Thursday, November 24, 2016

Thankful

I'm thankful for all my models, especially ones such as Mindee (left) and Cierra.


Today, in the United States, is Thanksgiving - a day to be thankful for the things you have in life. Since Soles of Silk is in its 12th year now, there are a lot of things that I am thankful for here in the online foot fetish community. I thought this month's column would be the perfect chance to go into all those things I am thankful for. I decided to hold off and post it today for the full effect.

Site Models
Without all the ladies who have shown me their feet over the years, Soles of Silk would have never opened, let alone be entering its 13th year in 2017. A total of 93 models to date have shown off their soles and toes, most of them doing so on multiple occasions. And while not all of those 93 models still currently shoot, I thank each and every one of them for what they have done.

Site Members
Obviously a pay site cannot exist without members. To all of you have spent your hard earned money for a membership at any point over the last 13 years, I say thank you! It doesn't matter if you've been with me from the start, have had off/on memberships, or are even a brand new member - each and every one of you have helped keep this all possible. This is why I try my hardest to reward free membership time with random contests, like the recently completed, Mindeemania Contest

Site Fans
Although many of the members, if not all of them, could be considered fans, I'm listing this separate for a reason. I know many people enjoy Soles of Silk and its models, but do not have a membership for whatever reason. Regardless, I still enjoy hearing the feedback and having conversations with all of you. So many people have sung the praises of Soles of Silk and/or the models on social media, or the Wu's Feet Links Forum over the years, and I really do appreciate that. This is also why I like to run the contests. Sometimes people who cannot afford to be a member due to factors in life can win some time to enjoy all that Soles of Silk has to offer. It's just another way for me to show some appreciation.

Site Host - BHE
When I launched Soles of Silk in 2004, I went with BHE as a host. So many sites I followed, or was friends with during the time of my prior free sites, were hosted by BHE. I reached out to them and they've been nothing but helpful and supportive from the start. I know I could probably host elsewhere and maybe have a few extra abilities I don't currently have access to, but the ease in which BHE works has been valuable to me. In addition, they're always there when I have a question and have supported me with whatever I wanted to do. This leads right into the next item.

Getting to interview others in the community for Wu's Feet Links has been great.

Wu & Wu's Feet Links
Without Wu and Wu's Feet Links, Soles of Silk would not be where it is today. I think most webmasters who started between the early 2000's - Wu's passing will say the same thing. Wu is probably the nicest, most down to earth, drama free person you would have ever met online. He loved my work and his feedback always made me feel good about what I do. Whenever he complimented one of my models, which was a regular occurrence, I couldn't wait to pass that praise onto the girls. I really made their day!

When he passed away a few years ago, I reached out to BHE with a small game plan on ways to keep his site going. I wanted to keep his vision, his baby, if you will, going as best as we could without him at the helm. And while I'm not always happy with how things turn out, it's only because I want what's best for this site. I'd seriously give it all up, however, to have him back. Since that can't happen, however, I am thankful for all of you who have helped me with these columns, the interviews on the Wu's Feet Links Interviews Blog, with feature model submissions, and in the forum. You've helped make some added work on my plate a little bit easier. Thank you for all the compliments and offers of assistance over these last few years.

Monday, October 17, 2016

Wasted Time & Wasted Days

Alice has been nothing but dependable from the first time I shot with her in 2015.


Typically I am not one to put drama out online. I've gotten on my own friends and relatives who participate in it on places such as Facebook, but today I need to climb onto a soapbox. I, however, will not be naming names here. I'm, instead, here to vent about a topic that is near and dear to many photographers out there. That topic is models who waste your time and waste your open days.

Now, I will be totally up front and say that I generally do not shoot what most consider to be "foot fetish models." I mostly stick to friends and friends of those friends. I still, however, face that same fate as so many of my peers. And just like those peers, it annoys the hell out of me. This weekend among them.

Again, I will not be naming any names, but today I was set to shoot a friend of mine who has not shot with me since 2013. Her debut was halfway through 2012 and in that short span of time, became one of the most talked about, most beloved models on Soles of Silk. And best of all, she was simply put, a doll. 

This model and I were good friends, first and foremost. Best of all, she loved modeling for the site. Then one day, she just stopped replying to me for shoots. We had plans to do some really interesting ideas too. To make matters even worse, I had given her a couple hundred dollars worth of outfits and accessories I wanted her to wear in those planned sets. When she stopped replying to me and then ultimately no showed that shoot date, I was perplexed. I kept trying to reach out to her, but nothing.

As the months went by I tried to reach out to her, even if it was just to get the outfits back. If something had changed in her life to where she didn't want to model anymore, that is okay. Just be honest with me and give me those items back. I could always have someone else wear them. Still, nothing.

This got to the point where I just stopped trying - until recently. I decided to see if I could reach out to her a few years later and much to my surprise, she got back to me. We made small talk and decided to get together and shoot. She was looking forward to it, so it seemed, and I was so excited to be having this model back on the site. Then today's shoot... well, cancellation.

This model told me she'd be able to shoot after class on Monday. I told her I would leave the day open and look for some spots around her way. I wanted to try to get in several sets because she has been away for so long. She said that sounded great and that was the plan.

Well, in the days leading up to today's shoot I didn't get an answer from her when I sent her texts. In the back of my mind I figured this would happen, but I had kept my fingers crossed. It wasn't until today, about an hour or so before we were scheduled to shoot, that I got any kind of reply from her. In it, she stated that she hasn't paid attention to her phone lately, she's super swamped with class and work, and her feet weren't in any condition to shoot. She then asked if I could do next Monday instead.

Really?

There was part of me who wanted to just say no and I'm not bothering with you anymore. All she would have had to do is tell me this in the days leading up to the shoot. I would have been fine if she said that things are getting a little busy for her and had asked to postpone to a later date. Just give me some advanced notice! But an hour before we were supposed to shoot? C'mon!!!

So now, here I am, sitting at my computer, writing this, and asking her what time slot she has open next Monday. I have some plans with friends that I had made over a month ago to head out to a haunted house and hayride. I am not going to cancel on them to do this shoot because that's not who I am. But should I even consider shooting her to begin with?

Now that Monday was wasted, a day in the mid-70's by the way, that makes two straight days that I had shoots planned that didn't happen. Yup, someone else cancelled on me yesterday. 

Yesterday's planned shoot was with a new model. Since she's new, and I don't really know her yet, I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt. She mentioned some health reasons, which are good reasons to miss a shoot. I just wished she would have reached out to me about it earlier instead of me learning the night before when I messaged her.

So that was my weekend. Two different models, two different shoots not done. What makes this so much more annoying is I only have two days a week to shoot, typically. I pencil in models in advance on my calendar and try to maximize my month. When a model no shows me, or cancels last minute, it leaves me without a shoot. All these models would have to do it tell me a few days in advance and I could try to see if someone else is open. I constantly have friends asking me if I'm open to shoot, so I could always ask them if they're still open. I just need some advance notice. Too many of the people I shoot have kids, families, and work jobs on the days that I'm open. They usually make time to shoot with me, so I can't ask the day of if they're open to shoot. That rarely works.

Over the years this sort of thing has happened to me more times than I care to discuss. I only bring up this weekend because of the beautiful weather and my sheer excitement of a popular model return and a brand new model now wasted. So, if you happen to be a foot model reading this, please keep this in mind the next time there is a reason why you can't shoot. Even if that reason is legit, just try your best to be considerate of the photographer who oftentimes, made his/her schedule open just to spend time to work with you. I'm sure some of my peers are less understanding and might even cease working with you because of it.

To end on a positive note, I'm just glad I have friends/models such as Alice (above) and Mindee and Kelsey (both below) who always keep their plans and go far and beyond anything I ask of them. I put their photos here just to give props to a handful of my models who don't waste my time. I would gladly shoot these three each and every week, if I had the time. To you ladies, I say thank you!

Mindee (left) & Kelsey have long been dependable when it comes to keeping plans.

Friday, September 16, 2016

Hall of Fame ALMOST Finished

The image that tops off Sexy Lexi's all new Hall of Fame page.



Last month I came clean about how I dropped the ball with the Wu's Feet Links Hall of Fame (WFLHoF) after the 2015 class had been selected and announced. Well, I've been getting things done since then and am close to finalizing the new Wu's Feet Links Hall of Fame Blog. While not yet finished, I have published most of the members' pages for people to check out, enjoy, and critique. Those inductees include the following:

If you go through those inductee's pages you will be able to see a handful of things. I didn't want these pages just to have the person's name and hall of fame class. Even on Wu's older page he listed a couple of other items including links to their site and a couple of photos. This is what I have decided to go with on each page:

Name & Hall of Fame Class
This one is basic and doesn't really need to be mentioned, but each inductee's page is topped off with a large image and the person's name and year inducted. You'll also be able to see each class by year on the right side in the blog's archive. Luckily for me, Wu listed when he inducted his past members and I was able to backdate these entries to reflect that.

Basic Bio & Info.
With one exception so far (Wu), here is where you can find some basic information about the foot model you're browsing. Right now I have decided to include things such as shoe size, favorite types of shoes, whether her feet are ticklish, favorite foot fetish activities, and other fetish activities they're known for. To gather this information I used things such as past interviews, the model's sites, feature sets, and just common knowledge I have of these women.

Where things will be lacking, as it is with Wu's, is if a male producer or photographer is inducted. I guess it can be adapted to fit and other information can be placed. I will tackle that obstacle when it arrives. Sadly, however, the only thing I could really put for Wu is that he founded Wu's Feet Links. If you have any suggestions of other information that can be placed here on his, I'm all for it.

Online
Here you can find links to these models/producers sites, clip stores, social media accounts, and email addresses. In the case of some of the older inductees, I listed their site name, but put a "(defunct)" after it. I saw no point in linking to URL's that are no longer active, but I thought their former site names deserved to be mentioned.

In addition to these items, I thought it would be great to list any Wu's Feet Links related items such as feature galleries and interviews. For example, Erotic Nikki has both a 2003 Fan Interview and a more recent, 2015 Interview.

Sample Gallery
I knew all along I wanted to include some sample photos on each page. Again, Wu is a little left out here since he didn't star in any work, nor did he take photos himself. Since he just ran one amazing site, I didn't know what to do here for him. With the models, however, I obviously just found photos of them online and made a gallery for each. But not for everyone... yet!

I say "yet" because I am at a loss for finding a handful of good photos for some of these models. This is the biggest reason why a few inductees pages are not yet online. If anyone has some older photo archives of the following people, could you please share them with me?
  • Bellecita (c/o 2015)
  • Devonne (c/o 2003)
  • Genie (c/o 2002)
  • Naia (c/o 2000)
  • Lil Redhead (c/o 2000)
I do have some of both Bellecita and Genie, but they're from galleries contributed to Soles of Silk and I wanted to feature images from numerous sets, if possible. I can pluck out a couple from my site, however. 

If you have any larger, high resolution images, of any of those listed above, please get in touch with me. I'd like to get some variety on these ladies pages. And I do realize that the majority of these inductees weren't posting in the modern era of HD and larger file sizes, if you will. I'm just trying to avoid images so small they're not really worth posting. So whatever you have, please let me know.



I also made sure to download the old Hall of Fame photos Wu had on his original page. I haven't included them, but am thinking that maybe I should? Perhaps within the gallery section, or in it's own little section. What do you think? It is only two images for each inductee, like the ones of Lil Redhead above.

Words From Peers & Fans
This section has some praise for each inductee from people in the online foot fetish community. It includes other webmasters, producers, and Wu's Feet Links Forum members. I put out a request for people to assist me with this and a number of people came through. It's not too late, if you'd like to toss out a few words for any of the inductees. I'll take them for another month or so.

So that's where I currently sit. I know this blog came a few days late again, but I wanted to touch base with everyone and give a progress report. As I said above, I'm looking for ideas, contributions, and especially photos. So get in touch with me if any of this is something you can assist with.

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Wu's Feature Sets & Why They're Important to Me

Mindee will be the feature model for July 2016, something of great importance to me.


In 2005, less than a year after Soles of Silk opened, Wu approached me about the possibility of doing a feature model set for his site. I asked him what it entailed and by the end of our short conversation, I was 100 percent on board. And every time he would go on to ask me afterward, I couldn't say yes quick enough.

It didn't take long for me to realize how many new eyes were brought to my work and models from having a new feature model set posted to Wu's Feet Links. Memberships rose, emails became more frequent, and I saw more and more people posting on my threads in the Wu's Feet Links Forum. Due to this, these sets have become ones I would start planning months, if not a year in advance.

From 2005-13, Wu asked me a total of eight times to do a set for his feature section. The fact that he kept asking me was humbling. I always had so much respect for the man and cherished the chance to showcase my work on his site. It didn't even bother me that he had a rule to have the sets in feature model section to be exclusive to his site. His site is the only one I've ever given any exclusive sets to that weren't also featured on Soles of Silk. I had that much admiration for the man.

Sadly, in 2014, Wu passed away. For months we were left with questions as his site was no longer updated. Once Phil, from BHE, learned and shared the news of his death, I went to him about the prospect of getting Wu's Feet Links back up and running in some capacity. One of the sections I most wanted to see back up was the Feature Models section.

Phil and I worked on a game plan that saw some automation of site functions take place. He gave me the responsibility to come up with a feature model calendar moving forward, which made me happy. And although it might sound selfish, I wanted the first set of the relaunched Wu's Feet Links to be one of mine. Wu had done a ton for me and I wanted to do something for him and his legacy. I talked to Olivia (one of my models), told her the story, and she was flattered that I picked her for something so important to me.

So in July 2014, Wu's Feet Links started back up and Olivia's set, "Back to Business," was appropriately published, with a title ever so appropriate. From that point on, I have penciled in foot models and sites from around the web to take part. There have been so many great sets from so many talented people. I thank all of you who have taken part for your assistance in the months and years that have followed the relaunch.

In 2015, and coming soon here in 2016, with Mindee's set teased above, I have had other feature sets that would follow Olivia's. I still get excited about having a set featured and still go out of my way to figure out a theme or location for them. I take a lot of pride in these sets - always have, always will. I have even already asked one of my models to do one in 2017, even though it's far off at this point. That model is Alice. She quickly said yes. 

Alice has already helped me with a column for the Wu's Feet Links Columns Blog and was the focal point of an interview on the Wu's Feet Links Interviews Blog. Needless to say, she loves doing this and I couldn't think of anyone more perfect to do the next year's. Here are links to her the column and her interview if you'd like to check them out, or if you haven't already:


Even though I take so much pride in carrying on the feature section, and being a part of it each year since the relaunch, I would honestly trade it in to have Wu back and assigning me a month again. I miss seeing his feedback when I'd send over the sets. His critique was always the most important to me.

As Wu's Feet Links continues to move forward, I will be actively seeking future feature sets. If you have any interest, please, by all means shoot me an email at footphotographer@yahoo.com. I already have a few people lined up for the rest of 2016, but some openings are available.

Before I wrap things up here, I want to leave you a few links. I have listed each and every Soles of Silk model feature below. There are links to both their set as well as a blog chronicling each on the Soles of Silk Blog. I thought some of you might like to see the backstories that went into each of these sets. They further show just how dedicated I have been, and remain to doing these for Wu's Feet Links:

* Links coming later this week once the set is published!

Saturday, June 11, 2016

Memories of Models Along the Way

Layla is one of a handful of models I've met along the way running Soles of Silk.


In recent weeks I have been going through the Soles of Silk columns section, inside the members area, and moving all of my writings to the site's blog. It has been quite fun to go back and look at the things that were happening all those years ago when Soles of Silk was just getting started.

One of the big things that stuck out the most to me going through those columns was the times I met up with models who were already known in the foot fetish community. From the beginning, the Soles of Silk model roster has predominately my friends, or friends of those friends. Of the 88 models on the site, 61 fit into either of those categories. As for the other 17, however, some of them were already well known to those who frequented sites like Wu's Feet Links.

While I'd love to give a look at each and every one of those models, it would make this blog's length insanely long. I'm going to focus on just six that many of you will know and/or have been fans of for a long time. I hope you enjoy this little stroll down memory lane with me. Feel free to share your memories of these lovely ladies in the comments section.



"I'm an exhibitionist, so showing myself to the world is great! I model/act for a living, so I better enjoy being out there." - Lisa Tyler 

Lisa Tyler
Shoe Size: 7
Site: Forever Feet (closed)
Wu's Feature Set: Creamy Soles
First Meeting: 2004

Meeting Lisa Tyler was simply amazing! She was one of the first shoots I did for Soles of Silk. As a matter of fact, she posed for me prior to the site's launch, making her one of the eight debut models.

Lisa used to run her very own site, Forever Feet. My first memories of her was when Wu featured her in the feature model set listed above. I don't remember what year that set was published, but I'm thinking early 2004. With her email address listed, I contacted Lisa and asked if she'd be interested in doing some contributions once Soles of Silk opened. She said she was interested, but our conversations then turned to her posing for me instead.

Needless to say, I was very much interested in Lisa's offer. Truth be told, however, I was nervous as hell to meet and shoot her. I had really never met with someone who did regular modeling jobs before. I was intimidated by her amazing portfolio and I even shared that with her after a little foot fetish session we had to start the day. She assured me that everything would be just fine and all I'd have to do is take the photos.

Lisa wasn't lying when she told me that. I'm not sure how many poses I told her to do, but it sure wasn't many. Lisa went about her business as I just focused on her beautiful size 7's and took picture after picture. The best thing, however, was just how down to earth and fun she was. We really hit it off and felt like we had known each other for some time.

I'd go on to take five sets of Lisa our first time meeting. I treasured those sets and was so proud of them. I'd even venture to say that she was one of the biggest hits of the first few months of Soles of Silk's existence.

A few years later Lisa and I would end up meeting again. We did three more sets and I was far from nervous this time. It was so good to see her again, but little did I know, it would be the last time we would see one another.

In the years following that shoot, Lisa's site closed and I lost contact with her. The email address I used to contact her was tied to her website, so I don't even know if she's modeling these days. Since I haven't seen her on any other foot fetish sites, I'm guessing that she's at least gone from the fetish scene. That's sad, but I wish her the best at whatever she's doing. I'd welcome her back without hesitation if that chance ever arose, but I'm thinking the likelihood of that is next to nil.







"I love modeling. I'm glad that people are able to come out of their shells, even if just on the internet." - Jacklyn Lick 

Jacklyn Lick
Shoe Size: 5
Site: Foot Goddess (closed)
First Meeting: 2005

Within less than a year of Soles of Silk's opening, I had the chance to meet with yet another model whose work I admired. Jacklyn Lick and her little size 5 feet had me captivated from the first time I saw her on her own site, Foot Goddess. Jacklyn also did a shoot for Leg Action magazine, for those of you who remember getting your fix through fetish magazine prior to the internet take over. So as you can see, I had been enjoying her work for some time.

If you remember Jacklyn and her work, it was more adult in nature than what you see on Soles of Silk. This didn't stop me from asking about her availability, however, when I saw she was taking a trip through several East Coast locations. She told me she'd love to pose her feet and we set a date.

We only ever met once, but the shoots we did were smooth sailing. Soles of Silk wasn't even a full year old at the time, but we just clicked and did three sets in the time allotment she had available. And no, before you ask, that isn't what you think in the photo above. It's lotion. We both joked how much it looked like "something else" as she looked through the photos while I rubbed that lotion into her feet afterward.

Sadly, I don't really know what has become of Jacklyn and/or her fetish modeling career. Several years ago I had tagged her in a tweet, but her account seemed to be dormant. Just this past week it looks like some activity is now taking place on that account (@JackieLick) as my tweet had been favorited, and my account (@SolesofSilk), followed. I just might have to touch base with her and see what she's up to. It's been 11 years, so hopefully she remembers me. I know I sure do remember those little size 5 feet.






"I am very glad I can put my feet out there for everyone to see in the privacy of their own home. I love modeling and being able to share my feet with those who enjoy them." - Layla

Layla Mercedes
Shoe Size: 7
Site: Loving Soles (closed)
Wu's Feature Set: Perfect Size 7's
First Meeting: 2005

Layla was someone who I met through One Model Place when I ran an account there. She had done all kinds of modeling jobs, but was open to foot fetish work. I thought she was beautiful, so we touched base and set something up. I would have never known at that time how much of an impact Layla would eventually have on my site.

Over the years Layla has posed for a grand total of 1,942 photos. She's third only to Cierra (2,286 photos) and Mindee (3,596 photos). Layla would easily be over 2,000, and might have been the site's front runner had we not lost touch for a few years.

At one point in time, Layla and I would meet up every couple of months and shoot a handful of sets. Layla would even go on to pose with three other models, all of which she helped introduce to the site. Those models include Kerri Taylor, who many of you are also familiar with, her good friend, Chrystine, and even her younger sister, Jaylee Austin.

What started as just several shoots in downtown Baltimore when we first met, quickly turned into a friendship with Layla and her husband. I was so happy for them when they decided to open their very own foot fetish site in the years following her Soles of Silk debut. It was called Loving Soles, but is now no longer online.

As I mentioned above, Layla and I lost touch for a few years. During that time I really began slowing down on updates featuring Layla. I didn't want to see those last sets go up. Luckily for me, we touched base and were able to do several new sets. The same thing happened following those sets, however, and I no longer have any unpublished sets of this fun loving cutie. I do know that she has since moved out of state and I wish her nothing but the best. I haven't really talked to her recently, but I'm thinking I should say hello. Maybe if she still comes back to Maryland from time to time we could set something up again. I'd love to see her break that 2,000 mark and I sure do miss those silky smooth, sometimes smelly feet of hers... not that I ever touched or smelled them before, during, or after the 31 sets we shot.







"I love modeling and if people are enjoying the work that I do, then it is pretty awesome. I think this is so fun and I have met so many nice people!" - Lexi

Lexi
Shoe Size: 7
Site: Lexi's Foot Fetish
Wu's Feature Set: Sexy Pedicure
Wu's Interview: March 2005
First Meeting: 2005

So many people were shocked and excited when I broke the news that Lexi had posed her feet for Soles of Silk. I felt like I had pulled off a coop, myself, so I can only imagine what some of the site's fans were thinking when two of the highest arches online graced the model galleries inside the members area.

As I said, I was feeling really good about Lexi agreeing to pose. I made the trip up to her during some vacation time I had back in July 2005. I didn't know what to expect, but from our conversations online, she seemed like a sweetheart. She ended up being that and so much more!

See, my original plans for shooting Lexi also involved another model from her site, Jenn. I was a fan of both girls and Lexi and her husband helped set up a shoot with Jenn as well. My goal was to shoot some solo sets of Lexi during the morning, have Jenn come by and shoot the both of them together in the afternoon, and then finish the day with some solo sets of Jenn that evening. Well, Jenn no showed. 

Lexi and her husband were so mad, but also felt bad for me at the same time. I had just made an eight hour drive the day before for these shoots and I was going to leave with barely any content. Lexi's husband was calling and caling Jenn. He finally got to the point where he left her quite the nasty voicemail and that's when Lexi saved the day.

Lexi, who had gotten a late start due to her child being sick, offered to shoot longer since Jenn no showed. I was so grateful for the gesture, which turned out to be a good thing. Some of the best sets we did came that evening.

I wish I had been able to shoot Lexi a second day now that I look back on that amazing shoot. In the years following we had talked about making it happen again. Lexi had a blast and loved seeing her photos on Soles of Silk just as much as the ones on her own site. As time passed, however, Lexi seemed to cease modeling. I never saw any replies to the emails that I sent either. It's too bad because I could only imagine how stoked everyone would be if Lexi made a comeback on the pages of Soles of Silk. That might just be a bigger coop than the initial shoot itself!







"I started out doing more general modeling, trying to locate photographers that were into the same things I was trying to show. Got in with Pose Your Toes and of course, Soles of Silk, and it's been heaven since!" - Lady Steph

Lady Steph
Shoe Size: 7
Site: Lady Steph's Fetish Clips
Wu's Feature Set: Sexy Blue Toes
Wu's Interview: July 2014
First Meeting: 2008

Foot parties have never really been my thing. The only ones I had ever been to were more of a private variety. I was invited by an old college friend of mine who also has a foot fetish, to attend, so I decided to give it a try.

At these parties I ended up meeting a few foot models some of you are familiar with. I would eventually shoot a few of these girls, but the one that I've worked with the most, and the one I still keep in touch with, is none other than Lady Steph. She also the only one I ever decided to session with at the foot parties I attended. Can you blame me for giving in to those feet up there? Don't act like you wouldn't!

When I met Steph at the foot parties I already knew that she could be a fire cracker. Getting together for our first shoot, things were no different. Steph is a very fun loving person, but also has that confidence that will easily put a foot guy in his place, if, and when, that need should arise. She prides herself in ability to conquer her male costars in her own videos. Quotes like, "another one bites the dust," prove just how much control she exudes - well, when she's not sending a fella home with blue balls, that is. No further comments.

My biggest regret with Steph is in just how seldom we have gotten together to shoot. We're long overdue and she agrees. I recently reached out to her on her Instagram account (@TheLadySteph) and she told me she's waiting. I'm really looking forward to finding some time with her again, hopefully soon. I'd love to find some outdoor locations with her as I know she'd shine in any setting or theme I could come up with. I find my strongest sets have always been the outdoor ones. I'll keep you all posted! 







"I love being posted on all of the sites, and hopefully, many more in the future. The attention drives me wild, especially when I get all those emails telling me how much they love my feet and how they wish they could smell and caress them. What a turn on!" - Kim T.

Kim T.
Shoe Size: 6.5
Site: Yahoo! Groups (closed)
Wu's Feature Set: Toes 'n Hose
First Meeting: 1998 (posed for Soles of Silk in 2010)

If you noticed all the models above have been featured in the order in which they debuted on Soles of Silk. Although Kim T. and I met in 1998, and she modeled on my old site, The 10 Little Piggies, I wasn't able to shoot Kim for Soles of Silk until 2010. Before I get into how that came about, however, let me take you back to 1998 and Leg Show Magazine.

In 1998 Abby and I were dating. She was my first true foot fetish model and I adored her little wrinkled feet. She encouraged me to embrace my fetish, but the internet was a far cry from what it is today. My fetish outlet of choice at the time was Leg Show Magazine.

It didn't take Abby and I long to send in a few photos to the Home Photos section. We took part in the whole photo trade that was going on at the time with other fetish photographers and couples. One couple in particular, caught my eye. Her name was Kim and she had the pudgiest little toes I had ever seen. Her then husband, Chris, was her photographer and took countless photos of those adorable feet. I just had to reach out.

To make a super long story a little shorter, the four of us all became friends. I'd shoot Kim for my old site and Chris would take some of Abby for his personal stash and their Yahoo! groups. It was good times hanging out together. I even got to shoot the ladies together and the contrast in Kim's and Abby's feet was out of this world.

Eventually Abby and I would split up. I still talked with Kim and Chris and even photographed her for my site and some of my artwork in college. It even provided me with a few chances to pamper her little feet too. Talk about a tight fit when you stick your fingers or nose between her toes! They don't want to let go, and you won't want them to either.

As the years continued to progress, I'd lose touch with both Kim and Chris. I did end up running into Chris a few times, but it looked like they had parted ways too. So you can imagine my surprise when in 2010, many years later, Kim somehow accidentally sends me a text message instead of her friend, Patty. She didn't even recognize my number, but we got to chatting.

Naturally our conversation covered a few things and Soles of Silk came up. She said she'd love to pose for me and I was so excited. Talk about a return! Kim had been gone from the public eye for many years, but those feet were about to be loved once more.

I met with Kim and we did three sets. I was so excited to be seeing and photographing her again. She was loving life and couldn't wait to see the response she'd get. That, and she told me under no uncertain terms, that after the shoot I would be treating her to a much needed, and long overdue, foot massage. I just might have gotten in a fourth and fifth set if I wasn't busy with her feet in my hands. I made that massage a long one! Oh well, small price to pay.

Sadly, I'd never get a chance to do that fourth set since then. Kim started dating someone and ended up moving out of state. Since then, I have lost touch with her. She stopped replying to any texts or emails and I have no clue what she's up to today. Sure wouldn't mind her making a second return though!



Thanks for taking this little journey with me through some of my memories. It has been so neat going back through my old columns and seeing some of my reactions and feelings at the times when all these shoots happened. I think I might write a sister blog to this piece over on the Soles of Silk Blog itself, but focus more on the memories of some of my friends that posed during those early years. Be on the lookout for that!

Sunday, May 8, 2016

Fellas! Know Who You're Contacting!


"With 88 models currently on my site, I don't know which model you're hitting on, but I'm not her. I'm a male photographer and web master." 




You'll have to pardon me with this month's blog topic if you're not one of the people for who this is aimed. But this has to be said. It has to be said, but it probably won't make a bit of difference anyhow. Still, I have to address it.

Fellas, please know who you're contacting when you send an email, direct and/or public messages. It blows my mind how many times I get a message from a guy who thinks I'm one of my models. To a point, I can understand some confusion, but sometimes, I just scratch my head and say, "What the hell?"

About a week and a half ago I ventured into the inbox on my Instagram account (@SolesofSilk). I know the ability to send private messages was a feature added to Instagram in 2014, but it was something I never bothered with. Well, I finally did. What I found was a ton of messages - a lot of them with dick pictures. Seriously, no words, just a picture of a dick!?!? Even if I was one of the 88 models on my site, what would possess someone to think just simply sending a dick picture would make her want to travel across the country to see it in person? I can only imagine how much worse this is for someone running an Instagram account who is clearly a female. Ladies, I feel sorry for you - I really do!

If the dick pictures weren't bad enough, I also had a bunch of messages asking me if the sender could suck my toes, meet up, or worse. I could have simply ignored these, as I probably should. But no, I have to "teach someone a lesson" and let them know they don't know who the hell they're typing to. Here were some of my replies to these people:

"Sorry, this male photographer isn't into the gay foot fetish scene."
"I'm thinking you're not into male feet, so I don't know why you're asking to suck my toes?"
"With 88 models currently on my site, I don't know which model it is that you think you're hitting on, but I'm not her. I'm a male photographer and web master."

When it came to those people who sent much nicer, and more subtle messages, I replied in kind. If someone where to say, "Hey, I really liked your feet in that last set," I'd thank them, tell them I'm the site photographer, and ask which model they enjoyed. Most of the time those are the people who I'd carry on a conversation with and learn a little about. I've always felt that helps me gauge what my site's fans want to see. It's just those other messages though...

This whole thing is nothing new. Even back in the days of the Soles of Silk MySpace page, this sort of thing was happening. One particular time really stands out. I don't have the exact transcript of this conversation, but I can summarize it pretty closely:

Fan: "Hey. You have nice feet. Want to meet up for dinner? I'd love to rub your feet and suck your toes."

Me: "I don't think you read the profile on this page." (It read in two different places: This site is not run by any of the women who appear on the site, but the male photographer and web master.)

Fan: "No, I did. I want to suck on your toes. Can you send me a picture of them?"

Me: "You clearly didn't read the profile. You don't want to suck on my toes, believe me."

Fan: "I really do. Come on, send me a photo of them."

Me: "Again, you really don't want my feet, or a photo of them."

Fan: "Please, just send me a pic!"

Me: (Sends a picture of my male feet.) Told you.

Fan: "What the fuck? Are you gay?"

Me: "No, you're the one clearly asking me to dinner, to suck my toes, and begging for a picture."

Fan: "Fag."

Me: "Guess you'll start reading the profile of the person you're hitting on next time, especially after you were told twice to do so."

Luckily I haven't had anything quite that bad in recent years, but nonetheless, I'll always cherish that fan's reaction. Some people are just stupid, especially with all their blood rushing to the wrong head. So I beg you fellas, know who you're contacting!