so rewarding, but also frustrating.

[morlia]

lol...so here's the deal. I live in a small city approximately 65 000 people. There has always been quite a few established pros in the field and they are very good, but seem to do the same thing over and over and have for years. Then we have a bunch maybe 10 to 20 other photographers who have started in the last year. I have been taking photos for quite some time, opened my studio two years ago, and it became my soul profession in February. I have been doing extensive marketing, and putting a lot of work into getting my packages together and have finally found some systems that are working really well. In fact most days on the job are fantastic. so now comes the problems.

I have done family portraits for two photographers in my area. Next thing I know, concepts from the studio regarding props and packages are all becoming way too similar. I work with each of my clients to create something that is strictly for them and then all the sudden 5 or 8 other families have super similar photos. ARghh! Even the websites are similar now! It really makes me want to make a policy that I wont shoot for photographers in general.

Does this happen to anyone else? I feel like such a complainer, but I think it's ridiculous that these other photographers can't come up with these things on there own.

If this has happened to you, did you deal with it in any particular way? There is a group of us photographers here in our city who treat eachother with respect as artists and try not to be similar and if we are, we blatantly let each other know.

You would think that after being in the business and concentrating on my own work that I wouldn't care, but it still bothers me a little. Oh who am I kidding? It still bothers me a lot. lol...

[qtfsniper]

There are only so many poses you can really do.. I guess it should be normal at some point. Everyone wants to be different but a lot will be the same :)

[ryant35]

it's ridiculous that these other photographers can't come up with these things on there own.

That's how the entertainment industry works. You just have to come up with new stuff and stay a step ahead of them.

[cdifoto]

How original do you really think you are? Chances are your work is looking a lot like others who have been doing it longer than you have, whether you want to admit it or not. Your work might be new to your area, but it's not new to the industry. You had to get your inspiration somewhere - we all do. Consider it a compliment that your quality reaches a level people want to imitate.

[laurielozano]

Even the websites are similar now!

Well, you really cant complain about that too much. When you use a template from Bludomain or wherever, its hard for them not to look similar. I bought my template (Madison, I think) from Bludomain and it looks very similar to the template your website is using. If you want your website to be 'original' then you need to build it yourself. I dont have the time or patience to code a website myself, so I took the easy route and bought a template. Someday I will get around to coding my own.

[morlia]

Well, you really cant complain about that too much. When you use a template from Bludomain or wherever, its hard for them not to look similar. I bought my template (Madison, I think) from Bludomain and it looks very similar to the template your website is using. If you want your website to be 'original' then you need to build it yourself. I dont have the time or patience to code a website myself, so I took the easy route and bought a template. Someday I will get around to coding my own.

The thibg is we are not in the same small town. If other people in my city had already had that template there is no way I would have chosen it. The last thing I would want is to be similar to others. There are a ton of companies out there, why choose that one.

How original do you really think you are? Chances are your work is looking a lot like others who have been doing it longer than you have, whether you want to admit it or not. Your work might be new to your area, but it's not new to the industry. You had to get your inspiration somewhere - we all do. Consider it a compliment that your quality reaches a level people want to imitate.

I don't mean to say that I "am original", but I really try to collaborate ideas with each of my clients to give them something that's "their own"

I really hope that I don't sound like I am having a pity party...it makes me laugh and whine at the same time.

I think maybe we are programed in "art" school to think outside the box and try to set yourself apart. I think that's why I find it so frustrating.

[morlia]

That's how the entertainment industry works. You just have to come up with new stuff and stay a step ahead of them.

lol..that's what I am learning!

[qtfsniper]

just try and make sure you are not reinventing the wheel ;)

[souporman]

I don't have much to add, just that I grew up in "the hat" and miss it some times :) Good luck with the business!