Well, we're back with another installment of Ten Things You Should NEVER Say to a Photographer.
NUMBER TWO:
"Hey, what's your best price on a 20x24...I know you can't be serious asking $400!"
If you do Photography for Income for any period of time, you will hear this regularly. My normal reply to this was, "I'm sorry, you're in the wrong place...the garage sale is the next street over!" Then I would look at the person and smile broadly. Most would get a little chagrined, then laugh it off.
On a very RARE occasion, you would get the dipstick that would say, "Come on, really, what can I buy this for? I mean, nobody pays that price, it's outrageous--it's not worth that!"
My reply was respectful: "Sir, the price is not only fair, it is very reasonable. It must be, because I have people who enter my studio every single day and pay that price willingly. They pay that because it is a photograph of their family, which to them, at least, is priceless. So I am going to respectfully disagree. I feel your family is worth every nickle of that and more. I'm pretty sure you feel the same way, too [PAUSE]...right?"
Then I didn't say a thing. If the guy was there with his wife, she normally turned to him and said, "Yes, dear...you DO think our family is worth that, DON'T YOU?" This was usually accompanied by a look that could freeze Hell in an instant. The guy would normally mumble something and say, "Why yes, of course I do." Then a check was written.
Please take note, especially you new comers to Photography for Income: I never argue with the customer. Nothing is to be gained by arguing. "A mind changed against its will is a mind that remains unchanged still" I think the quote goes. Simply state your case and be quiet.
I want to take a moment and give a plug for a Kindle book available now. I used to do craft shows and thought maybe in my retirement in 50 or 60 years I would like to do that again.I recently read "How to Turn Your Crafts Into Cash - Fire Your Boss and do What You Love. Written by Peter Draggon, it was loaded with great information! It was fun to read, too.
You do not need to own a Kindle to read a Kindle Book: Amazon has a free PC Reader you can download. Pick it up here for the giveaway price of $2.99: http://tinyurl.com/peo96zg
That's it for this time on Photography for Income. Check back soon!
Monday, July 29, 2013
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Ten Things You Should NEVER Say to a Photographer...
Look, if you are doing Photography for Income, you must realize that at one point, you will discover there are far more horses' asses than there are horses. People will criticize your work: some intentionally and some without realizing they are tearing you down.
For the next few weeks, I'll post 10 things that I have heard from people. Here is some crap you will hear from people who are essentially...well, stupid:
MY NUMBER ONE, ALL TIME FAVORITE:
"Wow, I have seen some of your photographs...you must have a really good camera!"
This comment was made by a writer for the local newspaper (it was a Booth Newspaper, so I should have expected such tripe). I was at a party and he asked me what I did. He made the above comment after I told him I owned three photography studios. I knew he worked for the paper, but I asked him what he did. He puffed out his chest and said "I am a writer!"
I replied, "Well ordinarily I wouldn't consider someone who works for a newspaper a writer any more than I would consider someone who works at McDonalds a chef, but I have read several of your pieces and they were very, very good...you must have a really good typewriter!"
He recoiled in disbelief and said, "The typewriter doesn't have a damn thing to do with it!"
My simple reply? "You don't say?"
His wife turned to him and said, "You are a total douche." Priceless! This was before cellphones with video (who am I kidding, it was before cellphones!) but I wish I had one to record the look on his stupid face.
Even though it is tough, you have to be polite, because one of these high flying hosebags may end up to be an actual paying customer some day.
Until next time, may all your highlights read 245 and all your shadows read 7...
For the next few weeks, I'll post 10 things that I have heard from people. Here is some crap you will hear from people who are essentially...well, stupid:
MY NUMBER ONE, ALL TIME FAVORITE:
"Wow, I have seen some of your photographs...you must have a really good camera!"
This comment was made by a writer for the local newspaper (it was a Booth Newspaper, so I should have expected such tripe). I was at a party and he asked me what I did. He made the above comment after I told him I owned three photography studios. I knew he worked for the paper, but I asked him what he did. He puffed out his chest and said "I am a writer!"
I replied, "Well ordinarily I wouldn't consider someone who works for a newspaper a writer any more than I would consider someone who works at McDonalds a chef, but I have read several of your pieces and they were very, very good...you must have a really good typewriter!"
He recoiled in disbelief and said, "The typewriter doesn't have a damn thing to do with it!"
My simple reply? "You don't say?"
His wife turned to him and said, "You are a total douche." Priceless! This was before cellphones with video (who am I kidding, it was before cellphones!) but I wish I had one to record the look on his stupid face.
Even though it is tough, you have to be polite, because one of these high flying hosebags may end up to be an actual paying customer some day.
Until next time, may all your highlights read 245 and all your shadows read 7...
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