One of my followers on Twitter, Heather Curiel (btw, does awesome work with tintypes!!) asked me to do a post about the importance of WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International). Every year in Las Vegas, the WPPI convention dominates the city in one of the most engaging week-long workshops and expositions. But with so many photographer conventions...
Author Archives:August 30, 2010 - 3:26 pm
Good stuff man! Keep rocking! August 30, 2010 - 3:51 pm
Thanks, DJ! Make sure to save some coffee for me at the Showit Suite Bistro :)  Many times, I get new photographers struggling with the same problem. Pricing. So, I thought I’d share with you something I wrote in response to a frustrated photog who was being hounded by the budget bride: “Hey Dustin, I’ve heard a lot of great things about your ability to run a profitable photography business (several,... by dustinmeyer 8 comments August 27, 2010 - 3:35 pm
Well said Dustin. August 27, 2010 - 4:04 pm
Exactly, Dina! I think there’s such a blurry difference between hobbyist and professional that the public tends to get confused. Just because I own a wrench doesn’t make me a certified plumber. The fact that I can grill a mean steak doesn’t mean I have culinary accreditations. Pushing a button on a camera or knowing a few tweaks in Photoshop makes one no less a professional photographer than turning the keys in a car makes you certified to drive that vehicle. If you’re a professional, charge professional rates… because it’s your profession. :) Thanks for sharing, Dina!! August 28, 2010 - 11:08 am
Nice one! Sometimes I think we forget to value ourselves. August 28, 2010 - 11:13 am
Right, Heather! Just because you’re a natural at taking photos doesn’t mean you should do it for cheap ;) August 30, 2010 - 3:13 pm
Great way to handle it Dustin. I hope she hears you and can stick to it. I am always trying to beat that tidbit into fellow photographers. I can’t begin to tell you the number of photographers that say to me, “Yeah but my business isnt like yours, I don’t live in a big city, so my clients won’t pay the same amount as your clients.” And to that I always respond, a camera costs what a camera costs. If most photographers would realize that most all of the hard costs of business are the same regardless if you live in a rural market or a metropolitan area. Cameras, lenses, prints, albums, computers, software, and most all the tools of the trade cost the same regardless of your address. The only reduced costs of a rural studio are lower overhead in the form of rent or mortgage and lower insurance costs. And in the commercial world, usage is usage. In fact, many large national companies can be found in rural markets because of the need for cheap labor and cheap land. However these clients are advertising nationally, so rural photographers need to consider that usage. If they have a multi-thousand square ft facility on 10 acres of land, and dozens of employees, think about the revenue that company is generating to turn a profit. So remember, a camera costs what a camera costs. August 30, 2010 - 3:13 pm
Great way to handle it Dustin. I hope she hears you and can stick to it. I am always trying to beat that tidbit into fellow photographers. I can’t begin to tell you the number of photographers that say to me, “Yeah but my business isnt like yours, I don’t live in a big city, so my clients won’t pay the same amount as your clients.” And to that I always respond, a camera costs what a camera costs. If most photographers would realize that most all of the hard costs of business are the same regardless if you live in a rural market or a metropolitan area. Cameras, lenses, prints, albums, computers, software, and most all the tools of the trade cost the same regardless of your address. The only reduced costs of a rural studio are lower overhead in the form of rent or mortgage and lower insurance costs. And in the commercial world, usage is usage. In fact, many large national companies can be found in rural markets because of the need for cheap labor and cheap land. However these clients are advertising nationally, so rural photographers need to consider that usage. If they have a multi-thousand square ft facility on 10 acres of land, and dozens of employees, think about the revenue that company is generating to turn a profit. So remember, a camera costs what a camera costs. August 30, 2010 - 3:50 pm
I love that! “A Camera Costs what a Camera Costs!” Thanks for the insight, Lenn!! August 27, 2010 - 11:34 pm
[...] Am I worth it? » MpactPhoto : Professional Photography Studio Marketing Resource and Forum by Dustin Meyer Am I worth it? » MpactPhoto : Professional Photography Studio Marketing Resource and Forum by Dusti…. [...]  Earlier this month, Rangefinder published their latest issue containing an interview of me about my uses of Vimeo, an online video community where I post many of my wedding slideshows as well as photography tutorials. It’s always great getting published for weddings and portraits. However, it’s especially great when you’re recognized for innovation and marketing from within... by dustinmeyer no comments  Ok, so we’ve all seen location-based mobile apps like Gowalla, Yelp, and Foursquare rise to popularity quickly over the past year. Checking in to your favorite locations to get those shiny badges or the possibility of becoming mayor of your local Starbucks is just all too enticing to resist. However, what’s the point of all... by dustinmeyer 5 comments August 21, 2010 - 3:15 pm
Awesome! Yeah I think it’s going to work WONDERS for photographers who actually have a physical studio. However with places you could actually create a “virtual” studio, in that it’s wherever your shooting location is going to be that day. Now if only Facebook allowed us to check in at a GPS coordinate instead of a physical location….now that would draw in everyone including photographers without a physical studio location. Sweet post! August 21, 2010 - 5:47 pm
Thanks, Nick! That’s a great idea. However if you create a “Place” when you’re shooting out in the field, wouldn’t that leave a studio’s permanent place at that location? I have plans to franchise my business, but this might be overload, lol! I’m just excited to see how others use this feature :) August 21, 2010 - 9:28 pm
Dustin, You know you’re my techy photog idol (hence the stalking) so I am not surprised you are opening my eyes to yet another cool social media thingy on the horizon. I’ll be interested to see it’s functionality first hand. Thanks for the 411, Dustin. Great post. Leigh August 21, 2010 - 9:31 pm
You know I couldn’t be noticed without at least one fan, Leigh! Thanks so much for your comments! Has Facebook Places been made available in your area yet? It’ll be neat to see more ways people take advantage of all this nerdy tech stuff :) August 22, 2010 - 1:20 am
An interesting topic since many people have using the feature on Facebook since the launch time. I guess when you tag your client while you do a consultation or photo-shoot, it might bring prospect clients to be able to connect to you if they are in the area and see you are in action. Great insightful post Dustin.  Photography sites are all over the place. The creativity needle is spinning all around when it comes to the styles of sites that photographers are using to display their work. However, our sites may be revealing more than we realize. The biggest problem with websites right now is that as photographers, our sites are a... by dustinmeyer 5 comments August 14, 2010 - 11:58 am
Dustin, thank you for a great post. I am totaly agreed that your website should reflect your style or your brand. As you had said, if you are confident on yourself, you don’t have to be afraid, like posting your price. Thanks again. August 14, 2010 - 12:01 pm
You got it, Yusuf! Remove the clutter and let the images speak for themselves. Post your prices, otherwise it’s a reflection of insecurity. Be true to yourself and be true to your creativity :) August 14, 2010 - 12:15 pm
What a great post, and while I am not a wedding photographer, I am always looking for a way to catch the attention of potential clients…what is the latest and greatest that will WOW them…in the end, it should always be my work. August 14, 2010 - 12:24 pm
Exactly, Britt! Don’t hide behind the bells and whistles. Let your work show through. Clients want to hire confident photographers :) August 14, 2010 - 6:21 pm
Great article, I think you have hit the nail on the head. The business side of photography is just as important as the creative. Some of the most successful photographers in the world are not necessarily the best, they just know how to market themselves. |
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by dustinmeyer
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