Put gear on website?

misguided intentions??? You're on a roll...

sageone wrote in post #2342428
So far it hasn't...most of my work has been referal business. Most people know me and just want to check out my work. Thus far, I haven't lost any jobs because of it.

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Again, it's all personal taste.

OK, so far it's mostly referral business. But you have a public URL, so maybe you are missing business because of this - who knows?

Ask yourself this question: is the gear list for your referral clients or for new clients?

Referrals won't care what you use because it's a walk-up start. New clients: will they be impressed because you don't use an XT? Or a bit cagey because you don't shoot 1-series?

My bet is the latter will outweigh the former, so why make it hard for yourself and what do you really gain?

sageone wrote in post #2342436
misguided intentions??? You're on a roll...

How sugar-coated do you want the pill to be?

Look, notwithstanding the David Jay example, very few high end studios advertise the gear list. It's (mainly) evident for "aspiring" (is that enough sugar) photographers who feel that showing-off their equipment will somehow "validate" (your words) them and their work.

Why associate yourself with the latter? Take a gamble and align yourself with the former, you may just find it works...

"New clients: will they be impressed because you don't use an XT? Or a bit cagey because you don't shoot 1-series?"

Do new clients know the difference? You said yourself that it's the final product that matters. What? A pair of 30Ds, my lenses and my creativity won't produce great results?

And as for that pill...I don't need it, but you know where you can put it.

In addition, I'm not a full time photog...I'm a director for marketing and communications...which pays the bills. The camera work feeds the creative beast in me and the extra scratch supplements my income.

sageone wrote in post #2342457
"New clients: will they be impressed because you don't use an XT? Or a bit cagey because you don't shoot 1-series?"

Do new clients know the difference? You said yourself that it's the final product that matters. What? A pair of 30Ds, my lenses and my creativity won't produce great results?

Sure it's the final result that matters, that example was to show that it could actually back-fire on you.

I'm sure you do great work - why cheapen it with a "look how good my gear is" statement?

sageone wrote in post #2342463
In addition, I'm not a full time photog...I'm a director for marketing and communications...which pays the bills. The camera work feeds the creative beast in me and the extra scratch supplements my income.

I think you mean "complements".

Gees, I thought a Marcoms guy would know better!

cwphoto wrote in post #2342467
Sure it's the final result that matters, that example was to show that it could actually back-fire on you.

I'm sure you do great work - why cheapen it with a "look how good my gear is" statement?

I totally understand where you are coming from. It's an image and reputation thing. Your point is valid and well taken.

sageone wrote in post #2342473
I totally understand where you are coming from. It's an image and reputation thing. Your point is valid and well taken.

Merry Christmas.

cwphoto wrote in post #2342479
Merry Christmas.

Back at ya...

cwphoto wrote in post #2341414
Or a good Marketer more likely...

DJ is a good photographer and a "great" marketeer! That's how he makes his money and lots of it. If he lists his equipment it's because he wants to impress clients and help push sells. I doubt he's insecure about it. Last seminar I went to one of the main themes was to set yourself apart. If everyone in the area is using 30Ds and you can boast a 1D MkII etc on your site it might help sway the expensive weddings your way. If you want to rely just on taking good pics you might be selling yourself short. As I'm learning this is a business not an art show.

Latest venture is making DVDs out of ShowIt slide shows. Gonna cost you around $100 a pop for him to author it for you cause it's "too complicated" for you to do yourself. If this works out for him do the math! He'll probably retire soon.

woffles wrote in post #2347679
If you want to rely just on taking good pics you might be selling yourself short.

You don't honestly believe this do you? The gear list is actually a negative (read the last few posts I made). It overwhelmingly shows insecurity.

OMG, enough already. It's everybody's choice to do what they want. period.

cwphoto wrote in post #2348279
You don't honestly believe this do you? The gear list is actually a negative (read the last few posts I made). It overwhelmingly shows insecurity.

Yeah I do. It's a buyers market out there. You have to sell yourself. Posting equipment might get you a job or two from the more geek orientated couples out there over someone else. I can't imagine it driving off a customer in any way shape or form. If they don't care they won't look at it. If you're shooting with cheap stuff don't list it. I just don't see how you can lose out.

Quality restaurants list Angus beef, photo labs list kodak paper, garages list OEM or NAPA parts. Are they insecure, no. They are just doing marketing. Why should this business be any different?

If someone is proud of their equipment what's wrong with a little bragging? As long as they aren't obnoxious about it and trying to put down other photographers. I've seen that on a couple of sites too. I'd agree with you on some sites that try to compare their equipment to other photographers and it does seem like they have a chip on their shoulders and are trying to prove something. Something tasteful and understated just doesn't seem insecure to me. Peace out.

and if someone hires a wedding photog and the guy showes up with a 1.3 Olympus digi cam?

lol Can you imagine a wedding photog showes up at your wedding with either a disposable "Box" cam or worse, His cell phone camera?? lol,lol,lol.. you shoulda read his "Equipment" list on his site, maybe seeing : "Cameras used: Motorola Razor, Holga Medium Format and, Kodak Fun Saver." Might have clued you in...lol