It is a weird time to be alive. Ten years ago, if you wanted to know how to start doing porn, you basically had to fly to Los Angeles, find a sketchy "talent scout" on Craigslist, and pray you weren't walking into a basement you’d never leave. Now? You just need a ring light and a high-speed internet connection. The barrier to entry has vanished, but the stakes have actually gotten much higher.
The industry has fractured into two very different worlds: the "Professional" studio world (think MindGeek/Aylo properties) and the "Independent" creator economy (OnlyFans, Fansly, LoyalFans). Most people starting today choose the latter. It feels safer. You have control. But honestly, the mental load of being your own producer, editor, and marketing agent is something most newcomers aren't ready for. It's not just about being attractive; it's about being a small business owner in a world that still wants to shadowban your "business" every time you post a link on Instagram.
The Identity Crisis: Legal Names vs. Stage Names
First things first. You need a name. Not just because it sounds cool, but because of safety.
In the adult industry, "doxing" isn't a possibility—it’s an eventuality. If you use your real name or even a nickname your high school friends know, someone will find your LinkedIn. Trust me. You want a clean break between your civilian life and your adult persona. Professional performers often use the "Porn Star Name" trope (pet name + street name), but modern creators usually go for something that sounds like a real human. Think "Lexi" or "Riley"—short, punchy, and easy to type into a search bar.
Once you have a name, you have to protect it. Before you even post a single photo, go buy the domain name. Check if the handle is available on X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok. You are building a brand. If you’re serious about how to start doing porn, you have to treat your name like a trademark.
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The Paperwork (Yes, There’s Paperwork)
People think it’s all fun and games until the IRS or the 2257 regulations come knocking. In the United States, the 18 U.S.C. § 2257 record-keeping requirements are the law of the land. It’s boring. It’s tedious. It involves keeping copies of your ID and the IDs of anyone you film with. If you are doing this through a platform like OnlyFans, they handle a lot of the heavy lifting for verification, but you are still responsible for your own records.
You need a separate bank account. Do not, under any circumstances, run your adult income through your personal Wells Fargo account. Banks like Chase and PayPal are notoriously "sw-unfriendly." They will freeze your funds if they see a payout from a site they deem "high risk." Look into "neobanks" or credit unions that are more flexible, or better yet, talk to an accountant who specifically works with adult performers. They exist. They are worth every penny.
Tools of the Trade: Hardware vs. Software
You don’t need a RED camera. Seriously. Most top-earning creators film on an iPhone 15 or 16. Why? Because the "authentic" look sells better than high-gloss studio production. Viewers want to feel like they are in the room with you, not watching a movie.
- Lighting: Get a 10-inch ring light or, if you want to look fancy, a three-point LED panel setup. Shadows are your enemy.
- Audio: This is the secret. Bad video is forgivable; bad audio is a dealbreaker. If all people hear is the sound of a ceiling fan or wind hitting a phone mic, they’ll click away. Invest in a small "lavalier" mic or a Rode VideoMic.
- Editing: CapCut or InShot. Don't overthink it. You aren't editing Citizen Kane.
Choosing Your Path: Studio vs. Solo
Let’s talk about the studio route. It’s less common now for beginners, but it offers something solo work doesn't: instant "fame" and professional networking. If you sign with an agency like OC Modeling or Spiegler, they handle the bookings. You show up, you perform, you get paid a flat fee, and you leave. The downside? You don't own the content. That video lives forever, and you won't see another dime from it after that first paycheck.
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Solo work (OnlyFans/Fansly) is the opposite. You own everything. You keep 80% of the revenue. But you are also the one who has to spend 10 hours a day replying to DMs and fighting with the Twitter algorithm. Honestly, most people who wonder how to start doing porn end up doing a hybrid. They do a few studio shoots to get their name out there and then funnel those fans to their private subscription sites.
Marketing: The "Sisyphus" of the Adult World
You cannot just post and pray. The internet is a crowded place. To get noticed, you have to be a master of "SFW" (Safe For Work) marketing. This means learning how to tease content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram without getting banned.
It’s a constant cat-and-mouse game. Use "Algospeak." Instead of saying "porn," say "spicy accounting." Instead of showing everything, show the vibe. The most successful performers today are essentially lifestyle influencers who happen to have a link in their bio. They post about their coffee, their gym routine, and their cats. It builds a connection. People don't just buy porn anymore; they buy access to a person.
The Mental Health Reality Check
We need to be real for a second. This job is lonely. Your "work colleagues" are mostly avatars on a screen. Your family might stop talking to you. Your "civilian" dating life will get... complicated.
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Before you upload that first video, ask yourself if you’re okay with your future boss, your future mother-in-law, or your future child seeing it. Because they might. Even if you use a stage name, facial recognition software is getting terrifyingly good. Once it’s out there, it’s out there. There is no "undo" button for the internet.
Actionable Steps for Your First Week
If you’ve weighed the risks and you're ready to jump in, here is the roadmap. No fluff. Just the work.
- Identity Lockdown: Pick your name. Create a dedicated email address (ProtonMail is great for privacy). Register your handles on X, Instagram, TikTok, and Reddit.
- The "Vanilla" Presence: Start posting non-explicit photos. Get a feel for your lighting. Figure out your "angles." Everyone has them. Find yours.
- Verification: Sign up for a creator platform. You will need your passport or state ID. This process can take 24-72 hours.
- Content Batching: Do not film one video and post it. Film ten. You want a "backlog" so that if you get sick or just aren't feeling it, your page doesn't go dark. Consistency is the only way to beat the algorithm.
- Community: Follow other creators. Don't be a lurker. Comment on their stuff (genuine comments, not "sub for sub" spam). This industry runs on networking and "L4L" (like for like) groups.
- Safety Check: Use a VPN. Turn off metadata (location tracking) on your phone photos. Never film out of a window that shows recognizable landmarks or street signs.
Starting in the adult industry is a business decision. Treat it like one. If you approach it as a hobby, you’ll get hobby-level results and professional-level headaches. If you approach it as a brand, you actually stand a chance of making a living.