Here are a few examples of self-proclaimed “professional” photographers in action. All of these happened over the past two weeks at various photo assignments.
• Them: My hard drive crashed! What should I do?
Me: Do you have a backup?
Them: No.
Over a week later, after this person lost the previous job’s photos and had to carry their iMac back to the store to get a new drive installed and then had to re-install all their software:
Me: Do have a back up of your new hard drive?
Them: No.
• Them: My camera battery died!
Me: Don’t you carry a spare?
Them: No, because I’ve never needed one before.
• Them (with a 28-70mm lens): They didn’t tell us we’d be so far back.
Me (with a 300mm lens): Don’t you carry a longer lens?
Them: I thought this would be different.
• Them: My flash batteries died!
Me: Don’t you carry spares?
Them: I didn’t expect the batteries to die.
• Them: Can you fix my pictures?
Me: Why can’t you do it yourself?
Them: I don’t know how.
Me: Why don’t you take a Photoshop course?
Them: I don’t have time.
• Them: How much are you getting paid to shoot this?
Me: $450.
Them: Geez, I’m getting screwed!
Me: How much are you getting?
Them: $125.
Me: That barely covers your mileage and parking.
Them: It’s okay, I took the bus.
• Overheard:
Them: Any chance I can get some work from you?
Photo editor: We’re not hiring.
Them: Can I just send you some pictures once in awhile?
Photo editor: We don’t pay unless we use a picture.
Them: That’s okay.
Photo editor: You shouldn’t be shooting on spec.
Them: It’s better than working for free.
• Me (in business attire): Didn’t they tell you this was a formal event?
Them (wearing shorts and golf shirt): Yeah but it won’t matter.
Event organizer: I’m sorry but we have a dress code. I’m going to have to ask you to leave.
Photographers, here’s the deal:
You’re not on vacation shooting family holiday snaps. You’re running a business and working for a paying customer. You probably would like that customer to be a repeat customer. The rest shouldn’t be too hard to figure out.
