Can prospective clients really differentiate between quality?

I've been an amateur for awhile now, but recently heavily contemplating going pro. I googled all my competition in the area, and there are a few photographers with pages of raving 5 star reviews on google whose work looks like they just blast away with a rebel & kit lens in full auto.

This terrifies me. How can I compete if people are thrilled with uncle Bob quality results?

There really is no answer to this question.

1. Of course they can't.
2. Of course they can.
3. Yes they care.
4. No they don't care.

All of those are correct... you get me?

Yep, depends on the person viewing the images. My sister keeps insisting I should quit my comfy, well paid job and go pro with my camera. I keep telling her I'd starve. She's easily impressed, but I know my limitations and I'm not even a "talented hobbyist" let alone pro level. Some people don't know mediocrity when they see, but go check out the C&C forum or the Wedding forum and you'll see some really decent pics getting torn apart by discriminating eyes.

That said, I've seen framed images hanging in hotel lobbies that had massive CA or noise or were just plain lousy. My former office paid a bundle for framed pics and the pics looked like they were shot with a cell phone camera. The woman who bought them is a decent photog herself, so I was really surprised that she thought the images were good.

So like Casual says above, take your pick of an answer.

Not everyone can and this is why there are $800 photographers and then $8000 photographers.
It also falls down on how much a couple can afford.

Some shots on the portfolio can also trigger" I want to book them" as they can connect to those shots.

eg. Pilots will like plane shots. Those who travel will like destination wedding shots. Those who ride motorcycles will like all the motorcycle related images,etc.

If you want to succeed, stop looking at other photographers' websites and start doing your own thing. You'll attract clients who will like your photographs and your own unique style.

Pricing yourself differently will also make you stand out as well. A bride who is looking for quality and willing to pay, will never hire a $1500 photographer as she'll think those people are amateurs(and they are...)
picture

Some can, some can't.

Many people pay for reviews online and those review sites shouldn't really be trusted.

Thomas Campbell wrote in post #16469679
Many people pay for reviews online

. . . or for reviews online to be taken offline.

Additionally, it takes a lot more than good photographs to thrive as a professional photographer. If you're a great businessperson, you can make it even with mediocre photos. (the inverse is also true)

Some can, some can't, most don't.

In dealing with commercial accounts, there are a number of pictures that are ordered repeatedly that were taken with a 30D. Most are ordered at 24x36 which, IMHO, that camera does not support.

When I roll up the prints for delivery in a tube, I am at arm's length from them. There hasn't been a single occasion when I did not look at the print and cringe at the lack of resolution, sharpness, and even mild pixelation.

Yet, I have never receive one complaint. It's been all compliments. This is dealing with commercial designers who are professionals who supposedly know quality. Either they don't, or don't care. Neither does the everyday consumer. Quality (and even composition) that will often make you and I cringe makes others smile. There are simply a lot of undiscerning people out there.

My work is at a point now where I am not selling my work anymore, I am selling myself. It's that simple. Clients love me and are thrilled after meeting with me and having me around on their wedding day. They love me before they even see my pictures. They could give to ****s if I shoot with this or that. They have no clue.

how how most people determine if a photo is good:

not blurry.
person A is in it.


great success!

drewl wrote in post #16472254
how how most people determine if a photo is good:

not blurry.
person A is in it.
vignette!

great success!

Fixed

LostArk wrote in post #16469600
This terrifies me. How can I compete if people are thrilled with uncle Bob quality results?

Are you intending on competing with them on price? I'm guessing you are since you have labelled them the competition in your area. I'd have to ask the question why you are looking to compete with them in the first place. Why compete with crap?

Most people readily acknowledge that I'm better than average. They just can't always afford better than average.

It doesn't matter if clients can tell the difference between quality results.

It does matter if you can convince clients of the difference in quality in your results.

soupcxan wrote in post #16473329
It doesn't matter if clients can tell the difference between quality results.

It does matter if you can convince clients of the difference in quality in your results.

I don't bother doing that. If they can't tell just by looking, they should just save their money.