Bloody frustrated!
This blog has always been as much about catharsis as just writing - I allow myself a little rant on here, secure in the knowledge that very few people ever read it, and just vent my annoyances at today's world.
Well, I'm back to do it again.
For the last few years I've attempted to establish myself as a self employed photographer while undertaking various employment to pay my bills. As you can probably guess, the photography has never taken off.
Now before I start moaning, I will freely admit I am useless at the marketing side of business. I hate the whole business of pestering people, discussing fees and generally self promoting. In general life I'm outgoing and confident, but I loathe selling anything - and especially myself. All my confidence evaporates and I just sit quietly hoping to be noticed.
Stealth marketing is more my style, it seems...
However, my real problem is the other photographers out there. Some are extremely good and should be my competition. Unfortunately they have one advantage over me - they are established and word of mouth carries a lot of weight.
As a result, my competition is every man and his dog. Anyone with a camera thinks they're a photographer. They will photograph your event for the thrill of being the 'official photographer' - often for free or just expenses.
That's fine if they're good and helping out a friend, but when they set themselves up to take business away from me i find it deeply frustrating when I see how bad they are.
I have seen 'photographers' with thousands of pounds worth of equipment (for a simple job) who waltz around being the big shot and who then produce work I would be ashamed to show as holiday snaps. Yet they keep being offered work,
Why???
I can only imagine it's because - like the Emperors new clothes - no-one wants to stand up and say "these are bad" when everyone tells them how good the photographer is.
I've had work sold, I've taken corporate photos for a small event that were later used as wall posters in head office and I've even convinced a company to change the way it photographed it's staff to the point they received a great deal of positive feedback for the new images. I've even been asked for a few lessons from one person.
As such, I feel confident I can produce good work. So why can't I succeed at something I enjoy, I'm good at and at which so many less able people seem to so easily find employment?
I don't believe it's just down to marketing - I know cost plays a part, but surely one look at a free/cheap photographers portfolio/website will show why you shouldn't use them? The problem seems to be more about going with what you know - "I know a bloke..." than bothering to research and see if they even have a portfolio or online presence.
I could moan on a lot longer, but I think I've bored any readers enough.
Please feel free to comment/criticise my blog. And of course... tell me if you need a photographer in Devon!
Thanks for reading, bye.
