I originally wrote this on FetLife, but I thought I’d post it here too, considering this is my website and all…

“GWCs” & Me

Just because someone has a fancy camera, or maybe even some lights, it doesn’t mean they’re a photographer. “GWCs” or “Guys With Camera” are a well documented phenomenon in the Camgirl World and fledgling Fetlebrities would do well to avoid them.

Straight up: GWCs take photos of women to fulfill their voyeuristic and/or domly fantasies, and to create their own personal portfolio of wank fodder. That’s it. Oh and they may use your photos for profit on the greater internet and not be fully transparent about it. That’s a thing now too.

Artist and former nude model, Molly Crabapple, wrote about them in this 2015 article and it resonated with camgirls everywhere, so it got a lot of traction at the time. Now “GWC” is a common industry phrase within cam culture, with seasoned vets recommending newbies avoid them at all cost.

Well known Fet photographer John J. Anklet even wrote a really great piece on how to spot a GWC here that’s worth taking a look at if you’re thinking about becoming the next big thing.

So what am I, if not just a “Gal With Camera”?

I’m a fledgling photographer. Despite the fact that I’ve taken classes, gone to workshops and art retreats, and have been shooting myself nude from every angle for 25 years, I don’t feel comfortable calling myself a professional yet because I’m still very much learning and fucking up, and I am 100% up front about that. I literally have no idea what I’m doing except creating art, like I’ve always done. 🤷🏼‍♀️ I’m still learning how to use every feature on my newer fancy camera, how to shoot with a flash and use artificial light, and how to manage and pose people and props. I currently have more ideas than technological know-how!

A GWC, will likely confidently tell or show you that they’ve suckered shot lots of amateur or aspiring models, and make it sound like you should be honoured by their offer to shoot you. What you may notice in their photos however, is that the lighting is flat, the poses never look natural, the models never look relaxed or comfortable with the GWC’s “gaze”, and they won’t appear confident or sure of themselves. If it feels weird or wrong or bad or “funny” when you look at their photos, or (god forbid) if you’re shooting with them, listen to your gut because it probably is! 🤷🏼‍♀️

As a model/woman…

There are an infinite number of GWCs in the world, and I feel like in the era of Instagram, where models can get famous just by posting pretty amazing selfies, we can afford to be choosy about who we trust with our images.

My personal rule of thumb as a model is that, if a “professional photographer” can’t take better photos of me than I can shoot of myself, then there’s no point in me shooting with them. I realize that I’m a photographer, so you’re thinking that’s not a reasonable measure for a “normal person”, but 80% of the time when I’m shooting my own content, of myself, I’m just using my phone like anyone else.

I don’t need more mediocre photos of myself floating around in the ether, benefiting someone else and bringing down my brand, I can do that all on my own with my phone thankyouverymuch! And so can you! All you need is natural light, a clean set, and one of these (or even better, this) to become Instafamous or start an OnlyFans, if that’s your goal. Just because someone else used a DSLR and it made the clicky clicky sound, it doesn’t mean it’s a better photo than one you took with your phone. “Better” is relative and art is subjective.

In my opinion, the best camera is simply the one you have. 🤷🏼‍♀️ I made my bread & butter on grainy, 320x240px resolution webcam photos back in the internet days of yore!

I guess this is all to say, be careful out there, don’t trust just anyone with your images or jump at the chance to shoot with someone just because they asked or “chose you” unless you look at their portfolio or gallery and think “holy shit”. If it’s not a “fuck yes!”, make it a “fuck no”, and maybe unless you’re paying them to shoot you (idk, even then?), that photographer needs you more than you need them, so don’t let GWCs get you twisted. (But don’t act like a diva asshole either cuz they all talk, often with real photographers, and that rep’s no fun. Just politely say you’re busy or ignore the request. 👍)

On a more personal note, something I’m noticing the more I shoot other people is that a good photo shoot is very much a prolonged, voyeuristic/exhibitionistic, objectification scene, where I, the photographer, am the Top, and with that comes responsibility for the inevitable drop that has followed for both myself and a couple of my models, especially from longer shoots. It took me a minute to realize this was happening, but now I very much feel it’s a real thing no one ever taught me in all my learnings about photography. That’s why I feel it’s even more important to be selective about who you shoot with, on either side of the lens, just as you would be (I hope?) selective about who you play with.

Learning the math and science of photography lighting in a classroom was one thing (coughIdidpoorlycough), but learning how to work with real live human beings with feelings and emotions, especially with my background of great social anxiety, was not something I was prepared for. It has, however, been a joy to figure out so far and I cannot thank my models enough for being patient with my weird, awkward ass and immense enthusiasm. 😂🫶

Peace out, Girl Scouts! ✌️