Good ethics will pay off

[Gunshot]

One of the sport complexes that I previously routinely shot at went to an exclusive photographer two years ago...last year....( sadly for many parents) they began barring cameras from the complex unless the photographer had press credentials that were handed out by the complex - primarily due to the MWAC/GWAC syndrome and the difficulties encountered by the photographer that had the exclusive contract. Could I have went behind the contracted photogs back played GWAC and then surreptiously handed out business cards and offered to beat their prices or even worse done as some of the MWAC set .."I'll give you the prints for free if I can have them for my porfolio" Of course I could have, but I chose to respect the other photographers business acumen in securing that exclusive contract in the first place. Since I had press credentials...I could have very easily on the sly violated that agreement as well..but I chose to remember what good business practices were about and that being a cut throat or underhanded would eventually cause me more problems than gain me extra assignments/business. I am pleased to report that since I did indeed "play by the rules" and respect the other photographers territory this upcoming season I have been added to the list as a back up photographer and the photog having the contract asked me to help occasionally during exceptionally busy tournaments etc. On the other hand - one of the MWAC ended up getting barred from the facility for doing just those things. The moral of this is for all the new and asipring photographers out there who are tempted to go around offering extremely cheap or free services to build your portfolio, or worse yet think that this sort of thing will build you a solid customer base...you might want to rethink it. By resepcting another photographers work and business acumen I eventually found it to be to my advantage. I didn't create any ill will and I know now that the other photographer also respects me. Don't get me wrong, competition is healthy..but remember the hand you bite today maybe the one you ask for help tomorrow...Please as you try to grow your photography business be respectful of those who have spent years of time and expense growing theirs. Many professionals are reluctant to train the competition and I suspect the sudden surge in MWAC/GWAC has only made this reluctance worse. Please think about your market and that you may be either saturating it or dragging down the price points for others when you offer the freebies....the 150.00 weddings.....the TFCD packages...in the end it may well hurt you more than help you.

[Scorpio]

Good deal, congratulations! There's a lot to be said for being respectful and not going about as if you were entitled to do anything you want (or could).

Welcome to POTN!

[danpass]

You reap what you sow.


(it doesn't only relate to "bad things")

:mrgreen:


.

[bwolford]

Sorry I had to translate to make it readable. Now that i can follow your happy little story, I have to say BRAVO to you. This will come back to you in good Karma many ways. More folks should emulate your actions!

One of the sport complexes that I previously routinely shot at went to an exclusive photographer two years ago...last year. Sadly for many parents, they began barring cameras from the complex unless the photographer had press credentials that were handed out by the complex, This was primarily due to the MWAC/GWAC syndrome and the difficulties encountered by the photographer that had the exclusive contract.

I could have went behind the contracted photogs back, played GWAC, and then surreptiously handed out business cards and offered to beat their prices or even worse done as some of the MWAC set .."I'll give you the prints for free if I can have them for my porfolio." Of course I could have, but I chose to respect the other photographers business acumen in securing that exclusive contract in the first place.

Since I had press credentials...I could have very easily, on the sly, violated that agreement as well, but I chose to remember what good business practices were about and that being a cut throat or underhanded would eventually cause me more problems than gain me extra assignments / business. I am pleased to report that since I did indeed "play by the rules" and respected the other photographers territory, this upcoming season I have been added to the list as a back up photographer and the photog having the contract asked me to help occasionally during exceptionally busy tournaments etc.

On the other hand - one of the MWAC ended up getting barred from the facility for doing just those things.

The moral of this is for all the new and asipring photographers out there who are tempted to go around offering extremely cheap or free services to build your portfolio, or worse yet think that this sort of thing will build you a solid customer base...you might want to rethink it. By resepcting another photographers work and business acumen I eventually found it to be to my advantage.

I didn't create any ill will and I know now that the other photographer also respects me. Don't get me wrong, competition is healthy..but remember the hand you bite today maybe the one you ask for help tomorrow.

Please as you try to grow your photography business be respectful of those who have spent years of time and expense growing theirs. Many professionals are reluctant to train the competition and I suspect the sudden surge in MWAC/GWAC has only made this reluctance worse. Please think about your market and that you may be either saturating it or dragging down the price points for others when you offer the freebies....the 150.00 weddings.....the TFCD packages...in the end it may well hurt you more than help you.

[turaund1]

i agree, the cheap photographer or new kid on the block since the digtal age has cheapened the field of photography. People who dont understand quality jump on the cheap offer and take business from the established pros who have work to build the market up. a little advice to the new comers learn the business and the skills of photography. when you understand these princples you will not want to cheapen our craft

[th3r0m]

First, congrats to the OP for taking the high road and on being added as the backup photographer and on creating a good working relationship with the contracted pro...you did the right thing and are obviously reaping it now....but can we leave off of the "new photographers are cheapening the field of photography and/or taking money from the pros" comments?

[FlyingPhotog]

You reap what you sow.


(it doesn't only relate to "bad things")

:mrgreen:


.

Another version of this rule goes something like:

The *ss you kick today may be the one you have to kiss tomorrow.

[antonello]

there are "rules" that we (all) must respect. Like in the case of private events or sports by "rules" I mean money, or contracts (or agreements) between the venue and the official photographers.

- just to call things using their own name. -

that's how it is. And again we all must respect that.

but if there are no arrangements made and no other reasons (restrictions or some TV production in "exclusive" and so on) there is no way anyone will ask me to put my cameras down. No way.

[gretchensteele]

Good for you!! Resepcting other photogs territoris and working arrangements is something I try to teach the new photogs that I mentor...I agree that we shouldn't make a blanket statement about newcomers..(or any group) some show remarkable business sense and be well grow into a valuable colleague. Compitition may well help some of us to strive to achieve more/better work. However I like many have had the bad experience of having a MWAC/GWAC undercut me seriously or offer do to it for free in exchange for portfolio...in one instance, a wedding canelled in order to go with the 100 wonder the found on craigslist only to call me after they recieved horrible work to ask if I could "fix" their pictures. Needless to say I emphatically told them no. Since the explosion of new hobbyist/pro..weekend warriors...I am strongly tempted to give the new folks I train a no compete ( for 1-2 years) agreement to sign. Lately it seems it I am training my competition and in these economic times..and my rural service area I can't afford to train my competition.

Good Karma will come to you Gunshot for taking the high road!