OnlyFans is the new frontline for people looking to make a living from online sex work. In the same way Patreon has allowed creatives like artists and musicians to get paid directly by their fans for the work they do, OnlyFans does the same – effectively cutting out the middle-man between the creator and the consumer.
For the uninitiated, the concept of the platform is pretty simple. Instead of subscribing to a porn studio's website, consumers can subscribe to individual creator's private feeds. Once you've paid your monthly fee (set by the creator), you've passed the porn paywall and you gain access to the creator's private posts, images and videos. It's essentially like paying someone to access their private Twitter or Facebook account, but with the added promise of regular porn uploads.
Unlike porn scenes that have been arranged by adult studios, the individual creators on OnlyFans are their own bosses. They're responsible for everything involved in the process, including taking the photos and recording and editing the videos, as well as doing all of their own marketing and promotion. The benefit for the creators is the flexibility – they're able to work on their own terms, create whatever content they like and control their own following.
OnlyFans is mostly used for porn purposes, but it's also used by dieticians, artists, fitness bloggers and reality TV personalities. The adult content ranges from softcore to hardcore, vanilla to kinky, as it's totally dependent on what the individual creator wants to share with their fans.
Accessing OnlyFans is easy. Once you've loaded your payment card into the system, you're ready to go. Just click "subscribe" on any accounts that you fancy following. Once you've hit subscribe, all of that creator's content is unlocked for your viewing. As the site operates on a subscription basis, you have to keep paying the monthly rate (set by the creator) to access the content. Don't want to follow that creator anymore? Unsubscribe at any time.
We spoke to four Australian sex workers who use OnlyFans.
AUDREY AND SADIE
“Both of us have always had a creative streak; enjoying hobbies like painting and photography. We decided to make an OnlyFans as a way to show a more sexually creative side to ourselves. As the number of our subscribers grew, so did the quality of our content.”
Based in Adelaide, escort duo Audrey and Sadie run a joint OnlyFans account and have experienced massive success, having recently risen into the top 1 per cent of the most popular accounts on the platform.
“We love OnlyFans because it’s simple to navigate. It allows us to have creative freedom. Many other subscription-based sites don’t actually allow adult content, so it’s great to have a site that allows it. OnlyFans are always adding new features too. Recently they added a live show feature, which we love. The added intimacy of fans watching and interacting with us as we fuck in real-time is exhilarating.”
“There’s not much that’s off-limits for us when it comes to content. We post things like hardcore lesbian, solo masturbation, boy/girl, live shows, threesomes and much more. We actually just shot our first boy/girl anal video.”
Audrey and Sadie have uploaded 1242 photos, 240 videos and have amassed over 19,000 likes. Their subscription fee is currently set at $20 a month.
“We took a lot of things into account when deciding on our subscription price. OnlyFans takes a 20 per cent cut of all earnings, including any tips. We film using an expensive, professional Canon camera and lenses. On top of this, we also have professional lighting and pro-editing software. There are also two of us, so all earnings are split. Our price fits well with the quality of the product you watch on your screen. We have over a thousand images and hours and hours of footage.”
Audrey and Sadie like the intimacy and direct access to their fans that comes with OnlyFans. “We have a lot of interaction with our fans,” Audrey and Sadie say. “We always respond to each and every direct message. Subscribing is a great way to get to know us and be able to regularly interact with us if you aren’t able to meet us in person.”
Follow Audrey and Sadie.
GRACIE GREY
“I'm like a sexy girlfriend that you can enjoy watching doing those things that girls do that often turn you on but not necessarily always explicitly.”
Independent Sydney Escort, Gracie Grey, says OnlyFans provides her with an opportunity to show of her naughtier side in the form of photos and videos on a private platform, without having to worry about the censorship.
“I enjoy entertaining, being creative and making content for my fans. It’s nice not having to worry that your account is going to be blocked because you showed a nipple!”
“I think people have adopted OnlyFans so quickly as it makes naughty videos a little more personal. I want my videos to feel as though the viewer is: peaking in while I take a shower, or rubbing lotion all over my body. Catching a glance through a door that's ajar while I strip off, all sweaty after a gym session. Watching as I try on my lingerie and dance around the bedroom. Waking up to see me getting a little excited and letting my hands wander.”
“It's the little things that make me smile. Yesterday, I received a message from a lovely gentleman who was trying to overcome his boredom while in hospital. He chanced upon me on Twitter and then delved into OnlyFans. He said he got so carried away looking at all my videos he didn't notice the nurse come over to check on him. When she pulled aside the sheets she blushed and then quickly covered him and scurried away. He couldn't hide his… enthusiasm… for my content!”
Gracie Grey's OnlyFans.
CHASEY DEVIL
“I was nervous, excited, scared... all the emotions all at once were running through my mind. But as soon as I pushed the POST button, I knew there was no turning back.”
Chasey Devil is a private independent escort from Melbourne who has posted 708 photos and 61 videos to her OnlyFans. She says her account gives her subscribers an insight into her life. “My fans get to see behind the scenes content on shoot days, videos and photos I’ve shot myself, as well as professionally shot videos and photoshoots, as well as photos and videos of my miniature Daschund, Little Miss.”
The beauty of digital platforms like OnlyFans means there’s no location barrier when it comes to finding and accessing creators. Chasey says the platform has allowed her to connect with people as far as Canada, Germany, New Zealand and Japan. “I love engaging with my subscribers and getting feedback so I can create the content they want to see of me. Asking them what sort of content they like to watch has given me inspiration for clips and photos I never thought to try.”
Chasey Devil's OnlyFans.
This article first appeared in Penthouse's Little Black Book (on shelves Feb 2020).