Let me weigh in as someone who made a LOT of money, shooting amateur. Back in the 80s and 90s and now still making money with it.
Firstly thank you to Litzer for posting and giving some examples.
Here is the biggest problem for producers when shooting this type of content.
They're losing money. They don't shoot the style they do because that style makes them less money. I did not develop my techniques to lose money. I did it to make more money.
We do not shoot this, which made us over $5,000 so far. Because we could make more
money shooting this, which has probably made us $500 so far. And that's the bottom line for producers and buyers. Money dictates.
If a good looking girl turn up at a casting I ask her what will she will do then put my mental calculator on to reckon up where the best return is. For instance do I spend time shooting her for a market worth a $3,000 a set, approx, or a market worth $300 a set and video? So Chronig do you see why I improved my style?
Getting a paid model to perform in front of a paid photographer like she would perform with her boyfriend takes real skill. Anyone who has shot both girlfriends and models will understand.
Locations cost money. Using hotel rooms will not crack it as they all start to look the same. Using the shooters home is possible for about 5 to 10 scenes. Then it's about hiring locations. An apartment in Prague costs $300-$500 a night. Add that to the cost of models and the bill can be $1,000 to set up a shoot. So again do I shoot for a customer willing to pay less or more?
Giving a girl a camera. Fine no problems what so ever. So long as the customer pays for the camera up front and will swallow any costs of damage or loss. Plus will pay for what ever she brings back. Or is the producer meant to take the risks and shoot for a cheap market? Again money dictates.
If this is such a great converting, retaining and money making niche and content is hard to find. Start paying what the producer asks, then better and more content will appear.