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 Petra Joy is an innovative erotic author, photographer and filmmaker and one of the few female adult film producers in Europe. She is a pioneer of a new wave of female orientated erotic art and is widely published nationally and internationally. In 2004 Petra was voted ‘Photographer of the Year 2004’ in the annual Erotic Awards.
German born Petra had her first camera when she was only six years old. As a teenager she spent many nights in a dark room, developing her artwork. She published photo reportages in many acclaimed magazines and is currently publishing her work in Forum, Desire, Scarlet and ETO. In her twenties Petra decided on a career as a filmmaker and began working as a freelance TV producer and director for German television. For a decade she created over seventy documentaries for ‘Dear Sins’ an award winning, cutting-edge adult programme on German TV. Nowadays, rather than seeing her mission as being to inform and entertain, Petra wants to inspire and stimulate both men and women with her erotic visuals.
In 2005 Petra published her first independant erotic film - “Sexual Sushi”. Her motivation was born from a frustration with commercially available porn:
“I want porn that stimulates the mind and feeds the soul. I want porn that is educational and inspirational. I want porn that is creative and kinky. And because I can not find it anywhere, I make my own. I am a visual creature and enjoy expressing myself through photos and films that are very different from mainstream glamour photography and porn films.”
Petra believes that women are visual creatures, enjoying sensual images just as much as men do. But many women are frustrated by what the mainstream porn market offers as most films are done by men for men and focus on male gratification rather than female pleasure. Often women are shown in a subservient role, portrayed as “dirty sluts” and treated without respect in porn. No wonder that this kind of porn turns women off rather than on. Another reason why many women are left cold by commercial porn is its over explicitness. The imagery of commercial porn has become so blatant that it is almost gynological and there is no mystery left. Petra explains:
 “It is the mystery, the unknown that makes images sexy to me, so I chose to add layers, rather than taking them away. I use available light and shoot through materials that create textures. I work with props that express the fantasies of the individuals I photograph and film. The images are meant to turn on the sex organ that is between your ears first and then later, travel down and turn you on between your legs. It is a deep and slow working sensual -, rather than a fast and furious sexual stimulation. And it seems to work not just for me but many other women as well”
In 2006 Petra produced, shot and directed her second independent erotic film “Female Fantasies”. Female erotic fantasies are still rarely expressed in visual erotic art, so Petra decided to focus on them in this film. “Female Fantasies” is based on erotic fantasies that were sent to Petra by her female photography clients and friends. The fantasies were captured on film with performers who are also real life lovers, rather than professional porn stars.
The fantasies featured in the film vary greatly and go far beyond the cliché of “romance and roses”. From being totally pampered by two men at once or a whole group of people to having sex with a stranger in a public place or tasting a woman for the first time - all of the inspirational scenarios in “Female Fantasies” focus on female pleasure rather than male satisfaction. Rather than repeating graphic shots of penetration and male ejaculation all over again, “Female Fantasies” celebrates seduction and sensuality. “Female Fantasies” received rave reviews, was nominated for the Scarlet and Venus award and won the FICEB award in 2007.
2008 sees the publication of Petra’s long awaited third erotic film. In „Feeling it!“ Petra stays true to her magic formula : The Vignettes are artistic visualisations of a huge variety of sensual pleasures, with female enjoyment always being the main focus. Petra’s motto „Feeling it, not faking it!”, is being embraced passionately by the authentic amateur performers who allow themselves to be real in front of the camera rather than putting on an act. The results are breathtaking (female) orgasms and a humane portrayal of human sensuality to inspire the viewers:
“I would like to empower women to focus on their own erotic pleasures without being embarrassed or ashamed. I enjoy encouraging men to pamper women. This is why I like to show women receiving oral sex and also play with their clit during penetration. There is a distinct lack of pin up culture for women showing men as objects of desire, so I like to show hot men playing with themselves in my films too.”
Petra continues to work as an independant filmmaker, financing her productions through bank loans. She is very protective of her high production values: All performers only experience sexually on set what gives them genuine pleasure and even though all performers have up to date sexual health certificates, they practice safe sex. Petra explains: “It is important to me to promote safe sex and show that sex with condoms and lube can be extremely passionate and pleasurable.”
 In contrast to other female porn producers Petra does not compromise the content of her erotic films to fit into the hard-core mainstream market but continues with her unique style and create truly innovative porn. Petra believes in her creative concept of “porn for women” so much that she decided against the sponsorship of a big European porn producer, so that she was able to stay true to her artistic vision.
Petra continues to create erotic alternatives to the mainstream adult mass market. Harper Collins published her book “Adult Movie Making For Couples” in the USA, Australia and the UK. This book empowers women and couples to create their own unique erotica rather than just consuming assembly line style porn. It features Petra’s sensual photography and many practical tips on how to create outstanding erotic images and films.
Based on this book Petra created the workshop “How To Shoot Your Lover” that premiered at Berlin’s first Porn Film Festival where Petra was invited as a guest, representing women in porn. This workshop was also a sell out event at the Erotica adult life style show in 2007.
Petra’s message is one of sensual inspiration and creativity:
“I would like to inspire you to be creative, cross boundaries and let yourself be surprised when you have sex. I hope you will dare to be yourselves and celebrate your sexy uniqueness rather than copying what you see other people do on porn film over and over again. Experiment, keep and open mind and above all enjoy making your fantasies a reality!”
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