Of all of the terms bandied about in the wide world of online porn, the word 'amateur' is perhaps the most misused — and misunderstood.
Amateur porn: With roots stretching back to 'swingers' exchanging 'Polaroids®' (and later, home videos), then evolving to become a term synonymous with "A stripper with a Website," the face of amateur porn has changed dramatically over the past few years. Indeed, the bulk of what is passed off today as 'amateur' porn is in reality the product of faceless corporations whose generic pabulum is force-fed to a largely unknowing (and often uncaring) consumer. This brief article will attempt to define the various segments of the 'amateur' porn market, and eliminate some of the confusion that faces the consumers, producers, and even marketers, of this exciting homegrown phenomena.
"Real" Amateur Porn
At it's core, nearly all commercially available amateur porn attempts to be perceived as being 'real,' yet the perception of the consumer, and the deception of the marketer, are here forever intertwined. "Real amateur porn" is just that: erotica produced (and owned) by the actual participants, whether it is done for a profit, or simply for personal pleasure.
Some of the most titillating amateur erotica will in fact never see the light of day. This 'real' amateur porn is often the result of lovers switching on their home video camera, or taking a few snapshots during their own personal lovemaking. The realm of the most intimate contact that a couple can engage in, this material is often kept personal, and savored as the years go by — and definitely not a commercial venture, unlike the vast and overwhelming majority of 'amateur' adult sites.
One of the obvious hallmarks of 'real' amateur porn Web sites is the viewer's ability to learn more about, and to interact with, the actual people portrayed in the site's content. It is the 'mom and pop' nature of these genuine amateur Web sites that gives them their appeal. Not only do these sites celebrate the individuality and particular beauty of the characters who are depicted, but the overt realism and perceived 'availability' of the principals, along with those frequent 'personal' touches that separate one site from another, add to the unique qualities and overall attractiveness of these sites, which are often a labor of love — and it shows. If you really want to experience the attainability and raw sexual energy of "the girl next door," there is no better place to do it than through visiting (and supporting) a 'real' amateur Web site.
"ProAm" Sites
There comes a time when an amateur site has been around long enough, or has been developed to such a high degree of professionalism, that the principals can no longer be considered 'amateurs.' Carol Cox and Danni Ashe immediately come to mind — and unlike the many 'real' amateur sites that are cobbled together around the kitchen table, their operations are large, hugely profitable, and well-capitalized.
Into the "ProAm" category I will also include all of those "strippers with a Web site," whose primary goal is to promote their dancing schedule and maintain contact with their fan base, as well as 'escorts' who use their site as a vehicle to promote their 'personal services.'
Porn stars, whether active or 'retired,' will also fit neatly into this broad category. Asia Carrera, for example, while a true 'Webmistress' and self-proclaimed "computer geek" who possesses substantial programming and Internet skills, is so well known as a 'porn star' that her site cannot be considered 'amateur' — no matter how 'hands on' her involvement is, or how accessible she makes herself through it.
Typically offering higher production values and much more diversified content than most of today's 'real' amateur sites, 'professional amateur' or "ProAm" sites can often provide the intimacy of 'the real thing' —along with the more highly refined surfing experience expected by savvy consumers.
"Corporate" Amateur Sites
Because of the wild popularity and profitability of amateur porn sites, many 'mainstream' online adult companies have spawned a never-ending series of 'amateur' Web sites. For the uninitiated, the most blatant giveaway that an 'amateur' site "isn't" is the featuring of multiple models on the site's 'tour' pages. While the variety of models presented may appeal to some consumers, the portrayal of a commercial collection of 'poorly photographed, average looking girls' as an "amateur site" is a misnomer.
Typically, the 'models' featured in these sites answered an ad in their local newspaper or other venue, that was "seeking models for an adult web site." After verifying their age and identity, they are photographed, videotaped, and the resulting images burned onto CDs and then sold to as many 'content' buyers as possible. Thus these same girls (or guys) may be featured on perhaps hundreds of Web sites — most of which they will be totally unaware of — let alone personally 'involved' with:
Since these sites are often no more than typical commercial 'pay sites' that offer an 'amateur' site theme, they tend to feature the widest array of (and highest quality) content. This can be a good thing, as it provides consumers with a variety of materials usually not available on real amateur sites — but at the expense of being able to develop a 'relationship' (no matter how one sided) with one particular personality.
Large Web cam networks will also fall into this category, and are a different product than the much more 'personal' Web cam experience found on many 'real' amateur sites. It all boils down to what you want:
While it is not a concern for the private (or 'hobbyist') producer of amateur erotica, for those who wish to produce porn for profit, and for those who would enjoy it, knowing what you are getting (and getting into), is one of the most important factors for you to consider when venturing into the world of 'amateur porn.' ~ Ayrora
