is the right way and it's only the right way for me which is what matters but I do not do professional shoots because I'm camera shy and it took me years and many attempts to actually feeling comfortable having someone take photos of me however I don't think the fact that they're not done by a professional photographer means they´re bad photos or/and will have an impact in someone deciding to see me or not, the way I present myself as in what I wear in those pictures, poses, wording in my ads and communication with potential guests does. What I'm trying to say is IMO, a photo does not make a provider, her way to do business does. There are ladies with studio photos who may not be professional and ladies who only have selfies who have great customer service skills which again IMO overshadows the quality of one's photos but that's just my thinking. Edited March 29, 2015 by Isabella Gia (Banned) typos 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrgreen760 37785 Report post Posted March 29, 2015 I prefer photos to be as real as possible. I'm not much of a glamour guy, but that's just me. It's what the individual is comfortable with. Peace MG 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Victoria Phoenix 3403 Report post Posted March 29, 2015 I myself, have no problem how a lady chooses' to run her business or how she decides to advertise, my only issue, and it can be taken as advice or criticism, is when it is complete misrepresentation of how they look, the downfall, comes when future companions, meet us, wondering if we are doing the same thing, misrepresentation of what we look like, then they become hesitant as to meeting us, so yes it can effect us business wise, our photo's are the first presentation a person see's then comes our personality, which to me is just as, if not more important , then looks, so in the end, our pics are how we initially meet, so just be yourself, in a professional shoot or a selfie, that is just my opinion :) Additional Comments: IG, I think you misunderstood , I am Not trying to tell other ladies how to post pics or ads, nor did I say anything negative about photo shoots , I myself am having them this week, my posting is about over kill, complete misrepresentation of photos, to the point where the lady looks Nothing like herself, I myself and I'm certain other ladies hAve had the texts or calls, where the question is asked" are those your real pics?" That was my point of this thread, being real, either with selfies or shoots, looking your best, not someone being someone else 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eric Northman 16522 Report post Posted March 29, 2015 I think some people in this thread are conflating the notion of touch-ups like ER mentioned vs. massive photoshop changes of boob size, waist size, eye color, etc. One is certainly fine, the other, kind of sketchy. I don't think anyone is accusing people who have professional, lightly touched-up photos of misrepresenting themselves. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roamingguy 300292 Report post Posted March 29, 2015 Additional Comments: IG, I think you misunderstood , I am Not trying to tell other ladies how to post pics or ads, nor did I say anything negative about photo shoots , I myself am having them this week, my posting is about over kill, complete misrepresentation of photos, to the point where the lady looks Nothing like herself, I myself and I'm certain other ladies hAve had the texts or calls, where the question is asked" are those your real pics?" That was my point of this thread, being real, either with selfies or shoots, looking your best, not someone being someone else Well I'm trying to think of some lady where the companion's photos did not look at all like the lady used over kill, or was a misrepresentation of herself. Of the ladies I have seen who had/have professional photos done, (at the time I saw them) ten out of ten ladies had photos that accurately represented themselves. In fact of all the ladies I've seen, whether they used professional photos or selfies, I've never had an issue about the photo accurately representing themselves. I'm sure there are some, but I've been seeing professional companions since July 2010 (not long compared to most) and never has a lady's photos been an issue for me Anyhow, just a rambling reflecting my experience RG 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Victoria Phoenix 3403 Report post Posted March 29, 2015 RG, that's fantastic to know, that you haven't been mislead , and your very fortunate , as there are some who have seen Elite service providers, that haven't been so lucky, it's true they are far and few between but my opinion is keeping it real,, no lies, just real :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CristyCurves 169032 Report post Posted March 30, 2015 I agree with ER as well. There is a type of companion where these very professional finished photos represent the type of companion that they are. They would not be not well represented by selfies or non professionally touched photos in any of their site galleries or advertising. When they see this type of photo, potential clients know that they are professionals, who are investing heavily in their reputation and presentation. & no I do not think mirror shots with a cellphone will be attractive to that clientele ever. It will make him think twice about contacting that escort, because he is looking for an escort, professional, companion. I think a companions professionalism is based on far more than her presented photos or how much she spends, that's a big generalization. This can be said for many professions. For an example, a doctor in an expensive building, with high end furnishings and staff isn't an indicator of his quality of service, experience or ability. It simply indicates that he/she spends more on what can be seen . He or she can spend more possibly because he/she earns more and they don't necessarily earn more because they are better or more professional, it could be because they work more, possibly see more clients than others and may charge more. Any client or anyone searching for a professional in any business would be doing themselves a disservice by choosing based on a shiny exterior alone. As would any hobbyist, by choosing a companion based on photos alone and since some of us share the same clients I'd say that your theory isn't factually based:) There are some escorts who people (on review sites) always denounce for 'over' photo shopped photos in ads. But they are usually the ones who haven't seen them. I'm not sure how you'd know this, but if you have proof then you should report those who make false statements as that's just unfair for the companion who is being denounced. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites