this post was submitted on 30 Nov 2023
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Photography

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A place to politely discuss the tools, technique and culture of photography.

This is not a good place to simply share cool photos/videos or promote your own work and projects, but rather a place to discuss photography as an art and post things that would be of interest to other photographers.

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I'm very confident in my abilities as a photographer, and I think my prices are fair, yet I am just not able to lock in a solid confirmation from potential clients, they always slip away.

I'm a student photographer offering portraits at a University, so maybe it's college kid cash insecurity that is the problem, but then I wonder why they even bother to DM me in the first place?

I charge $10 a photo, minimum of $60 or 6 photos. From what I've heard that's about as undercut to the competition as I can go, and yet no one is interested?

I know for certain that the market for portraits exists at my Uni, as I walk past our front entrance with a rival photographer and graduate model everyday.

Reaching people has always been my weakspot. I feel like there is a network I don't exist in.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Most photographers don’t make it at the rates they charge (massive amount of die-off in the first 3 years among photographers trying to start a business) - trying to undercut that is a recipe for disaster. Plus, you’ll get zero respect from potential clients OR other photographers.

From your site, I don’t know what kind of photographer you are. You say you’re “very confident” and your site screams it - to the point of being very off-putting (“50% Dutch, 100% Talented, one man multimedia powerhouse?”). Your portfolio doesn’t back up arrogance, and you’re new at this…of course it doesn’t.

Your pricing and business skills need improvement, but it might need to start with social skills. If you sound like a douche (whether you actually are or not), people aren’t going to work with you. Your site is working against you at every turn in this regard.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago

I agree with this, the portfolio isn't as strong as OP thinks.