Backlash against the *Rockstar* Photographers

[Tom]

Truth in our Industry True Photo Talk

I thought some of you may find this interesting.

[ldelacruz]

Because you can call it art to cover it up!

[ngoduyviet]

Very interesting indeed. I personally don't care much for *rockstar* of anything, let alone photographers :)

[Tom]

The worst thing about photography are photographers.

[dminton]

Originally Posted by Thomas Campbell

The worst thing about photography are photographers.

True Dat

[Murph]

Is there more to the article? It seems very short, and not at all informative, I guess I expected more information.

[Jake]

Originally Posted by Thomas Campbell

The worst thing about photography are photographers.

No doubt!

Originally Posted by Murph

Is there more to the article? It seems very short, and not at all informative, I guess I expected more information.

I agree, this article just read like a rant.
So photographer A tweeted the "truth" about photographer B, then photographer B got mad? Then a bunch photographers leave comments and take sides.
Maybe there's money in making "Team DJ" and "Team Carlos" T-shirts?

[Tom]

Originally Posted by Murph

Is there more to the article? It seems very short, and not at all informative, I guess I expected more information.

I will be holding a workshop this weekend to explain both sides of the argument. It will be just 950 per person, but we will include meals for FREE! Also, you will get a disc of my new actions, slideshow transitions and album layouts.

[rab3rd]

Will there be a big giant picture of you on the building so we know where to go?

[PhotoByLeal]

*Rockstar* Photographers with Chanclas!

[doctahjones]

Originally Posted by Thomas Campbell

I will be holding a workshop this weekend to explain both sides of the argument. It will be just 950 per person, but we will include meals for FREE! Also, you will get a disc of my new actions, slideshow transitions and album layouts.

sweet! where do i sign up?!?!

[ka5txl]

Originally Posted by doctahjones

sweet! where do i sign up?!?!

+1 I need to learn what to do before I put on my first seminar. Thomas Can I be a Talk-a-long at your seminar?

[Tom]

Originally Posted by rab3rd

Will there be a big giant picture of you on the building so we know where to go?

Why would I show a picture of a bride or couple on something that is really about me?




Murph - more info here:
Scarlett Lillian Workshop Review | Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer | Leeann Marie Photography

If you dig deep, which you probably don't want to do, it is really a reaction to the *rockstars* that seem to be much better self-promoters than shooters.

Scarlett Lillian's fiance Stephen is in the middle of it. He is 21 and last year was named ShowIt's 2009 Photographer of the Year. He registered his site in like July of 2009, and shot two weddings - one for his aunt and uncle and one as a second shooter. He claims to have been shooting for three years, but it is obvious that he hasn't really been shooting that long. And he has on his website this:
Stephen Knuth Photography // Wedding Photographer serving Coronado, San Diego, La Jolla, Point Loma, Solana Beach, Julian, Jacksonville Florida and Destination Weddings
That's right, you can pay him $150 for the opportunity to have coffee with him, $250 for lunch or $900 for all day.

I think what it comes down to is that the actual booming market isn't in wedding photography. In fact, average ticket price is declining. The booming market is in selling to people that think making it big in wedding photography is easy. And so a few people have developed some great stuff to do this. And they all market each other and pimp each other out, and they all sell more.


I am an AVID, AVID blog reader. I read them from just about everyone - well over 200/week (luckily most don't post every day.) And I followed the big rockstar names like David Jay starting a couple years ago. When was the last time he blogged an actual wedding he shot? I don't know, but I know he didn't in all of 2009.

I think the backlash is that they are roping in newbies to buy all their stuff, and telling them that they can be successful over night, when they aren't actually shooting - they are speaking and selling. Watch the video of David Jay's favorites on his homepage. You see a lot more of him than you do his pictures. And when you see him shooting, in nearly every shot he is using direct on-camera flash.

[ldelacruz]

The wedding photography biz might run some late night commercials soon like the how to buy foreclosures market!

[Coogie]

Personally I'm pretty tired of the Rockstar photographers too. I'm not denying they're talented and I applaud them for sharing their thoughts and talents but I'd much rather they focus on their photography first and let the promotion follow that instead of the other way around.

For example, I love Joe McNally, but it seems like all he's doing lately is holding workshops (usually taking pictures of dancers) instead of being out there doing original photography. All the new pictures that he's taken that I see are pictures taken at a workshop where as in the past he used to do crazy things like climb up the Empire State Building or photograph famous people.

Then there is the king of self promotion Chase Jarvis - again another very talented photographer, but I haven't seen a bigger narcissist since Shaq. The guy is so full of himself that when he gives a speech to adoring "strobists", he has a DJ playing background music while he talks.

Speaking of the strobists, does David Hobby still take pictures or is he making a living off his DVD's and workshops where he shows how to make duct taped snoots?