Becoming a photographer

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There’s an old story that’s been attributed to author Margaret Atwood although there’s no proof or source to this story:

While at a dinner party, Margaret Atwood is asked by the man seated next to her, “What do you do?”

Atwood replies, “I’m a writer.”

“Really?” says the man. “When I retire, I’m going to become a writer.”

Atwood then asks, “What do you do?”

“I’m a neurosurgeon.”

She replies, “How interesting. I always thought that when I retire, I’d take up brain surgery.”

You could easily replace “writer” with “photographer”. It’s funny how many people confuse “photographer” with “camera owner.”

 

Increasing your numbers

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If your business is planning to hire a photographer to do some editorial or corporate photography, here’s a question for you: What do you expect that photographer to do?

The obvious answer might be that you want the photographer to do good pictures. Does the term “good” mean the pictures should look nice?

Perhaps a better answer is that the photographer should do effective pictures. The word “effective” means the photos should help accomplish your business goal.

What is your business goal?
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Eight tips for lousy photo coverage

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The press release was sent out last week, the big day has finally arrived and now photographers are showing up to cover your news event. Here are eight tips to help guarantee failure:

1) Hold the event in the darkest location possible. Why waste money on lighting? Photographers can always use a flash or they can do something with Photoshop. 

Another money-saving tip: use the smallest room possible.

2) When photographers arrive at your event, make them wait awhile. Sure, the press release said that it would happen at 1:00 pm but we all know these things never start on time. Besides, photographers have nothing else to do except cover your event.
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How to avoid digital disaster

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Currently in the news, here in Toronto, is the story of a hospital patient who had a family laptop stolen from his room. The laptop contained three years worth of irreplaceable photos of the patient’s granddaughter who recently died. The family is pleading for the return of the digital pictures.

(Added May 13: updated story here: laptop recovered but hard drive erased.)

In the days of film, people had no choice but to get prints made from their negatives. But in today’s digital world, many people keep their pictures only on the memory card in their camera or cell phone. This is always a huge mistake. Prints are not often made these days, as photos are usually viewed only on a device’s LCD screen, which saves the small cost of prints. This, too, is always a mistake.
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Paying Attention

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While working as a photographers’ representative for over three decades, Tony Luna said, in his 2006 book “How to Grow as a Photographer” (Allworth Press), that while he was showing portfolios to creative directors, art directors, photo buyers and various other editors, none of these people ever asked about a photographer’s university degree or college diploma. All that mattered was whether or not the photographer could produce good work on time and on budget.

This led Luna to point out: “Paying your tuition is not the same as paying your dues.”

 

Dressing for the part

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Let’s say you’re at a conference. Some people are wearing business formal, others are in business casual, some are dressed in jeans and t-shirt, and a few are in beachwear. Which people do you notice?

Certainly, the folks in beachwear will stand out but probably for all the wrong reasons. People dressed in jeans and t-shirt will always look sloppy next to those in business attire. Business casual never looks out-of-place and is always appreciated. Business formal, which might seem overdoing it, is always admired and respected.
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Just Saying

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Nothing to do with photography or business practices, and way off-topic but:

1) For the upcoming G8 and G20 Summits in Canada this June, the federal government states that security screening will be performed by “competent authorities”.  What? As opposed to the usual incompetent authorities?

2) Canadian phone company Bell has increased its interest rate to 42.58%. This not only proves that Bell is in the business of gouging consumers but also that it leads the Canadian corporate race to becoming a loan shark. (The Canadian legal definition of loan sharking is 60% interest.) Credit card companies and banks are probably wondering how Bell gets away with this.
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