macintosh_smith

I recently met a Photographer who suggested that I try using fine-art prints for my promotional head-shot printing. These prints are freebies that I intend to offer in order to market my work. This Photographer explained that textured fine-art prints, even sized at 8x10 inches, can not be reproduced using color xerox machines; or those self-service consumer level photo reproduction equipment that is found in popular retail stores. I'm hoping someone on this forum could testify to this claim. And possibly suggest a paper type or brand that serves best for obstructing unauthorized copying. As a practice I always stamp "© All Rights Reserved" on the back of my prints and my name with the © symbol unobtrusively on the lower right corner of each print.

Thanks!

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Chadwick, I think your responding a bit super-sensitive. And your writing does read with pessimism about the customers perceived value of executive portraits. Spearhead did prompt the question, . I wasn’t trying to be a smart-aleck. I realize that now-a-days customer's perceived value of photography is deceptively low. And many can behave outright adversarial towards the business of photography. And this is very frustrating for Photographers! My attitude is to hold my ground about not giving in to the clients delusion, and to champion the value of the photography business. To champion this business is what I believe Photographers should be doing when confronted with adversity.

Well, I believe the value in a quality head-shot has to do with conveying trust and quality service. These are values that a professional head-shot offers… A quality head-shot conveys a level of professionalism and expertise that establishes the customer’s trust. Presenting a face represents personalization and conveys a level of quality service. The license to share the intellectual property with third party users (Publishers) for publicity and industry recognition as an expert. I understand the value of executive portraits, however reaching the desision maker to close a deal is a different challenge. That's why I'm asking for new age marketing ideas.

Wow! Everyone came through with some really thought provoking comments. This is all good insight! I do intend to put together a pro-bono or promotional project at a mens grooming salon. I will be sure to reply back with my results. —Michael Chadwick Michael, you appear to be pessimistic. I would think that this is when a photographer should begin to sell up. Educate the prospective client and build added value. Reaffirming the value of our craft is what Photographers should be doing.

I’m seeking marketing strategies for pursuing an executive portrait photography business. I’m hoping a few professional photographers wouldn't mind offering some suggestions or directions. I’m hoping there might be a tutorial or a how to book that offers case study examples. I'm seeking an alternative to direct print mailers and following ups with cold-calls. I don't believe that printed flyers work as effectively as they use to. People are quick to toss printed flyers into the trash. Thanks!

Well, you are certainly taking a sustainable approach towards managing your legal matters. I assume you will be prospecting fortune 500 clients. For me, I'm a bit cavilair because I write my own contracts. My current market is B2C and B2B with fledging startups. While lawyers are assuring, they also tend to frighten the heck out of customers with their legal jargon. I've experienced clients who begin to have second thoughts after reviewing contracts that are written by lawyers. I feel confident in my ability to write a concise and straight forward contract that isn't intimidating. I applaud and agree with your approach. I'm just sharing my experience for knowledge sake. Good luck to ya!

Well, I do publicity photography. If your providing complimentary photography for a non-profit... I wish to first tell you that non-profit business is about business. Therefor, don't feel bashful about charging for money. However, if you wish to volunteer your services. It's best to offer Low-Res .JPEG deliverables that are branded with your logo unobtrusively positioned in the lower right corner of the images. You, the Photographer should submit 300dpi, press ready .TIFF files to a local news publication along with the non-profit's press release. (No Watermarks!) The idea is to earn the non-profit free advertising value in the form of a news editorial. Your offer should be a first time complementary use. You should charge the non-profit for any additional publishing value that is derived from the use of your images. And since you poses their press release, this empowers you to be able to stimulate demand. Good luck at being a capitalist!

I would say... As a Photographer who thinks that Getty Images is your agent, that's a mistake. None of these image farms are anyones agent. Stop referring to Getty as being your agent. All of these image farms… are really FACILITATORS —Not agents! They, the image farms really feel as though Photographers are just business partners. That’s it! The image buyer is their customer, not the Photographer. They see Photographers as beneficiaries of their fabulous marketing efforts. Frankly, I don’t trust image farms to take a Photographer’s best interest at hart. If you wish to find a good agent, your best bet is groom a college kid to be your agent and rep. Start them with a small salary plus commissions to get you assignments. That’s what real agents do. Agents get Photographers assignments. As far as your legal retainer, I’m not sure you really need one. Here in NYC you can present your infringement case to an independent lawyer. If the lawyer feels confident in your claim, they will represent you on a case by case basis. Just be sure to state what you are owed and arrange for the lawyer to mark up at the standard 30% for legal fees.

Ok! Thanks Sandy! I'm thinking of shooting a keyed background outside to save money really. I intend to test this out during a personal project before I consider doing it for a paid assignment. I will create a canopy to assure even shade and use a single strobe light as my key. WAngell, do you foresee a discrepancy with shooting a keyed background outside? I foresee that I may experience issues with a few aggravating bugs; that's about it though.

Greetings Professionals! I will be doing outdoor fashion photography and a fabric backdrop is my preference over paper. I will need to test clean white and chroma-key backdrops. I'm considering either Muslin fabric or a stretch Lycra fabric. I've never attempted this before and I would appreciate some professional insight and suggestion in order to avoid hick-ups during production. Thanks in advance for your timely remarks!