Yet another Mom-tographer start-up!

I know we've all seen this...someone that likes to "do pictures"... owns a cheap Rebel DSLR, no portfolio and calls themselves a pro....feast your eyes on these deals!

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Cool. Someone else who won't be taking business from me.

For the life of me, I will never understand why people feel the need to point out folks like this. If this woman is a threat to your business, you'd better either step up or get out of the business, because you're doing it wrong...

And?

We have all seen these kind of ads. There is no point in using "mom-tographer" in a semi-derogatory manner. If she shoots the pants of your business, then you have something to worry about. Likely people who pay for this kind of photography do not do so instead of paying for photography that costs 4-10x as much, but instead of not paying for it at all.

The only thing worth commenting on this for me is the thought of how much culling I would have to do to only have 30-40 images from 2 hours.

Does it upset you because you use the word "pro" in your business name? (which incidentally sounds like a brand of ball point pen)

The bigger issue should be why you think this is your competition and why this would be of any concern.

@OP: I thought about linking to some of your work to provide context for what you think is professional--but that wouldn't be cool I don't think. Neither is bashing this Isabeth person, who is probably just trying to do the best they can.

As above, I don't see what the fuss is about!?! It's her time, she can charge what she likes. If she gets customers, and is happy, fair play to her!

I'm not sure he is threatened by the person, but the flyer claims professional photography. if it isn't so professional, then it casts others who claim to be professional is a negative light. So, you have to clear an already formed perception before you can sell your product.

Personally, I really like the style of the ad and it would appeal to me for photos I may want of my kids. Though even as a customer, I would wonder how the heck someone is going to give me 2 hours of work PLUS editing for only $45.

OP, you had to know that there would be backlash from this. You have almost 1,000 posts on this forum. That means you know that 95% of the people on here are genuinely kind no matter what your experience, professional or otherwise. A good way to get those people to turn on you is to try to get a rise out of people due to a startup photography business. Have you forgotten that we were all startups at some point?

Simply put OP, you are a bully. "Bully: n; a person who uses strength or power to harm or intimidate those who are weaker." Bullies only bully for two reasons: 1. They feel intimidated by the person they are bullying and feel they need to show who is dominant, or 2. They feel insignificant or lack self-confidence and therefore feel the need to attempt to pull others down to there level, this reason being far more common than the first. So which is it with you OP?

I feel sorry for the work a person would have to put in at those prices. Even at 1 hour for $25, you're probably going to work for 1 1/2 hours with just very basic editing and copying everything to a CD and taking no time for driving, cost for fuel, cost of CDs, etc... in to account. If you're putting in more time than that, it's just not worth it. It boils down to about $12.50-$16 an hour and I know local Sheetz gas stations start about $12.00 an hour.

That just seems way much work for that little money.

I mean, I've done work for a $10-$15 6 pack of beer, but that's shooting for friends with a mutual benefit of a project I want to work on. I'd never advertise that to potential clients.




1 hour session - <$10 6 pack
1 1/2 hour session - $10-$15 6 pack
2 hour session - $10-$15 6 pack and 2 bombers of assorted oak aged ale

I am a mom-tographer and not only that, a "lady whose husband has a nice job to buy her equipment" (as quoted by one of the primary photogs I shot for this summer. Meh...my work is not at Peter or Tim's level yet, but I'm on my way.

This is for Isabeth to discover, right ? She'll probably feel this pain soon enough and grow from it. But in the meanwhile she probably cares more about building a portfolio, working with more people and developing her skills at the same time. The $ isn't the main value they're getting from their work at this stage. Do they have the ultimate business plan ? Probably not. But why should any one denigrate their attempt ?

The use of the word 'pro' is a little unfortunate, I'll agree. But, really, what is the criterion for that ? And aren't these prices (and their current portfolio) sufficient to make clear just what the prospective client should expect ?

Village_Idiot wrote in post #17135288
I feel sorry for the work a person would have to put in at those prices. Even at 1 hour for $25, you're probably going to work for 1 1/2 hours with just very basic editing and copying everything to a CD and taking no time for driving, cost for fuel, cost of CDs, etc... in to account. If you're putting in more time than that, it's just not worth it. It boils down to about $12.50-$16 an hour and I know local Sheetz gas stations start about $12.00 an hour.

That just seems way much work for that little money.

I mean, I've done work for a $10-$15 6 pack of beer, but that's shooting for friends with a mutual benefit of a project I want to work on. I'd never advertise that to potential clients.




1 hour session - <$10 6 pack
1 1/2 hour session - $10-$15 6 pack
2 hour session - $10-$15 6 pack and 2 bombers of assorted oak aged ale

If she's getting paid, she's a pro, or semi pro at least. The title isn't defined by how much you charge, or even the quality of your work.

Whoa, tough room.

Christopher Steven b wrote in post #17135306
Isabeth . . . probably cares more about building a portfolio, working with more people and developing her skills at the same time. The $ isn't the main value they're getting from their work at this stage.

Yes, not everything is measured in dollars. We don't know enough about Isabeth to make judgments. She may be 16, supported by her parents, wanting to use her interest in photography to earn pocket money, and not a mom at all. Maybe she's been told "These are really good. You should start charging for them." This story is probably false, because I just made it up, but nothing in it is inconsistent with the ad.