Adult webcam modeling is a platform-based job that lacks specific regulation in Colombia; therefore, the autonomy of webcam models is subject to the rules and standards of the platforms and the demands of a webcam studio, should they work within one. This research reconstructs the career paths of webcam models to answer how they learn certain practices and strategies to negotiate their autonomy with the platforms that mediate their relationship with clients. To achieve this, a qualitative methodology with an ethnographic approach was employed to explore the participants' entry into the webcam modeling industry, the learning of their craft, and the forms of control they face, while contrasting with different theoretical perspectives. Thus, the process by which they create a particular profile and how they relate to the platform and their clients was studied. The research involved three webcam models: one from a studio, one from a satellite, and one independent, all working on Chaturbate and/or Stripchat. Based on in-depth interviews and document analysis, it was concluded that webcam models gain greater autonomy when they have more control over their work. Consequently, they investigate the platforms they work on and explore different strategies to generate more income and gain an advantage in the positioning algorithm.
