“You don’t take a photograph, you make it.” -Ansel Adams
I have always objected to the term “capture” as in, what a Great Capture” when someone is talking about a photo they like. I’m not going to speak for other people, but I know that the camera captures the image, but I have created what the camera captures. Please don’t give my camera the credit for work I have done. Just a small photographic pet peeve of mine.
{ 0 comments }
A stock pictures that sells sometimes
I admit that I spent more money on Christmas than I should have. So last week I trolled through Craigslist (www.craigslist.org) to see if any one wanted a photographer for any quick jobs. I found several, but only one that looked 1) legitimate and 2) like it would actually pay. I skipped all the ones that said “For Your Portfolio” and the like.
I just finished the shoot. Twelve shoes for a new website being created by two entrepreneurial women. I was able to shoot in my office at home, so there were no variable expenses. They paid me $100 cash on the spot. One hour of shooting, an hour or so of photoshop. Not what I’m used to getting paid, but with the economy as it is, sometimes we have to take less than we would like.
When asked, my clients told me that they were swamped with responses to their posting. They said they had to turn off the ad because they couldn’t respond to everyone who was writing. So why did they pick me? They said it was the professionalism of my web presence. They had lots of people who responded that had no pictures to show and lots that had bad pictures. There were more that had good enough images, but they were email without attention to presentation.
Bottom line, to get the work, you have to appear able to do the work. To be a professional, you must appear professional.
If you want to earn money from photography, you have to spend some time and money on your website. Make it look good. You are presenting your self. For a good place to start, try Photoshelter (www.photoshelter.com). There are less expensive places, but with just a little work, a Photoshelter website will make you look like a pro. (By the way, I don’t have an affiliate agreement with Photoshelter, I just like what they do.)
{ 0 comments }
