Selling Portraits or Scared by all the cheap prices

[after]

Thanks KG

[Cocopuffs]

I would just like to say that I don't think that the weekend shooter is a threat to a talented Pro. I think the weekend shooter is a threat to the mediocre Pro. I see the work of many studios that I know I can do better. I also see the work of some very talented studios that I know I they are truly good and deserve the fee they are charging.

The mediocre pro just needs to improve or get out of the business. I swear some of the stuff that I see done by so called pros for the prices they charge is rediculous. If you are good you will suceed. If you are only mediocre then you have a problem because the average Joe with a camera can be mediocre.

[kgphoto]

Many weekend shooters are talented pro's.

[Songman45]

Originally Posted by Cocopuffs

I would just like to say that I don't think that the weekend shooter is a threat to a talented Pro. I think the weekend shooter is a threat to the mediocre Pro. I see the work of many studios that I know I can do better. I also see the work of some very talented studios that I know I they are truly good and deserve the fee they are charging.

The mediocre pro just needs to improve or get out of the business. I swear some of the stuff that I see done by so called pros for the prices they charge is rediculous. If you are good you will suceed. If you are only mediocre then you have a problem because the average Joe with a camera can be mediocre.

Everyone with a camera at one of our events is a threat. Average joe with a camera might also be excellent and might be giving away pictures. To him he's not competing since he's just shooting for fun and not selling anything. Every shot he gives away or sells whether at scale or not is a sale we aren't getting. Do I cry about it? No. Is it the way things are, yes. Denying won't make it go away nor will stomping my feet and pounding my fists. We've been at enough events people know us and can see our bright trailer and read our name on the side. We've got reputation, quality and legitimacy. Average Joe probably can't accept credit cards.

[Rodeoshooter]

Originally Posted by Cocopuffs

I would just like to say that I don't think that the weekend shooter is a threat to a talented Pro. I think the weekend shooter is a threat to the mediocre Pro. I see the work of many studios that I know I can do better. I also see the work of some very talented studios that I know I they are truly good and deserve the fee they are charging.

The mediocre pro just needs to improve or get out of the business. I swear some of the stuff that I see done by so called pros for the prices they charge is rediculous. If you are good you will suceed. If you are only mediocre then you have a problem because the average Joe with a camera can be mediocre.

Originally Posted by Songman45

Everyone with a camera at one of our events is a threat. Average joe with a camera might also be excellent and might be giving away pictures. To him he's not competing since he's just shooting for fun and not selling anything. Every shot he gives away or sells whether at scale or not is a sale we aren't getting. Do I cry about it? No. Is it the way things are, yes. Denying won't make it go away nor will stomping my feet and pounding my fists. We've been at enough events people know us and can see our bright trailer and read our name on the side. We've got reputation, quality and legitimacy. Average Joe probably can't accept credit cards.

Cocopuffs,

Are you really that naive? I have to agree with Songman. I was photographing a wedding this past weekend and the bride's grandmother was sneaking around behind me taking pictures for herself. I told her to stop several times but she kept on. Now are you naive enough to believe she is going to buy my photos instead of the ones she took? I know she won't buy any of mine because with her digital camera she was able to save money.

Just like Songman states "Everyone with a camera at one of our events is a threat. Average joe with a camera might also be excellent and might be giving away pictures. To him he's not competing since he's just shooting for fun and not selling anything. Every shot he gives away or sells whether at scale or not is a sale we aren't getting." Songman speaks the truth when it comes to this. I photograph Pro Rodeos and Semi Pro Rodeos and you can see people in the background and around the fences taking their own photos. The photos don't compare to mine but they are taking them just the same. Each one that is taking photos may turn around and give them to the riders for free. Each one is taking money out of my pocket when they do so. Granted the quality isn't there but the customer getting the photo for free doesn't care. So don't tell me it does hurt the Good Pros. It hurts all of us when someone is out there giving it away for $0.24 cents or free.

[mcbit]

I was photographing a wedding this past weekend and the bride's grandmother was sneaking around behind me taking pictures for herself. I told her to stop several times but she kept on.

I can't believe you are naive enough to think that you have the right to ask anyone else to stop taking photographs at a wedding.

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by Rodeoshooter

It hurts all of us when someone is out there giving it away for $0.24 cents or free.

No, it doesn't. The shooter gets the satisfaction and the customer walks away thinking they got a good deal. That's all that counts in that transaction.

Marketing 101.

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by mcbit

I can't believe you are naive enough to think that you have the right to ask anyone else to stop taking photographs at a wedding.

He's a pro. They're allowed to do stuff like that. It's a royalty thing.

I'm not a pro, I guess. I'll go up to Grandma, ask her how she did, give her pointers or listen to her advice, chat with her for a few minutes, and give her my card. If she shoots better than me, I'll hire her. If she doesn't, I'll offer some of my prints for a discount.

Either way, she remembers me, the bride or groom appreciates the effort, and I gain a reference for later.

[mcbit]

He's a pro. They're allowed to do stuff like that. It's a royalty thing.

You're not serious? You can do that in the States?

[jfrancho]

If you replace the word "photographer" with the word "prostitute," this thread is a whole lot funnier.

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by mcbit

You're not serious? You can do that in the States?

No. It's my sarcastic, offensive sense of humor taking the better of me. I'm on a roll.

Some people assume that they have exclusivity on something. I prefer to look at it in other ways. Someone can always teach me something, whether they realize it or not.

[mcbit]

Originally Posted by brian.austin

No. It's my sarcastic, offensive sense of humor taking the better of me. I'm on a roll.

Some people assume that they have exclusivity on something. I prefer to look at it in other ways. Someone can always teach me something, whether they realize it or not.

Phew, I pleased about that. Sometimes those of us from the other side of the pond find your laws a bit OTT. For that reason I wasn't sure if it was sarcasm or not.

I'm with you; the day I stop learning is the day I stop breathing. Hopefully its still a long way off.

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by mcbit

Sometimes those of us from the other side of the pond find your laws a bit OTT.

We're busy legislating common sense out of existence. Just wait for the next round of elections...