Quick Question for anyone reading this.
Would you be ticked if this image came to you in an email, unsolicited but as the result of signing up for Columbus Bride magazine? (Advertisers receive free access to their mailing list and I've never done anything with them until now, and only cause we've had so much fun shooting these sessions we figured we'd market to those that may or may not have been happy with their wedding pix. Not our couples of course :) but for those that maybe couldn't afford our wedding coverage but would still like a similar style only on a weeknight shoot!)
Anyway, I'm excited to shoot the sesssions for those that were happy to get it! No offense was intended if you did receive it and didn't want to. (this goes for any photogs that could be offended too, I've not had any negative response from any but I thought about it later and thought "Hmm, that could be offensive to a photog too if they think I'm trying to take their clients away from them or indicating that their work wasn't any good."
10 comments:
I would be. Only because someone did it in my area before I did. I have done two sessions just like you mentioned. The brides love it! A day without stress!
so funny! i thought that might be one angle that could bother others!
thanks for the funny comment.
this is a big post, so if readers are not interested, dont read on...
i think the delivery of the ad is critical to the way it is preceived. area photographers might say that you are trying to correct thier work that they feel is already great. kindof like comparing a mac to a pc. both can do the job, but it becomes a matter of style and perceived value added benefit.
i can just imagine a bride telling me as a photographer to take picture like davis or they will bad mouth me on the knot.
i am sure that you are not outright saying that your photos are the best, but it can come across as arrogant, elitist and pompous to others. i know of a lady who saw the pictures on your site and said that the were beautiful but seemed photoshopped too much. this matter of personal preference does not comment on wheter or not the pics are good compositions at the right exposure and price, but how they are delivered is too much art. that was her idea and though i can see her perspective, i disagree with it because i am in the camp that thinks photoshop is our best friend.
this response is the dilemma that most photographers i met have said is an internal dialog between the camps that dressup photos post processing and those who rely exclusively on composition, exposure and creativity.
personally, i think you are well worth your prices. that is not to say that photographers here are not as valuable in the few thousand range. if you brand yourself as correcting others lack of talent, how will you feel if an ad would say, "did you pay too much for your wedding pictures? now i can take pictures for a reasonable price, stress free, capturing moments without breaking the bank". i would be livid and call the photographer up for some words if a previous client told me that they felt slighted or had buyers remorse.
a recent wedding my wife did had an area photographer that i thought gave mediocre pictures to the bride. the bride loved it, but her style is more the new york fashion scene pictures. if she sees your ad, she might go back to her photographer and comment on how she can add to her portfolio of pictures for a reasonable price. i bet the other photographers will think they are loosing clients to you and who knows what level they will stoop to to get back.
just my many thoughts on the issue. i dont see anything wrong with you running the ad, but i do think it is critical that your wording is consistent with your desire to serve a growing segment of clientele who are not satisfied with their purchase from a different photographer.
matt
I understand what "anonymous" had to say. I know there is a market for this, but how to bring in the "new" brides without hurting other photographers is the challange.
Just to clarify, I primarily ran this ad because we have had so many people say to us "man, i wish we could get married again so that we could redo our pictures and use you!" I thought to myself, well then why not promote that thought.
Anyway, I hope to meet some new people, provide some amazing images and have a ton of fun doing it!
I really wasn't targeting new brides as much as those that just want some new pix. One area photog told me "The only way this would bother me would be if my couples were not happy. I'm not worried!" And he should not be. My intention was not to comment on anyone's quality etc. just a promo for a chance to get some really great wedding images without the primo weekend wedding pricing.
to matt hall:
because of the line of work i am in, i have to be relatively incognito on the blog comments on the net. i am not a secret agent, but my company does not want any idea however innocuous to be considered apart of their brand identification.
here is how i would layout the ad:
appeal to the bride without saying that her previous purchase is not quality. rather, give her the idea that you will add to her portfolio of pictures with an after marriage session to give a second and uniquely fresh set of pics after thier big day.
this should help her not feel buyers remorse. also, she will be much more relaxed on the second session so therefor drama from uncle bob, uninvited guests appearing in pictures and having to hustle through standard wedding time is no burden. plus it is just the two of them and you.
to cover your bases with the opposing photographers, say that you respect their work, and since full wedding packages are out their brides price range, you are giving them a value added benefit of a more expensive studio experience for significantly less. you are a compliment not competition.
the reality is that the after pics will most likely be significantly better than the day of pics and you can conveniently say to any photographer that your is a not a replacement. you were not there to shoot the day of and that is ok. they had that privilege and that moment in tiem was their to capture (even if it was bad)...
to some skeptical naysayers, this is like your high school chrush telling your that you are "friends". to the bride, she gets a second shot at some fine pics from an expensive studio. and to you, you have plausible deniability to "stealing brides" because they came to you, not you to them.
matt
Anonymous Matt -
I really like your suggestion in your second post - and agree with what you have said. It seems to clarify what Jim is trying to promote in a positive and non-judgemental manner.
When I got married, we didn't hire a photographer - the good ones were way too much and the others I didn't want to spend money on - but this idea is something I sure would've jumped on! Photos of family and friends are important but I would be much more willing to invest in fabulous photos of my new husband and me!
Jim
I say lets do it! I think there is a market for it. My wife has already told me that she wants to set up a time with you to get it done and we have been married seven years!
Matt,
That's great! Let's plan it for some week in Oct. My daughter is making her first grand appearance to the outside world this week!
God bless you guys, I am excited to meet you guys!
Jim
Did I mention it has been seven years. We need to capitalize on our Y membership first! We will talk out of blog.
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