Online wishlists: trashy, a tad creepy or harmless and useful?

[Melissa Misfortune]

I've been noticing more and more lately that some models have online wishlists. They offer to shoot in anything off the wishlist that is bought for them in return and some even offer a signed print or two from the shoot. Like most pinups, I do this on a pretty tight budget but I'm not the least bit sure what I think of this. Do you think it's trashy to ask for free stuff, a bit creepy or harmless and useful?

[Kat Hazard]

I see nothing wrong with just having a wishlist and if a photographer comes along and agrees to do something like that then it's okay. If your knocking on every door or telling photographers that this is the only way, I don't think that's right.

[RL]

Call me a mercinary. To me its who's picking up the tap. You pay me I shot what you want. I pay you we shoot what I want. TFP or TFCD We shoot for eachother.

[Tifa DeLeone]

I don’t see anything wrong with it really.
Even though, I’m a bit of “If-I-want-something-I-buy-it-myself”-kinda gal and don’t do shoots by requests.
I also don’t shoot with any guy/photographer offering me money for a shoot.

Also, it depends what the item is. A random guy who buys you a thong might not be interested in your artistic side, he would be expecting some very reveling pics. And if you do those pictures, and need a thong… why not?

A lot of people out there like spending money on people they don’t know. Make sure you keep it professional and at “your level”.

Make it clear what kind of pics you do, and don’t start do take pics to please the person buying you stuff and show more more skin. Because those requests might come.

Otherwise, like always: have fun with your modeling!
Wanna get “free” stuff? A wishlist might be the to go!

[RL]

Tifa DeLeone said:

I don’t see anything wrong with it really.
Even though, I’m a bit of “If-I-want-something-I-buy-it-myself”-kinda gal and don’t do shoots by requests.
I also don’t shoot with any guy/photographer offering me money for a shoot.

Also, it depends what the item is. A random guy who buys you a thong might not be interested in your artistic side, he would be expecting some very reveling pics. And if you do those pictures, and need a thong… why not?

A lot of people out there like spending money on people they don’t know. Make sure you keep it professional and at “your level”.

Make it clear what kind of pics you do, and don’t start do take pics to please the person buying you stuff and show more more skin. Because those requests might come.

Otherwise, like always: have fun with your modeling!
Wanna get “free” stuff? A wishlist might be the to go!

 

Very sound advice.

 

[MissWanderlustless]

Honestly I think it's entering into territory that I would not want to go into. But that's just because I've done quite a bit of research and study into gifts, and why we give them. Read the gift by Marcell Mauss. Nothing is ever "free", gifts are not just receiving stuff, "the gift is economic, political, kinship-oriented, legal, mythological, religious, magical, practical, personal and social." 

I am also very much a if I want it bad enough I'll get it for myself type of girl.

[Harlean Carpenter {★}]

And that's actually the point, there's no pure altruism in this situation, it is a trade.  You're trading your time and presence in creating a photo for someone else's financial assistance.  Accepting that it is a trade and establishing clear boundaries upfront are imperative.

RedHeadedHarlotte said:

Honestly I think it's entering into territory that I would not want to go into. But that's just because I've done quite a bit of research and study into gifts, and why we give them. Read the gift by Marcell Mauss. Nothing is ever "free", gifts are not just receiving stuff, "the gift is economic, political, kinship-oriented, legal, mythological, religious, magical, practical, personal and social." 

I am also very much a if I want it bad enough I'll get it for myself type of girl.

[GiGi Von Vroom]

I think it's harmless.  But it depends on how much you're "in demand" as a model.  You can wish away but if no one is in need of your smiling face, it's kind of a waste.  

[Plum Pea Dahl {★}]

My friend used to do that.  She gained quite a following after she posed in BODacious magazine.  She set up a wishlist and when someone would buy her something, she would send them pix of her wearing it.  Her bf is a photographer, so she had easy access!  At first I thought it was kind of weird that she would accept things from strangers, but after a while, it made sense.  Both parties get something they want.  Set your boundaries and make sure they're known.

[Ms. Joclyn Devou™]

Well as an online personality, I will tell you that there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. You also have to understand also that in this lifestyle, we have fetishists and a lot of fetishists will request that you wear things or do things or whatever the case may be and you have to make them know that you need to get something out of it as well and/or make them understand that they must tribute to the experience they are requesting with you. It's just that simple. 

As far as dealing with shoots and things like that with photographers, I'm not really sure how that's handled being that if I was dealing with a photographer, I'd rather want copies of my pics instead, but I guest that's all in how you want to work it out. 

Other than that, who cares about what people think? All that should matter is if it works for you or not.

[Esme Avail]

I think as long as you have a clear mind of what you don't mind and what just wont happen in a million years, you're set to trade. Plus most girls get into this kind of modelling for the clothes and underwear right? I thought it was kind of common place knowledge that not many people make an awful lot of money out of this particular bit of the industry? I'd love to have the means and time to have a wishlist to be honest!

Fair point about the fetishists, one that I completely forgot about myself! Personally I don't know who wouldn't go gaga about a girl in stockings.. sheer silk with black lace and black seams .. yes please! But I guess some people like it more than others, and even then it's still a win win. I wish my other half was just happy to see me in the stockings he bought me.. but unfortunately he just buys them to bite them off! Oh well his money and a whole different topic ;) x