I just need to VENT!

[AmberAtLoveAndInk]

VENTING:


Not sure if this fits the "Photographic Discussions" thread but I really just want to vent to others who will understand where I am coming from.
I started my own photography business doing mostly family portraits about a year ago in the hopes that I may one day evolve into a wedding photographer. I come from a super teeny tiny town where everyone knows everyone and after I "started up shop" lots of people I grew up were very interested in giving me a go and letting me use their children and families for practice. Now, almost a year later, I feel confidant in my work. I am charging for my work, I feel like my business has made great strides considering I have never had any formal training and self taught everything to myself. Pouring hours and hours everyday starting at early morning, ending at late in the evening studying other photographer's work, tutorials, lens education, filters, ISO, full-framed bodies, lighting, off flash techniques, ect, ect, blah, blah, blah. I joined this forum to learn even more and get "real" insight from top notch pros. I'm still learning, I'm still improving (I hope I'm improving!) and do not by any means stick myself above anyone else work wise. I am newbie and will be a newbie in any other photographer's eyes until I've saddled 10 years of experience and have a glowing portfolio full of flawless work, however, now that my work has become more than just "popular" in my community I feel like every and anyone I went to high school with in this teeny tiny town wants to be a PHOTOGRAPHER! SO AGGRAVATING!! Not that I don't want someone to appreciate this art form, or use it as an expressive outlet or growing hobby, but DAMN! RIGHT WHEN I FINALLY FIND MY OWN "GROOVE" WHERE I BELONG EVERY TOM, DICK & HARRY PICKS UP A CAMERA!! I'm sure this seems childish but seeing as I come from such a teeny tiny town, I can't vent my frustration without fearing my name will be slandered for "unprofessional-ism" throughout the area. It just really sucks when I finally find something I truly enjoy and right when I start pulling in big gigs like charity pageants and weddings, it's like these people on facebook see it and think, "Oh! Well if she can do it, so can I!" without having a single artistic bone in their body. Now I am left to compete with people who are charging 1/3 of my fees (and I'm not pulling a hefty price-tag either, in fact I'm on the low end in this category) who don't know the first thing about running a business!
UGHH.
Again, sorry if this didn't fit the topic forum. I just needed to type this sh** out and let loose. I'm keeping a smile pasted on when I see them in person (so far there are FIVE people I know from school that have come out of the woods with this bs in the last year!) and are congratulating them for "opening a business" to save face and appear gracefully unchallenged, but man I am pissed.

 

[runnah]

Well if you are as good as you say your are you have nothing to worry about.

Capitalism is the business world's version of survival of the fittest. Sick and lame business will be eaten by the faster more aggressive tigers out there. Be a tiger!

 

[AmberAtLoveAndInk]

thanks runnah, like I said, just needing to vent. I'm sure I looked to be one of these annoying "pop-up" photographers to another business out there at some point. Damn is it infuriating.

 

[ronlane]

Amber, I read your rant and would be lying if I told you, I've never felt that frustration too. I am not in business, I have pulled back and decided to do it the "right" way, so that if/when I do it, I will be in a position to be around for 10-15-20 years doing photography for at least some of my income.

That being said, I will try to offer you solace in that, by doing things the "right" way and learning the craft and the business side of things you will be an "Outlier", and will be in business, long after those people have moved on to the "next big thing that is easy to make money at".

We know the truth that "it ain't easy".

 

[AmberAtLoveAndInk]

Thanks ronlane. I am still new at this, I am still producing amateur work at times and do not nail every shoot but I feel I have made vast improvements and have earned my title as a business owner. Because when I do hit a shoot right on the head, my work shines (a least in my eyes). I in no way depend on my "career" as my main source of income at all (my husband works and I stay at home with our son) it was a hobby I enjoyed passionately that kind of just fell into a business after some pushing and prodding from family and friends. Just feel like all these "come & go" photographers are sucking all the fun out of it. I will fail and I will conquer some days in this line of work, but I plan to stick it out.

 

[Steve5D]

I've never felt your frustration, simply because I can't be bothered worrying about what other people are doing. I have enough on my plate worrying about what I've got going on. If I were to start worrying about every other photographer in town I'd never get anything done.

Worrying about others, and certainly ranting about it, is a waste of time and energy. Instead of wasting that time and energy complaining about something you have zero control over, why not direct it constructively into your own endeavors?

Wouldn't that make more sense?

 

[Light Guru]

I'm sure this seems childish but seeing as I come from such a teeny tiny town, I can't vent my frustration without fearing my name will be slandered for "unprofessional-ism" throughout the area.

And yet you post it online and list your name website and town on your profile. A simple google search of you might easily show the people in your town this post.

Now I am left to compete with people who are charging 1/3 of my fees

And Im sure there work is also 1/3 as good.

Ever since inexpensive DSLRs started coming out LOTS of people have thought I can buy a camera and be a photographer. Someone else may have even felt the same way you feel now toward you when you started. Its nothing new.

As long as the images you make are better then the ones they "wannabe photographers" make then you have nothing to worry about even if they are charging less. Most people understand you get what you pay for.

 

[AmberAtLoveAndInk]

Steve5D, very true, very true. I should suck it up and I will. Right now I just wanted to type it all out of me. As someone else has said, they'll most likely dissolve all on their own. Just need to raise the bar for myself!

 

[Steve5D]

Just feel like all these "come & go" photographers are sucking all the fun out of it.

What are they doing that makes it not fun for you?

How does whatever they're doing adversely impact you and what you do?

 

[gsgary]

Heard it all before, had a look at your website nothing spectacular apart from one in the couples where it looks like he is shagging his girlfriend against the tree

 

[Designer]

Hi, Amber! I think I understand completely. Bear in mind that photography is very popular, and for some folks to want to earn money at it seems like a natural progression. After all, you did.

Now the only advice I can offer at his time is to simply be better than the others. Visibly, obviously better. Then you won't have to say or do anything if people can see that you are truly talented.

BTW: How good are you?

 

[Steve5D]

And yet you post it online and list your name website and town on your profile. A simple google search of you might easily show the people in your town this post.

Excellent point...

 

[AmberAtLoveAndInk]

And yet you post it online and list your name website and town on your profile. A simple google search of you might easily show the people in your town this post.

Ok you're right on this one. Guess the lightbulb didn't click fast enough. But at this point at least I'm venting to an outside source besides social media. Now with clients "friending" me online along with these other "businesses" I have to have a very filtered opinion everywhere I go. This post gave a small feeling of relief. My apologies if I come off as daft.

 

[runnah]

I suggest an aggressive campaign of sabotage.

 

[Steve5D]

If it's given you a bit of relief, then it's time to let it go.

Seriously, if you spend your time worrying about what other people are doing, you're never going to be able to put 100% into what you're doing. That's when someone else in town surpasses you, and you'll have only yourself to blame...