Import Icons (paysite review)
Import Icons is a paysite that features import models in glamorous settings. My inspiration for reviewing it now is that the website is currently having a membership sale where all memberships are 25% off regular prices which ends in less than 2 days on October 15th (midnight PDT time I assume). The discussion of Alex Lynn on Asian Sirens also reminded me since she is one of the models featured on Import Icons with a number of implied nude photosets and high resolution video clips.
To start off, here are larger versions of pics in the top half of the collage with names of the models:
The bottom half of the collage is none other than Christine Mendoza of course.
These preview pictures which I found through a google image search give you a taste of what most of the photos at Import Icons are like. There are some models who are featured full nude or topless such as Angela Sora, Arielle Lee, Christine Nguyen, Kat Gutierrez, and Maya Simone but the majority of models limit their exposure to implied nude or implied topless.
Since they focus on import models, most of the models they feature are Asian models. The photography is done by a woman named Jen Han and she seems to have a good rapport with the models but sometimes the set of poses becomes a bit too familiar. They choose classy locations for the photoshoots but to be honest I don't pay money to look at nice houses and furnishings. Some of the settings do enhance the photos like the one titled Freezer Burn with Christine Mendoza. For fans of straight hair, you won't see much since they tend to "fix" the models hair up for their shoots. Another criticism is that they include cheesy banner ads in the member's galleries (they shouldn't subject paying customers to such crap).
On the positive side:
They do have a relatively good selection of Asian models. I am not sure if all of them qualify as import models but that isn't important to me.
They update with either a photoset or a videoclip 5 times a week (each weekday).
The videos are 640x480 and usually last 5+ minutes each. Most of the videos correspond to photoshoots but they also have video interviews with the models. I usually don't like videos of photoshoots but on the positive side they sometimes catch things that don't come across in the resulting photos. The video is not perfect with the videographer doing a bit too much panning and zooming for my taste (for instance spending too much time on a models shoes when other areas are crying for attention).
On balance, it is one of the better paysites I have come across. The key factor is that very few paysites update as frequently. Even paysites that claim to update daily sometimes include meaningless things as an update or rely too much on crappy guest model galleries rather than their own content. It is also nice to see a variety of models but agree that most people pay to see the models nude on these types of sites since you can find non-nude photos of many of these models for free. There is room for improvement but I give the website a B grade.
COMMENTS
Judging from the previews, the photos here are seriously lacking in variety, which is a criticism I have of most multi-model sites these days. The great irony though is that consumers are shunning single model sites in favour of these corporate sites on the perception that more models means more variety. But in my experience the better single model sites offer far more variety and originality.
Badboy, can you tell something more about the photographer Jen Han? Was she a model herself before?
Marco, it is tough to find out much about Jen Han. The bio section of her portfolio website jenhan.com is currently blank. I don't know if she was a model before but maybe not because she describes her body type in her MySpace profile as "more to love". You can find out a bit about her from that MySpace profile such as her age which is 25 years old.
Here is a little blurb she wrote about herself in a glamourmodels website's photographer listing:
"I'm a female glamour photographer based in LA. Check out my portfolio and contact me if you want to shoot! I'm always casting models for different companies so email me if you are interested."
I guess she wants her work to speak for itself.
Speaking of that, checkout the glamour page of jenhan.com for some of her best work including some sexy full size photos of Christine Mendoza, Angela Sora, Christine Nguyen, ...
I feel she basically just keeps taking the same photo over and over again (like many American glamour photographers actually).
I agree with Dr. Lee. The photos lack variety. And let me say that, although "glamour" pics are favored by models, I believe that non-glam photos are way sexier. You feel a closer connection with the model in the picture and it just seems more "real". I've heard it said more than once that the more non-glam your photos are, the better your paysite will sell. People just don't relate to the airbrushed look.
Hey guys! OMG I can't believe that someone hunted me down! hahahahah. I'm definitely not a model or ever was...and the description "more to love" is totally true.. hahahahha. Thank you for all the great critiques and I have much much more to learn. Being that I am basically self taught through hours of darkroom work printing black and white 8x10s at 16.. to 1 course in college printing color prints.. I think I'm doing pretty darn good! hahahaha. But still.. there is a tonnnnnnn more that I must improve on and keep the comments coming!
Haha, hunt you down. Never thought of us as 'hunters' ;-)
Hahhahahah ok ok..not "hunters" more like.hm... crazy recon people...hahaha... But seriously.. never thought anyone was interested in me..or had anything to say about my work! Because I'm really surpised that anyone even noticed my stuff! hahahah. I take it..the good and the bad, and I'll just cry when no one is looking :( hahah I'm playin!
Hi Jen. I'm very happy to see that you've taken my comments in the spirit in which they were intended. I too am an entirely self-taught photographer - you can see my work at SachikoMcLean.com.
Hi Dr. Lee! Great pics! Sachiko has a great body!!! I am super lucky too.. I work with a couple of super sexy girls on a regular basis.. DeannaBrooks.com (not asian), iHeartJennyChu.com, and KatherineThom.com! Self-taught stuff rocks! hahahah. Ofcourse all comments should be taken for what it is.. just comments! I'm sure you weren't out to hurt my feelings.. right?? hahhahah. But seriously.. I feel like..hey.. i'm 25.. and I like a lot of what I've shot..and there are a lot of stuff I don't.. so it's ok! Alrighty.. it's 5am here in LA.. so 99 everyone!
Thanks Jen!
Jen, I think you are a very good photographer. I imagine that you are under time pressure on these shoots since Import Icons is updated 5 times a week so you need to shoot lots of content and edit it in a short amount of time. I wasn't trying to hurt your feelings but just trying to point out areas where there is some room for improvement in regards to Import Icons.
The Freezer Burn photos with Christine Mendoza are excellent!
Great to see you here Jen! Would be great when you can step in from time to time to tell about your work (and your progression). As you have noticed, we are not only interested in naked butts but also in the people behind the camera and how they work.
Sleep well and take care!
Thanks Badboy! I loved shooting Christine..she's soo sexy! I don't think that I'm really under pressure to "pump out" content...but shooting for Import Icons or any other membership site is definitely very different from shooting magazine work (which I've only had the pleasure of doing 1 only so far:( ) or just shooting for fun.
Now editing...that's a bitch! hahahah only because that's when I think "damn i should have did this.. or that" hahhaha. Otherwise.. there's really not a whole lot to process after a shoot.
This place is totally fun Marco! I wil definitely stop by and chat!! I love it!
I love importmodels and I love import icons,the pics and coverage are great but you need MORE MORE MORE Angela Sora!!!!!!
Happy New Years everyone!!
Jen
Ps. Heheh... I loove Angela!!! She's toooo sexy.. too sexy!
Hey guys! Just wanted to let you guys know that I just updated my portfolio! Come check it out! www.JenHan.com
Glad to hear from you again Jen. Guys, Jen's one of the best professionally and as a friend. Check out her work and support Icons!
Freezer Burn screencaps
Oops! my hand slipped
