volleysnap
TPF Noob!
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2007
- Messages
- 45
- Reaction score
- 0
- Can others edit my Photos
- Photos OK to edit
To any pro out there: I have a question
I would call myself an "advanced amateur" in photography. About a year ago, I started a website advertising myself as a photographer. I've had moderate success in finding clients (probably 2 a month in the winter, more in the summer), and done very well on every job I have taken. I've never had any formal training and as you can see from my signature, my equipment is not exactly top of the line. I never advertise myself as a pro, and in fact am pretty forward about my limitations as a photographer (i am in high school after all)
Recently, I received recognition in a well publicized contest, resulting in over 15,000 visitors to my site in about a month. I received hundreds of emails, but one left more of an impression on me. It was from a professional photographer basically stating that I was doing my clients a disservice because I am not educated highly enough in photography and do not own the nicest equipment. It obviously hurt my feelings a little, but it made me wonder if most pros feel this way. I don't feel that I take business away from pros as I advertise myself as a budget photographer for people who usually couldn't afford to go to a professional studio.
These weren't directed towards me, but another example I found on craigslist were some angry posts by photographers directed towards people who perhaps unwittingly took a job that was too difficult for them. The response was along the same lines.
I would love to hear the opinion of some other pro photographers. Does anyone have any thoughts on this subject? I'm not looking for reassurance... just curious about the topic in general.
I would call myself an "advanced amateur" in photography. About a year ago, I started a website advertising myself as a photographer. I've had moderate success in finding clients (probably 2 a month in the winter, more in the summer), and done very well on every job I have taken. I've never had any formal training and as you can see from my signature, my equipment is not exactly top of the line. I never advertise myself as a pro, and in fact am pretty forward about my limitations as a photographer (i am in high school after all)
Recently, I received recognition in a well publicized contest, resulting in over 15,000 visitors to my site in about a month. I received hundreds of emails, but one left more of an impression on me. It was from a professional photographer basically stating that I was doing my clients a disservice because I am not educated highly enough in photography and do not own the nicest equipment. It obviously hurt my feelings a little, but it made me wonder if most pros feel this way. I don't feel that I take business away from pros as I advertise myself as a budget photographer for people who usually couldn't afford to go to a professional studio.
These weren't directed towards me, but another example I found on craigslist were some angry posts by photographers directed towards people who perhaps unwittingly took a job that was too difficult for them. The response was along the same lines.
I would love to hear the opinion of some other pro photographers. Does anyone have any thoughts on this subject? I'm not looking for reassurance... just curious about the topic in general.