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Hi, I contacted Simon Honey regarding this proposed photographic project who suggested I post my request on this forum.

I'm looking to create a series of portraits of parents of adult performers, ideally in there own homes or in a place where they feel comfortable. Obviously I realise there will be a percentage of actors/actress whose parents are largely unaware of their children's activities and this project will not be suitable for them. However there are, I believe, a number of families who are comfortable with the career choices made by their children and it is these I wish to contact.

The purpose of the proposed series is two fold. Firstly I hope to 'humanise' the actors and actresses, to make them more multi dimensional, in effect to say "look adult actors/actresses have parents too" I might sound simplistic but I feel that any attempt to show that adult 'talent' is not simply "meat', that the men and woman working in the adult industry have families as well can only help the perception of adult performers. Secondly I hope to produce a body of work in which the viewer is forced to confront there own prejudices, and in the process open debate.

The finished images will, in effect, be environmental portraits and will not include the adult performer. The end use of the images is hoped to be a leading Sunday newspaper magazine. There will be absolutely no adult content to these images and all correspondence will be in the strictest confidence. Please contact me should anyone want to talk it through with me.

Sincerely

Mike Usiskin

This is an interesting idea, Mike, and I wish you well with it.

Might I ask though -- if photos from the project do end up forming a feature in a Sunday magazine, will you only be showing portraits of the parents? I understand that these portraits will comprise the project. But won't there be a void at the centre of the feature if separate images of the parents' offspring are not featured as well? Perhaps at a much smaller size, but featured nonetheless?

And if pictures of the offspring are to be featured, how and from where will they be sourced?

Actually, now that I've typed this posting, I can't help but think you're missing a trick. It would be much more dynamic to shoot a family portrait of each model/performer with his/her parents. And even more dynamic if the model/performer was wearing something from their porno wardrobe. No rude bits on show. Just dressed for work.

This would convey the parents' attitude to their son's/daughter's work to much greater effect. And achieve your own aims more successfully.

It would also set it apart from another photo feature I saw recently in a Sunday magazine that presented portraits of famous people's parents on their own.

Actually, pics of the parents with the son/daughter in porno clothes throws up lots of interesting stuff -- about family, about the change/outlook of different generations, about the sexualisation of young people's personal wardrobes, the invasion of porn into the family household through the internet, etc etc. Thought-provoking at a level that photography doesn't actually get that often.

Apologies for hijacking your project, Mike!

I actually agree with Andy, I think it would be much more eye catching this way making people more inclined to want to know what it's all about.

Yeah, and the expressions on the faces of all the three people, standing together like that, would be very interesting to see, no matter how much the parents are okay with it all.

Right, that's enough.

Hi, Many thanks for your considered reply. I have to say the initial idea is not to include the 'offspring' as you call it, though I am open to ideas and will discuss various options when/if I manage to get any interested parties. As things stand I have not had any contact with any potential subjects but there's time. In conversation with others I have been told that I am unlikely to be contacted by new or aspiring performers due to their initial reluctance to involve other family members in their affairs. More established actresses/actors might however be more willing.
Perhaps you could help me in terms of other potential sources as to where I can post the same message as here? Are there other forums similar to this one, or is there any other place where i might reach a similar audience?
Thanks again for your support.

Mike

This is probably the only place enough performers come to. But you may see reluctance from more seasoned performers too

This is due to the fact that even if their family knows, some parents may not want all their friends seeing them in the media as a porn stars parents. No matter how open the family is.

Invite the MSM to examine the adult industry?

Naivety is a terrible affliction, which unfortunately can have unforeseen consequences for everyone.

the MSM? Sorry I'm not familiar with the phrase. You're right re Naivety, whose are you pertaining to?

Mike

Main Stream Media.

Those media that comfortably float along by steering a course only within the support of the main stream. I've nothing further to add to my previous post.

Except -

Leave well alone!