Paul Buff
Offline
Account Locked
|
Deezie wrote:
Future Man wrote: Plus, WHO REALLY CARES what they look like? How are the Alien Bees units "unprofessional"? As long as you are getting the images your clients want (which you can with an AB setup), do clients really question the look of your flash heads and draw conclusions about you?
butchM wrote: After 30 years in the biz, I can safely say, I have never had a client question me or those I worked for, about brand or if of any equipment used met their idea of what is "professional". Let alone pass judgement on whether the selection of said equipment was appropriate to be used in their presence. The clients I work for are far more interested if I can get the job done to their satisfaction, within their budget and delivered on time. All of which have nothing to do with case or logo design/color of a monolight used on set.
These are the kind of misguided thoughts that the average person thinks when they open a business, and then they wonder why it fails. The two of you seem to have no apparent knowledge about positioning a brand in the mind of the public.
It is naive to think that appearance has little value and that form over function is the primary motive for decision-making in the human animal. We are driven by appearance, which defines status, health, strength, and the perceived survival of the species. Are you more attracted to the overweight, pimple-faced woman or the supermodel on the cover of vogue? Would you rather pick up that supermodel for a first-date in a late-model BMW or a Ford Minivan in need of body work and a paint job? And do you feel she would be more impressed that the date is special by taking her to an elegant restaurant in an Armani suit or to a burger-joint clad in Kmart's best sportswear?
You guys asking the wrong questions and making false assumptions: "Plus, WHO REALLY CARES what they look like?" "After 30 years in the biz, I can safely say, I have never had a client question me or those I worked for,"
Your concern seems to lie in what the clients think. But Paul is not selling lights to your clients. He's selling them to photographers. And if you don't understand the most basic premise of positioning a brand and how it relates to emotions, acceptance and risk, then you're really not prepared to have an intelligent discussion on how this works. People make critical decisions (especially on purchases) far more on emotion than on reason. Have you not seen the effect that advertising has had on people's buying habits and the massive debt they've accumulated?
Your responses indicate that you don't understand the powerful grip that branding holds in the marketplace. Until then, we'll keep seeing these knee-jerk responses that provide little insight. Of all people to diminish the value of an image or look -- it shouldn't be photographers...
Deezie - I'm shocked - it almost sounds like your might be supporting my marketing. Fact is, 60% love it, 5% hate it and the rest don't care. The odds are in my favor. So it's my party and I'll do what I want regardless of the 5% - as long as my customers approve. That's marketing 101 - though, thank God, I didn't go to marketing school.
|
