DavidJBurger wrote:
Ok after trying to read through all of these posts, I will offer my thoughts. My work did over 10000 seniors last year. Yes you read that right, 10000. Yes I work for a major player in the senior portrait business. None of them, I repeat none of them wanted anything remotely close to this set. I'm not saying these are bad or anything they just aren't what many Southern California seniors would want. Neither would the parents. So in my opinion these wouldn't sell in my area.
Were they similar to the link in your profile? Or do you have a link to their site?
DavidJBurger wrote:
Ok after trying to read through all of these posts, I will offer my thoughts. My work did over 10000 seniors last year. Yes you read that right, 10000. Yes I work for a major player in the senior portrait business. None of them, I repeat none of them wanted anything remotely close to this set. I'm not saying these are bad or anything they just aren't what many Southern California seniors would want. Neither would the parents. So in my opinion these wouldn't sell in my area.
jeremy_clay wrote:
Were they similar to the link in your profile? Or do you have a link to their site?
Somewhat similar. Although the ones my website aren't senior pics. Oh and my site right is being retooled so it doesn't have much on it. If you want to see some similar pics visit Lifetouch's website for senior pics. That's who I work for.
DavidJBurger wrote:
If you want to see some similar pics visit Lifetouch's website for senior pics. That's who I work for.
I can't get past the name irony. Billions and Billions sold!
Yep I work for Lifetouch. Some cringe when they hear that name(I can't knock a steady supplemental income especially in this economy). I've been doing photographing since 1991. Probably started in a similar way you did. I have learned a lot over the years and one of those things is to be openminded about the wants and needs of clients. If your clients want something like these images well then that's great, but I'm speaking from experience when I say the seniors out here in my area wouldn't want anything like that. Although I will say they do tend to get creative when it comes to sport individual pics.
Unless I'm either A. Looking at the wrong section of the site or B. The site is very misleading into what is actually produced I think the Lifetouch pics are really nice and this is coming from someone who does horror photography. (Hence why I dont post often)
They are nothing like Serg's style, these are more traditional but I dont think they are bad by any means. They're a TON better then what my school hired.
Chrono1081 wrote:
...I think the Lifetouch pics are really nice...They are nothing like Serg's style, these are more traditional but I dont think they are bad by any means.
The quality (or lack thereof) of Lifetouch photography is besides the point. They are the scum of the earth, the Walmart of photography.
dmacmillan wrote:
The quality (or lack thereof) of Lifetouch photography is besides the point. They are the scum of the earth, the Walmart of photography.
Oh thanks for the compliment! Oh wait that wasn't. I agree completely on this point though. Well, the Walmart of photography that is. Since I don't consider myself scum of the earth
DavidJBurger wrote:
None of them, I repeat none of them wanted anything remotely close to this set. I'm not saying these are bad or anything they just aren't what many Southern California seniors would want. Neither would the parents. So in my opinion these wouldn't sell in my area.
so based on this assertion i assume you showed all of the students and all of the parents sergios work and asked them which they would rather have? that sounds time consuming!
SeanP wrote:
so based on this assertion i assume you showed all of the students and all of the parents sergios work and asked them which they would rather have? that sounds time consuming!
Well, I'm talking concepts/style here. When asked, none of the seniors we have photographed have ever mentioned wanting anything along this style or concept. So that's where the assertion came from.
DavidJBurger wrote:
Well, I'm talking concepts/style here. When asked, none of the seniors we have photographed have ever mentioned wanting anything along this style or concept. So that's where the assertion came from.
I'm pretty dang sure that if a Lifetouch client had wanted something different, the photographer would not be able to deliver it anyway.
"sit down... shut up and smile.... click... done."
DavidJBurger wrote:
Since I don't consider myself scum of the earth
Nor do I. David, I understand you have to do what you have to do. One reason I hold Lifetouch in such low regard is how they treat their employees. If you've been treated well, it looks like you're lucky.
I should save some of my displeasure for the school systems that sign up with them to get the 50% (or higher) kickbacks from the photography. Let's also not leave out the parents who consistently fall for the bait and switch and end up paying a premium for crappy photos. And shame on local photogs who can't effectively market against them.
I'm pulling for Sergio and all the other young turks out there who offer an alternative. I also include Prof Fate and any other local photog who work hard to give the best photos of which they are capable.
DavidJBurger wrote:
When asked, none of the seniors we have photographed have ever mentioned wanting anything along this style or concept. So that's where the assertion came from.
I can't imagine Gordon Ramsey going front of house and asking his diners what to cook.
I guess photography by numbers has it's place but so does more artistic, creative work. People here should critique the work as is and not get worked up about business plans and selling pictures to Mr and Mrs Philistine.
Unless I'm either A. Looking at the wrong section of the site or B. The site is very misleading into what is actually produced I think the Lifetouch pics are really nice and this is coming from someone who does horror photography. (Hence why I dont post often)
