p.2 #1 · Do you just HAVE to lie to your clients??
Point taken jcolman, but I think the reference is mostly to those who just picked up a camera at the local everything store.
Even so, shooting any and everything but a wedding can be different. There are plenty in the sports forum who ask questions over here that some of us think are basic. There are those who shoot portraits and only know studio flash but not hotshoe flash guns.
It all depends on which angle you're reading the question
Your post reeks of bitterness, really. I mean, 6 months ago, you wanted a book on people skills, today, you're griping about other photographers and the fact (or fiction) that they have a connection to their clients. Maybe learn from why people are doing this instead of complaining..? Make it 70 weddings a year.
p.2 #6 · Do you just HAVE to lie to your clients??
jeremy_clay wrote:
Your post reeks of bitterness, really. I mean, 6 months ago, you wanted a book on people skills, today, you're griping about other photographers and the fact (or fiction) that they have a connection to their clients. Maybe learn from why people are doing this instead of complaining..? Make it 70 weddings a year.
If you were as persistent in photography as you are in wasting your time,searching past posts, there may be a hope for you out there.
p.2 #7 · Do you just HAVE to lie to your clients??
chaloux wrote:
Canada, but where in Canada? In Muskoka (cottage country, north of Toronto, Ontario) it really slows down in the winter.
It's quite ok in North Bay area + a few weddings in the GTA and the States. You just have to market to those clients as well. I have 2 and an odd 3-day weekenders most of the summer. Jan-Feb are very quiet though,but it is a good time to do marketing and travel.
p.2 #10 · Do you just HAVE to lie to your clients??
For me, the ultimate compliment is if I become friends with my clients after the wedding. That just tells me that I did my job well and that I added to their overall experience. If you do not need to build a connection to get the job done, c'est la vie, but I can not imagine trying to shoot a wedding without getting to know the couple on a more personal level and that's where engagement sessions really help. Everyone has a different way of doing things and the trick is to find what works best for your personality to create your individual style.
p.2 #12 · Do you just HAVE to lie to your clients??
one of the major tenets of my business philosophy is that creating amazing images starts with building strong relationships. is that schmaltzy tree-hugging garbage? hell no.
why? a number of reasons:
-if my clients don't trust me and feel comfortable being in front of my lens, it shows in the end product. from a touchy-feely perspective of course i want them to look their best. from a practical perspective, the better they look, the more they buy. the more emotional a connection they feel to my photography, the more they buy. the more they buy, the more they tell their friends and family - and guess what - the more THEY buy.
-i want to build clients for life. referrals are the #1 reason that in my first year on my own i have not had to pay for a dime in advertising yet my calendar is full.
-building connections allows me to justify my pricing structure. i'm not delivering a product that they can print at walmart for $0.19 - i'm delivering a service - or even more than that an experience. they can get exceptional photography with any number of people in my area, but they can't get my personality, my concern, my humor, my connection. i am selling ME.
it comes down to the fundamental difference between taking a picture and making a memory. memories sell.
i recommend Tim Sanders' "Love is the Killer App" to anyone looking to read more about connecting to their clients.
p.2 #14 · Do you just HAVE to lie to your clients??
Some people connect with you the minute they see you. They're friendly and welcoming and interested in you or open to you in a social, context appropriate way. It's not like they want to be BFF or know your most intimate secrets, but they make you feel good about being around them. Some even make it fun.
I've seen wedding photographers working who were connecting with the people as necessary to do their job effectively, friendly but not overly outgoing. And I saw one guy who was obviously an extrovert who felt very comfortable and interacted with everyone he was working with in a playful way that let them know he liked them. He had really good people skills and his photography was excellent. I'm sure his clients love him.
Bruce Hudson, out of Seattle, makes building and maintaining relationships with his clients a big part of his business. www.relationographer.com
p.2 #15 · Do you just HAVE to lie to your clients??
Even though the original poster came off a bit strong ....I have to agree. Lots of much and fluff on photogs website---many times it is obvious that they have no experience behind them. I also agree that I really do not have time to spend to get to know the couple for hours at a time........but the couple needs to feel some sort of connection with you...this can be made quickly and with little time spent---in order for them to feel comfortable around you and your camera.
p.2 #17 · Do you just HAVE to lie to your clients??
stockriderman wrote:
If you were as persistent in photography as you are in wasting your time,searching past posts, there may be a hope for you out there.
