You neighbor now has a DSLR and is a Pro!!

[3n-Out]

I've been reading these board for a long time. The one thing I see over and over is the fact that now Anyone caring a DSLR is now calling themselves a Pro or at least look that way. Leaving the True "Pro" left bidding out jobs at a much lower labor wage.

I went through this about 8 years ago when the IT Bucket's bottom fell out. When everyone with a computer all of a sudden was a technical expert, when the oil change guy got a Microsoft Certfication and would work for 12 bucks an hour. Let me tell you I feel your pain. I lived through it and I'm still in the IT field but things will "never" be the same as they once were.

See, the way I market myself is simple. Tell every customer you are paying for expeirence. Let them hire the jo blow and when he screws up they can always call me back at the quoted rate plus 10% and i'm always happy to help them. I look at my skill set in IT as all experience and that alone is easily worth $125.00-$175.00 an hour reguardless. I don't get the cheapie clients, I get the professional clients. And to be honest that is what I prefer.

And a lot of you guys are in positions when the client is at a crossroads. Most normal photo gigs are 1 time shoots. Like weddings, graduations and any other events. Do they want to risk an event that can never be re-lived again to an amature? Heck I see that as the sell of a life time. Put guilt in question into thier mind and it is for sure going to make them think twice.

Just because everyone has a DSLR doesn't mean they have racked the hours shooting you pros have. You are so far advanced that it is hard to even compete with your skill set. I look at it like a pilot, I trust the guy that has been flying his whole life as opposed to the newly schooled guy that got his license a year ago. Expierence is everything.

There is no doubt times are tougher for Pro Photog's, because heck everyone has a digital camera now a days. Question is - can you produce a product better than the amature and the answer is a clear %100 yes. You just have to sell that to the customer.. If they don't bite move on because you know what - eventually most will be back. I think it is more about selling your skill set then selling the pictures. This is what seperates the pro from the novice.

Then again there will always be the cheap-o who will stop at nothing to save a buck! Thats another story though...

We'll that's my rant for the week... :)

Have a good weekend guys...

[12stones]

I just posted questions about all this a few minutes before your post:

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ad.php?t=72220

[Killeenguy]

Thank you for sharing what I don't always put into such tactful words.

[3n-Out]

Well I can always drink a six pack then tell you how I really feel... But it is what it is, and pride goes a long way with clients that is for sure. I have learned that along the way. I'm I am sure that the business of Photography isn't much different then being an IT guru. either way you still have a paying client that is expecting a product.

[3n-Out]

oh and for the Sake of arguement a Pro is any Photog that does nothing but Photography for his lively hood.

[vettenfun]

I feel you. I am in this hobby for years, but never try to make a living out of it. I know many people instead of hiring professional photographers, they spend the money on getting DSLR cameras ($500 - $600) and start shooting. "The new cameras will do everything for you" - "higher the resolution, better of the pictures" - "why D2x when D40, D50, D70, D80 can do the same". Most of customers nowaday don't care of quality.
Just my 2 cents

[canoflan]

Originally Posted by vettenfun

Most of customers nowaday don't care of quality.

You know, after reading this reply, it is quite clear to me that to today's camera customers (not necessarily potential clients), QUALITY=D2x, D50, MARK III, 40D, ETC...; not composition.

Does everyone get what I am saying?

How many times do you show someone (someone out of the photography loop as we are are within here) a great photo that would probably do well in a portrait contest and they ask you what kind of camera you were using; like somehow the camera put that subject, lighting, etc... together?

In this techno/upgrade/microwave society, people simply do not appreciate the results from the creator, but only the tools.

The whole idea of what makes a great photograph is messed up to the untrained eye. I prove this because how many times do you go to the gun range, shoot a really tight 10 round group, then someone asks you what kind of gun you shot with? If they ask, they probably are asking because they understand some are harder to group tight with than others (i.e. pistols vs rifles). No one that I have heard of!

This should give those needing marketing help an idea that you have to break down this misunderstanding of why photographs are good in what they are seeing and the fact you see this means you can make theirs look that way too. If they only think in terms of equipment, then they will never understand why Uncle Larry with his new D2x or Mark III he purchased with inherited money shouldn't shoot their wedding/portraits/newborn, etc....

Simply more food for thought...
Pat

[venchka]

"The kid in the mail room is a whiz with Photoshop. He can fix anything."

As the quality of the hardware increases, folk's perception of what is an acceptable photograph diminishes. If you look at cell phone camera photos and videos all day on your uncalibrated monitor, most anything from a slightly better camera and lens will look good.

We are sinking into a morass of mediocrity.

[Shelby Lane]

Originally Posted by canoflan

YoIf they only think in terms of equipment, then they will never understand why Uncle Larry with his new D2x or Mark III he purchased with inherited money shouldn't shoot their wedding/portraits/newborn, etc....

Simply more food for thought...
Pat

Well that is the key here. To really succeed in this business, you can't JUST be another photographer. You can't JUST compete on price. You have to create a style (and dare I use the buzzword, a brand) and an overall image that makes the clients want YOU and feel like it's worth paying money for your work as opposed to the chick down the street who copies your set and then hands over the disk for $25. Finding a target market that really "gets" what you do is not an easy thing to accomplish. We have to be constantly doing things that set us apart from the lowball price, lower quality competition.

Have I had clients who have decided to go out and buy their own DSLR and start taking "candid natural light portraits" of their kids and their friend's kids? Sure. There are probably some who are members on this board. [waves hi] I am not picking on them here when I say that if they can easily recreate or even come close to what I do with their camera on P, then I am not doing a good enough job. So MY question is, how then do we set ourselves apart and make it about wanting OUR work instead of Larry with the new DSLR?

[canoflan]

Originally Posted by venchka

"The kid in the mail room is a whiz with Photoshop. He can fix anything."

Yeah, and I think we would all agree that if he is instructed to fix something to a mediocre standard (i.e. a poorly composed photograph with an eye opened with photoshop magic is still a poorly composed photograph), then does he really "fix" anything?

Only to the eye of the beholder.

Pat

[AllenAyres]

It's the result of the Free Market Enterprise; Supply and Demand. It eventually trickles into every business - and it's been like that for many years in most lines of business. There will always be a market for Scion's and Ferrari's, Taurus's and S500's (and the bajillion levels in between). The Scion may have a new high-tech radio, but it's still a Scion and the Ferrari will deliver better performance every time.

If your goal is to be a professional photographer, market yourself to the level you want to be in and ALWAYS be improving your craft.

[johnastovall]

And then there's the artist.....

[AllenAyres]

Yes, those can starve too if they don't market themselves correctly ;)

[3n-Out]

Originally Posted by johnastovall

And then there's the artist.....

Interesting you should bring this up. No where has anyone even mentioned the ability to have artistic ability yet. And you know why? Because it is my belief that with so many digital cameras out there and so many people owning professional quality ditial photo equipment I think we all - as a whole - forgot that photography once was a form of Art. It ranked right up there with a painters, illustrator and songwritter. And there are only 2 ways you get to the top of your game in this business.

1) Your just born with the talent
2) You bust your a$$ practicing

That is pretty much true for any sort of creative enthusiasum. And most of us aren't born with those talents so it only leaves option 2.

Art isn't what is used to be anymore. Heck sometimes I think taggers get more credit for graffiti than most fine artist do.

[RightAngle]

Yeah I shoot Sports for HS and some MS stuff and its really frustrating when the moms come down with their pop up flashes and 70-300s and start going for it at night games. I know they aren't getting quality pictures but they are free so thats just fine. I guess I have always been the type that demanded quality out of anything I bought or used but it seems more and more (like already stated) mediocracy is okay.

I feel like so many of the parents think that it is all built into the camera for you, and the magical green box will provide you with pro results and because of this get a tiny bit of an all knowing attitude when it comes to things.

In reality though thats where many of us started and thats fine, as long as you have the right attitude. Many of the pro photographers I have spoken to, who started small and worked their way up, myself included, all appreciated practice and learning from others. Nothing else bothers me more than someone who payed way too much for a DSLR at BB and then thinks they can one up me somehow? Obviously I don't know everything but I have spent a lot of time behind the lens shooting this stuff and I know a thing or two. Its one thing for parents to sit next to me and compete and take away from business but its a whole nother 'ball game' (haha) when they start giving me a hard time about stuff. On the other hand when people are polite and ask educated questions out of love for what they're doing it makes me really happy to talk to them and help them grow. People who buy a DSLR and want to learn are fine with me, its the ones who buy and assume they're pro that drive me nuts!