Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

ChristopherCoy · **Tracking your competition... -** 01-14-2010, 11:36 AM

How many of you track your competition? Or at least pay a little attention to what they are doing from time to time?

Does your competitions prices/rates/packages influence your own prices, rates, and packages?

What is the easiest way to find out what kind of competition is in your area? Aside from scanning the phone book and sending out mystery people for 'appointments'?

Do you think its important to be in touch with your competition, at least on a basic level?

Howard Barlow · 01-14-2010, 11:44 AM

Tracking your competition...

I guess it all depends on how you do it. Turns out, some claimed I was stalking.

Cajungaltx · 01-14-2010, 12:07 PM

No.

I know some do.

But I'm out in Katy - so there are quite a few photographers that have been here for quite a while.

I know a couple of them - and while our target client may overlap - our styles are entirely different.

I decided that you have to be careful in comparing yourself... because it's more than just the 'end print' that you are selling... it's also YOU. And honestly, dealing with you might be worth more than dealing with one of your competitors...

CaptainTom · 01-14-2010, 12:13 PM

Join PPA and go to the meetings.

Howard Barlow · 01-14-2010, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

Join PPA and go to the meetings.

My name is Howard. I'm a photographer...

Tom · 01-14-2010, 12:28 PM

I regularly read their blogs.

Jake · 01-14-2010, 12:47 PM

FYI Chris, I'm taking on pet photography now. Check out my latest blog post: Jake's Blog: Puppies!

I'm charging $50 total and the client gets every image fully retouched on a disk....

ChristopherCoy · 01-14-2010, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thejakestir

FYI Chris, I'm taking on pet photography now. Check out my latest blog post: Jake's Blog: Puppies!

I'm charging $50 total and the client gets every image fully retouched on a disk....

I saw those yesterday via twitter... good stuff! $50? Really?

Jake · 01-14-2010, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChristopherCoy

I saw those yesterday via twitter... good stuff! $50? Really?

Thanks!
No, not really about the $50 for the disk. I was just kidding.

CaptainTom · 01-14-2010, 01:39 PM

I take pictures of puppies too.
I have to post them in the Human Form Forum. O+O

HeatherLou · 01-14-2010, 01:45 PM

I will get a wild hair and check out websites here every once in a while, but for the most part, I don't. Reason being, is that I would get overly concerned about what THEY were doing and not what IIIIII was doing. Donna is right, part of your service is YOU, that is not something anyone else can offer!

Just in case no one knew, I can be a tad obsessive LOL

sparkyjr · 01-14-2010, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

I take pictures of puppies too.
I have to post them in the Human Form Forum. O+O

Uh, I think those are sweater puppies Tom.

Daniel W. · 01-14-2010, 02:14 PM

I go out for coffee with them (or bring them coffee). Discuss trends, what we're aiming for, and the PITA client to de-stress. There's a popular studio that I "compete" with, and while they are much more successful than I am, we both understand that we have different styles of shooting and in turn direct clients to eachother when we know our style doesn't suit eachother.

One of their clients wants urban and photo-j style, one of mine LOVES studio setups...posing and all. We trade, everyone wins. Folks get the pictures they want, and we both still put food on the table (figuratively).

w9ctm · 01-14-2010, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heatherlou

I will get a wild hair and check out websites here every once in a while, but for the most part, I don't. Reason being, is that I would get overly concerned about what THEY were doing and not what IIIIII was doing. Donna is right, part of your service is YOU, that is not something anyone else can offer!

Just in case no one knew, I can be a tad obsessive LOL

You are absolutely right! Part of your service IS you.

Back in the day...... when I was in video production in Illinois, I shot a LOT of weddings. When I did Bridal Fairs, I always told the brides and MOB's that they were hiring ME. Not a company. I would be the one that shows up, not some individual that I hired to shoot for me. I advised them that they would get all of ME. I would be there for them ONLY for the entire day and night. That's how I shot things, that's what I did, so they had to comfortable with that. I am a bit of a people person, (some say more of a people person than just a bit) but either way, that is what I did to sell ME. I will also say it worked most of the time because they understood it to mean that they would be receiving the personal service from ME. Not some stranger they haven't even met until their weddig day.

my .02