Ten signs you’ve hired the wrong photographer

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You know you’ve hired the wrong photographer for your corporate photography or public relations photography when:

10. Their e-mail address is something like hotshotpixx@yahoo or flashphoto5000@hotmail.

9. They show up for your executive portraits wearing jeans and running shoes.

8. They frequently say, “Don’t worry, I can fix it later with Photoshop.”

7. At your event, they never stray more than an arm’s length away from the refreshments.

6. At your corporate event, they spend more time handing out business cards to your guests.

5. Low quality business portraits are blamed on the subjects’ lack of modeling skills.

4. After the assignment, they just transfer the images to a CD and hand it to you.

3. Offers a discount if you pay in cash and don’t want a receipt.

2. They give only verbal estimates.

1. They’re the cheapest photographer in town.

 

The importance of memories

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“Of all the many things that make up a wedding, few are more important than the photographs.”

That’s the opening sentence in a NY Times story about an ongoing lawsuit where a groom is suing his wedding photographer for $4,100 (cost of the photography) plus $48,000 to recreate the wedding so it can be re-photographed.

The groom claimed the photographer missed the last dance and the bouquet toss. He also stated he wasn’t happy with the finished pictures and that the two-hour wedding video was too short. His claim for emotional distress has already been denied.

And now some details: the wedding was in 2003; the couple separated in 2008; he filed the lawsuit in 2009 just before the six-year statute of limitations expired; the divorced was finalized in 2010; he has no idea where his ex-wife lives.

Read the New York TImes article for lots more information.

Last month, author Seth Godin wrote a blog post titled “Memories of Bitterness”. Although his post has nothing to do with the groom’s lawsuit, the underlying point to Godin’s post might be somewhat applicable. Customer service is about providing the customer with a positive buying experience.

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In an unrelated story, the LA Times reported that a wedding photographer was sentenced to 510 days in jail for failing to deliver photos to dozens of his clients. The photographer must also pay full restitution to all victims plus $19,542 for investigative costs.

 

Let It Ring

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When you’re working at the computer and a client sends an e-mail, instead of replying by e-mail, pick up the phone and call them.

Responding by e-mail is faster and easier which is why everyone does it and which is why you should avoid doing it (where possible). It will always pleasantly(?) surprise the client.

Example:

“Hi Jane, it’s Warren the photographer. I just received your e-mail about tomorrow’s business portraits. You were wondering how long the photography will take.

“If we can make sure the five people are all on time, we’ll need the use of the conference room for only two hours.

“Setting up and taking down the equipment is very quick. I’ll make sure the room is put back to normal before I leave.

“I look forward to meeting you tomorrow. Bye”

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No Surprises

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An article on the Poynter journalism site asks why Sunday newspaper front pages are so boring. Sunday fronts no longer seem special but look the same as any weekday edition.

The author suggests that newspapers are no longer taking (design) chances. Newspapers are trying to appeal to everyone and in that process, quality design gets lost. Sunday front pages are now packed with anything and everything in the attempt to attract interest from anyone and everyone.

Why is newspaper quality going downhill? There are no surprises here.
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Best and Worst Jobs 2011

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Take this list of the top 200 jobs for 2011 with a big grain of salt. Lists like this are always very subjective and behind the times. To show how out-of-date this list really is, it says that the obsolete job of darkroom worker (“Photographic Process Worker”, position 90) is better than that of photographer (position 144).

The job of photojournalist ranks 185 out of 200. It beat out other “bottom-end” jobs such as meter reader, taxi driver, roofer, lumberjack and roustabout.

What jobs are better than that of photojournalist? Barber, security guard, janitor, shoe repairman, carpet installer, maid, garbage collector and dishwasher. But then again, with the current state of newspapers, maybe these jobs are better.

 

Hire the right photographer

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I received a copy of an e-mail today, originally sent from a graphic designer who is advising their client on how to hire a photographer to shoot a book cover portrait along with an environmental portrait and some publicity pictures.

Regarding the photographer, I have worked with several photographers in corporate communications & public relations situations and have some suggestions about the photo session for you to consider:

Look in the business section of the paper for photos of business people that look natural, then call that photographer and book a session with him or her. …

Rationale: using a photographer who is known to the media may give you a slight edge in getting publicity for your book. (If the photographer’s newspaper work shows the subjects looking natural, that means that s/he is good at putting people at ease, and you will get a better photo.) Also, the photographer may know of particular types of poses or shots that the papers like to use. The extra photos taken can be used on your website and in your marketing campaign, even on your bookmarks.

News photographers are mobile – they can come to you.

Their rationale is right on target. When a business needs pictures for press releases, media handouts or other types of publicity, the best photographer for the job is the one with direct news media experience, someone who has worked for a daily newspaper or wire service. This photographer’s experience is well worth the money.

 

Show me the money

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“Why are you charging me $600 more?!”

When giving a discount to a customer, it’s important for the photographer to show the normal price, the discount rate and the discounted price on the invoice rather than just showing the final discounted price. For example:

Instead of:

Photography fee:  $3,400.00

It’s better to use something like:

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