Here are a few examples of self-proclaimed “professional” photographers in action. All of these happened over the past eleven days at various photo assignments.
• Them: My hard drive crashed! What should I do?
Me: Do you have a backup?
Them: No.
-
A week later, after messing up the previous job and having a new hard drive installed and all software re-installed:
Me: Do have a back up of the new drive?
Them: No.
• Them: My camera battery died!
Me: Don’t you carry a spare?
Them: No, because I’ve never needed one before.
• Them (with 28-70mm lens): They didn’t tell us we’d be so far back.
Me (with 300mm lens): Don’t you carry a longer lens?
Them: I thought this would be different.
• Them: My flash batteries died!
Me: Don’t you carry spare AA’s?
Them: I didn’t expect the batteries to die.
• Them: Can you fix my pictures?
Me: Why can’t you do it yourself?
Them: I don’t know how.
Me: Why don’t you take a Photoshop course?
Them: I don’t have time.
• Them: How much are they paying you to shoot this?
Me: $450.
Them: Geez, I’m getting screwed!
Me: How much are you getting?
Them: $125.
Me: That doesn’t even cover your expenses.
Them: Parking was only $15.
• Overheard:
Them: Any chance I can get some work from you?
Photo editor: We’re not hiring.
Them: Can I just send you some pictures once in awhile?
Photo editor: We don’t pay unless we use a picture and even then it’s low.
Them: That’s okay.
Photo Editor: You shouldn’t be shooting on spec.
Them: It’s better than working for free.
• Me: Didn’t they tell you this was a formal event?
Them (shorts and t-shirt): Yeah, but it won’t matter.
Event organizer: I’m sorry but we have a dress code inside here. I’m going to have to ask you to leave.
––
Photographers, here’s the deal:
You’re not on vacation shooting family holiday snaps. You’re running a business and are working for a paying customer. You probably would like that customer to be a repeat customer. The rest shouldn’t be too hard to figure out.
