Do you want a good debate?

[RandyMN]

Good!

Bring it here and let your pet peeves, irritations, grudges, and any time you are just pissed off at the world, bring it here so every one can know!

I will start!

I know we have heard it all before about good equipment is all it takes, professionalism is all about getting paid, Craigslist ads giving away free wedding shots to build portfolio...

But I have to say that the single most important reason I book events is because it's the best way for me to keep doing what I love.

And if no one else does, I'll come here any time I want to vent!!!

I don't care about the business, I just want to shoot! But I only want to shoot clients who treat me like I am not a guy with a camera.

My biggest pet peeve is getting booked by someone who feels their money in hiring me is no different than the money that goes to the fast food chain for a few dozen burgers.

In that sense I hate the business of photography.

But I still do it because paying clients assure I will always be dealing with new challenges because otherwise I'd be sitting back taking no photographs and posting on POTN thinking I can rub elbows with the best and not really paying my dues!

[RandyMN]

Maybe I can use this to vent to myself.

My wife wanted a camera but it had to be a small compact one. I bought her a Sony credit card camera.

She complained that it did not produce enough quality.

I bought her a Panasonic Lumix thing an all in one solution would be great for her!

She complained she need focus ponts that lit up.

I gave her my 20D with the 28-105 lens from the 50D Kit.

She wanted a tripod I gave her one.

She complained she needed a flash.

I gave her a spare Canon 580 EX.

She tried out my macro and now says she needs one.
She tried out my 300 telephoto and now needs one.
She tried out my remote trigger and needs one.

I can't afford to give away any more equipment nor upgrade at this time to give away the old.

Whats a guy supposed to do?

[nphsbuckeye]

Tell her it's not the camera?

[birdfromboat]

If I was you I would ask a large group of fellow photographers for advice.

[20droger]

Face it, Randy. You're doomed. Your wife has caught the bug, and there is no cure.

Mortgage the house and buy her what she "needs." It's less painful in the long run.

[CustomMinds]

if they do not respect you before you start shooting their wedding. and they do not respect you after you finish their photos.. then you are not doing a good job as a photographer. you are producing photos that do not 'pop' for them.

[DStanic]

Randy: I think it's great that your wife shares an interest in photography! My wife likes snapping the odd picture, but has no interest in really learning how it all works.

This brings up a subject that bothers me...

My wife thinks that adjusting things in Lightroom is not "how the picture was meant to be taken". I tried to explain to her how P&S cameras use software in the camera to create the final JPG product. I tried explaining how RAW is a "digital negative" with no sharpening or color adjustments applied, and tried comparing that to film and darkrooms. I showed her the camera profiles in LR and tried to explain how that effects the image, as well as Picture Styles in the camera, and that there is no "natural" way for it to look. After a while she say "ok.." not sure if she really understands or maybe just forgot the second time she asked.

Having my new quad core computer makes processing images a HELL of alot quicker (and therefore easier and more fun) I think maybe she just didn't like waiting for me to process and export them..

[neumanns]

Christ Randy....Your complaining about somthing when most of us would like to find our selves in the same position!

Buy her the best....1 series bodies, L lenses, Gitzo tripods, Complete light setup's, Etc......And then Borrow her gear:lol:

[Karl Johnston]

Randy, what backup body would you like? ;) You have an excuse most people would die for to get some really nice backup equipment ...and have their wives approve!

"Aw honey you bought me all this gear how sweet it must've been so expensive for you!!"

CHA-CHING! Double win!

[wyofizz]

Here's one for ya,
My wife likes photography and had a Nikon film camera. Took great pictures, won lots of ribbons at the county fair. I bought her a new Rebel after much research (I wasn't into photography). I started using it to shoot my daughters sports events. I was hooked. I've obviously upgraded but at least she doesn't give me any flak about the purchases.
What happened to the Rebel, sits on the counter collecting dust. I don't think she likes the PP.
I would love to have her working contracts with me but that doesn't look like it's going to happen.
Now my teenage daughter would wear the 1D's out if given the chance and mans the booth at events.
Alas, all is not lost.:D

Dave

[Lazuka]

Face it, Randy. You're doomed. Your wife has caught the bug, and there is no cure.

Mortgage the house and buy her what she "needs." It's less painful in the long run.

This man is wise, you will NEVER win with a woman. Just take your losses and move forward.


About the not being treated like just a guy with a camera, I do ad/product photography, and all i care about is the money in that aspect of photography, my passion of photography comes out in street photography and in landscape. So both of best worlds.

[tonylong]

Well, now, take my daughter. Please. I set her up with an XTi with, among other things, the 17-55 f/2.8 IS and other lenses and accessories.

She carelessly left her camera bag in a place where it could be stolen, and took off with just her Rebel and one lens -- not, mind you, the 17-55, but the 28-135. And, guess what got stolen?

And, then, when I show her shots of mind where I have practiced shooting techniques, and try to explain to her what I'm learning, I hear "I don't care about <insert whatever subject matter>". She just wants to do her own thing.

Life's irritations, I tell ya!

Oh, and don't ask me about the laptop that I got her that has been trashed several times over...

[20droger]

Let her do her own thing—with her own money that she earns with her own job. Cheaper for you, better for her in the long run.

[RandyMN]

If I was you I would ask a large group of fellow photographers for advice.

Not looking for advice... Just release!

[RandyMN]

So now, as long as I'm releasing...

The wife comes home today and tells me she was confronted at work by our supposed to be bride of next weekend along with her mother.

This is a booking that my wife got us from a fellow worker who was planning on getting married next weekend.

She booked an engagement session last summer and then booked the wedding for a rediculous discount of 75.00 per hour and half down to schedule.

Since this was a 10 hour booking, we received 350.00 down.

Turns out the would be groom lost his job in this troubled economy and finally today the supposed bride brought her mother to my wife's work to argue about getting the retainer back because the ex-to-be-husband moved away, left the mortgage and the marriage has been called off.

My wife comes home after much frustration telling me they want a full refund of the retainer, which was fully explained in the contract as non-refundable. Her mother even had the contract in her hands while arguing the refund.

I told my wife that this is business, but being she works with the gal we would meet half way and refund 50% difference.

Now that's something to vent about!

And to 'birdfromboat', I don't need advice, I know business is business; but damn, sometimes we just have to tell our stories so others know this **** does happen!

You know what, maybe I am looking for advice... What would you do?

[SOK]

Whats a guy supposed to do?

You know what, maybe I am looking for advice... What would you do?

All this venting....I think you need a new wife! :D:p:mrgreen:

[RandyMN]

All this venting....I think you need a new wife! :D:p:mrgreen:

Naa. I'll keep the wife....

Maybe I just need a new hobby.:rolleyes: