Anti-People Photographers

What is up with all these new photographers who want to take pictures of people, but then don't want to talk to them?

???
Is there an example somewhere? I've not seen this and feel comfortable in saying if there is a photographer like this, they will not be in business for long until they are forced to either get friendly or change their market.

Naturalist wrote in post #13138403
???
Is there an example somewhere? I've not seen this and feel comfortable in saying if there is a photographer like this, they will not be in business for long until they are forced to either get friendly or change their market.

I'm talking about people who think the first and best way to sell is online (rather than using online as a method to reach people who are physically unreachable).

I personally actively exploit every method of touching my clients, and still find the physical methods best. The more I can show them personally how enthusiastic I am about the project, the better the entire project, from the consultation to the sales to their happiness with it, will be.

RDKirk wrote in post #13139382
I personally actively exploit every method of touching my clients, and still find the physical methods best.

Me too but the judge said I should stop doing that now!!!

llareggub wrote in post #13139422
Me too but the judge said I should stop doing that now!!!

hahaha

My 1st assumption was of up the skirt shooters and they generally end up in handcuffs in the back of squad cars.

RDKirk wrote in post #13138397
What is up with all these new photographers who want to take pictures of people, but then don't want to talk to them?

They think there are shortcuts to success. They assume that what they produce has inherent value and people will pay. They don't understand the value of relationships, the sacrifice required to build trust with clients and earn a reputation.

Or maybe they are part-timers like myself, who barely have time to shoot, process and upload. They're still struggling to build their photography skills and don't have time to build their business/sales skills at the same time.

I know I could make more money at this game if I invested more time with clients. But I have a full-time job, family and other commitments. So I accept the fact that dedicated, full-time shooters will sell more than me - not because their pictures are better, but because they understand that it takes much more than a quality product to create a successful business.

RDKirk wrote in post #13139382
I'm talking about people who think the first and best way to sell is online (rather than using online as a method to reach people who are physically unreachable).

I personally actively exploit every method of touching my clients, and still find the physical methods best. The more I can show them personally how enthusiastic I am about the project, the better the entire project, from the consultation to the sales to their happiness with it, will be.

Online communication isn't the same as not wanting to talk. Which one are you really railing against here?

My clients usually prefer to text. That's just how it is. It's the method that allows quick communication without interrupting important aspects of someone's day. They can be on the crapper or at work or having sex and get back to you when it suits them (I rate all of those FAR more important than talking to a photographer). They can read your message and think over a suitable response without feeling pressured. As far as I know, none of them have complained that my service isn't personal and/or that I'm not enthusiastic and/or that I don't work hard.

Maybe you just suck at communicating without facial expressions. Are you overly formal in your emails/texts perhaps? Maybe they're off-putting because they sound like business letters all the time.

RDKirk wrote in post #13139382
I personally actively exploit every method of touching my clients.

Hopefully the TF won't catch wind of this one.

Online galleries, primarily, and shying away from in-person consultations and sales sessions. Clearly, I also use online communications--I'm here, for instance.

Maybe there is some reason the client doesn't/can't arrange a personal meeting...okay. But for what we're doing--where arousing emotional excitement critical to maximum sales--there is nothing better than being able to use the fullest range of sensory mechanisms.

Yes, I'd much rather be able to use facial expressions, vocal inflections--I will even use physical touch and smells. There is actually a study that indicates pumpkin pie incense induces an urge to buy in women.

It's perhaps also a generational thing. Society is moving towards online communication and commerce, and what used to be the extreme is now just normal for many people. In the younger generations, not only does the businessperson/seller often prefer an electronic medium, but the CLIENT prefers it as well.

From a purely rhetorical standpoint: If I can look at your portfolio on your website from the comfort of my couch, why would I want to drive to your studio to look at your portfolio? If you DON'T have a website, your name isn't even on my list.

Personally, I'm much more adept at written/electronic communication than to face-to-face discussion, or especially phone conversations. I'm soft-spoken and a little shy, and prefer to have time to choose each of my words carefully. Therefore, an e-mail discussion works better for me.

It's the age.....How many people ask you for your website and not a printed book when they ask about your services? Most want a website to review your work. If your website is not good.....then you lose your first crack at them as clients!

RDKirk wrote in post #13140522
I will even use physical touch and smells. There is actually a study that indicates pumpkin pie incense induces an urge to buy in women.

You bring pumpkin pie to your meetings?

nathancarter wrote in post #13140593
It's perhaps also a generational thing. Society is moving towards online communication and commerce, and what used to be the extreme is now just normal for many people. In the younger generations, not only does the businessperson/seller often prefer an electronic medium, but the CLIENT prefers it as well.

Over on the Fred Miranda forums, there are people claiming that a wedding photographer who doesn't become drinking buddies with clients won't get jobs.

I don't shoot weddings, but I do shoot high school seniors. I don't see any evidence that women of the Net Generation don't get as much out of personal contact as any generation before. They simply have more modes of communication available than before, and they may prefer electrons to ink, but they still get just as much out of personal contact.