Ok. So, first, a secret. I’m out of the country. I have rare and begrudging access to the Internet until May 8. I’m not answering my phone. I’m not checking email. I’m not even typing this blog post. Well, I am. But by the time you see this, it’s more like “I did” because WordPress has this nifty scheduling option for blog posts. So I can write this now and you can read it when I want you to. I’m being a very good girl and keeping you all updated while I’m away. Just so you can keep thinking of me. Rest assured, I’ll be thinking of you.
Now for the news:
My photographer is coming to New York in a few weeks and we’re tossing around the idea of doing a photo shoot. Mostly because I figure you guys are as bored with my pictures as I am. Though there’s also the fact that Eros, that vaguely necessary evil, has a Draconian photo policy which allows me to post pictures of my bared breasts or ass, but not of a man in a hood. Or in any kind of restraint. Or even nipple clamps. “But I’m not selling breasts!” I complained, to no avail.
Given that something like 80% of my current photos are of bondage or other painful predicaments (another Eros no-no), I need ideas for a suite of images that don’t violate the Eros terms but still honor my own aesthetic. Which means:
- They need to tell a story. “Look at my sexy _insert body part here_” is not a story I want to tell. However, I love the story here so much that I can forgive the “Look at my sexy bits” that comes with it.
- They can’t show my face. I’ve gotten this far without it. Why start now? Besides, I like the bit of mystery.
- They can’t be fetish driven. I’m ok with wearing fetish clothes to propel the story, but it can’t BE the story. In other words, no stand and model “I’m wearing a catsuit!” or “I’m wearing a corset and holding a cane!” nonsense.
- Bonus points for pictures taken in a non-traditional setting, preferably outside
Some samples of images that I’ve done that work, and I love:
I would love your ideas — original or links to stuff you’ve seen elsewhere — on what you’d like to see. If you want to toss in a few other ideas that maybe don’t fit Eros guidelines but do fit mine, then share as well. If I use your idea, you’ll get access to my password-protected gallery, a personally-curated selection of six of my favorite unpublished/discontinued images (raw scene shots or professional photo shoot) via .zip file, and, if you’re in the area — or I’m in yours — I’ll take you out to lunch.
Thanks so much for your input.
Something involving a scrabble board would be appropriate:).
Hey you’re on the international space station aren’t you??
You, on a horse, riding crop in hand, man next to you.
Man in hood, your fingers around his neck, your face partially obscured by the hooded man, but we still see you smile.
Man in hood in cage, looking up through the bars, a thin stream of water (or is it?) rains on him. Of, if that violates Eros, then just your booted heel rests on the bars for him to look at.
Man ensconced on Fixed Point (you know the one), he looks kind of panicked (eyes wide and wild), your slightly blurry reflection in a mirror a mirror smiling at him.
Man in suspended sleepsack; you appearing to hold him up like some kind of Atlas.
Man: me. 🙂
@downlow
ON A HORSE!?!? Like a real live horse? Sorry, farmboy. Not in my budget.
But I DID use the strawberry idea. I’ll post the image but I doubt I’ll use it … it’s too … flirty/sexy/porno.
The others are fine ideas but too bondage-y for Eros.
@axe
I owe you lunch, darlin.
Picture of just your mouth, teeth holding a cherry or deep, red strawberry. Maybe the fruit “bleeds” a little.
More pictures like the one above of you in black, out at night, with your metal fingertips on the man’s back. That one is my favorite!
Wow, that’s a toughie. Looking through what they’ve got posted on Eros, it seems like they all follow the same formula – Head shot of domme and one of her in full fetish attire, with a whip. No headshots makes it tough. Perhaps a photo with the eyes blackout with a band. Like this: http://fetlife.com/users/112003/pictures/1691634 It gives it a naughty 1950s porn look that is classical and unique. It would work with vintage bdsm attire. I’d definitely drop the “boy beater”photo. For some reason it strikes me as something from a Michael Jackson show.
Troy,
Axe had it right – a picture involving a scrabble board. Maybe with a score sheet on it, you grabbing a cane…
You, sitting at a cafe, reading a book, your feet resting on the back of a man in a suit on all fours…
You, preparing rope for bondage – either whipping the ends (do you whip the ends?) or coiling it just so.
You silhouetted by the headlights of a pickup truck in the night, a winch on the front bumper with a line that goes up over a tree limb, the line lifting a man in suspension.
A man kneeling before you, he faces the camera, you face away, your hand on his shoulder, a tear on his face, and your headed turned to the side just enough to show the hint of a smile.
You in black skirt, white blouse, glasses… oh wait, that’s just my librarian fantasy sneaking out again. Still…
Downlow’s idea of you biting a berry is an excellent idea.
Enjoy your secret travels.
Jeffrey
– Shot as though playing Scrabble against you. Focus is on your hand as it places a tile, but also showing you from roughly waist to neck, our tilerack, plus the board. You wearing something distracting, plus toys next to the scorepad… A series of pictures, one each of cribbage/scrabble/backgammon with outfits/toys themed to match each game might be fun.
– Shot from behind you, you dressed in very much non-domme gear, like the white dress in the pictures above, hands on hips and looking down at man, also in non-fetish gear putting his head to the ground in front of you. If you can, find a sunset and a sandy beach, carry shoes in one hand & convey a romantic post-dinner walk on the beach. Your bare foot gently pressing on the back of his head would be a nice touch.
– Riff on the ipod adverts. Solid colour background, full length black silhouette of you, in the middle of a singletail motion, maybe with an item or two of fetish clothing outlined in white. Singletail as a white silhouette, instead of the usual headphones. For text, instead of “iPod”, how about “iWhip”. Depending on the rules, the target of your whip could also be silhouetted in the picture.
– In an office reception, you being directed by receptionist towards closed office door as though to a meeting. You in business suit, very obviously carrying rope, toys, paddles, etc. Other people around, no-one reacting to the obvious display of toys/rope.
– Copy the Vettriano painting “The Temptress”. Substitute rope for the cigarette & toys for the lighter.
Have fun,
Al
Building on Al’s idea of showing the tile rack – letters on the rack spell “BONDAGE” or some other fetish-related bingo.
You sitting at the kitchen table in a casual pose and casual dress. On the table is a juxtaposition of everyday items like coffee mug, bowl of cereal, newspaper, and some of your favorite play instruments. You have a naked man sitting at the table with you, slightly out of focus, with his hands behind him.
The visual that turns me on the most is the curve of a woman’s hips. I expect this is true for a lot of men.
That’s my two cents.
Hope you are having a great time wherever in the world you are.
Since eros is fine with nudity.. how about you fully dressed in evening wear. and a naked man is being presented to you?
you at nice table eating dinner.. slipping food under the table to guy crouched underneath waiting patiently.
outdoors.. you cannonballing into a pool aiming to drench a crowd.. haha
MTO,
I’d be somewhat careful with the Scrabble. It’s a great idea for those who understand the context. But for newcomers to your website or viewing you for the first time on Eros it might be too confusing.
Glancing through other BDSM Eros ads it seems they allow implements to be shown. So how about some with you holding whips, canes, floggers and the like. Or maybe holding some Icy Hot or Biofreeze. A guy could be in the background – waiting. Could the photo show him on the cross or bondage bed, but simply crop out hands/feet where the restraints would be? That way we know they’re there but we can’t see them.
The board with the metal strips and power screwdriver – all laid out. Waiting. You nearby.
The aftermath. Him bruised and bloodied. Implements strewn about. Like there had been frenzied action. You offering a glass of champagne for sustenance.
You dangling a chastity device. His back is to you. He doesn’t know yet.
Gotta do something with The Pound. Maybe you holding rope, chains, locks, etc. The door is open and you’re pointing inside.
I loved the bleeding berry above.
Have fun.
Whizzer
My God, don’t do the scrabble bit. I find the Eros customer is the type that dabbles in bdsm. They won’t get you with a scrabble board and you’ll be paying for advertising without any return. Or worse, complete wierdos. How about you dressed in leather, with a whip and a bandito mask? Just like the main page of your web site. It conveys a sinister look yet lets the customer see enough of your features to know that when he books a session with you that you don’t look like Susan Boyle.
@lmp
I am certain that there is enough of my face in the photos that can be seen to surmise that I don’t look like Susan Boyle.
My success rate with Eros is about 50/50. Honestly, at this point I mostly keep the ad up more like a reminder/bookmark than trying to draw in new players. But what would you know about the Eros customer profile anyway?
@whizzer
I did take some Scrabble pics … as for how much I’ll use them, who knows. A couple of them I like. I did end up using your idea about the Pound, so I owe you lunch.
@sherulz
I’ve loved that dinner table idea for a long while but trying to produce it is a bit of a challenge. I’m not sure I get the cannonball idea, but you do make me want to go swimming!
@Alex
I really like that tableau you set though it may be slightly TOO domesticated for my purposes.
@Jeffrey
I did something like that Scrabble rack idea. You’ll see. But do I owe you lunch for it? Hmmm. As for the pickuptruck idea … creepy!
@Al
Loved your ideas. Clearly you have a visual mind. I think credit for the Scrabble idea goes to Axe, since he was the first to mention it. But if you’d like to claim some .jpgs, I’d be happy to send you a few. Email me and I’ll reply.
Troy,
As much as I *want* lunch, I wouldn’t feel right about it. I really just added some thoughts to the ideas of others.
Of course, the final decision is yours. 😉
Pickup truck idea was creepy? LMAO. I thought I was being creative by coming up with a good model for out suspension, I landed smack dab in the middle of Deliverance!
I have so much to learn.
Jeffrey
P.S. Harshing on Susan Boyle? You may have just pissed off three quarters of the world, but you’ve endeared yourself to me forever.
*out = outdoor.
I hate it when that happens. I’m going to fire my editor.
How about a version on this pic:
http://www.sexfreakgirl.com/visitors/18.html
You and your apprentice do not show your face or the man’s face, and it doesn’t involve strap on. Let’s say he is tied down and hooded, and we see the back of you and your apprentice discussing some toy that you are both obviously going to use on the man in just a few minutes. He doesn’t have to be naked, or his nakedness doesn’t have to show; maybe just show the concerned look on his face about the toy being discussed.
Or a take-off of this pic:
http://www.sadolady.com/femdom/fucking-in-bondage.html
The guys is tied down really tightly and creatively, and you are approaching him with a nasty instrument, but we see you from the rear or side. You are obviously walking in the picture, approaching like a cat stalking her bound prey.