Sometimes I feel a bit silly, trying to enter very over-saturated photography market. As you probably know, it seems like everyone has a facebook page of their photography "business". I don't necessarily have a problem with facebook pages. It's where everyone is. I've just noticed how many of them there are. It's the digital dslr age, plus the increasingly affordable selection of half decent cameras.
It's probably the lack of self-confidence talking, but I don't want to be seen as just another person with a camera just out of box trying to be a "photographer". I probably shouldn't even care. It's why I've been taking things slowly, though. I'm far from pro, and have far from pro skills. I do think I have something to offer, though...beyond a great camera. I'll go from there.
Not sure why I've been feeling silly about it. Actually, I probably do. It's probably because I've had cynical thoughts about how many people have a photography page (I don't yet, but most likely eventually will).
I don't want you to misread me. Just to be clear, I think there are many talented photographers on facebook and elsewhere who I admire and look up to. It's an obvious place to advertise.
This probably didn't make much sense...or if it did, it was most likely boring for you. It's just been on my mind a lot. I love making photos. It's a dream of mine to do it as a job. I have fears about it, but I think it's time to start pursuing that dream...even if it's slowly.
In the mean time, I have other things to do and work on.
Thanks for reading. Take care, and have a good rest of your week. Talk to you tomorrow!
4 comments:
Oh, how what you say resonates with me!
Over-saturated? Absolutely! Affordable DSLRs are everywhere and their quality grows increasingly impressive.
It's not just low self confidence. It's like everyone calling themselves a cook because they can add salsa to grilled cheese. I want to be a real chef of photography, not just a cook at Chili's/Boston Pizza. Because everyone has a camera capable of fine photos we who seek to produce true professional work, must stand out, master those camera settings and stick to those circumstances, settings, situations and techniques that the average entry level DSLR cannot handle. I don't mean for this to sound like a gear race, but you have what you need to make those photos in very low light, with shallow depth of field, that will help set you apart from entry level DSLRs. Now to find your style and forever tweak, shape and refine it.
You feel like you have something to offer. You're ahead of me there!
Unfortunately, your cynicism is well founded. I've seen photogs that I don't think have much talent at all, stuck on full auto mode, with no post processing skills, but they have great marketing skills, 675 friends of which 75 will actually give feedback, "likes" and spread the word. That proportion of supporters would be huge, for the record.
I feel like it's the job I'd love to have, too. I'm thankful it is a very serious hobby for me at the moment. At times like this with potentially being stuck at home for a few weeks while between vans, or when I'm ill, or when weather makes it so difficult to get out by wheelchair (maybe we'll share a studio one day) I'm glad my photography isn't what puts food on the table. But, I hunger to shoot more each day.
Emerge when you feel ready. Until then, strive for improvement with each shoot. Try to develop your own style and not just what people think looks good in 2011. That will be more timeless and defining of you than following trends. *cough* selective colour *cough* I'm guilty of that, too, though.
Thanks, Jay.
Just a couple of things. If you don't think you don't have something to offer, you're fooling yourself!!
I looked up selective colour...looks interest. Can't say that I've attempted it ever.
Even though I have a long way before I can even think of using the word pro, or semi-pro, I'm starting to realize that waiting for that isn't helpful for me. Yes, I can do photo sessions for people, but I charge in relation to my experience and/or skill (amongst other things). That's sort of how I'm going to try and see it. I won't market myself as more than I am, but I need to try not to market myself down, either. I've done that with many other things in my life.
I'm excited about learning from people around me (namely, you, these days, which has been so great). I'm excited to grow better and better...but I don't mind making a bit of scratch along the road.
Maybe I do have something unique to offer, but I certainly haven't identified what that thing is, yet. I'm not looking to be outright told as I think it's something you really need to figure out for yourself, but I do welcome suggestions as to where people think I excel.
As for selective colour, well, I was being facetious. Selective colour is soooo 2005.
I know what you mean about pricing The endless stream of seasoned pros fuming at the market saturation and decline of business in amateurs being hired over them for grad, wedding, family or baby photos is hurting them. The one question that resonated and stuck with me was: At what point do you raise that price from free, or practically free, to a proper, career and family sustaining rate? What do you say to the couple who hired you for engagement photos for $50 and 18 months later, after you've chosen sustainable rates, cannot figure out your $1,250-$2,000 cost for a full wedding? Do you say, "Well, I got better." Maybe. But it's easier to charge closer to a pro rate, still discounted (even 50%), and increase at two times inflation, for example, until you are there. It may be a steep price increase curve as your skill reaches that level, but certainly not as steep as potential repeat customers slamming into a cliff when your price graph jumps from $50/hour including a CD of photos to $400/hour + prints.
I don't know if I'm fooling myself, but by operating on gift cards and donations, I feel like I'm not undercutting myself. Since I've never charged anything, if it became a business, I have no precedents holding me back to lowered prices.
I do enjoy teaching, though I have a few issues in my head. Firstly is information hoarding. I don't know if it's some sort of photography knowledge or technique Gnosticism, or what. But when I see 'togs that are great marketers, but whose skills seem the same as four years ago I feel a certain disappointment or even schadenfreude in them or their situation even if they are financially successful, but unimproved. I think it can be chalked up to a combination of pride in myself and low self-confidence in my work, if that makes sense. A touch of positive affirmation beats those demons away for a time. I'm not happy about that but choosing to share methods in a positive constructive way is a better, more permanent way to drive those tendencies out. What was it you were saying a little while back about celebrating with other people in their happiness and successes? The only slogan that teaching keeps bringing to mind is, "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach." That is very little of me, I know. But since my injury it's been one battle with emasculation after another of proving that I CAN and DO, think, speak well, cook, drive, shoot, write, move around, etc.
The second barrier to teaching is simply disorganization of my thoughts. If you want to learn in a disorganized way, one tip and tidbit at a time, I'm your guy.
But if you ever want to ask away, I'll answer. If you want me to discuss one topic at a time, dumping all my knowledge on that subject in your lap, I'd be happy to. :)
Enough rambling, Time for bed. :)
Thanks, Jay. Just to maybe clear things up (or maybe muddy them), when I say "something to offer" I mean some talent and good photos (of yours), or half decent photos (of mine). I wasn't talking specifically about a particular style or look of a photograph. That definitely isn't something I've developed yet. That's a "time will tell" thing, I think.
I
Also good to know about selective colouring. Ha ha.
I think I would plan on raising my prices when I felt a little less nervous. Maybe the less nervous I felt about shoots, the more I would charge, ha! Seriously, though, it would be tough, but I think while I'm still a newbie in the biz, I would tell people now that I'm shooting at low prices to build experience and a portfolio (so come and get it while it's cheap). :) That might make it less shocking a year later when prices rise.
Just some thoughts, though.
Post a Comment