azcra woodward wrote:
I don't really know what the draw is myself.  I'm goth, so that's what I prefer to shoot and I'm glad there's a market for it

Kinda of a dead subject. Maybe know one knows the answer....

azcra woodward wrote:
I don't really know what the draw is myself.  I'm goth, so that's what I prefer to shoot and I'm glad there's a market for it

And what is that market? You get paid to shoot Gothic styles? By anyone other than photographers?

Photoman754 wrote:
What is the market for this? I visit some of the model's ports and they list many many photographers that they have work with and have hundreds of hits on their photos.

I personally know one photographer that gets paid $200/hour shooting fetish/SM, etc.

Am I missing the boat here? Is this as popular as it seems to me or is it limited to just a few?

$200/hour? What are you getting shooting portrait photography?

Christopher Ambler wrote:

And what is that market? You get paid to shoot Gothic styles? By anyone other than photographers?

she is a photographer.

Sian Louise wrote:

she is a photographer.

Ugh, I didn't even notice who I was responding to - my bad.

Okay, so let me restate it - who's buying the gothic content?

Dominick-Destruction wrote:
The Thing that draws people to this side of the photography is the integrity & creativity of it. It has something that little bit more special to offer those who view it as oposed to the generic styles (& the countless amount of cheesey glamour!)
Others probly like it as it's seen as a bit risky & forbidden... curioisty gets the better of them :p
On a personal note I am in it because I love the imagery & how much goes into one picture. The whole crative process. The colours, textures, themes... I find it all very pleasing to both mind & eye. Don't get me wrong I love fashion & portraiture photogrpahy also but The fetish scene just has that little bit extra kick to it! Yu don't instantly forget the images yu've viewed unlike most others from different types.

xDDx

I feel this is paramount in shooting any style of images. You have to enjoy your work to be good at it.

I shoot fetish because it suits me. Do I sell any of it? No, not yet. I’ve only just started shooting so give me some time.

Dominick-Destruction wrote:
The Thing that draws people to this side of the photography is the integrity & creativity of it. It has something that little bit more special to offer those who view it as oposed to the generic styles (& the countless amount of cheesey glamour!)
Others probly like it as it's seen as a bit risky & forbidden... curioisty gets the better of them :p
On a personal note I am in it because I love the imagery & how much goes into one picture. The whole crative process. The colours, textures, themes... I find it all very pleasing to both mind & eye. Don't get me wrong I love fashion & portraiture photogrpahy also but The fetish scene just has that little bit extra kick to it! Yu don't instantly forget the images yu've viewed unlike most others from different types.

xDDx

I agree, it's a whole different way in which to be creative photographically.  Whether you can make a living at it is a different story, but it sure as hell beats carbon-copy boring glam photos, and the range of things you can do is exponentially higher.  Thinking about shooting some creative goth-inspired images myself, so if anyone reading this...

Richard Dubois wrote:

I agree, it's a whole different way in which to be creative photographically.  Whether you can make a living at it is a different story, but it sure as hell beats carbon-copy boring glam photos, and the range of things you can do is exponentially higher.  Thinking about shooting some creative goth-inspired images myself, so if anyone reading this...

Personally, I love the challenge of shooting goth inspired images, it's not the cookie cutter stuff that's fairly standard...

AshesLaree wrote:
I want to say...Who cares.

Really tho, because thats what some photographer/models/stylists are into. Its a sub-culture lifestyle.

Yep.

Snap!!

I'd have to take a stab at this, but I think 99% of the people that responded to this thread care.

I see now, that it should be moved to another forum, thank you for bring that to my attention.

PDXImaging wrote:

Personally, I love the challenge of shooting goth inspired images, it's not the cookie cutter stuff that's fairly standard...

What is challenging about that photo? actually kinda boring....I started shooting goth and fetish and actually had 7 fetish/alternative photo in Echo gallery last july...BUT I do agree it is challenging and a LOT of fun!

Dee wrote:
What is challenging about that photo? actually kinda boring....I started shooting goth and fetish and actually had 7 fetish/alternative photo in Echo gallery last july...BUT I do agree it is challenging and a LOT of fun!

I don't see a single goth inspired image in your port.  And,  btw, is shooting a model in a bog wearing sunglasses or large women in thongs or with stuffed animals more challenging?  Ya ok...  LOL

Mr-Kato wrote:
I am far from an expert, but from experience, shooting black on black and getting some texture while not totally over exposeing the pale skin is a knack I have yet to figure out. (just my 2c worth) And is a must in shooting most gothic materials as they tend to come in many colors, so long as it is black

And, it's the spirit that's difficult to capture, not that I'm an expert, but it's unique to the concept of goth inspired imagery...

Craig Thomson wrote:

Snap!!

I'd have to take a stab at this, but I think 99% of the people that responded to this thread care.

I see now, that it should be moved to another forum, thank you for bring that to my attention.

I just say that because it's not like it's so mysterouis cult thing. Its just a different style. Well maybe there are some fetish cults...hm, i should look into that. lol.

Brittany Elsner wrote:
Well I think that part of the "market" is goth magazines, fashion catalogs, promotion for events, pay sites, etc. Pretty much the same as the market for traditional photography. You would sell a glamour shot to a magazine, or for promotion of something, or for a catalog. So it really is the same but just a different style. Same as glamour, commercial, natural, and high-fashion are different styles but pretty much used for the same kinds of media and are sold to the same kinds of markets. Speaking of all this gothic photography, I'm looking for models and a photographer to do a TFP shoot with me. I have a really awesome idea using some special effects make-up. Please message me for details if you are interested. Thanks!

https://www.modelmayhem.com/posts.php?thread_id=54972

Oh well, good luck with yours.

Craig Thomson wrote:
Snap!!

I'd have to take a stab at this, but I think 99% of the people that responded to this thread care.

I see now, that it should be moved to another forum, thank you for bring that to my attention.

AshesLaree wrote:
I just say that because it's not like it's so mysterouis cult thing. Its just a different style. Well maybe there are some fetish cults...hm, i should look into that. lol.

With the original question being "What is the market for this?" I feel one would need to know more about the genre then just ask a portion of the photographers or models that shoot/live the lifestyle.

Where I live, there is no shortage of fetish models so it's easy for me to have access to them. Cult? naw, it's all a scare tactic to keep the others away.

Craig Thomson wrote:

Craig Thomson wrote:
Snap!!

I'd have to take a stab at this, but I think 99% of the people that responded to this thread care.

I see now, that it should be moved to another forum, thank you for bring that to my attention.

With the original question being "What is the market for this?" I feel one would need to know more about the genre then just ask a portion of the photographers or models that shoot/live the lifestyle.

Where I live, there is no shortage of fetish models so it's easy for me to have access to them. Cult? naw, it's all a scare tactic to keep the others away.

I should move to Washington then?

AshesLaree wrote:

I should move to Washington then?

Are you wanting to shoot some of this freaky Fetish/Gothic stuff or join some underground cult that doesn't exist I'm told...

Craig Thomson wrote:

Are you wanting to shoot some of this freaky Fetish/Gothic stuff or join some underground cult that doesn't exist I'm told...

Come on, don't deny your membership, I saw you at the last cult meeting!

Xochitl wrote:
I have a lot of fun with the gothic look, I think there are many different directions you can take with it.  Horror, club gothic, vintage looking gothic, so may ways to do it.  I think the clothes are what do it for me.  Many people if it is done well, do notice it in photography.

I agree and want to add that the people I've met since shooting this style are the most interesting and diverse group of adults I know.

Craig Thomson wrote:

Are you wanting to shoot some of this freaky Fetish/Gothic stuff or join some underground cult that doesn't exist I'm told...

Both. Im all for fetish/goth and I LOVE cults.

To the OP. sorry bout the thread hijack.

Christopher Ambler wrote:
Come on, don't deny your membership, I saw you at the last cult meeting!

Was it the aboveground meeting or the meeting we had in Georgetown?

It's with a heavy heart I say this, but the underground meetings will be postponed until a new building is secured.
Those in the know understand what I'm talking about...

.:sigh:.

Craig Thomson wrote:

Was it the aboveground meeting or the meeting we had in Georgetown? It's with a heavy heart I say this, but the underground meetings will be postponed until a new building is secured.

Just because you burned the building down when you pulled that fire-breathing-through-your-nose trick. Party pooper.

Xochitl wrote:
I have a lot of fun with the gothic look, I think there are many different directions you can take with it.  Horror, club gothic, vintage looking gothic, so may ways to do it.  I think the clothes are what do it for me.  Many people if it is done well, do notice it in photography.

Craig Thomson wrote:
I agree and want to add that the people I've met since shooting this style are the most interesting and diverse group of adults I know.

I agree. We "goths" are a strange bunch of people. With damn cool clothes. At least my friends are, me I lack the funds for such goth & fetish finery.

Yay for something construcive to say on this thread!

Christopher Ambler wrote:

Just because you burned the building down when you pulled that fire-breathing-through-your-nose trick. Party pooper.

Ummm, that wasn't me, honest.

I did here the Fenix found a new location and it's just a matter of time now

Photoman754 wrote:
What is the market for this? I visit some of the model's ports and they list many many photographers that they have work with and have hundreds of hits on their photos.

I personally know one photographer that gets paid $200/hour shooting fetish/SM, etc.

Am I missing the boat here? Is this as popular as it seems to me or is it limited to just a few?

The boat I think you might have missed is simply this. All clothing is some sort of FASHION.  There's more to the fashion business than what is mainstream.  There's the "standards": high fashion, beauty, lingerie, swimsuit, casual, etc.  But don't forget that there's more to it than that.  Not everyone lives in the mainstream.  Some people spend a lot of money on their appearance who aren't in the mainstream.  There's goth, with the long black, not-so-cheap, leather coats.  There's fetish fashions with the leather and rubber stuff.  Let's not forget the ball gags, and floggers.  Those 56 buckle red patent leather boots aren't cheap!  Biker fashions, club wear, surfing-wear, cycling apparel, gang-like apparel, bondage-wear, and stuff that looks great in certain neighborhoods, or within certain religious groups, or in any of the various cultures, are all part of the "fashion" industry.   

Whenever there is a product being sold and purchased there's sales.  Typically, those sales boil down to two categories, wholesale sales and retail sales.  Wholesale and retail sales both need marketing.  There's catalogs, mailers, circulars, posters, and virtually the same type of marketing that every form of fashion has.  It's this marketing that usually requires models, make-up artists, hair stylists, designers, models, and photographers.  This is true, regardless of whether the "fashion" is mainstream, fetish, or any other form of "fashion".

The answer to your other question is "yes". Popularity for the "non-mainstream" fashions is growing extremely rapidly and some of those who are in such "niches" are currently doing quite well.

I've always thought that many models limit their "range" too much.  Many times models will say "I'm a swimsuit model" or, "I just do high fashion and casual".  Then, in the next breath, they complain about not getting enough paid work.  Well duh! That's like an electrician saying he only connects red or blue wires, or, a painter saying he only paints things blue.  Specialization is great if you have all the business you want.  If you want more business, expand the scope of what you are willing to accept.  When you limit what you do, you limit your income potential. 

I advise models and photographers to have a portfolio of 9x12 prints  that are nothing short of awesome. That portfolio should make that model look like 20 different people showing as wide of a range of fashion types as possible. For the model or photographer, if you don't have any images depicting fetish or goth fashions, you are going to have a hard time getting people to pay you to do that.

A red, rubber, latex outfit with a whip and handcuffs might not be "your thing" and you may never feel a need for that in your closet, but that shouldn't mean that you can't earn some money using it for a photo shoot so you can have it in your portfolio in the event you'd like to show someone that you have experience in that genre.

Modeling and photography is a lot like acting.  Some of the top actors and actresses might be able to say "I don't wanna do this or that".  But, they've already got their big break.  They've already made big bucks.  Before that, you can bet they weren't so choosy.

Generally, there's a market for damn near everything.  Models and photographers should do everything they  can within their comfort limits. I think more models and photographers need to think about the "bigger picture" of advertising, marketing, images which include fashions and lifestyles other than what they find themselves in.  They need to consider whether or not it makes sense to have limits where they are, and whether or not their portfolio covers the entire range of those limits.

Do you suppose that gal on TV who advertises KY personal lubricant made any money for that commercial?

Good luck with all that.

PDXImaging wrote:

I don't see a single goth inspired image in your port.  And,  btw, is shooting a model in a bog wearing sunglasses or large women in thongs or with stuffed animals more challenging?  Ya ok...  LOL

Never said I had any in my port..

Craig Thomson wrote:

Are you wanting to shoot some of this freaky Fetish/Gothic stuff or join some underground cult that doesn't exist I'm told...

When my wife was divorcing her ex, we had a custody battle over their son.  Ex-husband told the court I was the "high priest of a gothic cult" whatever the hell that is.  I guess playing in goth bands and being GAF means I'm in a cult.  I was in Sisters of Mercy's fan club so maybe that's what he meant heh...

I've been working on some for a few paysites and building content for my own paysite, but it's been slow the past month while I'm working out new ideas.

As far as market, I think the models have a much better shot at the market side from a fan perspective.  There's lots of gothy magazines out now and most of them have some focus on fashion, and I see lots of gothic models with their own paysites or selling individual photos to their mailing list and fan clubs, but I don't really see a lot hitting for photographers, at least publicly.  Still, someone has to be taking those photos.  A lot of the gothy paysites I'm working with are paying anywhere from $100 to $300 for a series of photos (some a little more but that's rare).  They prefer to work with the model rather than the photographer, but that's just a matter of working it out beforehand.