Yeah, so I haven't been posting much being distracted by personal stuff. In the meantime, I've been unintentionally mentoring Bono One as a photographer.

Venus 2023

I went to Germany after an absence of 7 years to hang out with my UK friends and the Brazzers crew at Venus Berlin. Compared to 2016, I just didn't shoot too much, and I stated my reason why on my Venus write-up on IAFD. I find that many of the men at these shows are downright predatory, and that gets worse when alcohol was involved. Having done these shows for over 20 years, you kind of take a step back and realise the amount of objectification that the porn audience does to women who could be their sisters, daughters, or even mothers when you hear them talk about the performers outside of earshot. This is not limited to the German show but the American ones too. Reading denigrating or fantasy entitlement comments on this board over and over and the defensiveness of posters when called out on it, it should be no surprise that these are the kind of people that are also attending these shows.

Exxxotica NJ + DC 2023

I really enjoy Exxxoticas. They are just really laid back shows where you can meet and greet the performers for more than 5 minutes. I regret not attending many of the earlier shows whey they first start touring in 2006. The reason why is that many of signing performers also enjoy doing the show, and you get to see them over and over. They look forward to seeing their repeat attendees. If you're not an asshole and got some game, they'll even hang out with you after-hours and befriend you.

That's how I usually end up grabbing lunch or dinner with Vicki Chase in different cities and constantly finishing April O'Neil's bourbons when she buys whole shots just to only taste them.

Exxxotica also has really cleaned up their conduct policies and enforcement after the Ron Jeremy debacle. The right people are banned including some of the pornorazzis after problems that arise with the performers. Their security comes off more as supporting the performers rather than as enforcing stringent rules on the performers at the bigger shows like AVN and XBIZ.

Exxxotica NJ write-up
Exxxotica DC write-up

XBIZ X3 2024

So now to the capstone shows.

X3 has grown since it first started in the waning stages of the pandemic. The Palladium is not an ideal facility for this growth because the crowds can be overwhelming in the small space, and I hate having to climb stairs. The organisers are professional and run the show and the XBIZ Awards very well. Probably because of the smaller scale compared to AVN.

Lots of performers attend because the show is in Los Angeles.

X3 write-up

AVN AEE 2024

If you were to only go to one show in your life or in a year and want to see the most performers in one place, you should go to AVN. If you're agoraphobic or claustrophobic, you probably shouldn't go. The crowd is relentless, and Vegas is expensive. You pretty much have to be a motivated fan to travel to an AEE. Some of the performers are also agoraphobic or party a lot, so finding a specific performer can be hit or miss.

Vegas is a predatory town so it shouldn't be too surprising that predatory men are staking out and trying to follow the performers back to their hotel rooms. Casino security, agents, and other trusted people are on overdrive having to accompany performers around the casino.

AEE 2024 write-up

Exxxotica Chicago 2024

Exxxotica Chicago gallery on Flickr

One thing I forgot to mention is that these conventions is that many pro-am performers are using them to network and shoot content. Much more since the advent of OnlyFans. They are comfortable living where they are living and travel to these shows to expand their collaboration partners.

One night, I was just hanging out drinking and smoking in my friend's suite with a group when an orgy broke out. You know how they usually start out. Girl flirts with guy. Guy gropes girl. Girl pulls out his dick. Another girl jumps in to help. Another couple decides to jump in. More girls jump in. Some people decide to swap partners. I picked up random cell phones around the area, asked whose they were, and hit their record buttons for their personal mementos. I found out that one outside straggler had followed the group into the room. At first no one cared, but he then tried to participate without consent so some of us escorted him out.

Predators.