Giana wrote:
but i realise my pref for not striving towards the more 'photo-realistic' types of renders is most likely one that's in a minority nowadays... 

Perhaps not in the minority. Just less vocal during the forum mud slinging contests since Poser already answers well to pursuits towards f.ex. illustrative work. I personally make illustrations only, but rarely any need arises to voice out that Poser works quite nicely to that end.