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For me, I find this issue irritating as well. We've had the same photographer for a couple of years now and I really liked her but she's gone kind of flaky on me the last 2 sessions so I was looking for a new one for our newbie coming soon. I had to wade through SO MANY crap "photographers" via a Google search for photographers in my area just to get frustrated and finally ask for recommendations from locals.
The one I chose was pricey but she's taken classes on photographing newborns safely (which was a big concern of mine) and it's obvious she has a natural talent and verified years of experience.
If a newer photographer starting out wants experience, that's fine with me but don't go charging people for it. Or at least charging a lot. My SIL, for example, has been playing around with a nice camera she got for Christmas and wants to take pictures of our baby due next month. It's fine with me but she's not charging, I'm not paying, and I'm still using a different photographer for the pictures I plan to order prints of.
Photography is an art, like painting or sculpting. Anyone can sculpt, pick up a nice camera, or paintbrush.. it doesn't make them an artist. Talent does and that takes time to build and show through your work.
I have never charged for photography, but I have an eye for certain things. I have an old school professional film camera that ROCKS and I love it... I used to do studio shots with it in high school. I have a Canon PowerShot and can do some kickass shots but am somewhat limited in capabilities. But I can do some amazing nature and kiddo shots because well... that's what I was taught to do when I did my photography class in school (but was taught on a film camera). I don't have money for a DSLR right now though. But I still use the manual settings on my camera to the extent I can and can get some awesome photos. I'd love to do some side stuff for the kiddos at my school for senior pics when I do get my DSLR and do super cheap senior portraits because studio like shots in natural settings is my favorite thing to do. I don't really like babies though, LOVE kids though! I wish I could find my old photos from class, my portfolio was awesome from my studio shots from my niece and nephew, I do believe I have the "eye" for kids. Mainly because I get down on their level and let them be free in their element and do NOT pose them. I HATE that! And I never, ever edit photos. I don't believe in it.
So when I finish saving up for a camera I'd love to start a little side business for just a little bit of pocket money. Honestly it's more for nature photography than anything else. When we go camping I am always out seeing things in a different way and my boyfriend looks at the photos after and he says "You see the beauty in things that most people overlook." I try to capture that as much as I can to the extent my camera can go. I love my camera, but a DSLR would be much better. My Minolta would be MUCH better, but film is expensive, lol!
My Sony NEX 5N does all that fancy photoshop stuff (okay, not all of it) on screen, before you even snap the photo. I love it. I haz no skillz. It also takes 3D pictures, but you need a 3d tv to see them lol.
I love looking at all of the 106 or so "photographer's" pictures on my site. I get a big kick out of it when they finally learn the selective coloring thing--where certain parts are in color, but most is in black and white. Most think they are super kickazz once they figure that out and the next 5,000 albums are nothing but that kind of picture. I was doing that shiz free-hand with multiple layers with frickin Kodak photo-editing software like 10 years ago. I was pretty excited when my canon powershot did that stuff on its own with a color selection tool, though. It was just fun to play with, but by no means did those pics look artistic or professional.
I have a cute little Sony Cyber-Shot and have no idea how to use all the settings. I still use Microsoft Digital Image Suite 2006 because I haven't been able to figure out how to work my darn photoshop elements program. That being said, I have gotten lucky and gotten a few good pictures every 5000 shots or so. So, if anyone wants to set an appt. with me, my schedule is WIDE open.
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Tammy, Mom to
Abby (19), Kacie (13), Chase (11), & Jacob (7)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "...They're supposed to make you miserable! That's why they're family!" ~ Bobby ~ Supernatural
"I will make it through this because it is for her and for her, I will do anything. I am not brave, I am not strong, I am just Rhiannon’s mom". Our TTC/Adoption/Pregnancy Blog: Jump Over The Rainbow
Only if she falls out of the tree. Then she'll sue you for having the tree on your property and not taking measures to ensure creepers can't climb it and then fall out of it.
__________________ Ashley, mommy to Mackenzie 01/01/08
Lurker, but thought I'd contribute lol. I love a good debate.
There are tons of people out there who just go buy expensive DSLRs and lenses and automatically call themselves pro photogs. They set the camera to auto-everything and get a decent pic now and then yet don't know anything about what they're actually doing. It's sad really. I have only been showing with my midrange Canon DSLR for two years and I'm far from pro. I'm not awful and evn had a few true pros compliment some of my shots. I would like to become a pro photog and work toward it as often as I'm able. I shoot full manual and did since about day 1 with my DSLR.
I know more digital using pros than film pros. There are people relying too heavily on photoshop. There are also film people whom obviously dont know anything about exposure and lighting. i resent hearing any talented film pro only call fellow talented film users true photographers and call equally talented digital photographers wannabes.
There are also people who have some seriously expensive gear, both top bodies and lenses, who take some point and shoot quality pics. The gear doesn't make you a photog. Your experience and natural talent do.
With my specific photography niche (aviation), there are no classes on it. The only way to learn this specific craft is examining the work of pro aviation photogs to see exactly what makes a great picture of that 737 landing, or the helicopter taking off into a beautiful back drop, then go out and try it yourself and experiment until you get it right. I know from experience it's not easy, but it's worth the frustration when I nail the shot.
Something that really irritates me amongst the pro photog world is this arrogance and rudeness towards less experienced photogs. You show them a picture you took, and all they say is that it's a bad image. They don't tell you why and how to fix it even when you ask for it. Or they ignore your picture altogether. That's a debate for another day.
Much of photography is so subjective, what seems to be a good picture to one person isn't to another. The only real technicalities to it that I can see is nailing the exposure and framing.
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In loving memory of our angel baby, with us for 4 weeks. Baby went to be with God July 24th, 2009.
You should charge when you are producing technically sound high quality photos. Photos that are properly exposed, focused, with appealing composition, edited in a tasteful way that doesn't damage the quality of the photo. Something you could print on a big canvas and still have it looking nice.
At the same time, there is a market for every photographer, even the bad ones. Thankfully many potential clients realize that, or go through a bad experience with a shoot and burner and turn to someone who is producing quality work with quality products.
I think you have to be certain you're going to get the pics the client wants before you can call yourself a pro. I've started in on hobby photography and I have a few good pics here and there, but I can't fathom calling myself a professional or expecting people to pay me big bucks. I've spent months pouring over books and websites trying to learn everything I can. If I ever become more than an amateur, it will take me years to get there. Having the camera isn't what makes the photographer.
But what I've noticed out of my friends that get paid for their photography is that they're never satisfied with their pictures. No matter how great a picture is, they find fault and want to do better the next time.
I think that's true of most artists. I think most true artists spend more time critiquing their work and finding flaws than bragging about themselves.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tammyjh
I have a cute little Sony Cyber-Shot and have no idea how to use all the settings. I still use Microsoft Digital Image Suite 2006 because I haven't been able to figure out how to work my darn photoshop elements program. That being said, I have gotten lucky and gotten a few good pictures every 5000 shots or so. So, if anyone wants to set an appt. with me, my schedule is WIDE open.
