How the shoots work now...

[Abby]

Hi

Now seems like a good time to come out with some changes that have been happenning behind the scenes here. As evidenced by the "abbywinters 2" thread a while back, we have lots of models willing to do shoots, but not a place to put the shoots, which means we have a lot of backlog. I have come up with a plan to solve this, which I will post about in a sep thread shortly.

But the point is, I am burning out from shooting so damn much, so since about June last year, Jamie had been learning to shoot. She started shooting reduxes on her own in October or so, and moved on to shooting some of the primary shoots earlier this year. She shot around half of the special project models (and all of the reduxes of those models, which will appear over the next year I guess).

Then, she decided to quit, which was a big shame, but she HAD been with us for two years, and she is young, and the job was extremely demanding - 50 hours a week average. Around the same time, Susie came back to work for us, to help us make the T3's happen.

Soon after, I shot Penny, and found out how damn cool she is. We spent most of her shoot talking about photography and not shooting. I offerred her a job, initially as shooting assistant, but with a view of training her up to do shoots, and she was dead keen. As we started shooting more and more models, I realised that Penny cannot do it all herself, I was just exhausted, so I asked Nico if she wanted to work with us. She worked full time for ISM, wrangling models for that site, and was looking for a change, and has an extensive photographic background that she was not able to use at ISM, of course.

I trained her up over the next few months to do shoots, and now she does around one third of the primary stills shoots, and Penny does two thirds. Penny and I take turns to shoot the reduxes, and Penny's going to start shooting the Deviations models shortly. Penny is also shooting the T2 GG's, and has recently started solo'ing on the GGT3's, and she's doing a brilliant job on ALL her shoots. Verity has been directing the T2's and T3's (not that they need much directing, but when you're shooting them, it's hard to do it all).

Nico already has one shoot up on the site, and no one has noticed, indeed - forgive me for being paranoid - no one has noticed that Jamie has shot a lot of the recent stuff on the site, either. Penny has no shoots up on the site yet, but she will soon. And I doubt you'll notice the diff, cos I have trained them up well, and they GET what I want the shoots to be like, and anyway, the models themselves have not changed.

I review each and every stills shoot that Nico and Penny (and before them, Jamie) do, and they realise it's a learning expereince and I hope they learn a bit from each set we review and discuss lighting and composition and direction and so on.

Verity has been shooting allllll the solo videos, and alllll the IM's and alllll the GG vids for the last year, and she's close to burning out as well, for which I feel very guilty. She has trained Susie up to shoot, who's now doing a great job. That means she's freed up to work more on the IM videos (which are freaking amazing lately). We're going to then find at least one new person to help us shoot video, or possibly some part timers like Nico.

So there you go. I think you will notice some subtle changes in the shoots, I think they were suffering from my burnout to some extent, and the new blood as brought the spark back. As always, I value everyone's comments on the shoots, so long as you provide specifics and examples and don’t say "gee, it's all pretty crap lately!", I am going to be thankful for all feedback.

Here's to looking forward.

a

[artlover]

The main thing is, Abby, we don't want you or anyone getting burned out. Life is too short to spend all your time working, even when it's enjoyable, interesting work. The photography is at the same high standard I found when I joined in January (my gosh--that seems like ages ago--must be a side effect of Compulsive Posting Syndrome). I have no feedback as I generally offer it right away. Here's hoping the changes keep everyone working happily.

4 <3<3<3<3's cause you're all good folks and deserve life's best...

[BigSpud]

I noticed one thing about the Special Project that I thought was maybe just me and maybe just the nature of the shoots. There were very few close ups of the models "good parts" and faces.

I felt there was a style difference, but chalked it up to the fact that it was a "special project" and was approached differently. And now I see what one of the differences was.

Not a problem, but interesting for me to notice, but not have enough confidence in my powers of observation to say something. :cool:

[arsby]

Hey, Spud! A lot of the special project shoots were either in the water, on the beach or in the woods. A photographer needs a perch to take those closeups you're looking for, and my guess is they're harder to find in those venues. I think in general you'll have fewer closeups outdoors than in, except when they're on flat grass or poolside or like that.

[Abby]

I noticed one thing about the Special Project that I thought was maybe just me and maybe just the nature of the shoots. There were very few close ups of the models "good parts" and faces.

For the special project, there were less closeups, partly for Arsby's reasons.

But also, those closeups require strapping ont he closeup lens, and that's not viable in some situations. Also, the act of doing that is a little frustrating when there's lots of other stuff going on - you work to create a mood and rapport with the model, and that gets broken if you have to pause to mess about with the lenses.

The SP had more outdoor shoots than we'd normally shoot in a similar timeframe, and I think you'll find a lack of extreme closeups in all outdoor shoots we do (tho I have not gone thru each shoot to get stats on this).

Jamie was big on closeups, and it was her that started me on neck closeups.

a

[joannembd]

I don't know whether it reflects the fact that Jamie and not Abby did
a lot of what's gone up recently or the fact that Abby's felt "burnt
out" with shooting, or more different people involved with
designing/shooting/editing /filming/etc, but I had been wondering why a
lot of the recent stuff on the site seemed to have much less
"personality" - or seemed to be changing personality. I definitely
have felt the site has a different feel to it than it did when I first
subscribed over a year ago, and at least to my taste it's not been for
the better. I have definitely sensed the the fact that the entire
operation is much bigger, much more corporate, and it feels less like
someplace really unique and distinctive and more closer to the
pornsite mainstream. It's felt like it's become much more of a
"business" [which, of course, it is - I know - But still... ] Again,
I haven't been happy with the changes that I've felt somewhat vaguely,
and not been able to really identify or express clearly until getting
this confirmation of what I think are really major changes.

I would suggest that the "About Abby" page needs to change because
it's now inconsistent with the way the site is, not just the statement
that Abby shoots [almost] all of the stuff, but also the rather
emphatic stress on Abby as the photographer [e.g., the equipment "I"
use, the techniques "I" use, why "I" started the site, and so forth].
The page says that Penny does paperwork, tho now we find out she's
actually the photographer.

I also think that as the site has moved more towards a porn
mainstream, it's become less of interest to women. I have no idea how
many other women subscribe, but it has felt increasingly - not only in
shoots, but through the forums as well - that all the models who post,
most of the subscribers who post, and whoever plans shots and coaches
models etc, have all sort of given up on the idea that there might be
women interested in this and have totally become occupied with just
producing "porn for men's entertainment." That may be appropriate if
there aren't any/many other women subscribers, but that does make the
site less meaningful for me.

My real interest in the site right from the very beginning was the
fact that Abby was the photographer. The shoots reflected her
photographic [and, yes, artistic] vision as well as technique. I liked
that vision, and I liked the fact that it was another woman producing
it. The fact that Abby's not actually doing the photography anymore is
a major letdown for me and cuts my interest in the site by a lot. The
fact that this has been the case for some time and we didn't know it
adds to a feeling almost like betrayal.

[Abby]

I definitely
have felt the site has a different feel to it than it did when I first
subscribed over a year ago, and at least to my taste it's not been for
the better.

The thing is, as I said, not much of Nico nor Penny's shoots are on the site, and even Jamie's primary shoots are few and far between. The change is about to happen (for you; for us it has already happenned, as we have a lot of back catalogue in stock currently).

I think your reaction is to how _I_ have been shooting - as a result of burnout - than the way the new people are shooting.


I have definitely sensed the the fact that the entire
operation is much bigger, much more corporate, and it feels less like
someplace really unique and distinctive and more closer to the
pornsite mainstream.

That's true. nd that's going to happen to anything. The same way bands and authors and mags "sell out" to some extent when they become popular, we have as well. And it's a vicious circle. Sure, it does not sound like it's vicious, but there has been a LOT of pressure on me to shoot more. What we shoot is good, so shoot more of it, and it's going to be gooder, ya know?

I resisted it for a while, but then I found that there are all these opportunities that I am missing by just not having time to shoot them. And there are only so many hours in the day, so I have to delegate some tasks to other people (like image editing to Arsby).

And there's another problem. As we gain a larger profile, we have to be more responsible to a large extent. Other people look to what we do, see we're successful, and want a peice of the pie. We're successful, but we also try to do it right - things like ensure models are well paid (we pay more than pretty much every other site out there), ensure models are tested for STDs before GGT3 shoots (doing this makes the shoots unfortunately more cold and calculated; in the old days, we just to just happen to have two hort horny models around at the same time, so we asked if they'd like to get it on while we shot it. Now, it's a four week program that taks away a lot of spontinaity. But no one is going to say we should not test models for STD's, it's irresponsible not to (we have found models who were dead keen, but have Herpes, Hep C and so on).


I would suggest that the "About Abby" page needs to change because
it's now inconsistent with the way the site is,

Yes, it's going to change, but i wanted to have the discussion first. I shall add a link to this thread.

And not to maytr myself, but you must realise that by saying all this on the boards, I am risking loosing people for the same reason I'm loosing you as a customer. Perhaps you're more sensitive to these things than others, but plenty of people would have just put down the changes to a change of the way Abby shoots, the end.

I am trying to be honest here!


I also think that as the site has moved more towards a porn
mainstream, it's become less of interest to women. I have no idea how
many other women subscribe, but it has felt increasingly - not only in
shoots, but through the forums as well - that all the models who post,
most of the subscribers who post, and whoever plans shots and coaches
models etc, have all sort of given up on the idea that there might be
women interested in this and have totally become occupied with just
producing "porn for men's entertainment." That may be appropriate if
there aren't any/many other women subscribers, but that does make the
site less meaningful for me.

It has never been my intention to cater to women (or, in fact, women). My goal was to shoot stuff I like, but like chocolate cake, you CAN have too much, and that has happenned to me. The stuff we shoot now is not that exciting for me, cos I have been desensitised to it... but it is still very popular. Changing the style completely might have been the "honourable" thing to do, but if it means everyone bails on me I am going to be out of a job.


My real interest in the site right from the very beginning was the
fact that Abby was the photographer. The shoots reflected her
photographic [and, yes, artistic] vision as well as technique. I liked
that vision, and I liked the fact that it was another woman producing
it.

I realise you're expressing your feelings, and so they can be hard to justify with logic, but what you're saying does not make sense.

(1) I am overseeing the shoots very closely
(2) I review each and every shoot with Penny or Nico (nb, these are chicks!)
(3) I have to tread on their creativity sometimes, when they want to do things that I think are "wrong"

There are plenty of Spielberg fans out there who like the stuff he shot when he wrote, directed, produced, operated the camera, did the lights, editied the film and wroite the liner notes. But that's not to say that all his work since has been crap - it's just different, has a different feel.

I know what you're saying, and I agree with you. I hate it when I hear that my fave indie band has been signed to Sony Music on a five album contract, cos you just know that every one of those albums is going to be no where near as raw and exciting as the stuff they did on a shoestring budget... but that's the way things are.

There will be new young bucks on the block with new ideas, and we'll fade into being another Hustler style enterprise, too big and slow to change.


The fact that Abby's not actually doing the photography anymore is
a major letdown for me and cuts my interest in the site by a lot. The
fact that this has been the case for some time and we didn't know it
adds to a feeling almost like betrayal.

Sorry about that, but like I said above, less than 10% of the shoots on the first few pages of the model gallery were NOT shot by me (ie, 90% of it, I shot!), so you're saying you don;t like my stuff, so blame the burnout.

And thanks for posting.

a

[arsby]

Hah, great minds think alike. The message I deleted said almost the same thing as Abby said in her post.

I've known Abby for over 4 years, since the site was in it's infancy. I know she made personal sacrifices to get the site started, and she lives and dies for this site. In terms of taking artistic control, when Abby was training me in image editing she yelled and screamed till I got it right. She nailed me on every little detail. And she didn't leave me on my own until she was absolutely sure I would get it right each time.

One thing I didn't pick up from her response: the reason the site has been getting so big and Abby is no longer able to do it all herself is because of strident insistence by the members for more content. Asking her to do it all herself in itself risks lowering of standards, which Abby just won't do. No how, no way.

Also, I agree with Abby that your reasoning that the site is less for women because she no longer does it all herself is questionable... all the still and video shoots are still done by women. Can you point to a shift in content that makes it less for women?

Arsby

[susie]

Hey everyone

Let me be the first of the staffers to tell you how excited we all are by the recent changes going on here! It has been brewing for a while, and at last things are going to get a WHOLE LOT better.

And anyway, a change is as good as a holiday. And I like holidays :)

Sus

[mothra]

Changing the style completely might have been the "honourable" thing to do, but if it means everyone bails on me I am going to be out of a job.
HAve you wanted to change things radically?
If so, in what direction?

[Beatrice]

Let me second that! The thing I like the most is seeing young women being given a fair go especially in an industry dominated by men, Penny and Nico have a talent and deserve a chance, besides what does it matter who does what as long we are still bringing you great photography of hot natural young models.
Beatrice

[Abby]

hahaha, Susie is actually talking about something ELSE we're planning here, that I have not mentioned ont he boards yet. I need to speak to VidDude about it (he's on hols, back Monday), then I will post here.

a

[Abby]

HAve you wanted to change things radically?
If so, in what direction?

*sigh* I dunno. More IM-based, basically.

a

[artlover]

I am trying to be honest here!
And you are, and it's appreciated. Hearing some rather soul-searching ideas from the site founder/owner is hardly "corporate".

I was intrigued that the site was run by a woman, but signed up for the fresh-faced models, the photography, and the good humor of the "corporate communications".

[joannembd]

I appreciate Abby's replies. You make a lot of good points, including some things I hadn't thought exactly, or not thought exactly that way. Sigh... Maybe I just don't like change!

This struck me:


I resisted it for a while, but then I found that there are all these opportunities that I am missing by just not having time to shoot them.
I do think it's important and reasonable for you to want to grow yourself, and expand and evolve in new and interesting directiuons and explore new opportunities. Some of them for your own sake, some of them for the sake of the business. I don't want either your your business to become stagnant. If there are opportunities for new things, or things that you've always wanted to do, or things to explore, and in order to do them you have to shift priorities and bring others in to help with things, by all means go for it!

And this comment of Arsby's:


I've known Abby for over 4 years, since the site was in it's infancy. I know she made personal sacrifices to get the site started, and she lives and dies for this site. In terms of taking artistic control, when Abby was training me in image editing she yelled and screamed till I got it right. She nailed me on every little detail. And she didn't leave me on my own until she was absolutely sure I would get it right each time. ... the reason the site has been getting so big and Abby is no longer able to do it all herself is because of strident insistence by the members for more content. Asking her to do it all herself in itself risks lowering of standards, which Abby just won't do. No how, no way. does help me understand and appreciate Abby's situation better.

Arbsy:


I agree with Abby that your reasoning that the site is less for women because she no longer does it all herself is questionable... all the still and video shoots are still done by women. Can you point to a shift in content that makes it less for women? No I can't. And this isn't exactly a connection I meant to make. Those are two separate things. I was just trying to say more about how I felt the site evolving and changing: The vague feeling that it's becoming more conventional porn-like. I know the site isn't *supposed* to be specifically *for* women. I'd just like to know there are more women around here, subscribing. Of course, I guess I could post more often. Come on gals, are you all out there [subscribers]? If I post more, will you all post more?

Beatrice:


The thing I like the most is seeing young women being given a fair go especially in an industry dominated by men, Penny and Nico have a talent and deserve a chance, Yes! That's definitely so. I agree with that. Aand:


besides what does it matter who does what as long we are still bringing you great photography of hot natural young models. Sigh. Yes, you're right about that too, I have to admit. :)

I'm encouraged to some degree. And I appreciate the replies, explanations, background... I'm gonna go post on the other thread too.

[mothra]

Let me second that! The thing I like the most is seeing young women being given a fair go especially in an industry dominated by men
Here, here!
But then I can't do it:(
Damn Y chromosome.....



besides what does it matter who does what as long we are still bringing you great photography of hot natural young models.
Beatrice
Dang, you make that hot natural young model thing sound good:p
It sure sounds like a dream job but I can surely see how all the vast realities can make a FABULOUS thing seem like.....work. Eeeww
I have a pretty cool, creative job but I've been doing it for 15 years. I understand your pain, Abby.

Take a holiday if you can!

[Abby]

just did, six weeks! :)

a

[Philos]

Abby, go easy on the mea culpa. You say you are suffering from burnout, but don't forget that members burn out too. Things haven't changed much, but I don't find the site as amazing as I once did, simply because I've seen so much of it. Ironically, the increased content that everyone clamoured for must be speeding up this process. You can't win!

[Penelope]

Hi people,

Firstly, I'd like to say good work Abby for putting yourself out there. It's not an easy thing to confront the potential risks involved. Secondly, I can appreciate that all the current members enjoy the manifestation of Abby's vision as is. To that I must say that she spends an enormous amount of time training us to understand her objectives. We really do spend hours rehashing our motives for both the technical and creative aspects. I'll be the first to say that it has Nico and I quaking in our boots to think of what we have to live up to. This is also the reason why your feedback is so important to us. I've got this sinking feeling that you are all going to notice changes and come pointing the finger at me. Que sera sera. I've been having an awesome time shooting so I hope that will come across for you all.

p

[artlover]

I've got this sinking feeling that you are all going to notice changes and come pointing the finger at me
If so, just throw a ninja muffin at them... :)

[artlover]

Abby, go easy on the mea culpa.
Philos, you old softie...:D:D

[Darth Dave]

The thing that I would like to know about is redux shoots regardless of who shoots them (I admit I haven’t noticed a difference although this pic gave a hint (http://www.abbywinters.com/main.php?page=image&index=17&shoot=2382)) especially for popular models, before models like Elizabeth, Annabel, Susie, Petra had four or five but now with the amount of new models it seems like there are not as many done especially for the really popular models, Anthea has 2, has I know Marigold has one and I hope you do more with Paula, so I was wondering if 4 or 5 shoots of a model is now not a likely.

Dave

[Abby]

yah, we're still getting the same tird old models back for more. I shot Rosanna again yesterday, and Matilda again the week before. And we have stacks of Anthea saved up. And I have another shoot of the twins to go up. And Amy W. And Pip. And Patricia. You get the idea. Mary Jane. Yellena. Diana.

That's the thing, we need to spread them out. And we're still going to do them. And ironically, it may well be me picking the primo models to do reduxes of >:D

a

[Jorinel]

In the beginning there was Abby - and Vid Dude. They recruited girls to help with shoots - Danny, Susie, Cass, etc. but carried on doing all the work. They did updates (up to) three times a week (I don't go back further than the era of three times a week). They increased the updates and then the site became a full-time job - no days off. Ever.

So they needed back-up: this always means more work. You bring someone in to help and to start with you have to do all the work AND train the new person in how to do it - a problem if you're already working flat-out. So we get Arsby to do photoset editing and Jamie to do video (and photography as well it turns out) and then Verity to do video as well; and then some help for Vid Dude in the form of Millie for video editing; and then Penelope and Nico to help with photography and Beatrice for web updates. (And there are other aspects we see less of - and other people like Garion and Willow.)

There is some wastage along the way - in the sense that people move on, have other things they want to do with their lives.

So now Abby has had a holiday, and so has Vid Dude - and without major upset that is evident from the outside. This is good in that it frees the principals up to think of new things for our entertainment. I think it is great that they have managed to change from a small outfit to a medium-sized one without compromising what they do. And they still seem to care about what their customers think, and will respond to any well-thought out comment.

I know that I am sure that Abby won't compromise on the quality of the site which bears her name :D

Jorinel


It has never been my intention to cater to women (or, in fact, women).
Should that have been "(or, in fact, men)"?

[Abby]

Should that have been "(or, in fact, men)"?

ooopsie, yes, should have been.

a

[Dafydd]

G'morning, Abby. Forgive me for getting involved in the discussion so late—I'm something like 15 hours behind you. Anyway, A few things I'd like to address:

Burnout: frankly, I was afraid of this. I may be unique among your subscribers in this respect, but I've felt for some time that there seemed to be too much content going up each week. Things seemed much more relaxed when the schedule was simpler, but then you started adding content on Sundays, and then more recently you started putting up multiple additions nearly every day...I could understand if it were a temporary thing to relieve the backlog, but I don't see how a small company such as yours could maintain such a pace.

I may get rapped in the mouth for this, but would it really be so bad to cut back a bit on the new postings? You don't need to put up so much every week, especially not to satiate demands born of gluttony and the instant-gratification mindset—quality's more important than quantity and most of the shoots you put up have been worth the wait. Yeah, people will clamor for more, or they will clamor for specific models they saw in the "Coming Soon" section, but that'll be the case no matter how many new postings you put up each week.

Or maybe, you've gotten successful enough where you can start screening models more strictly? I hate to sound like Elfie or nursefana whining nag, but I know I'm not the only one who's become frustrated by the lack of pubic hair on display by the new models recently. "I know we've been through this before / I know you're weary of my asking", and I'm grateful to all the redux models of late—Armine, Emma R., Miranda, Gabrielle, Matilda, Her Milliness, all of 'em—who've maintained the standard, but still the fact that of the nine models on your front page none of them has more than a landing strip is simply depressing.

In any case, I'm not privy to all the details, and anyway it's your site to do with as you please. So long as you remain the artistic director, I'm sure things'll turn out ok.

D—

PS I knew Jamie was doing shoots—there's a great picture of her setting up a close-up in one of the Backstage sets—but you're right, I couldn't tell which ones. A credit to your stylistic integrity, I suppose. :D

[Abby]

I may get rapped in the mouth for this, but would it really be so bad to cut back a bit on the new postings? You don't need to put up so much every week, especially not to satiate demands born of gluttony and the instant-gratification mindset

We certainly could. But there are a few factors why I chose not to.

(1) the constant bitching, and I like ppl to be happy
(2) we have the models, the gear, the locations, the staff, the place to use the shoots... seems a shame to turn people away, yes?
(3) Models with pubic hair are always preferred, but we have some awesome models without pubic hair, you gotta agree. And anyway, plenty of people prefer models shaved, so it's another one of those half - half things you know? Please most of the people most of the time, without pissing of any big group.


Or maybe, you've gotten successful enough where you can start screening models more strictly?

hehehe, see this is funny. We are screen ing more agressively than we were before. As we get bigger, we need more models, so we advertise more, so we get more models applying (and word of mouth working more effectively). The rate of new models approaching us has been faster than the rate of growth of the company as a whole. Do you really wan tme to turn away the next Vivienne?

a

[brownboyletamb]

Yeah, the backstage shots of Jamie with the lens an inch from models' vulvae was a sign I think a few of us noticed, LOL.

I can't really explain how I feel about this change.. I welcome what others' talents can add to the site, as it's apparent you've got a great team there.. And yet there's something that is a little sad hearing that you feel burnt/sold out. Let me just say this: I only belong to one paysite, this one. It's simply because everyone involved seemed to be having fun. That's it. Do whatever it takes to not change that. If that means delegating shoots while you do something completely different, I'm all for it! F the members you lose (erm, "loose"?). ;) And for God's sake, cut yourself some slack every now and then! Sit back. Have a muffin! Enjoy. :)

BB

ps As I told Vid Dude, about the only thing I think I'll miss from the "early days" of Abby-only-content are the, "Is that Abby's face in the reflection of the nipple piercing?" discussions..

[beanazoid]

Abby you and your staff are doing a great job. Good to read about positive changes behind the scenes. While you can't please all the people all the time, you're consistently giving us lots of content most members really enjoy! A very nice mix of redux favorites and new girls. Keep it up!

[alleyes1]

Abby, I think that is a very smart thing that you are doing. I know how it is to get burnout and for me (after 15 years), I had to take close to a year off just to recoup. (I came back stronger than ever!!)

Looking forward to great shoots and beautiful girls!! :cool:

Alleyes

P.S. Does this mean you might visit us on the boards more???

[Peter552]

...so since about June last year, Jamie had been learning to shoot...then, she decided to quit, which was a big shame...Around the same time, Susie came back to work for us...Soon after, I shot Penny...

Phew! Sounds like the plot of a soap!

It explains all the moaning in Penny's G/G, though - presumably McKenzie was pressing too hard on her bullet-wound! ;)

[Peter552]

Seriously, though, I'm happy that there is delegation of tasks, and that the ethos of Abby Winters is not changing.

Even looking back on the 3 or 4 years leading up to the so-called 'burnout', there have been changes for the better: picture quality is better, videos are longer, and that cheesy music is long gone. The Special Project produced some amazing images, just from a photographic point of view. In the recent shoots, I cannot see any change of direction or style, and I would not know what images had been shot by whom.
Which leads me to this:



Nico already has one shoot up on the site, and no one has noticed, indeed - forgive me for being paranoid - no one has noticed that Jamie has shot a lot of the recent stuff on the site, either. There are no credits that I can see! I would think on the profile page it should say 'IMAGESET - 18 Aug 2005 - shot by Nico' or 'mariannevid1.mpg 5:25 mins, shot by Verity'. I know some of this info is in the 'Backstage' section but, to be honest, I don't go in there very often. Perhaps a further tab on the profile page could tell us if there is a backstage for this shoot, as opposed to the 'other shoots with' tab that only tells us that there is a backstage for one of the model's shoots, but not which one.

As regards the 'more porn, less spontenaity' argument - I just don't see it! Anybody reading the comments on new models such as Elen will know that the fun element is still very much there. And if Penny is saying things like 'I love this set, can't wait for you to see it', then it's not just for men, is it?

[rnbwpnt]

I'm Rainbow the copyright guy, in case you don't recognize my login. I don't post much, and I read only occasionally, but I had to dip in for a moment.

I've known about some of these changes for a while, including Jamie, Verity, Penny, and the gang doing more and more of the photography. Abby and I talk several times a week by ICQ, and one of the very first conversations we had was about her burnout. (I was, and remain, deeply honored that she could talk to me about something that, at the time, was so secret, when our relationship was so new.)

Changes are occuring throughout the organization, from the (most important and most visible) content-production side to organizational changes and delegation of responsibilities that had once been solely the boss's jurisdiction, to site changes that affect structure and organization of the web pages, to back-end business practice changes that will improve the company's financial situation.

Since I took over doing copyrights, Abby has seen fit to trust me with other useful tasks. I don't feel comfortable discussing much in the way of details because these are not my secrets to tell, but I've gained much insight into the business operation and the ethical issues. Abby asked me to do some research into the issues surrounding sexually-transmitted diseases, in relation to the models she mentioned with Hepatitus C and herpes. I've been chasing down financial stuff, and gotten a glimpse of just what it takes to run a place like this from a money perspective. I've run down legal issues, including stuff like laws about pornography in the United States. I've been asked to follow up on some new business opportunities that are coming our way that will help us grow and do new interesting things. I've started working some with some of the people who drive traffic to the site, our affiliates. And (at least I think) I've become something of a sounding board for some of the changes both behind and in the scenes that are coming.

Some of the changes that are coming will inevitably make some people unhappy. Changes to the structure of the site always confuse some people, drive others away, and in general put some customers off. We hope that what we do will bring greater value to the majority of our customers, and help you get the greatest value for the money you spend with us.

Yes, some of these issues are driven by a profit motive, but maximizing income is not the only consideration. I regret that I can't give specific examples, because I won't rain on Abby's parade or create a firestorm Abby and VidDude and Luxman aren't ready to moderate yet, but my discussions with Abby have given me insight into how she thinks, and the ethics she uses to operate her business (which is a beacon of light in a business that's often downright scuzzy). I can assure you most emphatically that, every time Abby and I discuss some business or content change and we talk about how it will increase income, we also talk about how it will bring additional value to our customers and business partners.

I'll quit blathering, but it really is a pleasure and a privlege to be a member of the team, even with the limited skills I bring to the table. I'm excited about what's coming -- not just the new models and new photographers -- but also the new business opportunities and the changes in business practices. Overall I think they'll create an even better entertainment service for our customers, yet still be driven by the standards of decency and respect for our models, our employees, and our customers that we've all come to expect.

And I haven't even told Abby this yet, so you heard it first: I'm so pleased to be a part of this organization that when I had to think up a name to assign to a new server out on the internet that I use for my personal activities, I gave the one I thought of that meant the most to me: abbygrrl.

- Rainbow -

P.S. If you see a copyright issue you'd like us to chase down, please use the "General Feedback and Contact Abby" form under "Contact Us." Don't send it to me through the forum; I might not see it for weeks. Yes, that HAS happened.

[SpiffyZippy]

i just want to see nice videos and cute pics, i am absolutely overwhelmed with all this commentary

so much burea'crazy' going on, lets just enjoy the models doing creative things in front of camera, quality not quantity (seems quantity is winning)

release more content, or improve quality and maybe have staff spend less time on these boards!

[artlover]

There are a lot of organizations who would be a lot smarter and more innovative if they read these commentaries. A student of organizational leadership and change could do a darn good case study. I understand that some folks are not interested in the inner workings of AW, and that's cool. When I find stuff that's overwhelming... I move on and do something else.

[brightfield]

I just want to say, this is the best site on the net as far as I'm concerned. The quality is fantastic - photography, web design, reliability. Abby has made this an example of what websites can be, and apart from the girls, the sheer project management and web publishing skilll demonstrated here are second to none. It is a joy to behold. I really don't care how the site develops - it is a daily delight and I trust Abby and co to keep it at the top of my favorites list for years to come.

Tom

[Roops]

i just want to see nice videos and cute pics, i am absolutely overwhelmed with all this commentary

so much burea'crazy' going on, lets just enjoy the models doing creative things in front of camera, quality not quantity (seems quantity is winning)

release more content, or improve quality and maybe have staff spend less time on these boards!Not even Elfie would come up with such a contradictory series of statements!

I must admit I thought there seemed to be a lot of “assistants” for one photographer – now we know.

I don’t think the fact that there are different photographers involved will present a problem, as the unique style will remain the same. Ms Winters continuing to do the bulk of photography in a growing site was never a tenable situation.

I would suggest that La Winters spends more time on the boards like she did a few years ago. This will more than compensate her absence behind the camera and ensures her personality remains visible to all. The essence of the scented one if you like. Whilst she can be a bit hot-tempered, she otherwise displays a dry sense of humour that I have always enjoyed.

[SpiffyZippy]

i am sure Elfie, whoever, would like to see more attention to quality vids to be in tune with high quality of the models. i think and hope in time the quality will get better. and that model actions in video will be more lively and festive. the salsa vid was really cool and i think the models like to do this, i guess. i cant wait to see the videos from the beach.

i am learning that there are tons of content not yet released, why is that???

[artlover]

10. Melbourne exists in a Time Warp. One second there = ten days here. Models shot a week ago in the Time Warp will appear in 60,000 years on our time scale.
9. To conserve power, the editing computers are powered by four hamsters on steroids. Poor things have to rest sometimes.
8. The same hamsters run the model database. Hamsters are not renowned for organizational skills or rapid data retrieval.
7. Millie and the other women are busy bingeing on muffins.
6. Abby has controlling interest in an online psychiatric clinic. Delaying the models' appearances creates anger, impatience, and frustration, i.e., plenty of business for the cybershrinks.
5. Abby had such a good time with the Infinitely Expandable Release Schedule for the Girls from the River at the End of the Alphabet that she has made it permanent policy for all GG shoots.
4. Photoshop charged too much for its latest update, so all color balancing and exposure adjustments are now done with teeny tiny colored pencils filched from nearby kindergartens.
3. The Staff Orgy, over the years, has expanded from two to eighteen hours.
2. After a slow start, the Dildo Drive has gone hogwild. AW HQ is packed with boxes containing dildoes, ben-wa balls, vibrators, clit stimulators, butt plugs, WaterPiks, Sybians, Orgone boxes, fire extinguishers, vacuum cleaner attachments, assorted bratwurst, and--the staff isn't quite sure what to do with this last one--a George Foreman grill.
1. For the pure Hell of It.

Apologies to Worldwide Pants, Inc.

:D:D

[joannembd]

Some more reactions after thinking about it some more and reading posts here...

Interesting that several people [Roops and someone else I think - And Roops, BTW, I miss Mrs Roops - How is she and what's she up to?] have said Abby should be on the boards more often, more like earlier. I had noticed that Abby didn't seem to on the boards liike she was when I first joined. But even more, I thought the substance and tone of her posts had changed. Originally, Abby was confident, funny, spunky - But for a while lately there have been periods when Abby's posts - fewer to start with - seemed, well, more strident, more bitchy. Relate that to her self-identified burnout. I''m struck that Abby's posts yesterday and today sound more like the old Abby - More confident again, a sense of humor, a healthy cynicism combined with determination. Maybe it's taking a vacation, maybe its making decisions and plans and new projects with the AW.com. I guess I take that as a good sign.

I'm still concerned that, if the problem is that the business and demand for it and the volume being produced is growing so big so fast, there's potentially a difficult conflict [difficult for Abby to negotiate, I would think]between Abby as "artistic director" and Abby as "executive" of porn [erotica?] empire.

[joannembd]

There are no credits that I can see! I would think on the profile page it should say 'IMAGESET - 18 Aug 2005 - shot by Nico' or 'mariannevid1.mpg 5:25 mins (http://media.abbywinters.com/member/mariannevid1.mpg), shot by Verity'.
Excellent idea!

It may just be me, but I think if Abby had said something earlier - about training Jamie, training Penny, getting them more involved, etc, and crediting their work on the site - I wouldn't have been nearly as upset as I was when she sprang it on us yesterday.

As it is, I'm feeling better about the changes . AW.com does still produce great stuff. I can live with the changes, for now. AW entgerprises hasn't [yet!] lost the special touch that I think attracts most people. It's great [[b]really great] that this is an organization in which most of the people producing stuff, shooting, filming, recruting models, planning are gals. I probably gave the impression I'm not eager to see Penny and Nico and others do their stuff! I am - You go girls. I get the impression Abby's kind of a teacher and one does need pupils to teach something.

At the same time, I remain nervous about it. In fact even more worried, 'cause I get the impression [Rainbow's comment for instance

Some of the changes that are coming will inevitably make some people unhappy. Changes to the structure of the site always confuse some people, drive others away, and in general put some customers off. We hope that what we do will bring greater value to the majority of our customers, and help you get the greatest value for the money you spend with us. ...Yes, some of these issues are driven by a profit motive, but maximizing income is not the only consideration. I regret that I can't give specific examples, because I won't rain on Abby's parade or create a firestorm Abby and VidDude and Luxman aren't ready to moderate yet
make me think the changes Abby's announced in shooting are jhust the tip of the iceberg, there are even bigger changes coming in the whole way things are done, etc.
I'm worried about that.

Yeh, you do want to keep getting better, and bigger is inevitable. I dorespect and admire Abby's dedication to lots of things [the health issue, forinstance, which should be a really major issue]. And Abby and everyone elsehere is dedicated to quality [and to art!].

You go to a typical porn shoot by any modest American porn house, the way they're doing it now, you'll have dozens of people involved - The director is rarely the videographer or photographger - You've probably got a couple of cameras going, and the camera operators are basically just camera operators. But you've also got accountants, and lawyers, and marketing people and it's a big business. You've got all kinds of cross-marketing and tie-ins, with clubs, videos, net, etc... I suppose with the right artistic vision that process can produce quality [even great] porn. But I think it would be a disappointment and a big loss if AW went down that road, either intentionally or unintentionally.

Of course, that's Abby's decision, it's her business. And I want it to be successful. And, on one level, keep the videos and pictures of hot natural girls in natural settings coming [both solo and GG] [pun intended?] with good profiles, interesting discussion on the boards, and I can be happy. That's what turns me on, not an analysis of the organization development. Still, I felt kind of let down by Abby's announcment, and worried about some of the directions I sensed, and had to shared my .02.

[Luxman]

At the same time, I remain nervous about it. In fact even more worried, 'cause I get the impression Rainbow's comment for instance make me think the changes Abby's announced in shooting are jhust the tip of the iceberg, there are even bigger changes coming in the whole way things are done, etc. I'm worried about that.
I can assure you that there's nothing to be worried about. Life is a permanent development, a permanent change. The same counts for the life of a product, and a website is a product.

The changes that are planned (not yet decided definitively) will be done for two main purposes:
1) AW will be able use the work they do in a financially better way
2) The members will get more for their money

I'm pretty sure the 2nd purpose is the most important for Abby.

I'm normally known as a conservative guy who doesn't like changes very much, and that's correct (my motto: Never change a winning team). Surprisingly I don't see many negative points in the plans that are on the table. There's still some way to go before the package is ready to be realised, but I think it's promising.

As Rainbow wrote, changes are always stressing people, and I'm sure there will be complains and whining about what's in the pipeline, but in my eyes it's not something that deserves negative comments and finally everybody will find an advantage for himself.

Lxm

[Abby]

There are no credits that I can see! I would think on the profile page it should say 'IMAGESET - 18 Aug 2005 - shot by Nico' or 'mariannevid1.mpg 5:25 mins, shot by Verity'. ...
Hm, yes, I have considered this. But surely it'd be more fun to guess?

a

[artlover]

Yes... if the other photographers are willing to be anonymous. Being known as a site that has fine photography from not one but several women could be a nice marketing edge, albeit one that is a significant change in the site's identity. Maybe you could have a Nico's favorites/Pene's favorites. etc., in which some of their work would be credited and some would not.

[joannembd]

I agree with Artlover on both counts - This *would* be a major change in the site's identity. But it could also be a major m,arketing edge. And I can see [having thought about it a bit more now] if one great chick photographer makes a great site, several great chick photographers could be awesome! Hell, it might even overcome all my initial disappointment or reservations. This * could* be really cool.

[Dafydd]

hehehe, see this is funny. We are screening more agressively than we were before. ... The rate of new models approaching us has been faster than the rate of growth of the company as a whole.
Like I said, I know very little of the details behind the scenes. And it is your site. And I have no hesitation in stating that I love what you've done here, and that I'm deeply appreciative for what you've made with this site, and that I trust you implicitly to keep the site going strong and to maintain the admirable standards you've set for it — if I didn't, I wouldn't keep renewing my subscription. But please understand it would go against my nature not to quibble about the little things.


Models with pubic hair are always preferred, but we have some awesome models without pubic hair, you gotta agree.
No question, that. Especially Susie. (Though have you noticed how much sexier she is with? :D)


Do you really want me to turn away the next Vivienne?
Vivienne?...(goes back to the gallery to check)...dyed hair, navel ring, thong, full shave...um, yes?

I am glad you've got assistant photographers now. Even God's needed a day off every now and again.

OK I'll shut up now.

[Abby]

Yes... if the other photographers are willing to be anonymous. Being known as a site that has fine photography from not one but several women could be a nice marketing edge, albeit one that is a significant change in the site's identity. Maybe you could have a Nico's favorites/Pene's favorites. etc., in which some of their work would be credited and some would not.
Walking with Ellie just now, I have come up with a better solution: we add catagories for each photographer and videographer. Duh.

I agree, we should have penny's faves and Nico's and Verity's and Susie's and Jamie's faves. Good thinking!

a

[rnbwpnt]

Rainbow the copyright dude here.


I'm still concerned that, if the problem is that the business and demand for it and the volume being produced is growing so big so fast, there's potentially a difficult conflict [difficult for Abby to negotiate, I would think] between Abby as "artistic director" and Abby as "executive" of porn [erotica?] empire.

This is something Abby has been working to change. Again, this is as much about delegation and choosing your battles as about growing the business. The problem is that as you add more employees you must add more layers of management, because one person can not oversee every possible thing that's going on. That's why Abby hired me. That's why any business hires more people.

This means that the company's leader very often gets driven to managing the business, and delegating the creative, unless the leader is willing to trust someone else to manage what amounts to their life's work. Most company founders have a hard time doing this until going public, and of course aw.com is privately-held.

All I can do is urge you to wait and see. We want you to stay and we work hard to avoid the sort of issues you're discussing. It's why we now have more photographers and more support staff like me: We are tasked with allowing Abby the time to do the things that make aw.com a place worth coming to.

- Rainbow -

[Peter552]

Walking with Ellie just now, I have come up with a better solution: we add catagories for each photographer and videographer. Duh.

How they look
What they do
Who shot them

That makes perfect sense.
Just hope Mr. Burns never poses for you, though. D'oh! ;)

Keep up the walking, Abby. It's a great cure for burn-out!

[Vid Dude]

Walking with Ellie just now, I have come up with a better solution
It's about time Ellie started earning her keep.

[sqrt17]

Rainbow the copyright dude here.
Oh please, can someone administer this description into his forum status (or something else like "copyright dude" or even "extremely helpful") so he doesn't need to add that extra line to his posts?
rnbwpnt, I can understand why you're writing this in every single post as there are certainly people who didn't see it or forgot it right after, but after reading it the umpteenth time, it gets quite boring.

BTW, I certainly wonder where Tank "the wall was high and I fell asleep" has gone.

[masssive]

funny - i noticed penny and jamie with the camera in backstage and thought about asking a question about that... then it came to my mind, that perhaps they're just posing as photographers instead of abby... wrong guess. :rolleyes:

The same way bands and authors and mags "sell out" to some extent when they become popular, we have as well. And it's a vicious circle. Sure, it does not sound like it's vicious, but there has been a LOT of pressure on me to shoot more. What we shoot is good, so shoot more of it, and it's going to be gooder, ya know?
it is an important fact, that EVERY good shoot will cause the need for an EVEN BETTER shoot.
EVERY fantastic model will cause the need for an EVEN BETTER model.

in our memory, things like good feelings will seem even better then they have been in reality.
so it will NEVER be like it was again. that's the way all works. earth spins.

sometimes sad, sometimes good.

wish you all the best, abby. rock on! :cool:

massive
ps. lack of coherence possible in cause of hangover and bad english.

[liandra]

As I'm a model that's only appeared this year, and knew nothing of AW prior to that it saddens me that some people are looking backwards instead of forwards. Firstly because it gives me the impression I missed out on something really good, (because I like what I'm seeing right now, a lot) and I do hate to miss out on things. Secondly because someone said they thought more recently the models shoots were lacking personality. That offends me as a model.

I think AW maybe getting bigger and slicker and catering to a larger audience, but that's all for the greater good, isn't it? The more influence a site like this can exert on mainstream pornography and it's consumers, the better. I know that the models I like the most aren't the ones that are most popular with the chaps, well not all the time anyway, but as a female consumer, I don't feel that the content of the site is moving in a direction that generally excludes women members tastes. But I haven't been here very long so it's hard for me to make any judgements.

I can see why people are sad to let go of the concept of Abby, the fiesty, spunky, female photographer, making it on her own terms in a man's world, but I'd say Abby is now spreading the results of her hard won success. She's given some highly talented women opportunities to get in on the action, and I, for one, look forward to seeing their work and maybe getting the chance to work with them.

Besides, it sounds like the poor woman was having a total meltdown, I know that feeling and reading her posts made me want to ply the camera from her fingers and lay her back on a chaise longue in a darkened room and peel her grapes whilst a harp is strummed gently in the background. Then I read she'd taken a much needed six week holiday and the urge subsided.

[joannembd]

Hey, Liandra, thanks for this post. I really appreciate it and like what you say and how you say it and it gives me a lot more insight into the changes - Let's call it growth rather than change - that's taking place. I'm a lot more confident now, and reassured. Everything in your post addresses the concerns and feelings I was having and I'm glad you said this. ;)

Im glad to hear you say this:

but as a female consumer, I don't feel that the content of the site is moving in a direction that generally excludes women members taste And really happy with this:

I can see why people are sad to let go of the concept of Abby, the fiesty, spunky, female photographer, making it on her own terms in a man's world, but I'd say Abby is now spreading the results of her hard won success. She's given some highly talented women opportunities to get in on the action, Well, if everything goes as apparently being planned, Abby will be even more successful - and still spunky and feisty - Which is good.

Having you say these things means a lot.

Now if Abby doesn't need you to peel grapes for her in a dark room, I can probably oblige!;)

Many thanks.

[Luxman]

Let's call it growth rather than change - that's taking place.
Or evolution rather than revolution.

Lxm

[SpiffyZippy]

it seems increasingly clear that big corporate style changes are underway.

will the homey informal feel be lost? as I see it, its the natural progression that Abby will be blended into a larger entity that produces other porn style websites; Abby will likely make out very well financially - its her time and right to monetize her creation. but this will lead to a more beareaucratic feel to the site

the soft style will give way to more IM style (hard core) content that is more popular to a growing market (like the Sapphic site)

i sense the market she has been cultivating for the past few years is tapped out and she needs to alter her offerings to broaden the sites popularity; thus making the site more marketable (its too nichy now)

with more employees doing more things, it will definately change what we see. operating efficiencies like HR, health care, accounting, financing, tax issues, occupancy, equipment, computer/web stuff!, retirement, commercial insurance, marketing legal need to be pursued; after all, its a maturing business. I am sure there are tons of savings and synergies that will be realized by merging into another organization.

having just a large handful of people can be done mom and pop style but it appears that expansion of personnel will lead to alliances with other porn style web sites

face it, Abby has designed a site that has great infrastructure that is very attractive to suitors and she has to focus on operating a business which means less time for doing photo work;

the video side is a lower priority and thats sad; with broadband being increasingly available, video will be a more popular feature vs. photos being a lower priority.

let the bidding begin

[Peter552]

Meanwhile, back in the real world...

[arsby]

...but this will lead to a more beareaucratic feel to the site
Give us some specific examples when you see them, Spiffy. Unless by "more bureaucratic" you mean "more professional".


...i sense the market she has been cultivating for the past few years is tapped out and she needs to alter her offerings to broaden the sites popularity; thus making the site more marketable (its too nichy now)
Not at all. She's finally reaching the market she cultivated and she is doing all of these things to further satisfy it.


......I am sure there are tons of savings and synergies that will be realized by merging into another organization....
There is absolutely no indication of this happening at all. What are you looking at to infer this?


......face it, Abby has designed a site that has great infrastructure that is very attractive to suitors and she has to focus on operating a business which means less time for doing photo work...
The whole reason for this thread is to inform you that she's hiring and training several more photographers and videographers so that she's under less pressure and can spend more time doing what she wants to do... which includes shooting! Now that she has others to do the images culling, image editing, video shoots, business functions, etc., she can do more of what she wants to do.


...let the bidding begin
What on earth leads you to this conclusion? Abby bleeds for this site. Can't you see from her posts here how much she cares about it? There is no indication anywhere that this might happen.

[joannembd]

Hey Liandra, you said something else I wanted to reply to and should have earlier. I'm sorry I didn't and rereading it thought I should... Not sure whether to do it here or in your own thread in the models forum ...

Secondly because someone said they thought more recently the models shoots were lacking personality. That offends me as a model. I think that was me, but I didn't mean at all what I think you thought I meant and I'm sorry you were offended. I was talking about some impressions of the site as a whole, some of the photgraphy - NOT the models. Abby's models are wonderful!

You gals have more personality in your little toe than your average California porn "star" could show in a lifetime. You are all real people, and great gals with enormously interesting lives and varied backgrounds and lots of personality - AND you do what you do here with AW and it's great fun and very inspirational. Cause you do that with a lot of style and verve too. Abby's models are the best thing about AW.com. Really.

That goes too for Penny and Nico and Verity and Jamie [who I hope is doing real well "on the outside" and who I and others miss] and all the rest who are now shooting and filming and editing and producing at AW. I'm sorry to have given the impression that I don't want to see your photography. I do, and now that I understand what's happening and why, I want to see a lot more of it, and I hope that Penny and Nico and Verity and others will be willing to discuss your work here on the boards the way Abby has.

[I'd really like to know who shot Emma and Miranda. #348 and many other images are just great photography, and the entire set is really very erotic. And full of personality.:)]

You have personality galore.

J

[arsby]

I think that was me, but I didn't mean at all what I think you thought I meant...

Yeah, Joannembd, you said "I had been wondering why a lot of the recent stuff on the site seemed to have much less "personality" - or seemed to be changing personality." Not at all a reflection on the models themselves, just a reflection on the changing style of the site.

I would have been surprised if you said anything about the models sets themselves showing less personality. Probably the one thing for me that sets Abby's photography apart from any other porn/erotica site is her ability to highlight the personality of the model. I come away from a set feeling that I know the model, because Abby captures her smiles, her seriousness, her reticence or coyness or flirtatiousness or playfulness. No matter who's taking the pictures I still feel this way.

And now, we've got models who actually "talk" to us, so we really really get a sense of the model's personality. Let's hear it for Liandra's eye! (and the other models at the boards too!)

[brownboyletamb]

reading her posts made me want to ply the camera from her fingers and lay her back on a chaise longue in a darkened room and peel her grapes whilst a harp is strummed gently in the background. Then I read she'd taken a much needed six week holiday and the urge subsided.

Bwahaha! :)

This is a strange thread. There's a lot of info here from AW-staff side, and a lot of worried chirping from members.. And a welcome vote of confidence from Liandra.. I don't know if talking about it before the fact necessarily helps. IMO just go forward. Abby herself has said the membership is unpredictable.. It's hard to give feedback since we haven't seen it yet.

I like the idea of categories. That way people can still guess if they want to (just don't look at the categories). I'm guessing the shoot Penny was really looking forward to seeing was hers.

BB

ps I actually play the harp. I'd gladly volunteer to play the role in Liandra's fantasy, as long as I don't have to be a eunuch.

[artlover]

Walking with Ellie just now, I have come up with a better solution:
give that fine dog of yours her favorite treat, Abby, and bill it to Artlover Entertainment, Pty., a proud division of Vandelay Industries. :)

[Philos]

ps I actually play the harp. I'd gladly volunteer to play the role in Liandra's fantasy, as long as I don't have to be a eunuch.
I knew I'd seen you somewhere. I never forget a face!

[artlover]

MegaLOL, Philos. Honk! Honk! :D

Folks, it should be crashingly obvious that SpiffyZippy is a multi-gazillionaire who is so excited by the prospect of buying out Abbywinters that he has broken out in non sequiters. He is creating a buzz so that others will compete and drive up AW.com's value. It is like, so obvious!!! :D

why am I hungry for grapes... ? :confused::confused:

[GrumpySimon]

I'll try to keep this short & sweet -

I like the way the site's run. Abby's done things exceptionally well, and built up an amazing site. The fact that she's so busy, shows how popular this place is, and as all the worried posters in this thread show, she's done that most difficult thing ( speaking as a web developer :D ), of making a website that people actually CARE about.

Why should this change? I think her track record shows that you should trust her to make the right decisions.

--Simon
( Now, that was too soppy. I'm going back to being Grumpy. )

[artlover]

Don't worry Simon. Sometimes I write about things have nothing to do with Art.

Abbyland is a great place to visit. It's the cyberspace equivalent of a nice park where spunky girls go roller-blading to and from the showers, which have transparent walls and soft, mossy lawns where girls frolic and make love.

Actually I am here to observe the beauty of Australia's beaches, homes, brooks and meadows. Abby keeps putting nude girls in the way tho. Must email her about that... :)

[pjay]

I go away for a few days...

Hadn't noticed any changes to the photography (and haven't had time to look at a Backstage shoot for months now, so no clues there for me!) which makes me satisfied that there is an AW.com house-style which I like. I see no reason why any of these changes are for the worse.

I don't think there's any more to be said. Please treat this as a full vote of confidence from me. I look forward to all those gorgeous women and fine photographs by fine photographers to come.

[bondtsou]

and--the staff isn't quite sure what to do with this last one--a George Foreman grill.
Without a doubt this is the hardest I've ever laughed at a post in my life - brilliant!:D
(But it does make me wonder what the wife and I've been missing out on lol)

[liandra]

Hey Liandra, you said something else I wanted to reply to and should have earlier. I'm sorry I didn't and rereading it thought I should... Not sure whether to do it here or in your own thread in the models forum ...
I think that was me, but I didn't mean at all what I think you thought I meant and I'm sorry you were offended. I was talking about some impressions of the site as a whole, some of the photgraphy - NOT the models. Abby's models are wonderful!

You gals have more personality in your little toe than your average California porn "star" could show in a lifetime. You are all real people, and great gals with enormously interesting lives and varied backgrounds and lots of personality - AND you do what you do here with AW and it's great fun and very inspirational. Cause you do that with a lot of style and verve too. Abby's models are the best thing about AW.com. Really.

That goes too for Penny and Nico and Verity and Jamie [who I hope is doing real well "on the outside" and who I and others miss] and all the rest who are now shooting and filming and editing and producing at AW. I'm sorry to have given the impression that I don't want to see your photography. I do, and now that I understand what's happening and why, I want to see a lot more of it, and I hope that Penny and Nico and Verity and others will be willing to discuss your work here on the boards the way Abby has.

[I'd really like to know who shot Emma and Miranda. #348 and many other images are just great photography, and the entire set is really very erotic. And full of personality.:)]

You have personality galore.

J
J - Ok, Sorry about misinterpreting your comments, I see I had no reason to be offended. Thank you for taking the time to rectify that, in such a way that you not only entirely removed the feeling of offense but made me feel like superwoman to boot.

Thank you
:D
Li