Maybe I should have been a fire fighter
"Photography's biggest disadvantage of all the art forms is its perceived value. A famous and rare print by Ansel Adams may only go for several thousand dollars, compared with millions garnered for a painting by an equally well-known painter. Making up for this handicap is photography's ease and low expense in reproduction. (Sadly, this may be the reason why its value perceived to be less, and why it's seen as a commodity.)"
Dan Heller (my reluctant mentor)
I lost 2 bids this week due to price. As a perfectionist, I have always been adamant about investing in the best equipment, researching the most advanced processes for prints, working and learning to deliver to my client the best possible product. It seems like a losing battle some days because there are so many others who haven't. And somehow I'm not distinguishing myself from them because I'm being asked to compete with them.
How do I move from the realm of these other photographers? How do I educate my clients that I offer so much more? How do I make this dream worth while?
I had someone ask at a birthday party on Saturday why I wasn't shooting, why my dear friend (and a wonderful returning client) was the one behind the lens. And I thought about it, and how my passion is becoming burdensome. How I used to dream of ideas, and now I dream of someone actually paying me a decent price instead of telling me that someone else can do it for less. I want to dream about ideas again and not be burdened with making a buck. Its not only killing my creative vision it's eroding my perception of self.
When I was in Denver, I began this little struggle of trying to make it as a commercial photographer and I remember a workshop teacher looking at my work, something dark and intensely personal - and looked at me and he said, "You're not a photographer, you're a !@#*ing artist." Am I pushing to hard for something I'm not? In trying to capitalize on my talent, am I losing what I hope to sell? In spending all my time marketing - I no longer find the time to create. Stretched between family, work and trying to pay for it all I have nothing left for me.
I think its time to get off the computer, grab my camera and go for a walk.
Dan Heller (my reluctant mentor)
I lost 2 bids this week due to price. As a perfectionist, I have always been adamant about investing in the best equipment, researching the most advanced processes for prints, working and learning to deliver to my client the best possible product. It seems like a losing battle some days because there are so many others who haven't. And somehow I'm not distinguishing myself from them because I'm being asked to compete with them.
How do I move from the realm of these other photographers? How do I educate my clients that I offer so much more? How do I make this dream worth while?
I had someone ask at a birthday party on Saturday why I wasn't shooting, why my dear friend (and a wonderful returning client) was the one behind the lens. And I thought about it, and how my passion is becoming burdensome. How I used to dream of ideas, and now I dream of someone actually paying me a decent price instead of telling me that someone else can do it for less. I want to dream about ideas again and not be burdened with making a buck. Its not only killing my creative vision it's eroding my perception of self.
When I was in Denver, I began this little struggle of trying to make it as a commercial photographer and I remember a workshop teacher looking at my work, something dark and intensely personal - and looked at me and he said, "You're not a photographer, you're a !@#*ing artist." Am I pushing to hard for something I'm not? In trying to capitalize on my talent, am I losing what I hope to sell? In spending all my time marketing - I no longer find the time to create. Stretched between family, work and trying to pay for it all I have nothing left for me.
I think its time to get off the computer, grab my camera and go for a walk.
posted by jen hogan at
9:47 AM
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