All Topics > Business Services > Is a pro photographer wannabe cutting into your business? >

Is a pro photographer wannabe cutting into your business? North Carolina

This month's Peer2Peer question focuses on pro photography wannabes.

Local Companies

Vanguard Vista
919-859-4001
1100 Crescent Green
Cary, NC

USAT Corp.
919-942-4214
104 South Estes Drive, Stes. 202-205
Chapel Hill, NC

CozyRoc LLC
(800) 609-1445
3426 Atlantic Ave
Raleigh, NC

Highland Computers
866.406.9239
9373 Meadowmont View Dr
Charlotte, NC

StreamLogic Inc.
704-771-1090
3030 Glen Summit Dr.
Charlotte, NC

TEK-COLLECT
866.652.6500 EXT 537
NEWEST CHARLOTTE LOCATIONS
CONCORD, NC

My International Assistant
919.827.4152
4413 Major Loring Way
Raleigh, NC

Mark Champion
336-749-8468
4703 Bisbee Drive
Greensboro, NC

Sheridan Media
(704) 553-9113
Charlotte, NC

K-Mart
(828) 966-4674
804 N Broad St
Brevard, NC

Is a pro photographer wannabe cutting into your business?

provided by:

This month's Peer2Peer question focuses on pro photography wannabes. Is there someone with inferior skills underbidding you and stealing business? Since the birth of digital, many new photographers have come on the scene, touting pictures that are "good enough" rather than of professional quality. Granted, healthy competition makes for a healthy, viable industry, but learning how to market yourself in a sea of Uncle Joe Digitals is key. Of 1,250 respondents, 71.28% answered that they did have a pro photographer wannabe cutting into their business, and 66.53% agree that this is posing a problem for their operations. Here's what else we uncovered…

OBSERVATIONS

Of the 71.28% who answered that they did have a pro wannabe cutting into their business, 52.64% have lost jobs to him or her, and 75.63% of these jobs were with an existing client.
From those who have lost jobs to a professional wannabe, almost half (44.72%) observed that their clients switched back to them for the rest of their photography jobs.
In addressing losing the job to a pro wannabe, 27.53% discussed the problem with other professional photographers, while 22.41% revised their business policies to prevent further job loss. Of the 18.36% who answered "other," the majority took no action and waited for the pro wannabe to deliver poor quality pictures and moved on to other clients.

QUOTABLE QUOTES

"My approach is a non-judgmental one. I treat every individual promoting themselves (wannabe or not) as competition. The more vying for the piece of the pie, the more you have to step your game up. So I have to stay visible in the client's eye. The goal is to find a way to get the next job through research, direct marketing, and networking."

Jerry Metellus, Jerry Metellus Photography Inc., www.jerrymetellus.com, Las Vegas, NV

"Our strategy has been to focus on differentiation, customizing offerings to each client, and service. This approach has been very successful."

Mark Leonard, Mark Leonard Photography, www.markleonardphotography.com, Olathe, KS

"Since I see my 'environmental' portraiture being done by 'backyard moms,' I'm currently promoting more classical portraits—both window light and studio, both things that the advanced amateur hasn't mastered yet."

Tom Deininger, Tom Deininger Photography/Art, www.tomdphoto.com, Davis, CA

"My advice is to be proactive by educating your clients. One of the many ways we do this is by keeping our blog full of new, innovative, and creative images from recent events and assignments. This allows our clients to experience the difference between our 'professional photographs' and the 'snapshots' the wannabe is providing."

Chris Smith, Chris & Cami Photography, www.chrisandcamiphotography.com, Charleston, SC

"We revised our pricing, revised our equipment, and added new products."

Hugh McLean, Hugh McLean Photography, www.hughmclean.com, Berkley, MI

"I don't worry too much about it. If my professionalism and quality of work don't sell my studio, especially when going against a 'pro wannabe,' then I need to take a closer look at the clients I'm pursuing or at the work I'm creating."

Gini Woy, Gini Woy Photography, www.woyphoto.com, Peach Bottom, PA

"Most of the wannabes are serving a lower end market that wants a 'bargain.' I decided to bump prices up a bit and find some unique products. I also freshened up my logo, moved the business out of my home to a new modern studio space. The combination of all these efforts had a very positive effect on my business and bottom line. Let the wannabes have the lower end of the market."

John Lee, John Lee Photography, www.johnleephotography.com, Newton, IA

author: COMPILED BY TARA PROPPER

Featured Local Company

Mark Champion

336-749-8468
4703 Bisbee Drive
Greensboro, NC
www.mark-champion.com

Read more about Is a pro photographer wannabe cutting into your business?

- Have you planned for your company's future? North Carolina

Read more on Have you planned for your company's future? ...

- Greetings & Salutations North Carolina
- Professional Photographer or Wannabe? North Carolina
- we mean business North Carolina
- To New Possibilities North Carolina
- Welcome, 2008 North Carolina
- have a good show North Carolina
- What's it Worth to You? North Carolina
- Business Is Job #1 North Carolina
- How to Build an Empire With Business Cards North Carolina

Regional Articles

- we mean business North Carolina

Our cover story on Phil Marco, "Simply the Best" (p.

- What's it Worth to You? North Carolina
- To New Possibilities North Carolina
- Business Is Job #1 North Carolina
- have a good show North Carolina
- Greetings & Salutations North Carolina
- Have you planned for your company's future? North Carolina
- Professional Photographer or Wannabe? North Carolina
- Welcome, 2008 North Carolina
- How to Build an Empire With Business Cards North Carolina

Related Local Events

Fuqua/Coach K Conference on Leadership
Dates: 10/20/2008 - 10/22/2008
Location: Fuqua School of Business
Durham NC
View Details

Innovation Awards Gala
Dates: 9/16/2008 - 9/16/2008
Location: The Westin Charlotte
Charlotte NC
View Details

"How You Can Get SIMPLY ORGANIZED" Seminar
Dates: 8/5/2008 - 8/5/2008
Location: Durham Tech Small Business Center in N.C. Mutual Building
Durham NC
View Details

"Thinking of Starting a Business?" Sessions (4th Mondays)
Dates: 7/28/2008 - 7/28/2008
Location: Durham Tech Small Business Center in N.C. Mutual Building
Durham NC
View Details

"Five Secrets That Will Lead You to Remarkable Business Success" Seminar
Dates: 7/8/2008 - 7/8/2008
Location: Durham Tech Small Business Center in N.C. Mutual Building
Durham NC
View Details

Rate Article

Save to My Articles

Articles Insider

Advertising	Financial Services	Pets
Business Services	Food & Beverage	Real Estate
Career	Health	Retail & Consumer Services
Cars	Home Electronics	Software
Computer Hardware	Home Services	Technology
Construction	Industrial Goods & Services	Telecommunications
Education	Insurance	Transportation & Logistics
Engineering	Internet	Travel
Entertainment	Legal	Wedding
Family

Advertising	Engineering	Home Services	Retail & Consumer Services
Business Services	Entertainment	Industrial Goods & Services	Software
Career	Family	Insurance	Technology
Cars	Financial Services	Internet	Telecommunications
Computer Hardware	Food & Beverage	Legal	Transportation & Logistics
Construction	Health	Pets	Travel
Education	Home Electronics	Real Estate	Wedding

Searching...