Ok so this photographer contacted me and asked me if I objected to adult work.  At first I told him that I DO object, but then I changed my mind because I've never tried it and I can't say no to something I've never tried. 

He stated that I must be TOTALLY ok with this because I might have to cover blemishes on butts and/or crotches.  But that the pay is $500 a day!!!  I wouldn't use this on my port though, it would mainly be for experience.  Should I take it or not?

If you don't have a problem with the adult industry, you should definitely do it.  $500 a day is great.  You won't be using it for your book anyways so I don't see how it could hurt your career.  But I'm a newbie so may be wrong.

But me, I would definitely do it.

I was asked a while back to do the makeup on the dancers in a famous gentleman's club.  If it weren't for the hours I would've done it.  No one would know it would just be a way of supplementing my income until my career got to where I want it.

Melissa

oops, sorry, double post.

Why are you asking for advice in such a personal decision? There's nothing any of us can/should say one way or another, other than "do what you think is appropriate !" It'd be wrong for us to try to talk you into it, or out of it - you're a grown-up, right? Take charge of your own decisions.

mjr

first of all $500.00 is not great in NY....Day rates start at about  $700.00....  From what I understand adult stuff pays even more then other stuff so you are being short changed...

The decision to do it on moral grounds is very personal, people all differ in opinion about this stuff but the money shouldnt weigh in as a factor....if you are uncomfortable, no amount of money will change that and you're selling out to do something just for the money.  If you are not 100% comfortable dont add the experience to your memory bank, that isnt worth $500.00

Going on record as totally agreeing with Mary.

Realize that the adult industry also has a reputation for doing things as cheaply as possible, so asking for a bit more money probably wouldn't hurt. You might lose the job, but you might also be getting a bottom dollar opening bid right now and could get more.

yah I totally agree. you dont want to show all your buisness, and lay all of your cards on the table ,ask for more money cuz that dose sound a little on the low side for this industry.
I did make-up for a "porn" ish shoot, and I got paied $550 for 4 hours of work ,and I didnt have to be in the pictures.I stayed fully clothed through the whole shoot So I think its all about what you want to do, and how it might effect you later. you dont want to have any regret it might be ok now but eat you up later.. its really up to you.

I think that part of doing what I do means that I have to be maintain professionalism and a certian comfort level in any situation. I have done porn work before, here in Texas with a western type theme (go figure) this was for print not video, and I was paid $650 for a little over 6 hours. If you have second thoughts, then your not comfortable with it, therefore don't do it.

Charissa

It seems to me if you wanted to do it you would have said yes right from the get go- and wouldn't have posted here to get help on what to do. Since you asked (I would never tell anyone this kind of opinion if it wasn't solicited) I don't think you should do it. Solely because I think it would make you feel like you have less integrity (based on what you wrote) and artists need a great sense of integrity and pride in thier work.