prostitution - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

08/23/2005 06:06:48 PM · #1

How can I put it that DPChallenge has had everything to do with my personal growth as a photographer. I have gone from my first digital camera to a full blown career. Its been one big crazy explosion. I have shed blood sweat and tears over the course of the past two years. This site is like family... a nest where I can go for information and even solice. The people here are eager to help each other learn. Its nice to have peers to talk to without the threat of competition hanging over our heads.

Anyway...the time has come that I have to step outside of the nest and enter the big bad world of self prostitution (marketing). I have a terrible mental block when it comes to this. FEAR. PANIC. I cant sell myself. I have an opportunity to market myself as a high end wedding photographer...and the only thing stopping me is that darn 20 word description. How do I condense myself into 20 words? I dont even like my own photography! But, other people seem to..and ive been staying far too busy not to try and grow in a new direction with this. So..in all of my panic and frustration...I thought I would come here for help. Are there any marketing gurus out there? Would anyone care to throw out a few power words that would best describe me? I figure if I collect enough of these puzzle pieces, it might eventually form a clearer picture.

mycelium

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

08/23/2005 06:10:37 PM · #2

well, I'm not a marketing guru, but I can throw a few words at you that, from my layman's perspective, are descriptive:

emotive (and/or moody)
unpretentious
elegant
evocative

BobsterLobster

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

08/23/2005 06:10:41 PM · #3

I love your photos so much, me and my wife have discussed getting married again so you can take the photos! Almost seriously!
In fact, for one of our anniversaries we may think about this seriously.
Out of all the photographers in the world, we love your style in particular... I hope your marketing does you justice.
Are you ever coming to England?
I know what you mean about DPC, 2 years ago I was a complete beginner with a small p&s and now I'm getting into this professionally... it's a great place.
Good luck,
Bob

jab119

08/23/2005 06:13:12 PM · #4

julia, this is a hard thing to do. I my self have a hard time talking about me in a "marketing" perspective. I cant even do my self evaluation at work with out cheating.

I have been a fan of your work and have watched you get very good at photography over the last few years her on DPC. My wife even checks out your portfolio from time to time.

But you have a lot of friends here who will be more than happy to help you "pimp" you out. lol

James

Kaizen

Nikon D70

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

08/23/2005 06:13:24 PM · #5

Original

Novel

Inventive

Refined

JV

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

08/23/2005 06:14:37 PM · #6

wow..thanks...i love your word choices.

I'll fly anywhere anytime! Im actually hoping to market toward destination weddings..hoping. Im investing a crap load of money in a hope and dream. There are people out there where budgets are not an issue. They want a specific style. I suppose if I let them know I exist..perhaps someone will like my style. Gotta dream, eh?

BobsterLobster

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro

08/23/2005 06:16:58 PM · #7

Hahaha, I'm not one of those people with a huge budget!
Ah well, I'll dream of affording the top wedding photographer (Julia) one day...

Seriously... if we travelled over say next year, could we sort something out not too exorbitant?

mycelium

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

08/23/2005 06:17:20 PM · #8

Originally posted by grigrigirl:

I suppose if I let them know I exist..perhaps someone will like my style. Gotta dream, eh?

Given the strength of your portfolio, I think your chances are good :)

pawdrix

Nikon D700

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

08/23/2005 06:19:12 PM · #9

20 words? Be more specific, unless I missed something but what are these twenty words for. Where are they going and who's going to be reading them?

Pro-active language, I assume is what you are in need of but more frilly for the artsy set.

Is there a sample of the same thing or anything near to what you are looking for?

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

08/23/2005 06:20:26 PM · #10

Some things I think of when I think of your work...

Edgy
Raw
Unrestrained
Primitive
Impulsive
Poignant
Stirring
Dynamic

I'm sure there are millions more words, and these may not be best for the high end wedding market, but your pictures say it all the best way possible...and I know for a fact you will be a success. Best of luck and lots of hugs! :)

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

08/23/2005 06:21:02 PM · #11

Originally posted by BobsterLobster:

Heres what you do...get me a gig in England and I can do yours for free while there!

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

08/23/2005 06:21:56 PM · #12

Originally posted by grigrigirl:

...and the only thing stopping me is that darn 20 word description. How do I condense myself into 20 words? I dont even like my own photography! But, other people seem to ...

OK, I have exactly the same kind of aversion to marketing and self-promotion (notice: my band has no gold records).

So, DON'T try to put it in your own words -- either get someone to write a "review" of your work, as for a news article or catalog entry, or write it yourself from someone else's perspective (harder) as if a work of fiction.

mrorange002

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

08/23/2005 06:22:42 PM · #13

Let your images speak for themselves. Don't try to BS people with some catchy tagline. Speak from the heart.
when you meet with couples, go into it with confidence. You are worth every red cent they are going to pay you. If you get as far as a meeting, then your already in. They know your prices by then, and have seen a little sample of your work already. The rest is how you present yourself when you meet.

Confidence
Confidence
Confidence

Seanachai

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

08/23/2005 06:23:14 PM · #14

look at other high-end wedding photographers sites and reviews and take notes on some of the buzz words being used to help you decide. good luck!

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

08/23/2005 06:23:51 PM · #15

Testimonials from satisfied customers never hurt.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

08/23/2005 06:24:31 PM · #16

Originally posted by pawdrix:

The most high end publication I am aware of... //www.graceormonde.com They also publish wedding style magazine. Average readers average wedding budget is $96,000. They say the 5 star vendor directory is by invitation only...i dont believe them ;) They at least tell the brides this. Best of the best in the nation...blah blah

Ive got my words down for their website splash page. What i need is a 20 word description of what i offer for the magazine publication. grace ormonde wedding style

Canon EOS-20D

08/23/2005 06:27:01 PM · #17

Originally posted by grigrigirl:

I dont even like my own photography! But, other people seem to..

I think that should be your tagline right there. "I don't like my own photography...but other people do!" If nothing else, it'd be unique and memorable. ;)

RKT

Canon EOS-60D

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 for Canon

08/23/2005 06:29:11 PM · #18

I can think of 3 words ( on the "fancy" side )

provacative

diaphanous

nonpareil

This is how I would describe your work...best wishes to you Julia!

pawdrix

Nikon D700

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

08/23/2005 06:40:26 PM · #19

You are an "award winning photographer"...?

In my opinion NOBODY "captures magic" better than you...

...but I would kind of hijack some(all)of the language used in these profiles and make it your own.

It's all right there.

Message edited by author 2005-08-23 18:41:57.

jeko

Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D

Konica Minolta AF D 28-75 f/2.8

08/23/2005 06:40:35 PM · #20

Originally posted by grigrigirl:

wow..thanks...i love your word choices.

There are people out there where budgets are not an issue. They want a specific style. I suppose if I let them know I exist..perhaps someone will like my style. Gotta dream, eh?

I once told a friend and fellow entrepreneur "never underestimate the value of what you do just because you know how to do it." You certainly know how to capture emotion in a photograph...

My friend has since told me many times that my comments were crucial to his success. I think we tend to undervalue the things we know how to do just because they seem easy to us. However, they are not easy for everyone and there are plenty of people willing to pay top dollar to have things done right, efficiently and on time.

If you are shooting for a high-end market I have one suggestion: stick to _your_ style. There are plenty of potential clients with money that will expect to be able to dictate your creativity. There are just as many (or more) who will appreciate your style for what it is. By favoring that latter you will build a brand and name recognition and will probably find yourself with more work than you can handle.

Apple iPhone 5

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

08/23/2005 06:43:48 PM · #21

Originally posted by rktdesign:

I can think of 3 words ( on the "fancy" side )

Okay, beat these;

pulchritudinous

prepossessing

transmundane

:-)

On a more serious note. I attend a networking group once a month (for small business owners) and the first thing we do is go around the table and everyone has 30 seconds to sell their product or themselves.

You think you have it all clear in your head, until you start talking!... The first time I did it I stumbled over my words for nearly a minute. The whole point being to get you thinking about what it is you are, and what you're doing.

So, stand in front of a friend, or a mirror, and sell yourself - in 30 seconds!

Artyste

Sony Ericsson W810i

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Pentax

08/23/2005 06:46:37 PM · #22

I have no answers for you. I'm as bad at self-marketing as the company of the camera I use..

One small thing is that I *do* like my own photography, but very few others seem to... unlike yourself, which you admit is the other way around.

I'm not sure which is easier to take.

08/23/2005 06:50:04 PM · #23

facing this issue of marketing is really a personal growth issue as well. It forces me to do just as suggested. It forces me to try and learn CONFIDENCE. To believe in myself and what I am doing. To believe in my work. I cant imagine not being the self critical perfectionist that will never achieve perfection because perfection does not exist. But..it really does seem imperative that I get over this road block in myself before i can grow as far as I want to grow. And once again, photography becomes a direct extension/reflection of myself....gads..im thinking too much again...

DrJOnes

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

08/23/2005 07:01:06 PM · #24

Hello D2x sister! ;-)

IMHO, your photography speaks louder than words.
Emphasize your marketing on those photos.
Then you can add a service description sheet that will let your clietns know what it will cost them and what they will get.

Rough example below (of course, titles should reflect the actual services and maybe hint on your energy as a photographer. I just added generic titles to illustrate the idea...):

"Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!
With each service package offered below, you will receive all photos shot at your wedding, on a dvdrom, in their original out-of-the-camera format. [just an example of what you can offer...]

PACKAGES
---------

A) BASIC : PRICE
- photos at the wedding & official wife/groom and immediate family photos)

B) MORE : PRICE
- preparation to the wedding (2 hours before the weddign)
- wedding, official wife/groom photos & immediate family

C) WHOLE NINE YEARDS: PRICE
- preparation to the wedding (2 hours before the weddign)
- wedding, official wife/groom photos & immediate family
- cocktail (if any)
- reception
- 5 finished post-processed photos of your choice, ready for print at any lab.

* ADDITIONAL SERVICES:
I offer postprocessing services for images of your choice. [include examples of before/after photos which illustrate why it would be good for them to use your post-process services].

POSTPROCESS:
RATES: x$/hour | minimum 3 hours
or x$/photo [if you prefer to offer to your clients a specific price per photo...]

PRINTS: [do you wish to offer print services? if so, what are you offering them?]
"

And so on, and so on.
I think it is not about describing who you are as a photographer. I think it is about describing the services you offer, and let the photos sell your quality as a photographer to your clients. The presentation and layout of your brochure (or website, or any other media) will reflect your personality as a photographer. After that, it's all about getting a few clients. Word of mouth should work quite well after a while... especially when you are as talented (and friendly I'm sure) as you are.

Good luck!

PS. I just shot a wedding last week. I don't usually do these gigs, but it was a fun experience. I might post a few photos in my portfolio...
Cheers!

Message edited by author 2005-08-23 19:02:40.