Clients
15
May 2012

Some information about knowledge

A company recently hired a Toronto corporate photographer to do an executive portrait of its president.

While watching the photographer set up his camera equipment, the company’s communications manager asked, “Did you know that the sensor in your digital camera is just like a solar panel? Both convert light to electricity.”

The photographer answered, “That’s interesting information.”

As the photographer positioned his lights and made a few test flashes, the manager said, “The xenon gas in your flashes is also used in laser eye surgery.”

The photographer replied, “That’s interesting information.”

While they waited for the company president to arrive, the communications manager stated, “Paintings of ancient Egyptian Pharaohs were the first executive portraits.”

The photographer said, “That’s interesting information.”

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Clients
07
May 2012

Monkey Business

When a car has a leaky tire, the problem is obvious and the solution is simple. The car owner could shop price to find the cheapest, reasonably competent “grease monkey” to make the repair. (Grease monkey is an uncomplimentary term for a low-end car mechanic.)

But if a car has a more involved or complex problem then an expert with experience and knowledge is needed. Shopping only price would be foolish.

Photography is similar.

When someone needs a passport photo, they could shop price to find the cheapest “button monkey” who can shoot passport pictures that meet government regulations. (Button monkey is a slang term for someone whose photography skill is limited to pushing the shutter button.)

But when a company’s reputation or corporate image is at stake then an experienced corporate photographer or commercial photographer is needed. Shopping price would be foolish.

Business portraits are much more important and valuable than passport pictures. Photography for a company web site or any marketing collateral is too important to risk with lowest bidder. This is no time for monkey business.

 

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Clients
27
Apr 2012

Professional Insurance

Professional photographers are insured but amateurs are not. Why would anyone hire an amateur to do their corporate photography or commercial photography? How can a business afford such a risk?

Here’s one example and another example why insurance is important.

Professional photography is all about reducing customer risk. The risk of problems during the photo shoot, the risk of poor quality pictures, the risk of missing deadlines, the risk that the pictures won’t meet customer needs and the risk of wasting time and money.

Professional photographers are worth more than what they cost.

 

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Photographers
26
Apr 2012

Searching in all the wrong places

After searching through twenty-four Toronto photographers’ web sites yesterday, trying to help a customer find a suitable photographer, I gave up. The customer needed fashion-style photography which I don’t do.

One photographer’s site stated, “I specialize in fashion, beauty, weddings, portraits, children, maternity, glamour, food, product, catalog, commercial, editorial, landscape and pet photography.” Whew! Everything but the proverbial kitchen sink.

Another photographer said he was “based in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, London, Paris, Rome and Sydney.” Jeez, talk about covering all your bases!

The slideshows on one site contained 89, 112 and 172 pictures. Who has the time to click through that many photos?

One site required the viewer to click through four splash screens before getting to the actual content. A few Flash-based sites barely functioned. One site popped open a new window for every photo. Several sites had unreadable text. And yes, a couple of sites had music playing.

One photographer announced, “I am a very busy photographer but I have decided to accept bookings for 2012.” Gee, how considerate of that photographer!

One photographer seemed ideal for this client and I would’ve recommended them. But it turned out that this “Toronto fashion photographer” is located two hours away from Toronto.

From time to time, photographers should pretend to be a customer searching for a professional photographer. See what customers have to put up with while tediously searching through endless photographer web sites. Then apply this information to improve their own site.

 

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Photographers
12
Apr 2012

Invoicing Basics

A photographer won’t get paid unless they send an invoice to the client. For some silly reason, most businesses refuse to send out cheques just for the fun of it. After a photo assignment is completed, send an invoice. There’s no grace period required. It’s not necessary to wait a few days or weeks to avoid looking greedy.

A photographer’s invoice must contain the photographer’s contact information, a date, an invoice number and their tax number. The invoice should spell out what the photo assignment was. Don’t assume the client’s accounting department knows what the invoice is for. A photo editor may not remember every assignment.

Sometimes, the person who hires the photographer is not the person who receives the invoices. So make sure you know to whom the invoice is sent. Always ask the client if they require a Purchase Order number or any other reference number included on the invoice.

It’s always a good idea to never use the phrase “Sold to” on an invoice.

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