What’s Your Preference?

cricket2783 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010, 10:07 PM

How do you get people to take you seriously with your photography? I have been trying to get clients, but no one seems to think Im for real. Im wanting to build my portfolio up. I have been asked, on more than one occasion, to take photos for people, only to find out that they went ahead and had someone else do them. For instance, my cousin is getting married. They asked me to do their engagement pics. Im all about it, I could use to practice, and pictures to build up my portfolio. I told her to pick a day that works for them, and I will be there. I dont have a "real" job, so Im free all the time. I tell them 50 bucks, and thats driving 3 hours, taking pics, editing, all that jazz.. A few days ago, she posts on her facebook her engagements pics!
How do you get people to take you seriously!? Im not a terrible photographer. I actually think Im better than alot of them around here.
This is very discouraging!!

Oracheski · #2 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010, 10:13 PM

To be blunt, you're not going to get treated like a professional if you're not. What equipment do you have? What kind of shots are you getting?

In any case, setting ridiculously low prices probably doesn't help your cause, nor make you very popular with any local photographers. People don't value the work of someone who doesn't value their own work, even if it's top-flight work. If you're giving it away, they assume someone doing it for more is doing it better.

cricket2783 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010, 10:32 PM

I have a Nikon D40. plan on buying a new lense as soon as i can afford one. I do alot of sports, particularly motorcycle racing. I have done a wedding, and some other engagements.
Am I professional with a studio of my own? No. But I do value my work. Even if I give my favorite cousin a quote of 50 bucks. I enjoy seeing them, and was honored to take their pics.
That isnt the only instance of people asking for photos and then bailing. Its not like Im rude, or unprofessional with them.
Im just not sure how to further myself, with no one allowing me to take their photos.

nickbedford · #4 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010, 11:26 PM

You have to be sure of yourself if people are going to take you for real, in any sort of profession really and even though it's your cousin, they may have realised they wanted to get a "professional" in to be sure it wouldn't be wasted. Even if you could have done a good shoot, they might have been put off by the lack of professional attitude to the shoot possibly. I don't know you or your cousin though so I'm just throwing out theories.

gamalelsabagh · #5 (**permalink**) 10-02-2010, 04:33 AM

probably you ain't marketing yourself good enough, and you tell your customer you're always available. tell them all check my schedule. take a lot of pics (good ones), anywhere; street, bus, mall and make to yourself a name online try posting on online photo-communities, like here flickr, facebook, tweeter, fotolia.com(microstock)., and from my personal experience, after doing that people started calling me for events and I SET MY PRICE.
i hope this helps

Jim Bryant · #6 (**permalink**) 10-02-2010, 04:58 AM

it's all about how you present yourself and the confidence in your ability that you display to others.

cricket2783 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-02-2010, 01:16 PM

Thanks for the advice. And FYI, the cousin didnt go to a professional. Just had some random friend do it. I will keep all your tips in mind!

Brian Mullins · #8 (**permalink**) 10-04-2010, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cricket2783

They asked me to do their engagement pics. Im all about it, I could use to practice, and pictures to build up my portfolio. I told her to pick a day that works for them, and I will be there. I dont have a "real" job, so Im free all the time. I tell them 50 bucks, and thats driving 3 hours, taking pics, editing, all that jazz..

To be blunt (which I suppose I am getting a reputation for here), if we talked and you left that to me, I would probably find another photographer as well. If you want business you need to be working for it. Work with your potential client to set the time/date/location/clothing/theme/etc...

Suggest one or two days for your client as well as the time of day and any clothing choices/avoidances. If you want to be a professional then you need to run the show when it comes to making decisions like this. Of course, that doesn't mean you should not give them choices, but just be more proactive.

Also - I know you didn't mean it this way, but when you say "I don't have a "real" job", one could think you are inferring photography is not a "real" job - so you may want to avoid this in the future.

Hope this helps.

BillGreen · #9 (**permalink**) 10-04-2010, 09:37 PM

Hi, I'm new to the forum and only entering into photography as a serious hobby within this past year. However, if you find this is a recurring problem I see no reason why you could not charge a small, non-refundable deposit on the photo shoot, say 10 or 20%, which could then be deducted from the total price. The client will be less likely to cancel if they are financially invested and if they do cancel you have made at least a few bucks for your trouble. (Assuming your local law allows this practice.) Just my two cents.