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Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
Boo-hoo - photog blew me off

Jenn M
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Sep 15, 2006, 12:28 PM

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Boo-hoo - photog blew me off	Can't Post

Well, big surprise. I was supposed to be a second shooter today. It was planned a month ago. This is the second job I was supposed to shoot with this one photog but it fell threw. Mad

For the first one she said she was having problems with the bride, so I told her I would skip that one b/c she was 'afraid to ask' the bride if I could come along. As for today, I thought this one was all set. I called her last Thursday to get the times and locations. She didn't answer her phone - of course - no one does. Then I got an email from her this past Wednesday saying, "Got your message. Call you tomorrow." Which was yesterday, which came and went without a phone call.

I knew she was flaky, esp. when she agreed to let me shoot with her in the first place. Wink

But I chose to overlook that fact just so I could get some freakin' samples.

It's so frustrating. Either I take this stuff waaaaay too seriously, or there are a bunch of f-ups out there getting hired consistently, so all my careful efforts are a waste of time and energy. Hell, I can't even give this crap away for free!

I just want to shoot a damn wedding. It's ridiculous. I asked another photog. Here's his response via email:
"i will keep you in mind to come along with me on a shoot, i dont mind at all, i do use an assistant most of the time. i would feel a little pressure being you are a very talented videographer, and i dont know what i could really show because i really dont know what im doing. i just do what i do."

I feel like I'm banging my head against a wall.
arggggggggg

Colvin ADTR
Enthusiast

Sep 15, 2006, 1:31 PM

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Re: [Jenn M] Boo-hoo - photog blew me off [In reply to]	Can't Post

You are underestimating and underselling yourself. You are a successful image maker and wedding service provider. No wonder they view you as the future competition. Forget giving it away - don't be a newb bottom feeder! Charge what your experience deserves. You want a portfolio - vidgrabs in a screenshow, go to the thrift shop and buy a wedding dress and get some free models from one of the model sites, or put on your dress and get Bryan to take some pics, you take pics of him in a tux and then use the timer/remote. to do couiple shots.

Jeko
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Sep 15, 2006, 2:44 PM

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Re: [Jenn M] Boo-hoo - photog blew me off [In reply to]	Can't Post

When I started in videography, I solicited my first two gigs. I looked through the engagement anouncements and contacted upcoming brides (attractive ones first) and offered free videos. I got two and went from there. Doing videos afforded plenty of opportunities to observe the techniques of local photographers -good and bad.

When I ramped into photography, I offered free dual coverage to two upcoming shoots (again, attractive clients) and basically staffed up extra and split time to get photo samples.

Both times I believe clients got a great value ...and I had attractive sample photos to build my first albums with (which I eventually handed to the clients as an extra thank you).

Don't give up -get creative to find a way to get it done.

Jeko

Sony VX2100's, iRivers, M-audio 24/96, Canon 5Ds/20Ds (and too much glass), Vegas6, PhotoShop CS3, Lightroom, etc.

Jenn M
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Sep 15, 2006, 2:56 PM

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Re: [Jeko] Boo-hoo - photog blew me off [In reply to]	Can't Post

I've contacted our brides for 2007 and offered engagement sessions, if they don't already have a photographer. Got 2 interested couples that way. Also contacted several DJs (since they have no invested interest in our success) and we have a 'free' small wedding lined up in 10/14. But that couple hasn't gotten back to us either. It's supposed to be set, but they are very flippant about the whole thing, which kind of explains why they didn't hire someone to begin with. They were supposed to send some paper work back, and they were supposed to call us about 2 weeks ago to set up a time for an engagment shoot. Never happened.

I'm waiting until 2 weeks before their wedding before I 'bother' them again. Then we'll see.

It's not so eay to give away free service when you're already known for being high end for another service. I think that's what is making this much more difficult than it would be for someone who was completely new.

I do have one booking. And another contract out, with 2 other couples interested in combo packages. But they are ALL for next fall and winter. I really want to go into bridal show season with a book, which means shooting something THIS fall or winter. But it's proving to be more difficult that I had imagined.

See, I'm not a good salesperson. I'm better at putting the work out there and letting it speak more for itself, so this is out of my comfort zone. I would much rather have a nice book to plop down in front of them and then answer questions after that. That's been our approach with video for years now. I know I have to work a little harder in the case of photo, though, b/c I don't have those samples to back me up. Not wedding ones anyway.

I'm just impatient. My bad. And I'm frustrated b/c I know until it gets going and we can 'prove' ourselves to other vendors, we are more on our own than ever before. One photographer said to me, "Oh no, I'm not teaching you anything. You'll be out there undercutting me within a year." He said it with a smirk, but very tongue in cheek. He meant every word of it. Unimpressed

Jeko
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Sep 15, 2006, 3:07 PM

Post #5 of 11 (754 views)
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Re: [Jenn M] Boo-hoo - photog blew me off [In reply to]	Can't Post

How about the newspaper engagement announcements. Send a letter to their address regarding free photography....

I really did that for the start of videography.

Jeko

Sony VX2100's, iRivers, M-audio 24/96, Canon 5Ds/20Ds (and too much glass), Vegas6, PhotoShop CS3, Lightroom, etc.

Scott Brooks
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Sep 15, 2006, 3:39 PM

Post #6 of 11 (748 views)
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Re: [Jenn M] Boo-hoo - photog blew me off [In reply to]	Can't Post

Jenn,

Advertise on Craig's List ... maybe suggest that for any wedding between now and the end of Feb. you're willing to shoot their wedding and deliver the files for $500. Do not honor that price any further out.

I think Rusty can attest to this ... that if you have low prices to get them in the door and you're booking people a year out ... you're going to live to regret it.

If you get into Jan. and you still don't have the numbers you want then advertise again and with a cutoff of May.

Be ready ... if someone is wanting to book you for June of next year then you need to have June prices in mind.

Go to Fred Miranda's site and let them know that you're interested in second shooting in your area ... that you're just getting into wedding photography and attempting to find more experience. I'm not so sure I would tell them you're also a videographer, but I'm not suggesting you lie either.

Go to other wedding photographers forums and do the same. Photo.net might be a possiblity.

There are ways of accomplishing what you want ... you just have to do them.

Brackish
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Sep 15, 2006, 5:27 PM

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Scott Brooks
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Sep 15, 2006, 5:49 PM

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Re: [Brackish] Boo-hoo - photog blew me off [In reply to]	Can't Post

I think you would be surprised how many photographers suggest that you start out by shooting with someone else. I'm not sure of the mentality, other than the fact that most of them want the bar raised.

If I had approached my photographer and told him that I wouldn't be any threat to him because all I wanted to do was charge $500 and give 'em the files ... he never would have taken me on. But he knew that each year I wanted my prices to increase and that I had no use for being the bottom feeder in the group.

It's also another referral base ... and it goes both ways. He has referred clients to me and I to him.

I agree for the most part ... why would anyone do this ... but it does happen.

Jenn M
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Sep 15, 2006, 6:18 PM

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Re: [Brackish] Boo-hoo - photog blew me off [In reply to]	Can't Post

The photogs I approached are not in my direct market, and they both started the same way - assisting. The one that said "Oh no, you'll be my competition"= he is in my market, but I didn't seriously expect him to take me up on my offer. We were kind of joking around. I kept buggin him, saying, "Ah, come on, you know you want me to tag along..." etc. I didn't ask them to train me, just to let me tag along and shoot images that THEY can sell. You would think that last part would have been incentive, after all, it's all about the sale for them.

I'm not entirely surprised that most won't go for it. IN fact, that's why I only asked 2, and the 3rd one I was only joking with. Both of the two I asked are also 'newer' than we are, so I figured they would be less defensive b/c we could probably help them out as much as they would be helping me out. But so much for that theory.

I just want some freakin' ceremony samples. Some reception samples and I'll be all set. One wedding, that's all I really need to put a decent portfolio together.

And besides, with all the help we've given people over the years, I thought (like an idiot) that good karma would come around. Ha. yeah right. Crazy

(This post was edited by Jenn M on Sep 15, 2006, 6:19 PM)

Xray
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Sep 15, 2006, 6:32 PM

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Re: [Jenn M] Boo-hoo - photog blew me off [In reply to]	Can't Post

For some reason I feel sorry for Brian. Angelic

Marcin
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AlanB
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Sep 16, 2006, 3:57 AM

Post #11 of 11 (698 views)
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Quote

One photographer said to me, "Oh no, I'm not teaching you anything. You'll be out there undercutting me within a year." He said it with a smirk, but very tongue in cheek. He meant every word of it. Unimpressed

Jenn, don't let it get you down. In a year, you could be charging more than him. Cool

Alan