KennethHamlett
New member
I have pretty high standards when it comes to business ethics. I like to think I'm more old fashioned than most, a benefit of having grown up in a small town where life is lived just a little bit slower. That said, I'm also a staunch believer in free enterprise and capitalism. I don't believe in being owed a living, handouts, bailouts, or other such nonsense. A man makes his own way in the world, sink or swim. I fully understand that in the situation I described in this thread, I am asking to impede on someone else's time, and is completely separate from what is detailed below.
I have seen several comments on this and other photography-related forums that more or less put pro photographers in a bad light...at least in my opinion. Topics very much like this one are often hot debates where it's pros vs. joes. Statements similar to these are constantly at the forefront of this battle on the side of the pros:
There are dozens of others. Point blank, I have to say...so what? ABC Widget Co. has been around for 20 years. They make a decent product and charge a fair price. XYZ Gadget Co. comes along, makes a better product, and charges less. ABC Widget Co. has a choice: either adapt or go out of business, it's really that simple. So can someone explain to me why pro photographers (by and large) believe they are exempt from the rules of business?
- I have invested $______ in time/gear over the years.
- I have a family to feed.
- This is my business/only means of making money.
- The competition's prices are too low.
- I own the rights to this/that/everything else. Pay me.
- I can't make money in this economy.
On the contrary, as a pro photographer we realize how much we are subject to the rules of business just like any other type of business. Digital photography has erased the barrier between the pro/amateur in terms of getting a good exposure (yet some camera owners still can't get it right) but a properly exposed image does not make a photograph that has commercial appeal. Photographers that shoot weddings, portraits and other similar work should feel threatened. Any Joe or Jane with a digital camera can now take a decent shot or two that's good enough for the average consumer. Photographer's that shoot other types of commercial work are less threatened by these camera owners. What separates a pro from an amateur is no longer a matter of equipment or even skill (some amateurs take better photographs than some professionals). What truly separates the two comes down to the following six "value-added" services as described in the ASMP Professional Business Practices in Photography handbook.
1. Unique imagery - the photographer's vision.
2. The ability to fulfill the client's particular and specific image needs. The photographer successfully produces images for the specific project.
3. Client protection - this includes having liability insurance, using the correct licensing paperwork and getting the proper releases--model, property etc. The professional photographer saves the client from legal headaches.
4. Tailored licensing - the professional customizes the licensing requirements to fit the specific needs of the client.
5. Customer service professionalism from start to finish.
6. Digital expertise - the professional adheres to industry standard best practices and consistently delivers quality images.
Anyway, I think we have really gone off topic with this post. Anthony you obviously understand the situation better than any of us and I believe that you will handle it appropriately.
Let's end the amateur/pro conversation on this thread. I'll open another thread strictly for that discussion.