Craigslist: better to laugh or cry ?!?!?

[klynam]

Times are tough...
Photography is a wonderful creative outlet...
If one can get a little extra money to make ends meet through something they enjoy, that's awesome...
If people can save a little money on wedding photography, more power to them...

But when I see posts like the one below time and time again (I just can't stop looking, like some people read the obituaries everyday) I really don't know whether to laugh or cry for everyone involved.

Photographer for Engagement Senior Pictures Bridal Photography

This person (apparently) has no idea about photography: lighting, posing, post production, etc. To be fair, there is one kinda neat shot, but it pretty clear by the other shots the good one was a total fluke. She has no idea her work is just snapshots, yet she posts it boldly, and at least one couple bought into it (probably a freebie to "get her started" but you know what I mean.)

The entire situation is degrading to the (would be) photographer, anyone who would use her, the industry of wedding photography, and photography in general. And it just keeps happening over and over.

I know, I know...it's CL and no 'serious' wedding photography prospect would look there for services. Nonetheless, there are many out there hurting for money and may have no other choice than CL.

I can't imaging how sad those people must feel seeing work like that, thinking that's all they can afford, and knowing that's what they'll have to look at for the rest of their life.

Like I said, don't know whether to laugh or cry - the whole thing is actually heartbreaking in many ways...

[studiocygnet]

Hey, I always wanted trees to grow out of the back of my head.

[ldelacruz]

Poor thing! She is going to have a hard time finding that very specific client that is a High School Senior who is engaged, getting married and needing bridal portraits. I don't think she forgot the commas because she is a teacher? It would be cool if after the portrait session you get fresh cabrito tacos! After the goat portraits of course!

[tc95]

Heck...I only list gear on CL...and I leave everything else to the pro's...

[ronocnikral]

laugh.

[Kalrog]

Laughter is almost always the better answer.

[SaSha]

still debating on a tear or a chuckle... CL FTW

[klynam]

Yep - bad photos, bad grammar, bad everything - and these popup everyday on CL's all across the nation...

[Howard Barlow]

Well, I learned something. Apparently, there are better places than Walgreen's, CVS, and WalMart to have your pictures printed. How can that be?

[MT Stringer]

Hey, I always wanted trees to grow out of the back of my head.

And a crooked one at that!

[ndsimm]

Man, that is some stiff competition...I'm glad she's in DFW

[AllenAyres]

hehe, I'm with Nathan's sentiment here... those that would look at those images and think "that's good enough" or "that's all I can afford" or some of both are no-where near my potential clients. More power to them - she's basically taking clients from Walmart and Sears, maybe even Olan Mills.

[klynam]

Sigh...

Professsional Photographer with out the high price

Popup flash just has that...that...je ne sais quois

[AllenAyres]

Even that is better than the former one

I had a request last week from some clients wanting spot coloring - since they signed the check I'll do my best :)

[toverman]

We all have to start somewhere, though. We forget that business sense isn't common sense; somebody has to learn it before they know it. Producing excellent images isn't always easy, and few people know everything there is to know. Craigslisters usually put the cart before the horse in a big way.

I'd say a nicer thing to do than poke fun at people we don't know would be to invite them here to take advantage of the experience and opinions offered here. But sometimes I think that's counter-productive ... TPF has changed even since I started coming here.