curt_kalkstein1

Yes, a good web site is a great idea. You'll have to decide whether you want to maintain, or to hire someone to do that.

 

PPA (or PPwhatever your state is) is a great idea for learning the skills you'll need to match the promises inherently made by great marketing presentations.

One thing I began trying about two months ago was joining a business networking group (Business Network International).

 

This group emphasizes giving each other referrals, not leads, so the contact name and number you get has already told someone, "yeah, tell Linda to give me a call". You're not schilling.

 

I've gotten a couple of jobs just from the group itself - nothing big - but everyone in the group seems enthusiastic and sincere, so I'm optimistic.

 

You can also try putting up display prints in businesses connected to your emphasis in photography: a 16 x 20 in a reception hall...

Since - correct me if I'm wrong - this has become an after-the-fact issue (oh, by the way, if you want that coverage, it'll cost you money), you might consider doing it for free, but make it a policy to charge in the future.

 

You can state something like, "sure, I'll provide an hour of rehearsal dinner coverage (try to make sure it isn't during the actual time when they're chewing chicken) at no cost. Additional time is available at x number of dollars."

Even if they don't express it, brides (and grooms) are looking for EVERYTHING because you're one of possibly many photographers they're interviewing. So, while they might tell you two or three particular things are most important to them, and they leave your studio impressed with what you have to offer, their heads might be turned in an entirely different direction by two or three entirely different things they hadn't even considered that photographer number two shows them.

 

Of course you can't address every nuance that exists in wedding photography, but I remember one time a woman didn't hire me because I had no sample books to show her of outdoor weddings.

 

I have wall portraits that show some unusual images; I might show them a flush-mount album of an outdoor wedding (seven months too late), while the proof book is mixed with colour, black-and-white, and sepia prints. A parent album I show might be heavy on the formal poses.

 

Remember, too, when you meet with a bride, you often meet with her fiance and hers/his parents.

 

Yes, brides-to-be want the photojournalistic approach to wedding photography, but they - or someone involved in the process - will probably also want neatly posed and composed portraits. Someone will also want something fun or sassy, while others will want something edgy/artsy.

 

I've read on forums like this - maybe even this very one - that there's a menu offering two of three ways customers can be served: fast, cheap, good, but they can't have it fast, cheap AND good. So, yeah, everyone probably wants to spend $900, get a stack of albums, and have you with them for 12 hours on their wedding day, but you've got to show them why that's really NOT in their best interests.

I used McKenna about five years ago. Obviously, my input might be useless, but while the customer service personnel was friendly and the service great, the enlargements were too often out of focus. I know it wasn't me because I had the same prints made elsewhere after the fact and found them to be sharp.

Who knows, though, that problem might long have been corrected.

My concern, based on absolutely no experience or hearsay, is that it might cut into your reprint business. 5 x 7 is a pretty common size for reprints, but if the customers already have the 5 x 7 reprint, there's no need to buy it.

It sounds like you've done what I sometimes do: gotten emotionally involved.

It seems you made your policy clear: no money and contract, no services. You're a free agent.

Don't contact them unless they try contacting you. As someone else wrote, an agreement between you and they does not exist. Book someone else.

I haven't had much problem at all with Pictage (I've been a member for about a year).

One thing that occurs to me is to possibly eliminate the 3ﾽx5 size. I realize that's a peripheral issue, but I don't know many customers who are even familiar with that size - and 4 x 6 so similar anyway.

I've actually never had a colour problem with the prints I've received. And, while I forewarn all customers that all prints ordered directly through Pictage uploading will not be my responsibility, I'm still yet to hear even a whimper of dissatisfaction.

That re-do policy does sound onerous, though. I'm glad I haven't had to go through it.

And, yes, the waiting game on hold is annoying, as is the occasional delay in e-mail responses.

I've watched ebay fairly regularly over the last few months,

noticing the steady drop in price of the Sigma 120-300 mm f2.8

 

It has gone from about $2,000 to - this morning - $1,650 (new, from

a camera store).

 

Any insight on how much longer I should hold out?

You're absolutely right to have booked the client who was ready. Just as you wrote: there was no guarantee the irate person would have hired you at or after the meeting.

One thing you can do is ask, "Wendy, do you want me to call you if someone else is interested in that date?" This underscores the fact you are not hers, and offers her a chance of first refusal.

I am a film-based photographer looking for top quality portrait

photo labs.

 

I'd like to find one in or around Indiana so the turnaround time

doesn't become an issue.

 

Thanks in advance for your help.

I'm teaching a beginner's photography class that includes a student

using a Pentax PZ70 body and a Pentax AF220T flash.

 

I'd like to be familiar with my student's equipment, so can anyone

tell me anything/everything about these?

 

Thanks in advance.