tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17534827.post9018213963144230359..comments2024-03-27T22:02:52.479-04:00Comments on Digital ProTalk: "Are There Too Many Wedding Photographers Shooting Weddings These Days?" – Part 3David Ziserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02674227631785266632noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17534827.post-24766661198810041172010-02-01T14:37:48.698-05:002010-02-01T14:37:48.698-05:00I have briefly considered this, as well, but have ...I have briefly considered this, as well, but have pushed it aside as nonsense. However, the more I allow myself to think about it, the more worried I become. There aren't many professions where this is the case, either, but because this is an art, we have to work damn hard to stand out from the pack, therefore, putting us in the group of those who stand out from the pack. It's endless.<br /><br />I am just starting my career, and although this worries me, all I can do is continue to pursue my passion. Thanks for the thoughts.<br /><br />Kirsten<br />www.photography-kirsten.blogspot.comKirsten Leahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03494662633638355768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17534827.post-75349598011035811692010-02-01T14:33:59.399-05:002010-02-01T14:33:59.399-05:00Part 2 of 2
So what does all of this mean? Do tra...Part 2 of 2<br /><br />So what does all of this mean? Do traditional wedding/portrait photographers simply need to fold up shop? No! While I don't believe that the answer will be the same for all shooters I think there are a few things that we can all do to adapt to the change in our marketplace. <br /><br />First - we need to realize that we are not selling photographs. We are selling our time, expertise and knowledge. Anyone can show up at an event with great hardware and take uninspired photos that a segment of consumers will consider 'good enough'. The real value in hiring an experienced wedding photographer is their knowledge and experience. We know from experience the shots that people will want to see 5, 10 or 50 years from now. We know how to capture memories and convey experience and emotion. We don't take snapshots - we tell stories! Realizing that your value is not in the printed photographs or even the disc of digital ones is the first step that we must take as photographers.<br /><br />Second - we need to educate our clients on why they should value our expertise and experience (the quality demand of the consumer) more than they value their price demands.<br /><br />Third - we need to recognize that the market has changed forever. Premium pricing will have a place in this market but it will have to be justified by a recognized name and a stellar portfolio and not just because you are the only game in town. There is a tremendous demand for inexpensive, 'good enough' photography these days. There are plenty of new photographers who are willing to step in and meet this demand. We can't sit around and complain about it or demand that new photographers agree to charge some arbitrary amount so that our existing prices can appear competitive. In other markets that would be seen as collusion or price fixing (which I won't discuss here).<br /><br />The question is how we respond to the changing market. Those shops and independent shooters who respond to the market demands will thrive - but in different ways than in the past. I, personally intend to adapt to the market and find a way to make it work.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17091628455269574277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17534827.post-55185062839825683542010-02-01T14:33:35.804-05:002010-02-01T14:33:35.804-05:00Part 1 of 2
As you point out David, there is no d...Part 1 of 2<br /><br />As you point out David, there is no doubt that a major revolution is occurring in the Wedding/Portrait Photography business these days. The downward pressure on prices for equipment and the lack of development/film processing costs has significantly lowered the barrier for new photographers to enter the field. This in and of itself is not a bad thing - but it does change the landscape of the market. We must understand the change that is occurring and adapt to it if we expect to survive as photographers.<br /><br />So many photographers are focusing on what they have lost in terms of pricing and control that they are unable or unwilling to see what is happening to the market. Let's look at this market for a moment. Consumers have come to expect ownership and quality for what they consider a reasonable price. Translation: They want quality shots, the files, the rights to those files and all at a fraction of the cost of traditional pricing models. So consumers are looking at quality, ownership and price. In the past our market has been constrained by the number of photographers in the wedding/portrait business. This lack of competition has allowed photographers to charge a premium for their services. Note that I said services and not photos - I will come back to this point in a moment. Consumers paid those premium prices because they had no choice. Now that there is an explosion of new photographers, their is intense competition and these new photographers are responding to the pent up demand from consumers. They are willing to meet the three major demands of counsumers (quality, ownership and price). Price and ownership are technically easy to compete on - while quality is not. We know that there is a great deal of skill and art involved in capturing the details of a wedding. The posts here on DPR are a testament to this fact, as each day David provides additional insight into the art of wedding photography. Consumers however do not always recognize this and are willing to pay for 'good' or 'good enough' but not 'great'.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17091628455269574277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17534827.post-59732260766911869592010-01-31T12:46:33.132-05:002010-01-31T12:46:33.132-05:00David,
Thank you for your insights on this topic ...David,<br /><br />Thank you for your insights on this topic of ever-increasing importance.<br /><br />Not much to comment on here, you've pretty much said it all.<br /><br />One thing I would like to point out is your allusion to our 'competitors.' I would just like to remind your readers of something I learned first from YOU: "We don't have competitors in this business... we have colleagues."<br /><br />Keep posting, we're listening!<br /><br />-The other DaveAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17534827.post-59498467543240437802010-01-30T22:00:45.298-05:002010-01-30T22:00:45.298-05:00David, thank you for all you do to get this inform...David, thank you for all you do to get this information to us. Thank you for sharing a part of yourself every day with us. I always look forward to reading your blog everyday!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17534827.post-91747773589532974902010-01-30T11:43:38.486-05:002010-01-30T11:43:38.486-05:00"George Delgado said...
Hi David
I t..."George Delgado said...<br /><br /> Hi David<br /> I think you nailed it and I was so surprised not to see a single comment. Buy just maybe they are not willing to die for what they are doing. "<br /><br /><br />Wait so wedding photographers that don't comment on this blog post are not willing to give their life for being a wedding photographer? <br /><br />There is a rap video parody in there somewhere.Rsplatpchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03858318330701312160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17534827.post-17048690774237330032010-01-30T09:23:26.064-05:002010-01-30T09:23:26.064-05:00Mr. Ziser,
Perfectly written and I fully believe ...Mr. Ziser,<br /><br />Perfectly written and I fully believe your words come from the heart as opposed to many writers out there from the wallet. I have admired your work for a long time and I have shooting weddings for 27 years, so have seen a lot of changes. Maybe my wife is right, the title should of read, " Are there too many people shooting weddings, WHO think they are photographers". I love your site keep the poss coming.Shenton Photohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11169381624999360574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17534827.post-25628267512186272652010-01-30T09:01:56.307-05:002010-01-30T09:01:56.307-05:00I want to add that the proliferation of mediocre a...I want to add that the proliferation of mediocre and cheap wedding photographers is also having a huge impact on the child/family portrait business. <br /><br />When I first started out, it was rare that I received a request for files. Now I get it all the time -- and everyone wants them for a cut rate price. I can honestly say that as this continues, and people come to expect them, more of us will choose to close our businesses because you simply can't make enough money on that model, not for the amount of time we are putting in. <br /><br />I implore new photographers to price themselves accurately and stop giving away everything for nothing. Clients don't respect the art and the amount of time, energy and money that goes into this business unless we respect it ourselves.<br /><br />Thank you for posting such a thought provoking topic.Janine Dietzhttp://www.savinggracephotography.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17534827.post-53678754954133867302010-01-30T02:27:32.544-05:002010-01-30T02:27:32.544-05:00Hi David
I think you nailed it and I was so surpri...Hi David<br />I think you nailed it and I was so surprised not to see a single comment. Buy just maybe they are not willing to die for what they are doing. Great Post, love the ending. WOW!<br />ThanksGeorge Delgadonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17534827.post-24142752724446937792010-01-30T00:01:10.495-05:002010-01-30T00:01:10.495-05:00Thank you for sharing Will's Wisdom. I've...Thank you for sharing Will's Wisdom. I've never seen it before and it was wonderful!The Memory Journalistshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10889732073474212522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17534827.post-1743729364237170362010-01-29T20:05:44.031-05:002010-01-29T20:05:44.031-05:00Well said David! I really appreciate the time an...Well said David! I really appreciate the time and effort you have put into these posts. <br /><br />I'm very confident that your words following the "<br /><i>I Believe...</i>" statements are words of wisdom, no doubt.<br /><br />Especially these:<br /><br /><i>I Believe… It’s easy to be the the best wedding photographer in your area. You’ve just got to work harder at it than the next person - your competition. You might ask, “If it’s so easy, why do I need to work harder?” The answer is simple. There are many, many lazy photographers who will settle for second best. It doesn’t have to be you.</i><br /><br /><i>I Believe… that when you shoot a wedding, you’ve got to bring your own sense of passion to the shoot. You’ve got to give it 120% of your effort. You’ve got to leave a bit of your heart in every job. That’s what can make your photography special, lasting, and in demand.</i><br /><br /><br /> <b>....these are words we live by! </b><br /><br />OH....connecting with our vendors too, a big big part of our success.<br /><br />Thanks again for posting amigo!!!!<br /><br />MattMatt Adcockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08873390391401806059noreply@blogger.com