The lives of 19th century women are known to us today mainly through their letters and writing, but also through the then new (black-and-white) portrait photography, and the vivid paintings, pastels and watercolours of impressionist artists.
The internet changed everything for our industry. I can reach many more potential clients now, and stay safer with advanced screening protocols that were not around when I started.
Whenever my job is mentioned in newspapers, blogs, or magazines, the same tropes tend to pop up: moral panic, drug abuse, violence. Journalists quote us selectively, so that it sounds as if we’re living out the sex-negative, whorephobic stereotypes the public are used to consuming.
At age 35 I quit an unfulfilling corporate job and started sex work as an independent full service kink friendly switch. My early days were filled with wild situations and marked by an utter lack of self preservation.