Killer Contradictions
[by Leslie Burns]
You can’t be a high-value (and thus higher priced) photographer if you are cheap and disrespectful to other creatives. Sadly, far too many photographers behave like this. Some squeeze a penny until Lincoln screams and their vendors cringe. They do this under the guise of being wise businesspeople, and while saving money is good, they end up looking low-end to their targets and nasty to other creative pros.
One big area where I see this is in their websites. Too many photographers do some form of DIY with their sites and it always, always shows. If you think you are the exception whose site looks and works great, you are not. Sorry to be harsh, but there it is. I see it every day. You are not a designer, and most certainly not a web designer, so stop fooling yourself.
The worst part about this is what it says about respecting other creative professionals. How can you tell your targets that what you do is of great value and that they can’t do it themselves when you are behaving towards other creative professionals (web design pros) exactly like those who say to you “I shouldn’t have to pay so much for this– I can use a camera and this isn’t that hard”? You can’t. It’s rank hypocrisy.
I hear photographers complain about not owning their sites after they pay for them—this is the same as your targets complaining about not getting the copyright to the images for almost no money. Or photographers saying they shouldn’t have to pay more for design changes or hosting.
If you treat other creative professionals as valued partners, you will not only help their bottom lines, but your own. They are and/or know your targets! They can bring you business. And, in your marketing, you will also elevate your brand perception to everyone because you will be getting better design.
So please, stop being cheap and hypocritical. Instead, be open, treat others as you would like to be treated, and open your wallet in situations like this. A small investment in respect and money will pay for itself in no time.
7 Responses to 'Killer Contradictions'
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Ouch! Good points.
Oh this is rich.
Probably the biggest bunch of infringers of copyright against professional photographers are graphic artist and designers (most of which declare themselves web designers).
They have very very very little respect for paying ‘fair value’ for digital rights to high quality photography for use in their clients projects.
99% of web designers will acquire ‘low/amateur’ grade photographic imagery for use in a clients project. They will source this from Flicker creative commons if they can find it or they will shell out $10 at a micro stock photography site.
1% of web designers will encourage clients to source custom imagery from professional photographers. Thats being generous.
And this is just the reputation web designers!
How many ‘off the grid’ dodgy freelance web designers just steal copyright imagery and use it on clients websites without the client even knowing?
Answer: Most of them.
I could name at least 5 world class professional photographers who have purchased a website template, conducted their own minor amendments (php/css and html is not hard) and guess what Leslie? Their websites are outstanding. Why? Because their website doesnt get in the way of their content – their photography – which speaks far louder than any fancy over designed website would.
Websites DO NOT bring in sustainable long term income. Relationships with people bring in long term sustainable income.
No one is going to call in your ‘book’ on the back of some trendy typography on your website.
If anyone is reading this then ignore Leslie’s post and go out and focus on your work, your vision, your projects and stop looking for ‘quick fixes’ to a sustainable long term business in photography.
Correction: Line 11 (of text) reads: ‘reputation’ and should read ‘reputable’.
Dan: This post has NOTHING to do with what OTHERS do. It is about what each photographer can do for the betterment of his/her own biz. Plenty of designers, etc., respect copyright and plenty of photogs do not. Many more designers license work than you state. Most clients run their businesses in ethical ways.
But even if they do not, that is no excuse for anyone to act as poorly. Just because the other guy acts like a jerk does not give anyone else permission to so act.
Rise above the anger and bitterness.
Why the chip, Dan?
First, two wrongs don’t make a right. And secondly, if you know anything about Leslie, you know she doesn’t advocate making super fancy websites that get in the way of the images. She really likes Livebooks for heavens sake. By the way, if you didn’t already know, most professionals would agree that your website is your most important marketing aspect.
One more thing.
“If anyone is reading this then ignore Leslie’s post and go out and focus on your work, your vision, your projects and stop looking for ‘quick fixes’ to a sustainable long term business in photography.”
How about going out and focusing on your work, your vision, your projects and stop trying to be a web designer.
Thankyou, this is extremely nice info, thankyou.