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Thread started 07 Oct 2010 (Thursday) 16:06
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If your that good...

 
ssim
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Oct 15, 2010 05:21 |  #31

thecackster wrote in post #11083198 (external link)
This turned nasty quick but +1 for everything. Your online image is very important. Unlike and un-Follow all of that garbage man.

I haven't seen what I would call nasty. What I have seen is some people tell the OP what he needs to hear. It has been to the point and more importantly on point.

When I first opened your website it gave me the impression that you had a studio. If that is what you want to portray you can do that but I think it may come back to bite you. Your "about" reads like so many how you love photography and you have progressed from point and shoot to DSLR's. Does a customer really want to or need to hear this, imo, they don't. Plenty has already been said about your pricing. If you are as good as your ego says your are then you are definitely leaving money on the table. Just because a person is just starting out does not mean that they have to be incredibly low. Sometimes those low priced photographers don't even get a click on their website when people are hunting because if they see an average price of "x" in an area and then one that is 75% below that price, many will feel something is not right. I was recently looking to hire a photographer in Maui for my son's wedding that is coming up in a couple of weeks. The "ultra budget" shooters didn't even have me look at their site beyond finding a price. Price is not the end all be all in gaining customers.

It bothers me that you seem to have acquired a holier than thou attitude about continuing your education because a few people have said that they thought you were good. Do not discount the benefit of having a degree, they do pay off in the end. As almost everyone here has said, get some business training. This will help you in marketing yourself and how to run a business on things like calculating how your price structure should be set so that you are covering both your variable and fixed costs. I would imagine that just about everyone on here has had those compliments at one time or another. It makes you feel good and it energizes one to go out and conquer the photographic world. I have seen some guys work that was done with a Rebel that was just outstanding so I wouldn't worry about that part.

You say "no more film" for me. If you are going to school to study photography this is in an integral part of it. I don't know what you want to do when you are done and out trying to conquer this craft but what if you wanted to apply for a job at a large commercial studio, the kind that does shoots that take days to get one shot. Many of them are still working in film. What I like to tell people that feel they are overly good is to go shoot an assignment in film. You don't have that sensor on the back to validate your shot. You shoot and wait a couple of days for the results. I could go on about school but I won't as I somehow feel that you have your mind made up on this subject over a few compliments.

If you are going to have a website that portrays you as a business then act like one too. As has been said get rid of the suspect links to the crotch shots and like. You can go off and enjoy these all you want independently but don't tie them to your main website. Your site does need an overhaul, a statement that has been made repeatedly in this thread so you should pay it some heed. English may not be your first language and that is fine but when it comes time to putting things into your site have someone check this for you before you publish it. Poor grammar and punctuation can and probably will cost you customers. The customer can be saying to themselves "If he this careless with his portrayal to the customer in his website what does he do with his photography". I can't emphasize my earlier statement enough, if you want to be seen as a real business then act like one and get your sites cleaned up and professional looking.

I'm not clear and would like to know, what kind of photography are you interested in once you finish your degree. You need to have goals and unfortunately you haven't shared those with us. You have many people on here that you may think are taking shots. I don't see it that way, they are on here to help you and you can either elect to continue on that line of thought that you started this with, "I'm already good enough" or you can take these to heart for what they are meant for and improve yourself.


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Maximilian87
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Oct 25, 2010 21:03 as a reply to  @ post 11057743 |  #32

Thank for the replies!, but there is certain things I'm taking on at one time without help. the first issue is my website I made up from scratch I never paid no one to customize one up for me I don't have that luxury to throw a few hundreds at someone I'll make some changes to it to fit more of a photography feel (If anyone uses wordpress what gallery is good to enable). Number 2 college, doing shoots on my free time,then photo shopping,learning Portuguese is time consuming I don't have time to take business classes my prices were mostly info other local photographers passed down to me how they started off I just wanted decent prices someone new to the area should start off with. I left the military 6 months ago with tons of customer service training since that was my job's main focus. I go about my photography all in a professional way and I present myself properly in front of customers as well when in my shoots, If in any way I write slang or make grammar mistakes and a single tear drop falls from your face because I made a human mistake move your cursor to the top right corner of this page and log out (Lifetime's soap operas are on 24/7).

I see other photographers on this site as professionals giving advice or beginners reaching goals in photography I joined this site to be informed,learn the basics, as well as being known in the community. I really just want feedback from others that made mistakes to help me before I go down that path. This is going to be my career I have goals on becoming a photographer for a magazine on top of my own personal blogging and photography, (Deleting the wedding section too!)

JCOphoto wrote in post #11079407 (external link)
I'm definitely turned off by the fact that you are following 'butts' on Tumblr. That and you seem to be taking credit for others' quotes. Makes me wonder about other things. =\

This is when the old me comes out of the fake smile if you was in front of me. I don't know why who I follow on Tumblr matters I basically told followers if they follow me I would do the same. Photographers get a lot of attention on social networking sites were not public icons if I follow someone who puts a picture of body parts as there default I'm not going to be shunned on bragging magazines and a headline on the E! channel. I didn't take credit for quotes I post them as well as posting my sites url (I think that's called promoting) as for the last sentence that kind of remark made me reply back to you tumblr is filled of members who all they do is re blog and get followers as for wondering about other things keep wondering because I take my own pictures. nice knowing you though! you seem nice ;)

AdamGasson wrote in post #11073729 (external link)
Also I'd shy away from calling yourself Maximilian Studios. That could be a recording studio, TV studio, portrait studio... It doesn't sound as confident as trading under your own name.

If you was at one of my events and I came to you with a business card with a canon around my neck you won't look at the card and say "wait you have a TV studios?" Maximilian Photography doesn't sound interesting at all. I sat down for a while with a lot of friends and brainstormed I like the name and sound. And If I did take this as a serious idea now "my site,the 1000 business cards I just got made, my watermarked photos I have on my site and few others would have to be re-done. uummm I'll stick to it. :lol:


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ImCBParker
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Oct 25, 2010 21:21 |  #33

Max, where to begin. Good for you for coming back, but you have a lot to consider.

One, spelling and grammar is a reflection on you aptitude and intelligence. You may be a bright guy, but if people only have your words to go on you are in trouble.

Two, your online presence is everything in this day and age. I hire employees with fair frequency, and if I saw your tumblr you would not even get an interview. You do not have pictures of just body parts, you have straight up porn on your page. You comfortable with your future GF/ wife finding that? Parents? I assure you that your clients will care and not give you a second look. You can either take our advise of face the consequences. No magazine on this planet will hire you with your current online presence. Again, as someone who makes a living at hiring, just giving you my two cents.

Third, Your site did take credit for specific quotes, another situation where you can take the advice of those in the industry or not.

Lastly, Maximillian Studios is a copy written and trade marked name. You are probably safe for now, but that is only because you are not making money and not worth suing, but go forward at your own risk.


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Maximilian87
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Oct 25, 2010 21:48 |  #34

ImCBParker wrote in post #11164812 (external link)
Max, where to begin. Good for you for coming back, but you have a lot to consider.

One, spelling and grammar is a reflection on you aptitude and intelligence. You may be a bright guy, but if people only have your words to go on you are in trouble.

Two, your online presence is everything in this day and age. I hire employees with fair frequency, and if I saw your tumblr you would not even get an interview. You do not have pictures of just body parts, you have straight up porn on your page. You comfortable with your future GF/ wife finding that? Parents? I assure you that your clients will care and not give you a second look. You can either take our advise of face the consequences. No magazine on this planet will hire you with your current online presence. Again, as someone who makes a living at hiring, just giving you my two cents.

Third, Your site did take credit for specific quotes, another situation where you can take the advice of those in the industry or not.

Lastly, Maximillian Studios is a copy written and trade marked name. You are probably safe for now, but that is only because you are not making money and not worth suing, but go forward at your own risk.

I'm work on the writing :lol:, about the Tumblr I deleted the pervert picture profiles off my list I guess I can lose a few followers. I'll delete the quotes with my website promotion (my fault). now the 3rd situation google "Maximilianstudios" because I did numerous times my site is the first one to come up below me is maximilian studios hendon which is a film production in Australia who doesn't have a site just a number posted in their local yellow pages. I'll deal with the first two problems, about my online presence I don't use this forum that much I'm mostly on my other forum and social networking talking to friends and family. This site has a lot of interesting information that I try to intake while muti-tasking.


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Oct 25, 2010 22:36 |  #35

Maximilian87 wrote in post #11053963 (external link)
Someone help me get a clear view on what to do on this situation.

Here's a clear view; if you want to be taken seriously, get serious. Get a spell checker, clean up your site and stop making childish excuses;

Maximilian87 wrote in post #11164968 (external link)
If in any way I write slang or make grammar mistakes and a single tear drop falls from your face because I made a human mistake move your cursor to the top right corner of this page and log out (Lifetime's soap operas are on 24/7).

You've be given a heap of free thoughtful and insightful advice from a bunch of people who know how this business works and that's your response?

I will be surprised if you get much more help here.

Maximilian87 wrote in post #11053963 (external link)
I'm work on the writing :lol:.

No further questions your honour.


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cdifoto
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Oct 25, 2010 23:00 |  #36

A few grammar mistakes won't kill you but you should at least be coherent.


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Oct 25, 2010 23:40 as a reply to  @ cdifoto's post |  #37

In response to your question...should u stay in school?

The answer for you is yes. this is not said in a bad way but someone early on in this thread mentioned the need for an education and the value it will provide you. I agree with this. I needed it.

Good luck, move on, do not reply with smart arsed comments to seasoned members of the forum who are trying to help you.


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Oct 25, 2010 23:42 |  #38

As someone who is around business 24/7, you need to get serious. Like it or not appearance is everything nowadays in the world of business. If you allow such serious errors to permeate throughout your site, well, people will think a kid wrote it up for you. I'm just telling you honestly. Take that blond chick from Grey's Anatomy (forget her name) who finally admits that she messed up her image because she didn't care what people thought and said what she wanted to regardless. This is what you'll end up doing if you don't have someone proofread.


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Oct 25, 2010 23:51 |  #39

Maximilian87 wrote in post #11164694 (external link)
This is when the old me comes out of the fake smile if you was in front of me. I don't know why who I follow on Tumblr matters I basically told followers if they follow me I would do the same. Photographers get a lot of attention on social networking sites were not public icons if I follow someone who puts a picture of body parts as there default I'm not going to be shunned on bragging magazines and a headline on the E! channel. I didn't take credit for quotes I post them as well as posting my sites url (I think that's called promoting) as for the last sentence that kind of remark made me reply back to you tumblr is filled of members who all they do is re blog and get followers as for wondering about other things keep wondering because I take my own pictures. nice knowing you though! you seem nice ;)


This is when my Real smile goes away. No need to get defensive if everything is on the up and up. Right?

If you're not taking credit for those quotes, then your name should not be placed directly after them.

As for what others do on tumblr... If they all decided to jump off of a bridge...... I'm sure you get it.
Anyways, in reposting things with no credit given, it seems as though you are taking it yourself.

Just saying.


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Oct 26, 2010 09:13 |  #40

Shockey wrote in post #11054187 (external link)
90% of photographers are only 10% as good as they think they are.

99% of photographers make the rest of them look bad...


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Oct 27, 2010 06:38 |  #41

Maximilian87 wrote in post #11164968 (external link)
I deleted the pervert picture profiles off my list I guess I can lose a few followers.

What was the point in having those kinds of contacts anyway? Do you honestly think they were interested in your material? Or that they were going to purchase your services? With your online presence, the quality of your contacts FAR outweighs the number of followers you have. Just because someone was going to "follow you back" does not make it ok to have that.

There's some good advice in this thread buddy. If you don't listen all you're doing is making it easier for the rest of us.


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Maximilian87
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Oct 27, 2010 11:45 |  #42

The Stig wrote in post #11173455 (external link)
What was the point in having those kinds of contacts anyway? Do you honestly think they were interested in your material? Or that they were going to purchase your services? With your online presence, the quality of your contacts FAR outweighs the number of followers you have. Just because someone was going to "follow you back" does not make it ok to have that.

There's some good advice in this thread buddy. If you don't listen all you're doing is making it easier for the rest of us.

I've taken all the advice given and applied it, I handle the situation wrong two days ago college isn't as fun as it looks in the brochure :confused: I'm having to reschedule every week waiting for a break or one day there isn't homework. A lot is flying so fast I'm making my own website from scratch making it more organized as well. Thanks a lot guys school calls :confused:


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