Well, it seems that my last article (You are not a lifestyle photographer) caused some hurt feelings. So let me explain something.
I am not making fun of you.
I am not making fun of you.
You are not a lifestyle photographer…
OK, back to shedding light on the cold, hard truth and ticking off photographers everywhere….
Do you want to know what goes through a photographer’s brain when they see the term “lifestyle photographer” ?
Too bad, I’m gonna tell you, anyway.
Set a Goal: Become Certified
Continuing with today’s theme of professional organizations, I would like to encourage you to set the goal of becoming a Certified Professional Photographer.
Yes, I know this is beginning to sound like I’m a PPA pusher and it’s true. I believe in the PPA system 100%! I would not be where I am right now if it were not for this organization and its affiliates.
Why Am I Doing This?
I’ve gotten some feedback from some folks since the starting up of Wootness.net.
Most of it has been overwhelmingly positive, but I’ve had a few people just not “get” why I am doing this. They think I’m educating my competition and making the problem worse. Maybe I am, maybe I’m not. It’s still a little soon to tell, but frankly, I kinda don’t care. I have some things to say and there are some folks out there who have some things to learn. And maybe there are some folks that already learned the things I’m talking about, but they enjoy the laugh they get when they think back to their humble beginnings and shake their heads, because they made the exact same mistakes.
Some other feedback I’ve gotten is that I write “crass” and “unprofessional.” Honestly, this site started out as a personal project and was more like a diary (I really didn’t figure ANYone would read it). So I felt I was safe in being a little relaxed with the language. OK, valid point, I’ll try and clean it up a little with the words I use. I’m not going to go back and edit anything, and I’m not going to change my style of writing, but I will try and not use hell, damn, bitch and ass so much. OK?
I’m on the road, today and have pre-written a few articles to get you through the day, but they’re more informational than snarky, so here’s a What the Duck cartoon to start your day with a laugh. Rest assured, you won’t be chased away from Wootness!
State and Local Professional Organizations
As you are reading this, I am traveling across the state of Ohio to spend the day and evening with two different professional organizations. First up is the Board of Directors’ meeting for the Professional Photographers of Ohio in Columbus and then on to Kettering, where I will be speaking to the Professional Photographers of Southwest Ohio. I will be speaking on the subject of Print Competitions and unveiling “The 12 Elements of Wootness.” I don’t care who you are, that’s pretty exciting!
Continue reading “State and Local Professional Organizations”
What is YOUR Moral Code?
No snarkiness here, today*. I’d like to talk about a subject that means much to me and defines who I am and how I conduct my daily life and my business.
What, exactly, is a moral code? Well according to Thesaurus.com, some other words you might substitute for moral code are:
- value system
- code of conduct
- ethicalness
- good morals
- ideology
- moral philosophy
- morality
- morals
- principles
- standards
- values
Just go ahead and assume I’m not talking about religious morality, that would be inappropriate.
What I’m talking about is whether or not you treat your clients better than you expect to be treated. Do you follow all laws governing business? What do you do when faced with a legal dilemna?
I hope that you all conduct your business with as high as an ethical standard as you are able.
I hope that you claim all your income on your taxes and don’t play the “payments in cash don’t get reported” game.
I hope that you follow copyright law, not because you might get in trouble if you get caught, but because it’s the right thing to do.
I hope that you have a vendor’s/business license.
I hope that when faced with a situation that does not meet your ethical standards, you are strong enough to turn and walk away.
As photographers, I feel the PPA Code of Ethics says it best:
- Strive to present all photographic services in surroundings and in a manner which reflects the highest levels of professionalism.
- Use the highest levels of honesty, professionalism and integrity.
- Not use any marketing or competitive practice which violates any Federal Trade Commission, or other Federal or State regulatory agency rule or regulation, or Federal or State statute or any decision of any Federal or State Court; and
- In all dealing with fellow professional photographers, students and others who aspire to be professional photographers, I shall share the knowledge and skill of professional photography.
- Support efforts for and assist in the education of all interested persons the general public in the art and science of professional photography.
*Forgive the lack of snarkiness today, it’s Sept 11, it’s a Sunday, and this day has ethical meaning for me, personally.
Who is counting your money?
If the answer is anything but *I AM!* we need to chat.
I don’t care how busy you are. I don’t care how much you trust your employees. I don’t care if your employees are family members, long-time good friends or your own mother. If you do not at least double-check all financial paperwork and oversee receipts and deposits, you are asking for big trouble.
Just Stomping on Through
There’s no tactful, gentle way of saying this. You cannot run a photography business from your home and parent your tiny tots simultaneously. I don’t mean as a stage of life, I mean you cannot serve a client while having your screaming two year-old sitting in a chair off to the side.
The only five models you will ever need.
You’re going to read over and over again about how you should NOT be practicing your skills on paying clients. At least you’ll hear it from me. I’ll lecture on that, later, but for now, I’m going to tell you about the five models you will need to get chummy with while you are learning your craft.
Studio & Business Bootcamp
Before you start rolling your eyes and muttering “I KNEW she’d get around to selling something!” – I want to make it perfectly clear that I do not make one cent from teaching this class. All fees are paid to the PPA and that’s where they stay.
Twice a year, on a Monday, almost 100 studios across the United States open their doors to students for the day, hence the term “Super Monday.”
If you are local to Dover, Ohio 44622 – consider coming to my studio and taking my class on Monday, October 24th from 9AM – 5PM. Continue reading “Studio & Business Bootcamp”