creating a perception

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tcamper
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p.3 #1 · creating a perception

94 Accord and 96 Trooper here. Both LNIB

I had a wedding last December when we got 16" of snow in less than 3 hours, then a nice ice storm blew in. Shifted the Trooper into L4x4 and had no problem getting anywhere. I met the girls at the salon at 9am, headed up to the church at 11am where I was the first one there. After the ceremony I drove 35 miles on hilly back roads to the reception. I think the B&G were just happy to see me so I could start taking those shots they had hired me for.

I actually view my cars as a tool, much like a body or lens. Different tools for different jobs. I'm not saying I don't get the whole "image" thing with the cars, but I don't pull up in front of a venue while everyone is standing out front. I am the first to arrive, and one of the last to leave.

I think from what I have seen, photographers need to be a little more concerned with how they dress and present themselves than what car they pull up in (in the context of image).

.02
Tad

Edited on Jul 04, 2008 at 07:12 PM

Jul 04, 2008 at 07:10 PM

liza
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p.3 #2 · creating a perception

I drive a 5 year old Taurus and, to date, none of my couples have even noticed.

Jul 04, 2008 at 09:17 PM

scott shoemake
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p.3 #3 · creating a perception

i think camper makes a very valid point. i just picked up a honda element. kinda funjky? yes. but such a great tool. 4 wheel drive for my ski photography in the winter. lots of room for gear and access is sweet. perfect fotomobile. i think the perception of me that my clients see is more ME, than any of my assets. not to say i leave french fries on the floor when we're drivin around for an e sesh or that im not going to throw on J Lindbergh shirt...but your personality and talent surpass all else.

Jul 04, 2008 at 09:27 PM

jofoto photo
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p.3 #4 · creating a perception

I always loved Columbo's old car, it did'nt make him any less a detective..
Car does'nt equal success, cars are justed for getting from a-b..
They can't take pictures for your client... yet!!
Joe

Jul 04, 2008 at 09:52 PM

Marcel VanEerd
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p.3 #5 · creating a perception

As long as I can't afford a flashy car, I disagree that a car makes a difference

Jul 04, 2008 at 10:25 PM

jefferies1
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p.3 #6 · creating a perception

I really think the car you drive has nothing and I mean nothing to do with the clients you can book. My clients come to my office which is nice but in no way over the top and most never see my car. When I do go to a clients home I booked just as many deals driving a 94 mazda truck as driving my 2002 mercedes. The only car that may get you business today (in the usa) is a SMART mini car. A 3 cylinder conversation starter to deal with our weekly rising fuel prices. I will stick with my paid for 24mpg mercedes for a little longer. At least if a SUV hits me I still have a fighting chance!
On the other hand if You feel your value is less because you drive a old car then you will book less deals. If you feel better about yourself driving high end car then that will reflect in your personality and you will book more deals. For me having a car that is Paid for ( less finalcial pressure) is all I care about. Well not all ...it has to be clean! A dirty car does get me down.

Jul 04, 2008 at 11:22 PM

hassy501
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p.3 #7 · creating a perception

2007 Giant Mountain Bike !! Very fuel efficient.

Jul 04, 2008 at 11:47 PM

ksmahgrts
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p.3 #8 · creating a perception

jefferies1 wrote:
The only car that may get you business today (in the usa) is a SMART mini car.

funny you mention that. i was at staples 2 nights ago and parked next to a smart car... i glanced over and it had a local photographers name/logo/info emblazoned on the sides

(tried to find a photo to link but it only has pics of him buying it on his blog)

Jul 05, 2008 at 12:00 AM

Marcus Watts
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p.3 #9 · creating a perception

A lot of strong opinions from those who have never turned up to a wedding in a flash car or aimed to shoot at a higher end market.
Shallow as it may sound there are plenty of people who will be swayed by the flash car when making a decision as long as the photography is already great, as mentioned in the original post.

Jul 05, 2008 at 02:07 AM

hassy501
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p.3 #10 · creating a perception

And that's what makes these forums so much FUN, the ability to give opinions based on our own experiences so that others can red about them and make up their own minds. One sided discussions are like clapping with one hand.

Jul 05, 2008 at 02:21 AM

technocraft
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p.3 #11 · creating a perception

Prospective clients see my car at meetings. I often drive wedding party members between locations, I've even driven the bride before. So yes, people can and do see what you drive. How much does it matter is open to debate.

Now when you get down to it, of course you don't expect someone to book you because of what you drive. However, I often have guests or relatives tell me what an awesome job I did - and they haven't seen any pictures yet...

Clothes and hair are important too - look like your market - or least have some style.

Edited on Jul 05, 2008 at 02:59 AM

Jul 05, 2008 at 02:56 AM

hassy501
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p.3 #12 · creating a perception

I have no style........i'm just a ghetto rat.....

Jul 05, 2008 at 03:01 AM

Brian Lingle
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p.3 #13 · creating a perception

Red, Seriously, that's your ride? Customized Citrion?

I drive an '89 Toyota van that came with a custom package, custom paint job (nothing too fancy) and mag wheels. You don't see many of that model around here anymore and the young couples think it's cool when they see it. I don't think it gives the impression of my being "high end", which I'm not, but maybe individualistic, which I am.

Hassy mentioned dressing to give a high end impression at weddings. How do all of you dress? Especially the guys.

Edited on Jul 05, 2008 at 06:30 AM

Jul 05, 2008 at 06:26 AM

Fstr.
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p.3 #14 · creating a perception

Studio58 wrote:
I am sure that many here would agree that it is important to create the perception in your clients mind that you are successful in what you do.
Clearly the images you make are the number one priority. Assuming that you are making great images then hopefully you are charging accordingly. So far so good........ So when you turn up to a job in your car do people see you driving something that is consistent with your prices ?
I bet some of you have great cars....... I would love to see them Here is mine.

Top Gear still has my Enzo

yeah, right. Here is a shot of my whip.

Jul 05, 2008 at 06:47 AM

Brian Lingle
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p.3 #15 · creating a perception

I've heard of people checking out the kind of shoes a person wears as part of assessing them. Some are hyper-aware of all those little details and what they convey. And there are plenty of millionaires who assess people based on different criteria than that.

I have personally experienced and heard from other family therapists, examples of teens creating major family dramas over what car they get to drive. For one, being grounded meant he couldn't drive the Beamer on Friday night, he'd have to take the Toyota wagon. It was a major crisis and he was ready to break furniture and punch out both mom and dad over it.

When my parents tried to use "the car" as leverage, I got a bike. 1967-70, I was the only college student in Hutchinson or Lawrence, KS, riding a bike and carrying a backpack. Years later, people thought I was ahead of my time.

Back OT - I know a guy whose inlaws so ardently disapproved of their daughter marrying him that they refused to attend the wedding. Why? His family wasn't on the social registry. People use all kinds of criteria to differentiate themselves and identify with a particular social group. There are studies on the behavior of different socioeconomic classes that suggest that wealthy and powerful people tend not to trust outsiders unless they're introduced and recommended by their friends.

Jul 05, 2008 at 06:59 AM

Mike Mahoney
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p.3 #16 · creating a perception

Jul 05, 2008 at 10:01 AM

tcamper
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p.3 #17 · creating a perception

I think there is also a big aspect of this discussion largely missing .. and that is many young people (<30) have a very real distaste for pretentious cars.

I agree.

Jul 05, 2008 at 12:25 PM

Thats Fresh
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p.3 #18 · creating a perception

my ferrari f430 is being used for the Road & Track magazine for the next three weeks. in the meantime, i just use my daily driver, 04 M3.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

this can go 50/50. you should be able to get a wedding job without the client knowing what kinda car you drive. but also if your car is raggedy, and has trash/clutter all over and the client DOES happen to see your car, theyll give it another thought about hiring you. as long as the car is kept clean and you yourself have good hygiene, then you should appeal to anyone.

Edited on Jul 05, 2008 at 12:26 PM

Jul 05, 2008 at 12:25 PM

Natalie H
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p.3 #19 · creating a perception

I think there is also a big aspect of this discussion largely missing .. and that is many young people (<30) have a very real distaste for pretentious cars.

Many also have values that give at least some consideration to conservation and equality .. in other words don't use more gas or resources than necessary to get your butt back & forth and maybe spend a minute thinking about the millions who are malnourished or dying for lack of basic medical attention before budgeting your car lease payment.

I'm one of the people Mike's referring to. I would be completely turned off by someone showing up in an unnecessarily flashy, expensive or petrol-guzzling vehicle. It would have the opposite effect to what some of you may expect... that is, I would be entirely UNimpressed and much more likely NOT to choose you as my photographer. It gives some insight into where your money goes, and to some extent, what your values are.

Don't assume that because someone is driving around in a raggedy old vehicle, or riding a bike, that they don't earn a lot of money. They may just spend it a lot more wisely than most.

Just wanted to add my thoughts to the discussion in case someone finds them interesting (and I figured they were sufficiently relevant to the original post - apologies if you disagree). FYI I'm 27 years old, and a post-grad student (who likes to frequent this forum, mostly to read & learn solely for interest's sake, at this stage).

Jul 05, 2008 at 01:51 PM

Gary Harfield
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p.3 #20 · creating a perception

Before, I get all kinds of questions.

I'm a Call Firefighter & Department Photographer
I also shoot spot news.

Jul 05, 2008 at 03:26 PM

Ben Horne
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p.3 #21 · creating a perception

Here's the car I use when I show up to shoot weddings. Some people say that people use cars to compensate for other things, but I can't disagree more. I just like the styling of this ride.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Edited on Jul 05, 2008 at 06:51 PM

Jul 05, 2008 at 06:19 PM

sboerup
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p.3 #22 · creating a perception

I agree and disagree with this idea. I think that there are a lot of things that will add the perception of success to a potential client, and usually that perception is ingrained in their mind upon first point of contact.

So, most of my clients first point of contact with me is through my website. That means I need to keep my website up to date, easy to view my portfolio and get the information that they want. So far, all my clients tell me that my website is much better than my competition, so that's a good start.

If I were to talk to a potential client that just called me out of the blue, and had no other contact with me except my business card, or through some type of advertisement, I need to make sure that they would be impressed enough to call me from my advertisement.

I think we dont realize that EVERY point of contact that we have with a client is an advertisement. Client meetings, telephone calls, emails, website viewing, proofing, blog, letters, cards, etc etc etc . . . IS an advertisement whether we like it or not.

I DO NOT agree that your car is going to make/break a deal with a client. I DO agree that it will add some kind of perception to the client, whether it be good or bad. It's just human nature to "classify" people based on appearances. If I were to pull up in a BMW over my Corolla, sure, the client might see that I'm more successful than expected. How much that really matters is really negligible IMO. If I pull up in my Corolla, they might not even think twice. If I were in a 1980 Dodge Caravan, they might think "who the heck is this guy?" and if I were in a 07 Corvette they might think "who the heck is this guy?"

My point is, you will be judged/classified by your appearance whether you like it or not. Whether it matters to the client is your best guess. I think that personal hygiene/dress is MUCH more important to a client than which car you drive. Your clients WILL notice your car, but it probably doesn't really matter.

In response to Gabe's remarks (of which I agree that I could care less about what my photographer should be driving), we need to think about our clients. Most of them don't know the difference between most photographers out there, they don't necessarily know what to look for. Every point of contact you have will effect their decision, period. Your attitude trumps everything about appearance / perception of success. You could drive a really nice car, but if your attitude sucks, goodbye to you sir.

Jul 05, 2008 at 06:52 PM

Victor S
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p.3 #23 · creating a perception

Although I haven't been doing weddings for a long time, I am sure it helps to wear a $6000 Cartier, and drive Mercedes S55.
Here is me going to a wedding:

and here is my ride:

This image is copyrighted by the owner

By the way, having 7 speed transmission, I get up to 28mpg on highway, so don't tell me that gas prices are going up because of people like me!

Now I have to learn how to take pictures!

Edited on Jul 05, 2008 at 07:58 PM

Jul 05, 2008 at 07:49 PM

CleveG
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p.3 #24 · creating a perception

Sorry folks you have bought into the marketing lie.
Perceived value of you based upon your car is an illusion, your ride may give you pride or embarrasement but the bottom line is how the couple thinks they will benefit by what you provide to them.

Jul 05, 2008 at 08:13 PM

Victor S
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p.3 #25 · creating a perception

One little note. I personally don't drive my car to impress someone. I just drive what I have, my last car was BMW M3. But I'll be a daddy soon so I needed a larger car.

What I wear and how I dress also got nothing to do with impressing anyone. It's just who I am. But no matter how you look at it if one shows up clean and nice looking, very friendly and provides good product and the other shows up looking less appealing and provides the same product, why not go with the better one. I am not trying to be judgmental, but when you go to the store and choose what apple to buy, why do you choose the ones that look better, they all taste the same! We choose better looking because we are selective. At least I am. My car is always spotless and I always get nice comments about my car. I didn't buy it to book more weddings, I am not a high end photographer...yet

, but it sure gets the buzz out there around you which in return I am sure will help to get more bookings. People just feel they getting more for what they paid for. It's not like you drive a nice car and provide crap product and you will succeed, it's like you provide great customer service, great product, look very appealing AND drive a nice car, then the package would be a steal!
Just my thoughts...

Jul 05, 2008 at 08:40 PM


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