All of us photographers that frequently feel guilty and back down on our pricing should watch this:
Vendor Client Relationship
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
NY Times Photoblog
For those of you who live under a rock, the New York Times has just launched a new photoblog called lens. Not only is it pretty impressive to view in full-screen mode, but the pictures aren't bad either. Definitely, check it out!
Monday, April 20, 2009
No Second Chances...
There is an interesting article and comment thread on "A Photo Editor," about the harsh world of editorial photography. The gist is the main reason to not get a call back is a screw up and once you're done, your done. That is probably true with a given client, and especially with higher end clients. But, I don't think one screwed up job ends your days as a photographer. And, I would like to meet the photographer that has never screwed up. Of course, the best way to get a call back is consistent good work, but it takes practice to get there... A wise man once told me, never believe anyone that always tells you your pictures are awful, and never believe anyone that always tells you your pictures are great.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Non-profit Newspapers?
An interesting article in the Boston Globe on the future of dying newspaper industry.
Get out and shoot!
Occasionally, I start to feel complacent, thinking I'm doing a good job, making a decent living, taking nice pictures. Then, I come across someone with really powerful work and I doubt myself. I remember my journalistic roots, and my dreams of shooting something really meaningful. This happened recently when someone forwarded me a link to Aperture's "Photography with Purpose." In particular, I was moved by a story on Rwandan children born of rape (follow the link below to see some of the photos).
http://www.torgovnik.com/
The photographer -- Jonathan Torgovnik -- is very, very good. Every time I see images that affect me on such a visceral level, I feel like I just need to get out and shoot, and not worry so much about making a living.
http://www.torgovnik.com/
The photographer -- Jonathan Torgovnik -- is very, very good. Every time I see images that affect me on such a visceral level, I feel like I just need to get out and shoot, and not worry so much about making a living.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Just the facts Ma'am...
The story you are about to read is true; the names have been changed to protect the innocent (and the guilty)...
Recently a photo assistant, let's call him Adam, was contacted by a well known photographer, let's call him Ted. Ted had heard good things about Adam and needed an assistant for several days in an upcoming week. He asked Adam to tentatively pencil it in to his calendar.
Time went by and Adam started getting calls from other photographers requesting those same days. Adam called Ted and asked if the dates had been confirmed. Ted told Adam to hold Tuesday and Wednesday as definites. Adam agreed, and turned down jobs from other photographers for both of the confirmed dates.
Just 24 hours before the first shoot, Adam received an email from Ted that said "Looks like the only day that's confirmed is Wednesday... The other shoot will have to be rescheduled." Adam was not sure what to do. He had turned down work for Tuesday, and felt entitled to a cancellation fee. But, he had not discussed that with Ted. He also figured he would still get the job at a later date. In order to keep a good working relationship with Ted, he decided not to charge him, or even to mention the issue.
Tuesday came around, and Adam had no work. At the end of the day he got a call from a friend and fellow assistant, Pam. Pam told Adam about the cool assisting job she had that day with a guy named Ted. It turned out, Ted's job was not canceled after all. He had just used a different assistant. Adam was understandable very upset.
The next day (Wednesday) Adam assisted Ted. He asked Ted if Tuesday's job had been rescheduled yet, knowing full well that it had actually happened. Ted said, "Oh I ended up shooting it without an assistant, because of security issues." Adam knew that Ted had just lied right to his face.
Adam did not mind that Ted had hired Pam, just that Ted had canceled on him first, and that Ted had lied to him. Moreover, Adam was upset because he had gone out of his way to be nice to Ted, not even charging him a cancellation fee.
The moral of the story: Adam mishandled the situation from the beginning. He should have been clear about his policies. And, he should have charged Ted for the cancellation. It would have been different if Adam had a well established "give and take" relationship with Ted. But, since he did not know Ted and had not worked with him before, he should not have gone out of his way to be nice.
As business people, whether photographers or assistants, we have to stand up for ourselves. Otherwise, our clients will walk all over us.
Recently a photo assistant, let's call him Adam, was contacted by a well known photographer, let's call him Ted. Ted had heard good things about Adam and needed an assistant for several days in an upcoming week. He asked Adam to tentatively pencil it in to his calendar.
Time went by and Adam started getting calls from other photographers requesting those same days. Adam called Ted and asked if the dates had been confirmed. Ted told Adam to hold Tuesday and Wednesday as definites. Adam agreed, and turned down jobs from other photographers for both of the confirmed dates.
Just 24 hours before the first shoot, Adam received an email from Ted that said "Looks like the only day that's confirmed is Wednesday... The other shoot will have to be rescheduled." Adam was not sure what to do. He had turned down work for Tuesday, and felt entitled to a cancellation fee. But, he had not discussed that with Ted. He also figured he would still get the job at a later date. In order to keep a good working relationship with Ted, he decided not to charge him, or even to mention the issue.
Tuesday came around, and Adam had no work. At the end of the day he got a call from a friend and fellow assistant, Pam. Pam told Adam about the cool assisting job she had that day with a guy named Ted. It turned out, Ted's job was not canceled after all. He had just used a different assistant. Adam was understandable very upset.
The next day (Wednesday) Adam assisted Ted. He asked Ted if Tuesday's job had been rescheduled yet, knowing full well that it had actually happened. Ted said, "Oh I ended up shooting it without an assistant, because of security issues." Adam knew that Ted had just lied right to his face.
Adam did not mind that Ted had hired Pam, just that Ted had canceled on him first, and that Ted had lied to him. Moreover, Adam was upset because he had gone out of his way to be nice to Ted, not even charging him a cancellation fee.
The moral of the story: Adam mishandled the situation from the beginning. He should have been clear about his policies. And, he should have charged Ted for the cancellation. It would have been different if Adam had a well established "give and take" relationship with Ted. But, since he did not know Ted and had not worked with him before, he should not have gone out of his way to be nice.
As business people, whether photographers or assistants, we have to stand up for ourselves. Otherwise, our clients will walk all over us.
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