 Lynsey Lund |
Flood of Photographers Has anyone else noticed the number of photographers creeping up and up and up as DSLRs become more affordable and in the hands of so many more people? It seems that every third or fourth person I talk to you fancies themself a “photographer” because they have the camera that can adjust their depth of field and their shutter speed. Don't take that as a rant, I love that more people can experience the joy and creativity and pleasure I get from photography. But how do you go about differentiating yourself? So many people are choosing to take their own photographs because they are able to get some of those elements with their equipment...without really understanding how aperture affects the image, or shutter speed, or how they work together...without understanding anything about backlighting or shadows etc. I am finding in my area that so many of these people are falling into the "Wal-Mart" category of photographers...where they are hiring themselves out for weddings etc. for cheap, because they get a "good enough" result. But when this happens, I have yet to find someone who LOVES the photos they receive, and often some discomfort of expressing their preferences and needs and dissatisfactions because they are choosing to hire friends. How do you go about positioning yourself to gain some of those potential customers back? To looking for a photographer instead of someone that takes pretty good photos? I definitely believe that equipment does not make a photographer and am just unsure of how to appeal to those customers, as they seem to be growing in number. Is it a pointless or uphill battle to try to appeal to those to which “good enough” is all they seek, instead of amazing and stunning? In which case, how do you go about finding those people that are looking for a photographer and not a picture taker? Any tips and advice appreciated!! **I apologize if I am re-asking....my searching skills for the archives seem to have taken a dive...
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
You pretty much answered most of your own questions. You differentiate yourself by marketing yourself as not being in the "wal mart" catergory, if you are really able to do that. Camera's get more and more automatic with exposure and focusing, and people get more and more self absorbed with taking credit for something they claim they did. But new cameras can only do so much, and there's no substitute for a good idea.
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Bob Cammarata |
Photography (and Photographers) have been re-defined. Learn to live with it and be happy. (...or take up golf.)
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- Carlton Ward Contact Carlton Ward Carlton Ward's Gallery |
I want to make the best images I can for myself. To remember all the places & people & my life as it goes and I want my images to look as beautiful as I can. Its my art and if anyone likes it, thats great - but it is not my motivation. I have done plenty of weddings & portrait shoots and have all the strobes & equipment to do this (mostly for friends or events I am associated with) but again, I have no desire to make a living at this. I even sell a few photos from time to time and a couple of times my work has been published but it is not something I have pursued. As I have gotten better, people have sought me out and I have the option of choosing if I want to shoot a wedding or a portrait sitting and can price myself as I want (realistic pricing but not selling myself short) because I am not in competition with anyone. So many of the people you see with the latest DSLRs are probably similar to me but can now afford to own better quality equipment. I hear the new 4G iPhones can capture beautiful images and even do video. A recent episode of House was shot with a 5D Mark II so the whole photography/video world is changing quickly. Imagine where we will be 5 years from now... Understanding lighting, exposure, composition & the ability of using software (Photoshop) will always separate the pro from the casual user, so keep learning and practicing and getting better and create your own unique style - this will get you more attention & business in the long run. my .02 Love in Light, Carlton
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