There is tons of value in joining a photography forum, but if you think the only value of joining a forum is to gain clients then you are missing the reason forums are created in the first place. I can count on one hand how many clients have have gotten off a photography forum, but there is no way I can tell you how many friends I have made or even begin to measure the things I have learned.

Forums are for making friends, discussing photography, learning new skills, taking workshops, bouncing ideas of other photographers, getting feedback on your skills both with a camera and with editing. You need to be comfortable with the people you are sharing your soul with (that is what photography is for me, it's a part of me).

I am a boudoir and pin-up photographer by profession, I'm actually really good at it, part of the reason I am successful as a photographer is because I do push myself to learn and try new things. Without feedback from trusted resources I would be stale and my skill level would have stalled. That is why you (general you) need to find a place and people you trust to push you to the next level.

As a boudoir photographer I don't need comments about how the model looks or people asking for her phone number, what I need is someone to tell me her hand is placed strangely, that I have a harsh shadow on her rib cage, next time to have model arch her back a little less because it looks too hoochie. I need someone to suggest a different idea for placement of lights, maybe to try clam lighting or adding a diagonal splash on the background with a slide projector and placing my key light high and camera right (gives a great 1940 Hollywood feel to the overall finished product).

I need ideas on different ways to process skin, I've recently started to use a split frequency technique that is giving me a really nice finish (thanks to fellow photographers for the tutorials on that!).

I've never see forums as a place to gain clients, and I never will and fellow photographers shouldn't see them that way either.

shaking my head... actually if you would have read my posts further down you would have seen that there ARE men on the forums, they are NOT ladies only they are GEARED toward female photographers. The men on the forums are well respected photographers who have been asked to join the forums by the Admins of the pages.

Membership is limited to men because as female photographers we have joined forums where men have been rude, crude and downright inappropriate (both toward the photographer and clients). It's a place were as females we discuss everything from photography to family life and health. Where we talk about issues of running a business and getting a hot meal on the table for the family. How difficult it is to find a babysitter to watch the kids because you had a last minute booking or when is the appropriate time to take a break from a wedding to change your tampon. If a man wants to join in those conversations, then more power to them!