Recently, I got a text from an anonymous number that read, “Hi Maya, it’s been a while so I hope I have the right number lol”.
Nothing too out of the ordinary, I mean, people’s numbers change all the time. So I replied with the usual, “Hi! Who is this?”.
But it was the next text that gave me the intriguing enough reason to start this blog… and it read,
“I know this is random but would you sell feet pics for money? Haha”
Clearly this was not a text one gets every day… and for me, it was especially curious because my entire life my friends and I have had a running joke about my second “long toe” being quite the eyesore. So naturally, I thought this had to be a friend with a new number playing a joke on me. I replied accordingly, “No really, who is this? Haha”.
For the sake of this blog, let's call our foot lover, A.
A: “Hahah I’m actually serious!”
M: “Still not seeing a name…”
A: “Sorry I’m not too comfortable sharing who I am hahah”
M: “Well I’m not too comfortable continuing this conversation”
A: “I know that’s not setting me up for the most success but I’d rather this be anonymous for now. I understand entirely lol”
I thought it would end there. Another lonely man who was shot down for his foot fetish. But what happened next completely shocked me. Honestly, I’m still kind of thrown by the last 48 hours, but I don’t want to get ahead of myself!
I still wasn’t convinced this wasn’t a prank, so I decided to call his bluff and tell him to venmo me $100 to prove he was serious. When he responded saying he could only pay anonymously through Cashapp, I quickly made an account in an attempt to end what I still thought was clearly a joke. Boy was I wrong…
A: “Is $100 necessary to prove I’m serious? Haha I’m happy to send something because I understand but can we call it $50? Haha”
M: “I guess it all depends what they are worth to you”
A: “I’m not cheap, don’t worry. But I just want to be realistic in that I’m sending you money just to prove I am being honest haha”
M: “Considering you won’t say your name and I have no idea who you are, I think $100 is extremely fair”
A: “But just because I want to make sure you enjoy this too… sent!”
He wasn’t bluffing.
Holy shit! There it was, clear as day and transferring into my bank account, $100 for doing absolutely NOTHING. This day just got much more interesting…
A: “Happy to make you happy, let me know when you got it”
I truly felt like I was on Punk’d for a moment… Where are the cameras?! There is NO WAY a sugar daddy who only wants photos of MY TOES just fell into my lap… especially because rent is due this week and I can’t deny that I have been racking up my credit card debt lately. But I still needed more information.
M: “Got it. So what’s the deal, how do you have my number?”
A: “I met you years ago haha but we don’t talk and I’ll likely never cross paths with you again in reality”
M: “Okay… so what made you randomly reach out?”
A: “I think you’re very attractive and figured I would ask haha. This is the thing I’m into lol so if I’m being honest, I have no intention other than to enjoy paying you for things if you’re comfortable with it”
So he’s a sugar daddy who isn’t looking for anything overtly sexual and respects consent? Is that what is happening here? I feel like I live far too normal of a life for this to be real… Maya WAKE UP!!
M: “I’m good with that. So what did you have in mind?”
A: “Would you maybe send a few photos and maybe a video of your legs and feet? Considering I sent $100 could we start with $50? If you enjoy doing this I don’t plan on stopping there just an FYI”
M: “I will send a few photos for $50, but a video is definitely worth more than that. Do you have any requests for the photos?”
And so it began. I had no idea what I was doing, had done no research and had no frame of reference other than a friend of a friend who had once told me she’d sold feet pics on instagram before. In her case I found out quickly that her “feet pics” were much more akin to boudoir photos that her feet just happened to also be in. Knowing that, I had only one concrete rule set in my mind. I would never sell any content that felt explicit to me in any way. Especially knowing he knew who I was… it was important that nothing could ever be used as blackmail. Thank God I’ve watched enough movies to know how that plays out.
A: “I’d love to see one of you laying down on your stomach with your feet up behind you. Maybe one of you sitting on the floor with your feet straight out and the camera by your feet, top down standing? Laying in bed? Just some ideas haha. I’ll send the $50 now”
And like magic, another $50 appeared. Well, here we go…
I decided my white comforter would likely be the best background for my first couple shots. I am a part-time content creator so that part of me wasn’t going to half ass the job. I brought my comforter into my living room for better lighting & I set up my tripod. After a few test shots and angle changes, I got a nice photo of my feet up behind me a little curled up so you could get a glimpse of my fresh red toenail polish. Yes, I did paint my toes for this. Then I spent another few minutes setting up my phone on the comforter with my knees up and the covers wrapped in between my legs. This way, you could only see legs and feet but nothing more. I did the necessary cropping for both pictures, added a filter, and pressed send.
A: “Those are lovely. I love your nails too. Love how you're wrapped up in the sheets”
The last part made my stomach turn a little. I was glad the fresh coat of paint was a good move though. I wasn’t sure if the “au natural” look was more desirable in the foot world.
M: “Glad to hear it! Let me know when you want more. I have to wear heels tomorrow so I could get some in those”
I can’t lie, my business brain was lit up! I couldn’t believe I had just made $150 for essentially 5 minutes of work! I wanted to ride this wave for as long as I could, and involving my shoe collection was a calculated maneuver. After all, summer is approaching and I definitely wouldn’t turn down some new strappy sandals! I live for fashion. So if this man’s wallet can expand my closet, you bet your ass I am going to put my best foot forward! Pun intended.
A: “I’d love to see you in a couple cute outfits too. And I love heels”
Okay, now it was time to set some boundaries. I tried to keep it light but firm.
M: “I won’t show anything more than my legs and feet but I have a lot of different heels to play with”
A: “That’s a shame. Would love to see more of you haha. Would there be a price?”
M: “No definitely not:
A: “Of course not meaning anything crazy lol but selfies and such? I’d be lying if I said your feet are your best feature. As much as I love them”
Oh boy… well I suppose I was starting to get a glimpse of what “easy money” really entailed…
M: “That’s not very nice!”
A: “You have gorgeous feet don’t get me wrong, I’m just saying you are sexy overall for many other reasons lol”
Another stomach turn. The word “sexy” from a stranger makes this start to feel wrong. What if he’s some middle aged 50 year old man in his mom’s basement?!
M: “How well do you know me?”
A: “I wouldn’t say well at all”
M: “Hmm… okay. Well let’s stick to fun feet stuff for now and if it keeps going well maybe I would show you a cute outfit or two”
I needed to divert the conversation away from “sexy” but I couldn’t deny that this new cash flow could do so much for me in terms of supporting my art, my activism, and my pursuit for a very fun-filled summer! I mean, I posted my outfits on Instagram, would sending outfit pics break my original rule? If they are outfits I already wear and post, I can’t imagine being embarrassed by them. I would have to think about it more…
A: “I understand your skepticism/trust too. So don’t worry I get it haha. I think I will build your trust enough where you will feel comfortable hopefully because I’d love that”
I had to make sure he knew I couldn’t be pushed around, that his money didn’t mean he owned me or my choices…
M: “If at any point I think this feels like you are going too far, I will block you. I want to make my boundaries very clear up front. I am not interested in doing some Onlyfans type thing.”
Good job Maya, you tell him!
A: “I have no intent other than seeing for my pleasure. This is only fun if you also enjoy it”
I enjoy making money, can’t say it’s “fun” knowing selling my feet makes more than selling my art… but if this funds the work I am passionate about without taking up much of my free time, I can’t say I am not glad this opportunity fell into my lap.
M: “You are also the only person I have ever sent photos like this to, so that exclusivity should mean something”
There are a few things I know about business. One of them is that creating exclusivity allows you to charge a premium while also creating a sense of loyalty. There is no way I would do this as a side hustle if I was selling these photos for $2-5 a pop, which apparently is the going rate from the quick google search I did. I wanted to set a price that gives the impression of a luxury experience. Don’t settle for less ladies!
A: “I wouldn’t want you to be uncomfortable, I’d want you to feel sexy. And I do feel special”
Meeting my terms no questions asked? I could get used to this.
A: “I will say though, if you are expecting to continue this for a long time, which I would love to, we are going to have to figure out how to not keep it too repetitive haha. I’m sure we can be creative”
M: “Creativity is my specialty. How often are you thinking?”
A: “As often as possible would be lovely”
It would sure be lovely for my bank account!
A: “Also may I ask, what were you wearing while you took those? Out of curiosity”
Tread lightly Maya… your responses need to be short and direct. If I am not careful this could easily get out of hand. If you feed into this fantasy too much, it has the opportunity to get dangerous. We need to avoid gaining a stalker at all costs.
M: “Shorts and a tank top.”
A: “I’d love to see all of your legs if you’d go waist down? They look really beautiful lol. I would be happy to send $50 for a video of you showing off your legs however you’d like to?”
M: “Shorts down just legs and feet. No tank top showing”
A: “I’d love to see that of course. Okay with me sending $50?
M: “$50 seems low for a video”
Another thing I know about business… always negotiate.
A: “To be honest I thought the $50 earlier was going to be for more than 2 pictures but I’m not complaining haha but I just figured $50 for two pictures and $50 for a video added up.”
A: “Like I said, I don’t plan on stopping :)”
Well A, you figured wrong. You have proved to be able to pay for a premium so I am going to operate accordingly.
M: “One, I’m not a person who just sends photos to people for money. And two, you could literally be anyone so there is a risk involved on my end”
This man could easily be a serial killer(sorry Mom). Well, I guess I can’t even be 100% certain it is a man… a woman would actually be less scary.
A: “I don’t think you are someone who does this often, to be honest I find it sexier that you are clearly innocent. And I understand 100%. I respect it. Would you do $75 and maybe send a picture too?”
M: “Let me think on it and get back to you”
This is where supply and demand comes into play. He clearly gives in easily and the power dynamic is in my favor. So I have to show him how easily I can cut off his supply.
A: “Sounds good. Are shorts and a tank top the typical sleep attire?”
Feeding into his fantasy of me in bed feels far too intimate. Not going there. If it’s something I would only say to a boyfriend/lover, I am definitely not saying it. New boundary.
M: “Usually sweatpants. Gotta go for tonight! Bye!”
A: “Would $100 make it worth it for the video tonight? I can’t say I haven’t been thinking about how sexy it would be this entire time lol”
And there you have it folks! We have now established video pricing. All in a day's work. Well, more like a minute’s work because now that is my going rate! I definitely won’t turn my nose up at $100, and I had just the idea for his much anticipated video the next day…
I already had to get dressed up. We had a family function that required slightly more dressy attire and I knew just the outfit to make him feel like his money was well spent. I put on a silk black midi skirt and black top, not that the top mattered because he wasn’t going to see it, and then the “pièce de résistance”… thigh high black leather boots. It took me a minute to set up a makeshift tripod, but after a few tweaks I had produced 56 seconds of me sitting putting on each boot, standing and posing back and forth and then finishing with a step to camera pivot. I was a foot and leg lover's dream, and it was too easy.
M: “Put on some thigh high boots this morning if you are interested in a video”
A: “I am very excited to watch. Can you send through Telegram? The video quality on text is terrible. Let me know if that’s possible”
M: “I am out and about but can download it later. Send $100 and I will get it to you once I get it downloaded”
A: “Sent :)”
Too easy.
M: “Let me know when you’ve gotten it”
A: “Just came through! About to watch :)”
A: “Sent you another $20 haha. A little extra something because I loved when you talked and the twirl was cute”
So I can get tipped now too?! I was apprehensive to speak on camera since the photos/videos don’t have my face, I could still deny they are me if they ever got leaked. But I also thought that complete silence could be even more awkward, so in the video I literally said just two words… “left boot”. I actually meant to say “right boot” after I put on the second boot but forgot! Who would have thought “left boot” was worth a whole $20? That’ll buy my next 2 tequila sodas!
A: “I can’t imagine those are easy to take off”
M: “Actually these are fine, I have another pair of black boots that really give me a tough time”
A: “Is your closet just filled with tight black boots? I might need to buy you a dress that’s as tight as the boots…”
Note to self, A will buy you things if you ask for it. Start saving your shopping links for later.
M: “I don’t know I am picky with tight dresses”
I want to establish early that I have expensive taste. I feel like it will help justify the price of my content and solidify that I have standards I expect to be met.
A: “Why’s that? What are you picky about?”
M: “I don’t like when tight dresses look trashy or cheap. They have to be a specific fit and fabric to be flattering as well”
A: “I’d agree with that. That outlook overall is sexy of you. Knowing you look good without being trashy is hot”
M: “Just not my style”
Okay can I admit something? If this wasn’t a stranger with a foot fetish saying it… that response would be kinda hot. Oh God, it scares me that I even just anonymously typed that out.
A: “Will you be staying home tonight by chance? I am and I’d love to send you more money if you aren’t busy”
MORE money?! This man has sent me $270 in less than 24 hours! Well I still do have rent to pay…
M: “Yeah most likely in tonight”
A: “I’d love to see you twirl around in a few different outfits if you’d be down to show me more of what’s in that closet of yours? I feel like you have a good model walk”
M: “I’m not at my apartment so I only have a few outfits, I’ll see what I can put together”
A: “I’d love if your face and full body were in the video, just you showing the outfits”
M: “I don’t know how I feel about my face being in it since I still don’t know who you are”
A: “Haha you tell me but I’d hope considering the amount of money I’ve sent in only 24 hours that you’d trust at least showing your face haha. I totally understand though I do”
M: “I’ll think about it and get back to you”
Is this crossing a line I will regret? None of the outfits I have are overtly sexy or revealing, they are all outfits I would post on Instagram. Honestly, I have posted several bikini photos on Instagram so this is actually more tame. But what would my friends say? Right now selling my feet is a funny joke, but making a video of me twirling in my everyday outfits for money? Does that feel like we are entering sex work territory? I mean the content by itself isn’t inherently sexual at all, but taking money for it from someone I know sees me in a sexual way? I feel like I am “toeing” a moral and ethical line. But then again… I have rent to pay. God that sounds bad.
A: “Does $150 sound good? I would love to see you tonight if possible haha don’t mean to rush you”
Am I fostering a narrative that we have some sort of relationship now? I need input from my non-judgemental friends… Is this a bad idea? Do I still have the control I think I do if I do actually need this money right now?
M: “I will send in a few minutes once you send the $150”
Always get the money first. But did I miss an opportunity to negotiate here? I was so exhausted that it seemed like an easy $150, but I think if my face is included in any future videos, $200 is my going rate.
A: “Just sent”
M: “I don’t have good lighting here so the quality is a bit grainy”
I figured mentioning that shows that a higher quality future video will be worth more. The one minute, poorly lit video showed myself in 3 outfits total and I did mildly narrate because it felt more “Instagram story vibes” to do so. I started with the outfit I wore that day, black silk midi skirt, boots, black top and short sleeve crochet shawl. Cut to me in some high waisted, wide leg trousers and same black top, and then finished it off cutting to me in my same boots and a black knit short sleeve turtleneck mini dress. I “twirled” in each & put my hair up for the last look so the turtleneck didn’t blend in with my dark hair.
A: “You look so sexy in that turtle neck. And I love your hair up. If I were to send you another $100 right now would you treat me with a video of you in something a little tinier?”
Oh no… this is what I was afraid of.
M: “I don’t know what you mean by tinier but I am already in my sweats watching a movie. Not tonight.”
A: “I’d love to see you in something tighter and a little more revealing. I find your confidence so sexy and the way you show off those outfits kills me. Something about that stare of yours”
Okay now that feels way too forward and way too intimate for my liking. Why does “sexy” make my stomach turn? Every time he says it I feel like I am doing something wrong. Is that just a ME problem? Or is it just my gut telling me this is unethical?
M: “I’m not taking videos in lingerie or anything if that’s what you are getting at. I am not crossing that kind of line. If you want to see my outfits I will show you my outfits and some days they are tighter than others”
A: “You didn’t strike me as someone who would own lingerie”
Shit. Too much information, I need to reel it back so he doesn’t let his mind wander too far…
M: “Only as an example I am saying”
I do own lingerie but opening that can of worms would most definitely be dangerous.
A: “I just love seeing you show off. You look so good. I’m clearly enjoying this a lot and I’d love to see more of you tonight. Is it too late for you to put on some other outfits? I absolutely love the way you look at the camera”
Reel him in Maya. This is starting to feel like you are unleashing something that will take this too far…
M: “You’ll have to be patient and wait until tomorrow”
A: “Hmmm sad to hear that. I would have loved to see you one last time. I don’t think it needs to be said of what happens after seeing you look that sexy, but truly would appreciate a little icing on the cake for tonight? And trust me then I would be more than happy to wait for tomorrow”
I’m getting nervous now, what would a boyfriend say if he saw this? I feel like I’m not replying in any sort of “sexy” way but I do want it to be obvious if someone was reading this back that I am not interested in anything but his money. I feel like a good rule of thumb for staying in moral bounds is, if what I am doing starts to feel like cheating, even though I don’t have a boyfriend right now, then that is probably because it’s going too far.
M: “I feel like we are getting away from the original foot pic agreement”
A: “Haha you aren’t making it easy for me to not want more”
A: “Okay reeling it back in now. Can I send you $100 and you can send me a few things you’ve already taken?”
M: “I can send a few outfit photos I have in my camera roll and then I have to go to sleep”
A: “I’d love that. If you have some up close selfies too I would really love that. Can you send 5?”
What is it about a selfie that feels far too intimate to send to a stranger? That makes me uneasy.
M: “I don’t know how I feel about sending up close selfies. I signed up for feet pics”
A: “It would make my night Maya”
I went through my phone album titled “Outfit Ideas”, where I keep a collection of mirror pics of myself in various outfits that I like and want to remember to wear again. And I picked three, not five, photos that didn’t feel overtly sexy in any way. Then I hit send.
M: “Your night should already be made. No selfies. That’s a rule”
A: “God your body is perfect. I wish I could see your face better, what makes you nervous about a selfie?”
M: “This is a feet arrangement not a face arrangement”
A: “Just because I did send $100 do you think I can get a few more similar to those you just sent?”
Fine. I found one more of me in a long pleated maxi skirt and silk tie top with my foot peeking out and called it a night.
A: “I love it”
So there you have it. $520 in less than 48 hours for feet pics. I have never said I would ever turn down foot photography money, but now that I am in it, I can see that it’s a lot more nuanced than just a few snapped photos of the dawgs.
What do you think? Have you ever thought about selling feet pics? Do you think I crossed a line I shouldn’t have? Leave a comment below so I can get more input. I will be back with more updates and stories as I navigate this very niche and taboo new world… I still can’t even believe this actually happened to me. Toe-tally excited I can pay rent this month though!
- Maya