Sometimes I envy the sense of “community” that photographers seem to create amongst themselves. Rather than openly competing against one another, I often see photographers that are well established in their own businesses, second shooting for another photographer. They put their ego (and brand) aside for the day in order to help a friend shine for their clients. Likewise, I also see photographers referring business to one another when they find themselves all booked up. Photographers also seem to share technical information and experience more openly than most vendors. This kind of generosity is amazing to me, when shown to us from what is probably the most saturated of all the vendor categories out there.
I also see a lot of photographers (especially husband and wife photography teams) becoming very close friends, traveling together, watching each others children, etc. Suddenly, the community becomes family, and why not?
I realize I may have romanticized the field of photography a bit here, I’m sure that even in this field that I have tremendous respect for, there are artists that soil the community with their competitive nature. Fortunately, I have yet to witness that firsthand. In the Atlanta area, I see good and bad behavior among vendors. Supportive and critical. We’ve all been in meetings where a vendor puts down another vendor’s work or pricing. Let me just say, that doesn’t win with me, I prefer when vendors keep negative thoughts to themselves, but are generous with praise for others.
I’m not saying that you must gush over every vendor, sometimes, you just don’t get the warm fuzzies about someone, and that’s ok. I suggest finding folks that you mesh with, respect and work well with, and cheer them on – whenever you can. Do you have a counterpart that you can refer inquiries to when you are booked – someone you could call to assist you on a wedding/event day when you find yourself short staffed? Ask a counterpart if they would be open to assisting you sometimes, let them know you’d like to send potential clients their way when you are booked. You should find that if they are genuine, they will do the same for you.
Will you act as a competitor or a cheerleader to your fellow vendors? Think about it.
Krystal Radlinski:
I have to say, the best business decision you can make it just to be excellent. Excellence in service, excellence in art but to also excellence in behavior. Treat others as you would wish to be treated. It’s the golden rule for a reason!
And I have to say that I am very grateful to be a part of a strong photographic community where we support each other during personal and professional tribulations.
2010.Oct.19 6:40 pm
Charlene @ Sweetchic:
I TOTALLY think the same way about photographers and envy their sense of camaraderie!
2010.Oct.18 3:58 pm
Latrice:
Great post and so very true. I hope a shift starts to happen with planners sooner rather than later. We are more of a powerful force when we come together and check the egos at the door. Everyone has their niche and target client, right!
2010.Oct.18 12:24 pm
Michael Newman:
Great article! I found this to be very true amongst photographers. I’m still up and coming and b/c photographers more established and more experienced than me were willing to share I’ve had some great opportunities to learn and have booked weddings when the other photographers weren’t available.
2010.Oct.18 12:04 pm
Janice Carnevale:
I try my hardest to be a cheerleader. With many people I am a cheerleader all of the time. But some people make it more difficult for me to cheer for them
I also struggle when a client comes to me with a glowing recommendation from a friend for a particular vendor. If I don’t like that vendor, it can be hard to articulate why in a judicious way. Or if I don’t know the vendor, I will look them up, and 9 times out of 10 they just aren’t very good. Again, hard to explain this without coming off pompous, even though I really just want to educate the client!
2010.Oct.18 11:58 am