Rowntree’s project was a direct rebuttal. She has spoken openly about her frustration with how female pleasure was depicted—as a spectacle for a male viewer, with the woman as a passive object. Her insight was to invert the power dynamic: the camera does not take pleasure; it receives permission to witness it.
Its influence can be seen in the rise of "ethical porn" platforms, the increasing demand for female-directed adult content, and even in mainstream media’s more nuanced depictions of female pleasure (e.g., Sex Education , Fleabag ). More tangibly, the site has provided a template for how to produce adult content without exploitation: model contracts, age verification, controlled distribution, and a clear ethical mission statement. ifeelmyself.com
The term "real" is overused in marketing, but here it carries weight. The women are not actresses (though some have performance backgrounds); they are volunteers who respond to open casting calls. They are paid a fee and retain rights to their images. More importantly, they control the narrative. The signature "interview" segment—often filmed before any intimate act—is not small talk. It is an anthropological deep dive: What does desire feel like in your body? When did you first touch yourself? What do you love about your own sensuality? Rowntree’s project was a direct rebuttal
Rowntree’s background in documentary filmmaking is evident in every frame. The aesthetic is deliberately anti-Hollywood: natural lighting, domestic or natural settings (bedrooms, forests, bathtubs, couches), minimal makeup, and bodies that reflect real diversity—not just in size and age, but in expression. Scars, cellulite, stretch marks, and pubic hair are not hidden; they are simply present. Its influence can be seen in the rise
Whether one visits as a curious anthropologist, a lonely seeker, or a couple searching for a new language, the site offers an unusual bargain. It does not promise escape. It promises presence. And in a digital world engineered for distraction, that may be the most subversive promise of all. Ifeelmyself.com remains active as of 2025, operating under its original ethical guidelines and maintaining a subscription-based, ad-free model.