Hire Your Father to Shoot Your Wedding?

[sapearl]

Actually, the question along with the poll is "Would you hire somebody the age of your father to shoot your wedding, or is it more important to hire somebody closer to YOUR age who is supposedly more in tune with YOUR generation?

This is actually a spinoff from a related thread over at:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=4432769#post4432769

What prompted this was a debate I recently had with another "50 Something" wedding pro who has also been in the business for 30+ years.

Business has really dropped in our area. The fact is, we have both enjoyed higher volumes in the past, which may partially be due to a better economy. The downturn could be due to harder times..... or "other factors." His opinion is:

"most of the young brides-to-be don't want old men the age of their fathers photographing their weddings. They're not hip, they're not in tune with the younger generation. Unless the prospective bride is 30+ in age, the older more seasoned pro will have little chance of getting an inquiry."

Do you agree or disagree with this statement, and what generation are you a part of?

[LeesaB]

Hi Stu,

I'm just running out to a Martial Arts school shoot, this is an interesting thread, I am anxious to see the results.

[Robert16]

I am 36. I wouldn't say that the guy is wrong but for my wedding it was all about the togs portfolio and not his or her age. If someone just stopped learning and keeping up with the times then I wouldn't be interested. I really hope that when I am 60 I will still be learning and trying to keep up with what brides want - not an easy thing to do.

[picturecrazy]

I agree. It's all about the portfolio. It's all about the style.

[notapro]

I'm 25 and when I was looking into photographers for my wedding, I never considered anything at all about them except for their portfolio. And actually, I ended up contacting mostly people that I would guess were in the 40+ range. At any rate, I never even gave any factor but their work a thought. It may be that on the whole, older photographers are producing more timeless photos while young up-and-comers are more trendy, but that is about style not age, and your style will never fit with every prospective client.

I wouldn't doubt that the age of the photographer is a factor for some younger brides, though, especially the very young brides. But, hey, maybe you can catch them on their second wedding. ;)

[JimAskew]

I agree. It's all about the portfolio. It's all about the style.

I agree also, but price does factor in as well.

I'm 63 and I'm a probono wedding photographer. In the past year (well actually14 months) I have been the solo photographer at five weddings and the second shooter at another. I have also shot three E-Sessions.

Three of my Brides would not have had a photographer at all but for me...it just wasn't in their budget. One of my Brides came to me as I was willing to do the photography with only two weeks notice (this was the two young Marines LTs on thier way to Iraq with almost no notice on their deploymnet).

My Brides ranged in age from early 20's to late 50's. In every case I showed them my portfolio and promised to give their wedding my best.

For 2008 I have already agreed to three weddings and have been asked to consider doing another. The oldest Bride among this group is mid-20's...one is a runner up in last year's Miss Alabama pageant and another in the daughter of a very senior official in the US Army.

Bottom line...I don't think my age has been a factor. My willingness to do weddings pro bono and my portfolio have been the factors that count in my mind.

I do think that price is becoming an issue overall in the wedding photography world...there are lots of digital photographers who will do weddings at a lower cost in order to acquire and/or enhance their skills/portfolio. Often younger B&G's are PC savy, want only digital files, and will do their own publishing of albums. The smart Pro will move his/her business model in this direction.

Anyhow, this is how this "old" photographer sees things:)

And to put in a big plug for POTN...I have grown in my wedding photography skills and my overall photography skills in general from posting and lurking here :)

[viperx27]

joe businik is probably old enough to be my father, I'd hire him any day of the week ;)

in general I'd want someone closer to my age, but it has more to do with style than anything, as I don't find that style in older photographers for the most part, not to mention they don't tend to be as up on current technology and products.

[sl3966]

I also don't think age matters. I think the only time it really matters is when you are trying to get them to your portfolio. Seems like the younger crowd wants you to have myspace, facebook, blog, you def need a google ranking if you want the younger ones (I don't know anybody who owns a phone book) and I am in the process of making a new mobile style sheet for my website since so many people now are browsing on mobile devices. Once you get them there I think its more a matter of style. I know I have posted a few photos that some older (I think) photographers have said will look "dated" in a few years. I know that I look at my grandparents album and it looks dated but it's beautiful. I tend to do alot of PS work to my images and I just shot a wedding for a couple that was in the 40-50 range. Frankly I was surprised that they chose me to shoot it as they seemed more traditional.

[LBaldwin]

Maybe it's your age but the age of your images!! If you are still shooting the same old stuff you did 15 years ago than that maybe something to look at....

Les

[S.Horton]

If that happened to me, I'd find out who was shooting the weddings I wasn't getting and how.

Old marketing instinct, feels like one or more of:
1. A new competitor is in the market
2. Volume is down, or
3. New technology is picking up speed

In the case of #3, that would be video.

[sapearl]

Hi Bob - thanks for the interesting comments. Back in 2005 I was 55 and facing the digital question: cash in and give up or learn something entirely new and keep on going. I love photography too much to call it quits, so I decided to "teach the old dog new tricks."

Well, I'm still at it and learning more every day, and thoroughly enjoying myself. I'd like to keep at the wedding gig a little past 60, but as for the other urban landscape and misc. stuff.... until the day I die I suppose.:lol:

I am 36. I wouldn't say that the guy is wrong but for my wedding it was all about the togs portfolio and not his or her age. If someone just stopped learning and keeping up with the times then I wouldn't be interested. I really hope that when I am 60 I will still be learning and trying to keep up with what brides want - not an easy thing to do.

[mebailey]

The two times I have hired a photographer I have relied on reputation mostly. Of course this was in the pre-internet era so it was not so easy to view portfolios. I was not a interested much in photgraphy myself in those days so I was not very critical...

[Robert16]

Hi Bob - thanks for the interesting comments. Back in 2005 I was 55 and facing the digital question: cash in and give up or learn something entirely new and keep on going. I love photography too much to call it quits, so I decided to "teach the old dog new tricks."

Well, I'm still at it and learning more every day, and thoroughly enjoying myself. I'd like to keep at the wedding gig a little past 60, but as for the other urban landscape and misc. stuff.... until the day I die I suppose.:lol:
You lead the way Dude:D

[sapearl]

Hi Amanda - interesting... when I was married in 1979 my then fiance and I visited a "referral" who actually WAS the age of my father!;)

Pure and simple he was recommended as very reliable, shot MF film like I was at the time, and his price was pretty much average market. The cost was not our deciding factor, although neither did we want the cheapest nor the most expensive in town. We looked at his portfolio, liked what we saw and signed the contract.

I'm 25 and when I was looking into photographers for my wedding, I never considered anything at all about them except for their portfolio. And actually, I ended up contacting mostly people that I would guess were in the 40+ range. At any rate, I never even gave any factor but their work a thought. It may be that on the whole, older photographers are producing more timeless photos while young up-and-comers are more trendy, but that is about style not age, and your style will never fit with every prospective client.

I wouldn't doubt that the age of the photographer is a factor for some younger brides, though, especially the very young brides. But, hey, maybe you can catch them on their second wedding. ;)

[sapearl]

Appreciate it Bob ;) - still waaaaaaaay too much to do to give up at this time. Besides, I still have too much to learn on the basics of digital and PS from the resident guru's here, as well as too much to mentor to the new folks just learning the first things about basic photography. It's give and take.

You lead the way Dude:D

[BankerRKT]

I would make my decision based on the photographer's experience, how I felt about his work, his temperament and how well I get along with him. Price would certainly also be a consideration. But I have learned that the old adage "you get what you pay for" has a lot of truth to it.

[sapearl]

Les, that is a very valid point that you make. It is true that while I was shooting MF film, I didn't shoot as much, was more conservative in my exposure "risks" for creative effects, and I certainly lacked the advantage of fast autofocus zooms. I'm sure my older work relfects that. But this began changing overnight as soon as I put the new gear into service.

On the other hand, my suffering "friend" who's business is way down, is a very talented and creative individual who still shoots most B/W - gorgeous platinum prints - and some color with his Hassies. But he totally disdains ANYTHING digital and refuses to change.

As much as I admire his "niche" work, he's dug his own hole and refuses to update his gear and attitudes.... his choice. I believe he understands this, but to him it's more important for him to stick with the old techniques.

Maybe it's your age but the age of your images!! If you are still shooting the same old stuff you did 15 years ago than that maybe something to look at....

Les

[LBaldwin]

Stuart,

Perhaps you can take him out and show him what the new gear does. Let him know that those chemicals are not good for Mother Earth, or for him. I long ago developed serious sensitivities to the stop and fixers.

Show him that the new gear will open up creative avenues that he would have loved to do but was unable to do because of gear issues or lack of technology. Panos come to mind first. Let him know that although the old ways still have value, the new stuff is what clients want to see. Ask him if he shoots his Hassy can he erase the image of a Bride blinking and see it before it gets processed?

Give him your DSLR and send him out to play with it, if he is no longer able to see the potential than perhaps the handwriting is on the wall.

Les

[Robert16]

There will always be a place for his talents.

[Robert16]

Maybe that's the angle he should go for. Advertise nationwide (albeit using one of those electric web office things). These skills shouldn't die. Most of us don't have the money, space, time etc to keep it alive.

[NZDoug]

I think your dad should be in the shots and partying.....

[sapearl]

You hit the nail on the head Bob - that is EXACTLY the approach and attitude he has taken.

He periodically advertises in some national magazines and maintains a darkroom right next to his studio. He even runs a small group in alternative printing processes: daguerrotype printing, platinum printing, egg albumen, traditional silver halide....

Maybe that's the angle he should go for. Advertise nationwide (albeit using one of those electric web office things). These skills shouldn't die. Most of us don't have the money, space, time etc to keep it alive.

[sapearl]

Believe me, I've talked to him, emailed him, debated with him..... for the past year and a half. He's not interested in what the new gear will enable him to do and doesn't care; and he'd be the first one to go on ad nauseum about the value of he old ways :D.

I actually have a suspicion that he understands the loss of business, but is not yet willing to fully admit it to himself. He's started to see the graffitti on the wall....

Stuart,

Perhaps you can take him out and show him what the new gear does. Let him know that those chemicals are not good for Mother Earth, or for him. I long ago developed serious sensitivities to the stop and fixers.

Show him that the new gear will open up creative avenues that he would have loved to do but was unable to do because of gear issues or lack of technology. Panos come to mind first. Let him know that although the old ways still have value, the new stuff is what clients want to see. ......

if he is no longer able to see the potential than perhaps the handwriting is on the wall.

Les

[sapearl]

Good one - no disagreement there :lol:.

I think your dad should be in the shots and partying.....

[LBaldwin]

Believe me, I've talked to him, emailed him, debated with him..... for the past year and a half. He's not interested in what the new gear will enable him to do and doesn't care; and he'd be the first one to go on ad nauseum about the value of he old ways :D.

I actually have a suspicion that he understands the loss of business, but is not yet willing to fully admit it to himself. He's started to see the graffitti on the wall....

So no problem I call and ask if he wants to contribute his gear to the new museum .... next week;)

Les

[oldshooter]

Actually, the question along with the poll is "Would you hire somebody the age of your father to shoot your wedding, or is it more important to hire somebody closer to YOUR age who is supposedly more in tune with YOUR generation?

This is actually a spinoff from a related thread over at:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=4432769#post4432769

What prompted this was a debate I recently had with another "50 Something" wedding pro who has also been in the business for 30+ years.

Business has really dropped in our area. The fact is, we have both enjoyed higher volumes in the past, which may partially be due to a better economy. The downturn could be due to harder times..... or "other factors." His opinion is:

"most of the young brides-to-be don't want old men the age of their fathers photographing their weddings. They're not hip, they're not in tune with the younger generation. Unless the prospective bride is 30+ in age, the older more seasoned pro will have little chance of getting an inquiry."

Do you agree or disagree with this statement, and what generation are you a part of?

This is an interesting question facing us older Pro’s. Do younger brides still want our style? Has the style of wedding photography changed? It sure has……

In the past few years as digital camera systems have reached parity, or some-what with our older Hasselblad film systems, the number of wedding inquires for me had decreased, so in 2005 I too went digital.

My career was a wedding photographer came about after 10 years of commercial photography. When I began shooting weddings in 1985, they were mostly people involved in the advertising community, and that changed into advanced degreed professionals, Doctors, lawyers, and the like. Soon they referred their friends, and before I knew it I was a wedding photographer.

20 years later, I admit I am a lot like your friend that wants to shoot his way, rather than in a style the average customer wants. Tastes change, and I am experiencing cognitive dissonance. I can’t understand why the advertising and magazine editors, marketing directors like my photographs. And the average bride doesn’t. Or maybe the market is just so saturated.


I shot 3 national ads, and 5 magazine assignments this past year.

Maybe Susan Sontag was right about wedding photography after all. What’s considered new and kitsch now will be the ruffled lapels of Tux shirts of the 1970’s. Weddings, like fashion are the fad of the moment, and in time they show their age.

What I wanted to capture was the pure expression, so in time people could relive the joy they felt inside. I hope their will always be a market for that…..

I didn’t set out on this journey to be a Wedding photographer, and I can’t describe the number of happy customers I’ve had over the years. But now I really enjoy food photography. It is so creative, and for me it is easier to deal with, and relate to people with professional artistic training. The chefs are really artists in my book. It is so much fun taking what they create and magically lighting it.

I do miss shooting weddings, and for the right client I would happily re-join the chase.


If I seem a bit sad it is because I miss the action. I read something interesting the other day comparing war photography and wedding photography....



But for now I guess, magazine, commercial, and food will have to do……
JM

[deadpass]

I voted that age make no difference, as long as they shoot how I want and like, realistically however it's more likely they'll be closer to my age.

[sl3966]

If I seem a bit sad it is because I miss the action. I read something interesting the other day comparing war photography and wedding photography....

The only thing I have done that closely resembles the stuff I did in combat camera and my various deployments has been a hectic wedding..........except I have only been at one wedding where I felt I was in danger of getting shot :confused:

[willowdawn]

Honestly, I can guess the approximate age of a photographer by their portfolio. I voted "no - I prefer closer to my age" but really it has to do with style. An older photog with style that matches mine... not a problem... but I wouldn't want stiff formals, with classic lighting. It's just not me. I should mention that this is my favorite wedding photo of mine.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2205/2086767156_3f56ff3f17.jpg

Obviously we eloped. This is a truly terrible scan of a eh snapshot, but the smile captured on my daughter's face is much more appealing to me than a posed line up of bridesmaids and groomsmen. Probably why I didn't have a wedding!

[sapearl]

Joe, that is quite an interesting and comprehensive website you have there. I liked the shot of Red Auerbach, as I've listened to him many times on NPR. Thank you for taking the time to contribute what is a very thoughtful and insightful post, looking at things through the perspective of experience, age, and the commercial world of corporate and product photography.

I also enjoyed your efforts at trying to educate prospective bridal customers with your commentary on quality, pricing and photographers who give away negatives and digital files:

"Be wary of photographers that offer to give you their Negatives or Digital files as a bonus. Telling you how much money you will save on enlargements.
It can be very time consuming to do a wedding print order, and those labs won't spend the hours it take to do a typical wedding print order, waiting on you at their front counter, so you will wind up masking each negative by hand yourself.
In the case of a digitally photographed wedding, even more time is required than a conventional wedding shot with film. I shoot each wedding in Camera RAW format, because it provides the most options and creative freedom."

I share a number of your sentiments and TRY to explain to people that digital has actually made MORE work for us, since WE are now the darkroom when it comes to proofing and creating "finished" (PP'd) images. Many folks still feel we should drop our prices because "You're saving money on the cost of film and processing, so why aren't you passing that along to me?" Never mind that we still have to pay ourselves for the time that it takes sitting in front of the PC, still "processing" our (digital) negatives. :D

.....
My career was a wedding photographer came about after 10 years of commercial photography. When I began shooting weddings in 1985, they were mostly people involved in the advertising community, and that changed into advanced degreed professionals, Doctors, lawyers, and the like. Soon they referred their friends, and before I knew it I was a wedding photographer.

20 years later, I admit I am a lot like your friend that wants to shoot his way, rather than in a style the average customer wants. ......JM

[sapearl]

Willow, the timing on capturing your daughter's expression was perfect.... so cute :D. Hopefully us older pro's can deliver the option of both the structured formal portait AND the shoot from the hip wonderful candid capture.

..... but I wouldn't want stiff formals, with classic lighting. It's just not me. I should mention that this is my favorite wedding photo of mine......., but the smile captured on my daughter's face is much more appealing to me than a posed line up of bridesmaids and groomsmen. Probably why I didn't have a wedding!

[oldshooter]

The only thing I have done that closely resembles the stuff I did in combat camera and my various deployments has been a hectic wedding..........except I have only been at one wedding where I felt I was in danger of getting shot :confused:

Ha Ha, you haven't dealt with the "Mother of the Bride" !

Seriously, what I was describing was the sheer intensity of the pace of a hectic wedding. The bride is an hour late, flowers didn't arrive until 15 minutes before the ceremony, the bride fell overboard decorating a ship, just about when I think I have seen it all something incredible happens.

[babyduckmonger]

I think it's definitely the quality of work that's important. I got married young (I had just turned 22), and our photographer was at least twice my age. But his portfolio was wonderful, and the pictures turned out great. If the older pros are willing to keep with the times, their work is often better than the work of the younger people with less practice. It's all about keeping up with the art, not how old the shooter is.

[sl3966]

Ha Ha, you haven't dealt with the "Mother of the Bride" !

Seriously, what I was describing was the sheer intensity of the pace of a hectic wedding. The bride is an hour late, flowers didn't arrive until 15 minutes before the ceremony, the bride fell overboard decorating a ship, just about when I think I have seen it all something incredible happens.
Heh, I have dealt with a few MOB's and that's who I thought was going to shoot me lol. I was supporting what you said but I probably worded it incorrectly.

[oldshooter]

Joe, that is quite an interesting and comprehensive website you have there. I liked the shot of Red Auerbach, as I've listened to him many times on NPR. Thank you for taking the time to contribute what is a very thoughtful and insightful post, looking at things through the perspective of experience, age, and the commercial world of corporate and product photography.

I also enjoyed your efforts at trying to educate prospective bridal customers with your commentary on quality, pricing and photographers who give away negatives and digital files:

"Be wary of photographers that offer to give you their Negatives or Digital files as a bonus. Telling you how much money you will save on enlargements.
It can be very time consuming to do a wedding print order, and those labs won't spend the hours it take to do a typical wedding print order, waiting on you at their front counter, so you will wind up masking each negative by hand yourself.
In the case of a digitally photographed wedding, even more time is required than a conventional wedding shot with film. I shoot each wedding in Camera RAW format, because it provides the most options and creative freedom."

I share a number of your sentiments and TRY to explain to people that digital has actually made MORE work for us, since WE are now the darkroom when it comes to proofing and creating "finished" (PP'd) images. Many folks still feel we should drop our prices because "You're saving money on the cost of film and processing, so why aren't you passing that along to me?" Never mind that we still have to pay ourselves for the time that it takes sitting in front of the PC, still "processing" our (digital) negatives. :D

Thanks Stuart for you kind comments. I'd often wondered if age discrimination could come into play in the brides decision making process.

When your career as a photographer runs 30+ years you see many changes both in technology and in shooting styles. I have also seen fad like stylistic changes that had a short life span. The fuzzy portrait's of the 1980's is an example. I suspect that the extreme short depth of field, with selective focus could fall into that realm, where a wedding invitation is shot with just a few lines of type in focus.

Nothing in life is certain, except change.....

Really, I have enjoyed the instant gratification of Digital cameras. At the Microsoft Pro Photo Summit last Summer the leaders of the photographic industry were all gathered to explore the future of photography, complications that digital has imposed on photographers, and pay for usage in the digital age. Micro stock seemed to be the most explosive from the Pro Stock shooters, as no professional can survive making only pennies from photographs that required thousands of dollars in investment to create.

The same thing goes for print prices, when the customer knows you are only paying a small amount for a print, it can be difficult to explain the hours of computer time spent before the shot arrived at that stage.

JM

[sapearl]

I wonder if a lot of us are preaching to the choir here. Perhaps I should have pitched the survey to a discussion forum containing "brides-to-be" instead of wedding pros' who are giving what I consider to be well thought out and sensible responses?

So far the Poll stats are heavily in favor of "Age makes no difference – a quality portfolio is the most important factor in my decision." In my mind this would be a logical and common sense approach to shopping for the best possible vendor. But I wonder if brides are actually doing this in the real world?

[notapro]

It would be interesting to see the results if you took it to a bunch of brides-to-be and just posed the question without any explanation. hmm... now to find a way...

[sapearl]

Exactly my point Amanda - great minds think alike :D. Probably a good place would be one of those wedding planner sites for brides-to-be. Hmmm..... that gives me an idea ;).

It would be interesting to see the results if you took it to a bunch of brides-to-be and just posed the question without any explanation. hmm... now to find a way...

[notapro]

Exactly my point Amanda - great minds think alike :D. Probably a good place would be one of those wedding planner sites for brides-to-be. Hmmm..... that gives me an idea ;).

great minds may think alike, but I'm not one of them... I was meaning to agree with your earlier post. If you've found a way, let us in on the results.

[oldshooter]

It would be interesting to see the results if you took it to a bunch of brides-to-be and just posed the question without any explanation. hmm... now to find a way...

That is it, the customer is king. Brides and their mothers make the decisions and understanding their decision making process is the key to success over the long haul.

Digital photography has allowed for much great creative freedom and styles to emerge from the old analog film days. Super high ISO speeds make available light shooting a preferred method of shooting, but in some cases degraded image quality is not always better.

I guess it boils down to who is your target market, many brides, or higher end brides....
JM

[sapearl]

For sure, my friend with his Hassies and platinum prints is targetting the higher end bride. He cares nothing of higher ISO, PJ style shots with fast lenses and the convenience of zooms.

Naturally he and I disagree on this whenever he moans about decreased bookings. But when I point out the obvious to him he isn't interested in change. He will always enjoy his small niche market, but he's already dug his grave in the general market place of mainstream brides.

That is it, the customer is king. Brides and their mothers make the decisions and understanding their decision making process is the key to success over the long haul.

Digital photography has allowed for much great creative freedom and styles to emerge from the old analog film days. Super high ISO speeds make available light shooting a preferred method of shooting, but in some cases degraded image quality is not always better.

I guess it boils down to who is your target market, many brides, or higher end brides....
JM

[oldshooter]

For sure, my friend with his Hassies and platinum prints is targetting the higher end bride. He cares nothing of higher ISO, PJ style shots with fast lenses and the convenience of zooms.

Naturally he and I disagree on this whenever he moans about decreased bookings. But when I point out the obvious to him he isn't interested in change. He will always enjoy his small niche market, but he's already dug his grave in the general market place of mainstream brides.

It is important to accept the reality of change with out compromising your aesthetic values. Van Gogh didn't sell a single painting in his lifetime, and your friend may have created priceless treasures. Weddings and maximum profits may not be his intended goal. I hesitate to judge any artist at any one stage in their life, because they often re-invent themselves into something new, and beautiful when least expected, like Picasso did in his Blue period.

For me life as a photographer has been a beautiful journey. I feel lucky to had people support me by appreciating my work. And then again your friend may indeed need to change to survive. I read a Great book about change called "Who Moved My Cheese" by Spencer Johnson M.D., buy it for him as a gift as it sounds like it could really help your friend.

Thanks again for bring up this topic....
JM

[sapearl]

Hey, you're thoughtful, reflective and always contribute positive posts - that's a real plus in my book :D.

But I did something about my survey idea and decided to try and pitch it directly to the brides themselves.... without any influence from photographers to skew the results :lol:. I took the essence of a lot of your comments here - thank you all for the valuable input - and created a more neutral "non-age specific" sort of survey. I don't want to lead the witness as it were.

I sent an email with the modified survey to one of the large online bridal sites....... the sort of one-stop-shop where brides can search for local caterers, video, florists, photographers, etc. I asked the staff if they would be interested in running the survey on their site, explaining that I participate in a large online forum that discusses this issue on a daily basis. I did NOT identify our group.

Hopefully they will be receptive to the idea. I know how WE feel, but I'd like to see just how the brides select their photograpers. I'll keep you posted.

great minds may think alike, but I'm not one of them... I was meaning to agree with your earlier post. If you've found a way, let us in on the results.

[oldshooter]

Hey, you're thoughtful, reflective and always contribute positive posts - that's a real plus in my book :D.

But I did something about my survey idea and decided to try and pitch it directly to the brides themselves.... without any influence from photographers to skew the results :lol:. I took the essence of a lot of your comments here - thank you all for the valuable input - and created a more neutral "non-age specific" sort of survey. I don't want to lead the witness as it were.

I sent an email with the modified survey to one of the large online bridal sites....... the sort of one-stop-shop where brides can search for local caterers, video, florists, photographers, etc. I asked the staff if they would be interested in running the survey on their site, explaining that I participate in a large online forum that discusses this issue on a daily basis. I did NOT identify our group.

Hopefully they will be receptive to the idea. I know how WE feel, but I'd like to see just how the brides select their photograpers. I'll keep you posted.

It is a Great idea to find out the brides buying decisions. Let us know what you find out. Who knows maybe you will become the John Zogby of wedding photography buying decisions.

Seriously, you could write a book on this subject, with the proper analysis, and sell it to every photographer in the country, except your friend.....lol...
JM

[sapearl]

Thank you Joe - I couldn't have come up with this idea without the helpful input of my POTN friends here. We can hypothesize all we want we want and come up with some great questions, but we're a mit murky on the true answers. I hope the "Acme Bridal Site" takes my suggestion - they could yet scuttle it. Although hopefully they will give my idea a little consideration since I just started listing with them - money tok 'ya know ;).

But darn it Joe, now I have to google "John Zogby" to fully appreciate what you're talking about :lol:

It is a Great idea to find out the brides buying decisions. Let us know what you find out. Who knows maybe you will become the John Zogby of wedding photography buying decisions.

Seriously, you could write a book on this subject, with the proper analysis, and sell it to every photographer in the country, except your friend.....lol...
JM

[oldshooter]

Thank you Joe - I couldn't have come up with this idea without the helpful input of my POTN friends here. We can hypothesize all we want we want and come up with some great questions, but we're a mit murky on the true answers. I hope the "Acme Bridal Site" takes my suggestion - they could yet scuttle it. Although hopefully they will give my idea a little consideration since I just started listing with them - money tok 'ya know ;).

But darn it Joe, now I have to google "John Zogby" to fully appreciate what you're talking about :lol:

John Zogby is one of the best pollsters
http://www.zogby.com/

Buying decisions change over time, and it is especially important to know what your customers want...seems obvious, but really polling allows you to get an opinion or view .... I for one would really like to know the what primary reasons brides are using to decide what photographer to hire.

Good job on this concept!

JM