Professional Photographers – Serving Your Customers Better
A huge influx of “new talent” has recently deluged the professional photography market. While some photographers have taken a different marketing path using new ideas and strategies, others have opted to follow in the footsteps of their traditional competitors. Significant is that digital software is paving the way to seriously modify established and sacred, traditional photographic philosophies for both the portrait studio and photo lab.
In the past, professional photographers had only to ‘repackage’ the wants, needs and desires of consumers from one generation to the next. Until recently, one had to only look back in time over the past 40 years to observe that very little has changed in regards to wedding albums, wall frames and even most poses. The new photographer, by communicating effectively with the modern consumer, has encouraged serious questioning of traditional values maintained by studios locked into the past. Most young consumers, whether high school seniors or brides, want change: they want the benefits of modern, digital technology. Success in the future will depend on how well photographers address elements of change in consumer wants, needs and desires in their market place.
Many will argue that a portrait or a candid is still a portrait or candid, being relatively unchanged by time. But the new techie photographer will argue that by merging software technology with digital photography, the definition of what a portrait or candid can be has changed. As an analogy, the horse and carriage evolved into a simple ‘horseless’ carriage before evolving into an enclosed chassis on wheels. And, the automobile is still evolving. Will digital photography evolve in a similar manner as new technologies emerge? And, to the detriment of the professional, will technology continue to reduce professional photography to a consumer ‘do-it-yourself-project?’ The amateur sees photographic technology in a simplified manner: “I have a 12 mega pixel camera and so do most of the pros, I can make ink prints like some of the pros do and I have Photoshop like the pros do, so why do I need the services of a pro?” Sadly, photography is on this slippery slope and far too many professionals are not fighting back or do not know how.
Just perhaps techie photographers, both old and new, will create products and styles of photography that will widen the gap between the pro and the amateur. Let’s hope so. What the professional industry needs are products that only they can successfully provide that satisfies consumers’ wants, needs and desires.
So what are new photographers actually doing to meet the needs of the modern, younger consumer. As previously stated, communication is a key strategy. Younger consumers eagerly seek out niches because the Internet simplifies this task for both them and the niche business. Value and newness of product are keys to niche creation. Strikingly, the automobile industry has taken this strategy to heart as evidenced by over 30 new models being introduced in a span of a few years. Simply stated, today consumers of professional photography are expecting something different. They will search until they find it, most probably by using the Internet.
1. The innovative, new professional photographer is constantly developing and implementing their positioning strategy as to how they are being perceived by consumers. Their studio’s image becomes the focal point based on a. products offered, b. pricing strategy and c. promotional strategy.
What is key is the willingness to experiment and quickly refine or change products, pricing and promotional strategy based on consumer feedback. Differences in brides’ and seniors’ expectations from one year to the next are immediately capitalized upon. Most new photographers are very enthusiastic and are willing to niche market.
2. New photographers have studied their traditional competitors with the conclusion that the ‘traditional style’ will continue to be in less demand by portrait active consumers. As a result the traditional market will continue to shrink. They see the traditional photographer having the following problems:
a. slowness in adopting the best merits of new technology,
b. eschewing the full spectrum of software in general and
c. being too eager to tell the consumer what they need rather than ask what they want.
3. The new photographer is not bashful in showcasing their digital artistic talents and abilities to customize any product to please the consumer. Album designs are totally unique with no two brides receiving the same layout. Similarly, senior proof books for purchase are also unique. Quality products are offered at all price levels. Selling up is easy given that consumers eagerly recognize the merits of digital artistry and the photographer’s willingness to customize the product just for them.
The new photographer is not intimidated by traditional photography. They are eager to create niche products and use the power of the Internet to attract consumers and grow market share by using their digital talents both with camera and software. There is recognition that the portrait market is calling for ‘bolder choices’ with variety that adds spice to the consumer’s photographic experience. Traditionalists need to take notice!
Professional Studio Photographers
Professional photography is a great way to capture those special moments. There are many different things that professional photographers can capture with their skills that are just not the same with your personal camera. People have many needs for photographers.
Photographers offer services to capture pictures of many different things. Whether it’s for personal memorabilia, marketing purposes, or art, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Photographers will take pictures of families as they grow. Often, a family can get pictures once a year from the same photographer. They will get to pick portraits of themselves that they have shot with the professional. He or she will perfectly light the family in a beautiful studio or natural location and snap multiple photos with a film, or digital camera. Then the family will pick from the bunch which ones they like best. The photographer will charge by package that usually comes with between one and 5 prints of their family photos.
Photographers are used for clothing lines and ad campaigns. Models come to the studio to get styled and shoot the clothes, make up or other product they are modeling. The professional will then take the photos, pick the best ones and edit them before submitting them to the client.
People often have a photo shoot done when they are having a baby. It is adorable to have a photograph of a baby belly framed on the mantle next to the other family photos. It is a popular thing to do. A strongly lit black and white photo that accentuates the curves of a woman’s pregnant tummy can be such a beautiful picture to have.
Weddings are photographed by professional photographers as well. The bride will get a package of photos including the cake, her wedding dress, the walk down the aisle, the wedding parties and some romantic couple photos as well as the reception. Some photographers even provide a memory album with all the photos nicely placed throughout the book.
Other ideas for photography are couple photos, baby photos, landscape photos, high school photos, and pet photos.
Finding a professional photographer that has gone to school for their career is best. They know all about angles, lighting, photo editing and equipment because they have the experience and years of professional training. Choosing a photographer with a professional attitude, advanced knowledge and great talent will sure set your photos apart from others.
Laptops and Camera Bags – Essentials For All Professional Photographers
When you take pictures for a living, there are two things that you will carry with you that are essential to your job. One is a camera, a digital camera, and the other piece of equipment that you need is a laptop or a desktop computer. Since both pieces of equipment, your laptop and your camera are usually quite expensive if you would have to replace them, most professional photographers will look for laptop bags and camera bags to protect their investments.
Although you can find many name brand camera bags that also hold laptops, some photographers, especially those on assignment in foreign countries do not want to announce to the general public that they’re carrying expensive equipment in a brand name camera bag that screams, “Hey, I’m carrying an expensive camera in here!” Thus, sometimes photographers will purposely buy a leather bag with no brand name on it so no one knows what’s inside. In fact, some photographers will even go to such lengths as to go to a resale or thrift shop to buy an old suitcase that they will use to enclose their expensive camera bag or laptop bag, hoping that the amount of money that they have invested into their equipment will go unnoticed by the looks of the shabby looking suitcase. While inside that old suitcase, there’s an expensive leather camera bag, digital camera, and laptop.
Most camera and laptop bags have adequate amounts of foam padding that are in place to protect both the camera and the laptop. This helps protect the photographer’s equipment so he doesn’t have to worry about accidentally dropping the bag and breaking his equipment. Besides that, when a photographer is out in the weather taking photos, a good leather bag can protect the photographer’s gear from rain or snow. A protective camera bag or laptop bag also helps to keep the equipment dry. It’s smart to carry a discreet-looking bag, especially when you’re traveling in an unfamiliar location. You don’t want to become a target to local thieves.
Besides dedicated laptop bags, many photographers will use backpacks, duffel bags, and even messenger bags to disguise the fact that they are carrying expensive photography equipment. Just remember that freelance and professional photographers need to take care of their equipment. When you find a camera bag and laptop bag that fits your lifestyle and the type of photography you do, such as landscape, portrait, or sports, you’ll be glad you took the time to carefully choose the type of leather bags to protect your investment.