I am an active part of a few photography-based groups on Facebook. The intent of these groups is for CC (constructive criticism), sharing ideas, asking for advice, sharing experiences – typically the intent is pretty positive and meant to foster a growing, learning environment.
But lately, every single day it seems – multiple times a day, on multiple groups, I see posts like this –
Oh Em Gee … This “photographer” in my town is offering a ridiculous deal – a session for super cheap with disk. They totally suck and I can’t believe anyone would hire them, they suck and I am so much better. How can I compete with them??
… Or something along that line.
News Flash – If you feel that these newbie ‘togs are your competition and is “stealing” clients away from you – that is not your problem.
Why? Because if you are truly in business to succeed, turn a profit, pay bills and have a BUSINESS … Then the newbie ‘togs you’re so concerned about are not your competition.
How do I know that? Well, let me break it down for you ::
1.) Their talent is more than likely burgeoning. They are new to photography, new to business and in general – a rookie. Let them make rookie mistakes – just like you and I did. Yep, I started my business off with a D40 and $50 all-inclusive sessions, no knowledge of photoshop or Lightroom and absolutely no training or formal education under my belt.
2.) They are targeting a clientele that quite frankly you shouldn’t want. They are targeting someone who either by choice or circumstance does not want to spend money on photo sessions – and that’s ok. It’s not everybody’s prerogative to have professional photos, ginormous canvases or a grow-with-me baby plan to capture every milestone. When I first opened my business, I made next-to-nothing because I charged next-to-nothing and I attracted a clientele that did not want to spend anything on prints.
3.) With #2 being said, I am going to say that if people can’t or don’t want to spend the money – then your clients are not being “stolen” – but instead, I suggest you set your sights on your target clientele. It’s ok if you aren’t doing 50 shoots a month. Who WANTS to work all the time, for next-to-nothing, making next-to-nothing? Not me. No thanks. I would rather have fewer but AMAZING clients who are willing to spend what I am worth and recognize my talent. Work smarter, not harder.
4,) Let your talent do the speaking for you. People who have spent years and years bettering themselves, investing in quality equipment and have the experience necessary are not going to devalue themselves by giving away their work for nothing. And those same amazing, talented, respected photographers? Guess what, they all started somewhere. They have all made rookie mistakes. They have all done things when they first started that at their professional level would make them cringe. We have all done it. Don’t judge.
And last but not least …
5.) Stop comparing yourself to local “competitors.” In Colorado Springs alone there are over half a million people who live here, and the residents are constantly coming and going thanks to the local military communities. I couldn’t do a shoot for every family in the Springs even if I wanted to – and I don’t want to. I would much rather be positive and gently encourage rookie ‘togs to take their business seriously and remind them it is a BUSINESS and not a CHARITY (unless, of course, they actually are a charity). I just don’t have the time to shoot 600 weddings a year. I don’t have the desire to work 100 hours a week – trust me, if I worked that much I sure as heck better be a lawyer or a surgeon making a lot more than the $2 an hour I made as a rookie!
I am going to sign off this advice blog with the most important part of being a business owner – being negative will get you nowhere real quick. Talking down to people like you are better than them will not make YOU look better. Remember, your network is your net worth. You never know where your next referral is coming from – that rookie ‘tog you’re talking smack about may look up to you, and may be referring you for jobs they don’t feel confident about taking.
Until next time – keep calm and keep clicking!
xoxo,
