Every day we grow up hearing about what should be important to us: our family, friends, brushing your teeth- you get the gist. But why is it that when it comes to business practices, the “important” practices associated with said industry become nonexistent? Your guess is as good as mine.
When working in an industry that is strictly customer service based, and word of mouth is your main form of advertisement, it’s important to remember to value your market, your fellow photographers, and the art itself. Sure we all love busy season and having new clients, but there are correct measures to go about when working in an industry that is solely based on clientele.
1. Respect Your Fellow Photogs
Sure, this seems like common sense, but so many times we find ourselves looking at others work thinking, “Why are they still in business?” “How can they have so many clients?” and “I can do this so much better.” It’s these observances that can add fuel to the “little green monster” fire that so many in this industry find themselves having. Which, it’s okay to have, it’s okay to feel a little jealous, and it’s okay to admire someone else’s business; But there are times when that green monster gets the best of us.
That’s when it’s important to remember to respect your fellow photographers. This industry is super competitive and sure we all love constructive criticism, when asked for, but it’s how we each carry ourselves professionally that truly makes a name for us. I can admit, as well as many of my colleagues, that we have at one time or another done the following: talked about another’s work behind their back, passive aggressively posted about someone else’s business, and disrespected another mid conversation.
I understand that we’re all human, we all make mistakes, but there is a fine line when conducting business that we need to try to remember not to cross. Who knows, you may need that person that you just posted about next month, the world does work in mysterious ways. I’m not perfect, I done a few of these before and it turned out to be a learning experience in the end. We live in a social media driven world, so it is easy to think that the other person will never find out you said something about them. Though it may be true in some circumstances, most of the time they find out and having a photog WW3 is not what you want for business.
So, stay humble. Appreciate each other for their positives. Instead of saying, “OMG! Did you see so and so’s newest work? It’s awful, a 2 year old can photograph better than that!” say, “It looks like so and so has started to get the hang of composition, I remember when I had the hardest time with that.” Instead of telling someone that you would never pay a penny for their work (Yes, I have witnessed a conversation like that), tell them what they have improved on. Be the bigger person, and it will make your business look so much better in the long run. Plus, you won’t be known as that awful arrogant photographer that thinks they know everything. That is not an award you want to carry around with you.
2. Value Your Market
I know when we start out we want to get everyone to be our client and choose us to capture their photography needs, to build up that portfolio. I mean I know I was that way when I started out, I offered free shoots to everyone to build up my portfolio. Which is a good way to start out until you are happy with where your portfolio is, then you charge for session.
On the other hand, you have Joe Smo (random name) who starts charging right off the bat, messaging clients off of other photographer’s pages, offering them $50 sessions to choose him over their current photographer. For the average individual who knows nothing about photography, this seems like a great deal for family pictures. Those that do, which is a very small percentage, won’t budge on their selection.
What Joe Smo is doing we call “poaching clients” in our industry, and it is the easiest way to make enemies of every other photographer in your area. With undercutting value and quality of photography in your area, it makes it harder for those who do depend on their business as their sole income for providing for their families. Betsie Jane (another random name) uses her session money after taxes, to pay for her daughters dance lessons, to put her son in school, and to put food on their table. When you undervalue the market, you are taking away from those that work hard to support themselves and their families. You, sir/mam are a jerk. (There was no other way to say it, sorry!)
I know not everyone is that way, majority of us work hard to build up our businesses in a professional manner. To each and every one of you, thank you! With that being said I will get back on track.
When you get past that portfolio building stage (also, please let your clients know that you are portfolio building so they aren’t thrown off when you start charging) look into your market, see what others are charging. There is normally a broad range, for example, $200-$300 for a regular session. See where you feel your work is on that range compared to other people in your area, and then charge accordingly based on that range. Please, please, please do not be that a****le that looks at prices then charges half of what everyone else does to be a prick. This is just letting others think it is okay to devalue their work and others.
With looking into your own geographical area, you are keeping the value of your industry where it should be and not taking away from those who have worked hard to make it where it is. Respecting each other is the key to photography, and we are a tight knit group of people that you want to be a part of.
3. Be Creative and Love Art!
This one is kind of self-explanatory, love your artwork. Sure we get inspired by others, but making things our own is what makes our photography truly special. With Pinterest and social media it is super easy to see what others are doing; this can be a good or a bad thing. Good, because it lets us look at things that inspire us, that really make us what to go out and produce artwork. Bad, because it can let people just copy what you do and claim it to be theirs. But today, is there really anything that is truly “original”?
Inspiration is something that really drives my work, but I love being able to put my own creative twist onto it. I have people come to me with Pinterest ideas all of the time, I just make them my own. There is nothing wrong with liking others work and wanting to do something like it, just put your own style and flavor into it. It’s like a recipe that’s been handed down for generations: Everyone has it, yet no one makes it the exact same. Art is no different.
Through everything I have listed, make sure you are true to yourself. Respect yourself and your worth; do not let anyone else tell you what your value is for your work. Don’t be threatened by “poachers” because eventually clients will see through that rose window. As hard as it may be, stay humble, respect others, and stay professional. Until next time.
-Alex
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