In a blog entry from June 2016, we asked the question “Is Bondage Photography a Dying Medium?” We were, of course, referring to the commercial viability of bondage photography, not personal images shared on the web. And let’s be honest, the vast majority of bondage material you see on the web, be it still images or video, was produced commercially. Our question was based on the growing proliferation video only sites and the dramatic decrease in sites emphasizing quality bondage photography. More than a year later, the popularity of bondage video sites continues and we have not noticed any new sites specializing primarily in bondage photography. We too continue to greatly increase the amount of video in our Members’ Club and will continue to add even more (look for an announcement regarding more video in the Members’ Club very shortly). Recently, however, we were crunching some numbers and were quite surprised at the results. Maybe bondage photography as a viable medium isn’t dying nearly as quick as we thought. In 2016, individual photo sets and photo archive collections accounted for 65% of the total items sold and nearly 30% of the revenue on our Bondage Warehouse site. And so far in 2017, those percentages are increasing. From January 1 through October 31, photo sets & photo archive collections have accounted for 70% of the total items sold and more than 33% of the revenue. What does this mean? We do not know! Maybe nothing as we realize our fan base, in general, probably has slightly different tastes than many bondage consumers. We are fairly certain that bondage photography will continue to be de-emphasized in favor of videos by most producers, especially new producers. However, for us at least, bondage photography still remains viable in and of itself. Which is good, because we still love doing bondage photography! 🙂   | |||
Would love to see hooter girls in slouch socks tied up! That’s my fav
I am not currently a member but i have been at various times, going back to the early 2000s, when your videos were on VHS and Dina Davis was my favorite of your models. I still buy photo sets from your Bondage Warehouse.
I love bondage still photography, and I have been lamenting its seeming professional demise. Not to be gauche by mentioning another site, but my favorite producer is a European site that used to do brilliant photography but has now gone exclusively to video, presumably bowing to market trends like everyone else. And while the professionalism remains, the creativity has departed.
Although both are visual, photography and video are two different mediums; in turn, they evoke different responses–moreover, photography inflames the imagination while video deadens it.
A photo set, even one that follows a deliberate narrative (e.g., an abduction scene), still presents many opportunities for the viewer to use his or her imagination to envision elements about the scenario: Who are these persons? How did they come to be here? What is going to happen next? Photography creates distance, allowing the subject to remain mysterious even while in plain view. What does that woman sound like? What is she really thinking? Photography also captures a moment in time that invites both examination and reflection, and a good model, photographer–preferably both–will make that moment indelible. Captured in a still photo, an evocative expression is priceless. And timeless.
By contrast, video enforces the narrative to the exclusion of imagination–all you can do is follow the action because any reflection takes you out of the moment, not put you into it. And action is vital to motion pictures. There is a reason why good movies are hard to do: Unlike a photo set, in which the viewer can (and, in my view, should) fill in the backstory, the emotion, the dynamics, a video must supply that to a much greater degree.
Much of that relies on the actors to convey it–and here is where video bares its Achilles heel: Good models do not necessarily make for good actors. Watching them try to act can be painful–and not in a standard BDSM way (although I’m sure somebody must have that kink). This only adds to the challenge of trying not to make a boring video–and I’ve seen too many of those already.
There is more I could say, but we live in a Twitter culture, led by our Twit-in-Chief, that has a seriously attenuated attention span and has no patience for a pompous schmuck and his “tl;dr.” We would rather watch video and not have to think. Or to imagine, which is so much more essential.
PLEASE continue to produce and distribute still-photo sets. I cannot guarantee if or when I may rejoin your site (that would be another post), but I do check Bondage Warehouse from time to time. I’m glad to see that you are still online. And still taking pictures.
I tend to like photos a little better than video. Video is nice though, because if you have a really high def video you can make your own still photos if you like. I have done bondage photoshoots with paid models just for myself periodically over the years, and it’s been really nice to have control of the scenario. I’m sure you’ve noticed that bondage enthusiasts have many, many different and very specific likes and dislikes.
But I’ve never been tempted to do a video. It’s never even crossed my mind really.
In any case it’s understandable that producers will produce the things that sell the best. Personally, I think the hogtie is being overdone, but I’m sure it’s because it sells the best.
When I’ve had customs made there have been some compromises made from my scenario because the producer was afraid that the video wouldn’t sell to the general public without adding, say, a stringent hogtie at the end or without adding some boob exposure.
I’m fine with that just to keep my initial cost down, but it does show what the majority of bondage enthusiasts go for. I admittedly have a somewhat narrow taste in scenarios.
Sorry for the digression there. I really like your photo updates though. I’ve gone back many years in the Bondage Warehouse and downloaded some real gems.
But the videos are amazing too. I’d like to see some interviews with your models while they are tied. Katherine West and Leah are particular favorites, especially when they are dressed as office ladies or in flowing dresses etc.
Very happy that pics will still be a focus here at Imago. I join sites because of the pictures and not generally for the vids. Some sites continue to do HQ and even UHQ pics but others have chosen to lag behind and not even qc their pics (like half an update being blurry). the ones with good quality models & pics get my support. Keep it up guys!
Keep on doing what you’re doing. Imago is still my favorite site, as it always has been.
Agree with JW. You guys have always been aware of the latest trend and have adapted fairly well with newer technology with both photos and videos. You guys are one of the few who provides high quality photography with great variety. I’ve seen other sites where they’re photos are simply stills from the video and end up not being great quality.
Always been a fan of your photos and it’s great to see the increase in sales this year for your photos. You are one of the few sites around that continues to post photos on a regular basis. Some sites have photos, but they are 30-60 shots of one set, with little variety. You folks always have a story set or a wide variety of shots for each regular set. Since you mentioned video, thank you for all the awesome content for members and looking forward to the next announcement. How far things have come since the 1 VHS release a month days. What a great ride it has been. Bring on 2018 and beyond.