Appearance vs Client expectations

[Cypher]

Hi there,

I decided to post this after I thought on this subject for quite some time. What do clients expect from a photographer ? Are there stereotypes ? Do you need to dress in a certain way or can you only be successful with a certain look ?

My personal view stems from what a co-worker said to me awhile back. He told me that while he thought my work looked really nice, he was skeptical that I might scare certain clients off by my looks. To give you a general idea I am about 1,92 bald head, ringbeard and have probably more ink on my body than a fantasy book. For me personally I decided to discard this idea because people generally read you from your body language and how you interact and treat them.

So I guess the general gist of this post is to discuss the above questions and share personal experiences.

Thanks for participating

Cypher

[TheDarkReaver]

Depends on the client really. Somebody who fits in doing the shots for a Heavy Metal gig might not necessarily be accepted at a corporate function or a classy wedding.

[freezeframe03]

First impressions are from sight. It's all the visible body ink that will make a lot of potential clients turn to another photographer without even giving you a chance to speak. Your opportunities will improve as this current tattooed younger generation begins to age and becomes your tageted market for paying customers.

[Cypher]

Thanks for the ideas and thoughts, I cant help but wonder why the photography cant speak for itself. I have also taken on jobs for interior companies and have had the luck that they didn't mind how I look as long as the images where good. Freezeframe I agree with you completely, luckily society is becoming more and more accepting and the levels of prejudice based on looks is declining. Again thanks for the input.

[LeeR]

People make allowances for artists like no other profession. As a matter of fact, some artists do crazy things with their appearance in hopes that their art will be taken seriously. Is your appearance likely to put some people off? Certainly, but if your art is good, there will be plenty who will be willing to look past your appearnce and chalk it up as an artist's quirky behavior.

That being said; I've seen your site. Its hard to be taken seriously as a pro when your site is full of rookie mistakes: crooked horizons, underexposed images and mixed lighting, to name a few. Insulting people with formal educations doesn't help either.

[BigFuzzy]

Originally Posted by LeeR

That being said; I've seen your site. Its hard to be taken seriously as a pro when your site is full of rookie mistakes: crooked horizons, underexposed images and mixed lighting, to name a few. Insulting people with formal educations doesn't help either.

Ack.. biting my tongue.

Cypher, In the end, your appearance will matter little. I probably look a lot like you minus the ink. I'm a big, intimidating dude normally. The nice thing is you typically have email and phone to interact with people before having to meet them in person. Use this time to really make an impact on them in terms of how you come across. If you sound like you know what you're doing, speak professionally (yet casually!), and give them what you want, your ink/freakiness will have little to do with their decision. And, if you're really concerned, wear long sleeves at the wedding!

When arranging for the first meet up, I'll always say or write "look for the big dude with the orange goatee"... that at the very least will prep them to at least not be shocked. You could say "look for the big guy with lots of tats, I should be easy to spot!" ... everyone appreciates a bit of self- deprecating humor at times.

And since you're new here Cypher.. I'll say this. Take everything all of us have to say with a grain of salt when we judge you and your work. If I have a small smattering of pretty flower shots on my flickr account and not much else, how well placed am I to judge your work.. especially with little to no constructive feedback other than "do it better".

My opinion may not (should not?) mean squat to you if you look at my work and think "damn, this guy is crap"... While on this site I'm always carrying a sack of salt with me.

PS did you visit or live in The Netherlands?

[junglebear]

Maybe try a full body gimpsuit to hide the tattoos?

[RLucas]

As a 39 year old inked up 240lb dude, I can tell you I have not personally witnessed the stigma that seems to be attached to to tattoos. (Except for my mother about having a coronary, but she is allowed. . ) I think we bring it more on ourselves than the other way around. I know when I got my sleeve done, I was real paranoid about who was watching me and being put off, but I figured out it was more in my own mind than anywhere else.

The industry I work in (automotive refinish) has a wide gamut of personalities that i have had to interact with. From white collar to the grungiest looking people you might ever see, and yet somehow I have managed to maintaing great relationships with them all.
Oh, I am a manager, and my tats are plainly visible to everyone.

I don't think you slighted anyone with a "formal" art degree on your site. Do you think Degas, VanGogh, or Andy Warhol(I don't consider much of an artist, more of a professional groupie), gave a crap about what everyone else was doing? I don't

Oh, and you're more than welcome to look at my stream and call it crap! I do!

[BigFuzzy]

Cypher, I would very much recommend you put a photo of you on your site somewhere. It allows for the potential customer to feel more of a connection from the beginning.

I put mine up, and not only does it give people an idea of what they're dealing with, it once got me a date!

Originally Posted by RLucas

240lb dude

Pfft, lightweight!

[CheaperKings]

Originally Posted by RLucas

Oh, and you're more than welcome to look at my stream and call it crap! I do!

What a bunch of crap...

haha! Just kidding there, Big Haus!