Why

[Vistar]

I'm writing a book on homemade porn and am really interested in (a) what attracts people to produce and share it, (b) has there been any downsides and (c) tips for the newbies. My thesis is that webcams, smart phones, affordable editing software and cheap web space will see a huge growth in homemade porn (and hopefully make me a few dollars in sales!).

Your thoughts would be wonderful.

[When in Rome]

It's already happening dude places like myd!rtyh0bby are doing great for amateurs who wanna make a quick buck on the side. Actually it's great to do it for fun whilst cash is piling up in yer paypal accoount.

$tre@m@te & ImL!ve - they're both very successful it seems with plenty of pros & amateurs.

[thruster315]

I think a part of it has got to be vanity. With the advent of social media I think normally shy people in reality can hide somewhat anonymously behind the veil of the internet. The odds of someone recognizing them is probably slim (and if they are, what are the viewers doing there?). But I think it has to do with people wanting to show off. Exhibitionism is probably more prevalent than we realize. We're all looking for approval of some kind too- and what's better for the ego than having total strangers approving of you in your most intimate moments?

[thesandman]

Exhibitionism and availability.

When you wanted to expose yourself before the advent of the internet, the only de facto options were going into porn or, with limited exposure, the swinging lifestyle.

Both included by definition having sex with (more or less) strangers, which isn't everybody's cup of tea (for whatever reason). Besides, porn as a career path was even less of a viable/respectable option then than it is now. And if that wasn't enough, getting into porn wasn't that easy because, as opposed to today, one simply wouldn't have been able to produce every movie, even if there would have been an unlimited supply of interested women. The internet didn't just hurt the porn industry, but it also made production and distribution far cheaper and secured sales for obscure products that wouldn't have been worth their space in a store before that (search wikipedia "long tail" for more), and opened up a career in porn for basically every (non-hideous) girl that is willing to do what it takes.

Today, literally anybody who is willing can do it. All a couple has to do is having a camera running while doing what they were doing anyway.