Engagement Shoot at my Fave Bombed out Building

[bennielou]

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10.

 

[Robin Usagani]

I love 8, 9, 10. Not a fan of the other ones. Come on Cindy.. you know better than that. What is up with the fake lens flare on #1?

 

[GeneralBenson]

Super cool location! I really like the last two.

 

[bennielou]

Tough crowd. LOL. I know well enough to give the client what they want. When they filled out the questionaaire, they wanted bling, vintage, and drama. I also put in the straight stuff for mom and dad. I've been around long enough to know that fad's fade, and good clean photography is forever. 8,9,10 are my faves too, but I don't work for me. I'm not one to play the " the Art-teest, and you know nothing....silly client" card. I get paid to give 'em what they ask for. I'm like the cake lady, but cooler. Hehe.
Btw, I kinda dig the fake flare. Your mileage may differ.
Still love ya!

 

[bennielou]

Thanks General! I love this location too. It's this old Cotton Mill, and it looks like a war zone in many spots. Bummer is, is that they are redoing it and making it all "pretty".
No Pretty!
I LOVVVVVVVE the look of all the chaos!

 

[behanana]

I love #3, the door is a great background. Also like #9 & 10 with the pillars.

 

[mwcfarms]

I like all of them except number 1, a bit too saturated for my liking. I think the natural shots are more believable and showcase the couple more.

 

[bennielou]

Thanks you guys. I try to give a lot of variety on the photos (over 150 return). A bit of this. A bit of that. I agree with you, Dee. I'm more a fan of the straight stuff. Thanks so much for all the feedback!

 

[Kerbouchard]

Cool stuff, also a fan of 8, 9, and 10. Glad to see you posting again, Cindy.

 

[bennielou]

Thanks George. Can't wait to see you again.

Ok, just an observation, and maybe a point of topic????? While clients like the new funky fads, photogs more appreciate the straight stuff. Why is that? Should we steer the client away from fads (which they seem to dearly love?) I take all these photos, and work them up the way they *think* they want them, and they always pick the straight photo for enlargement.

Basically, I have found, that if I include the "funky" on my blog and FB, clients book. But they almost NEVER chose that photo for enlargement. They go for the mommy safe stuff. They like the funky, but it's not a big reprint job for me.

Me thinks that for the initial sales, all the funky. For real life stuff, it's pretty much the classics.

 

[Robin Usagani]

I care more about what other photographers say and like than what the clients like. It is very rare that clients do not like what the other photographers love. It doesnt work the other way around though.

If they dont like they way I process stuff, more than likely I was never hired to be the photographer anyway.

 

[Trever1t]

#8 could be a screen shot from a new blue-ray release, very nice!

 

[bennielou]

I prove every day that what other photographers say have little impact on my business:

1. I get a real live check, cash, or credit card slip from clients. I have a few clients who are also professional photographers, but otherwise no checks, cash, or credit from other photogs.
2. You would be surprised what a client loves. The might want every exit sign gone. Never know. I make a lot of money off of photographer who think that other photographers have all the answers.
3. Yes, if they don't like you, your photos, your processing, or your attitude, they go elsewhere. That's the deal.
4. I only get contacted by clients who like what we do. If they hate what I do, they wouldn't book an appointment to meet me, right? I also book a lot via online. It's the photo that counts to them. Never have I had a client tell me I wasn't in the rule of the thirds.
5. I'm still paying for my office and my home from client bookings after almost ten years of business. If I listened to what every photographer told me what to do, I would have been out of business years ago.

Again, your mileage may vary. I like to hear from other photographers though. I just selectively listen.

 

[bennielou]

Thanks so much Trevor It!

 

[indioli]

If it was me, I'd prob want to shrink down the double chin a bit on #2 :/

I definitely agree with you that what makes the client happy is what matters most. You are not being paid to follow rules you are being paid to please your clients, who are paying you. They are the ones who keep the images, not the cantankerous people on here who make useless comments!
Also, where is the fun in taking the same pics as everyone else? Using your own creativity is what makes you stand out from the crowd!