Fauxtographers.....

im in a bunch of buy/sell groups and people are always posting photo specials....i cant believe some of these people charge others for the pictures they take!!

i dont know much about photography but some of these are horrible!!! does every mom who has a fancy camera and tacky backdrops think they are a photographer?

are there even any REAL child photographers out there anymore? seems like these people or teenagers at the mall are the only options these days!

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I feel like so many people are jumping on the photography bandwagon because they see how much money one can make. I got taken by a "photographer" last year for Christmas pictures of ds. The pictures were terrible and her studio wasn't even a studio as she stated. It was in the middle of a living room that was a disaster with no props and one backdrop. I paid good money for her also, which is why I am still so angry. This year I used a real photographer with years of experience, what a difference. It makes me sick ppl are profiting like her. l

Message edited 1/14/2014 2:57:36 PM.

Fauxtographers.....

I agree. I actually tried one for Halloween. It was $23 as I wanted to give the girl a chance. The set-up was adorable. The pictures were mediocre. Another I found and I love her. I do go to jc penny's though too bc some of the rates real photographers charge are through the roof.

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Fauxtographers.....

when you book solely on price and price alone = you might as well take the photo yourself or go to target.

i also love the endless stream of blue and green babies that are completely unfocused that pop up on my facebook stream and yet everyone comments how amazing the photographer is. Meh - need to remove mommy goggles.

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Message edited 1/14/2014 4:02:18 PM.

Fauxtographers.....

I really can't stand this - anyone with a fancy camera is a photographer these days!

Fauxtographers.....

Everybody and their mother with an SLR camera is a "photographer" now at days. I know a few of the moms here are awesome legit photographers but others..meh not so much.

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The bottom line is buyer beware. If you see their portfolio and the photos su ck, yours probably will too.

Message edited 1/14/2014 6:27:25 PM.

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I must have looked at over 15 photographers on FB before booking a Newborn session. I really wanted these pics, but don't have the budget to hire one of the well known names who everyone uses that wants over $500 just to take the pics.

I couldn't believe the awful quality of some of the less expensive photographers I looked at. The newborns skin/complexion in the pics was a big indicator of quality to me...like learn to use photoshop before you charge people for pictures!!

I ultimately found someone in my budget who is excellent! She seems to be newer, which is why she is less expensive, but her talent is unquestionable. Every time she posts more of her work on FB, I'm glad I chose her.

Even the good ones have to start somewhere to make a name for themselves, but I 100% agree that lots of people have no clue what they are doing, and still charge for pics! Also, I wouldn't use anyone who advertises themselves on those buy/sell groups.

Fauxtographers.....

I couldn't find a decent affordable family photographer when we relocated here. I have been a hobbyist since high school. On the island, I used Forever Fireflies. Up here, there wasn't anyone I could find that had a style I liked that also had consistency in their shots (I prefer a nice clean edit for the majority of images, although I will occasionally use a matte effect). And I tend to veer away from anyone who advertises they are a "natural light" photographer since 9 times out of 10, that translates into "I have no idea how to use flash and am too scared/impatient/arrogant to learn".

I had offered to do a friend's newborn's pics as a gift and she went with a "professional photographer". They were AWFUL. Out of focus, bad lighting, skin issues, crappy editing, bad posing, awkward crops...and everyone was oohing and aaahing over how awesome they were. I sat there looking at the awfulness of them and cringing. The worst part is that I freelance for a small company here that does in hospital newborn/family images, and she knew that. It isn't an our365 type place where they do a set of approved poses on auto, we get creative license on our shoots and have to have photography experience and provide a portfolio. Every person I work with there is an actual photographer with their own business that does this on the side. But you know, she went with the "professional". (as an aside, some of my favorite images come from those shoots and I don't get to use them in my portfolio. Boooooooo.)

I'm in a lot of business photography groups on facebook. They're enlightening to say the least. Blue babies, yellow, green. I even saw a purple one recently! Selective color is another one.

If you need a good laugh, check out Missy Mwac on youtube/facebook. She's a freaking riot. P is for professional!

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The newborn scares me because there is a lot of scary, unsafe stuff out there. My husband is a photographer, and while he doesn't specialize in newborn photography, he has done some. I usually assist on those jobs. Most of those shots are composite, but from what I understand, a lot of photographers are attempting these shots without understanding that they are composite. I am talking about the ones with the baby on an upright guitar, hanging from a tree, etc. When my DH does those, he takes two pictures, one of the guitar and one of the baby on it, with an adult's hand holding the baby. He combines them in photoshop, so it looks like the baby is on the guitar, without being held. But an amateur photographer, who can't do that type of editing, might try to place a baby on a guitar, kwim? The other one I hate is the father's arm outstretched with the baby on it. When my DH does those, the baby is basically on the dad's lap, over a black towel. When they are edited, it looks like the baby is being held on one of dad's outstretched arms, but the way you do it makes sure the baby is safe at all times.

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Fauxtographers.....

Just another perspective. For DDs Xmas pictures I worked with a woman who started photography as a hobby when her children were little and now she does it on the weekends as a side job. The pictures were beautiful and I got SO many compliments. Every profession has wannabes and people who are just trying to make a quick buck without the talent to back it up and I am certainly not ignoring the schooling that photographers go through to get where they are. But fancy cameras backdrops and props are expensive. I'll pay someone a fraction of that to get some nice pictures in return. Not being happy with service or results is another issue entirely.

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Check out Jodi Applebaum. Her prices are fair for the professional work that she does.

Fauxtographers.....

Thank you so much for opening my eyes to this. I had no idea

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I totally agree, just DO YOUR HOMEWORK. There are many that are popular and I look at their work and

over edited, out of focus, no originality.

Everyone has a right to do what they would like as a career, you have the option to be picky and select who you like just do your homework.

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I am going to put this out there many of you have been lied too, shown so many bad images that your only concept of what is good is actually bad. I see people saying check out this photographer they're really good and I cringe. I am writing this because I care not because it's what i do.

I give you a resource: here
Go to consumers and check out the various entries and the good, the bad and the ugly.
Another page on facebook

If you're going to invest in a decent/good photographer it doesn't matter if they're $400 or $2000+ look at the years in business, their portfolio and blog, if you see they won awards that is a good hint that they're good. Not I have been published on this online magazine stuff - awards given for print competitions or from major photography associations. PPA/ASMP/APA/WPPI - more child based organizations like NAPCP/Clickin Moms. Just because they're 2K doesn't mean they the best photographer even if they tell you so - it just means they think they are. Still verify their portfolio, their references (referrals), years in business, etc. Also if they're number one on google doesn't mean they're the best photographer either - just means they know how to do SEO.

The most popular question everyone asks is how many images do i get and how much is a high res disk. Is that the most important thing? I get it we all have budgets but I am amazed that is literally the first question. Not do you have insurance? How long have you been in business or do you have references/referrals? Do you have a sample gallery? If I book do you reply to my emails and phone calls and help me plan my session or do you get my money and drop of the face of the earth until the day of the shoot? Do I get a contract that outlines what I do get and pricing? When are my images proofed? How long after that do I receive them?

Also ask to see a full gallery if your unsure. See what you will get out of a session to select from. See the consistency of the session or the selection/variation. If the photographer cares about what they do they will be happy to do that to earn your trust. If a photographer doesn't reply to your emails for 4 days and there is no "on vacation" notice that is a sign they overbook themselves or don't take this seriously and most likely will not give you good customer service no matter how good they are.

I know it seems a lot to take in but it doesn't matter what you can afford - if it's shit, it's shit no matter if you spent $25 or $2000. Or of you don't like the person's work but it's all you can afford - then go back and save up for the person you can't afford. I see people cry over $800 for a photo session yet go out to eat 2 times a week. I mean you are at least spending $50 to go out to eat so that is $100 a week and you think you can't skip going out once a week to save up for a decent person oppose to green fuzzy baby photos? Again, then go to target at least you will get focused non green images.

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I do have to add, however look at Summerlyns photos from 2009 compared to now ... quite a difference and an amazing progression.

Everyone has to start somewhere. There is a learning curve.

My son's newborn photos with her from 2010 are not what she puts out now. She was a beginner!

Just be understanding of this. Typically those who are just starting out offer incentives and make is understood that they are building their portfolio or just beginning their career. If they are not honest up front about just breaking into the business, there is your first clue.

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exactly own up your new and that is why your pricing is the way it is. Still make sure you like the images though. every single photographer improves (or should improve) - like anything with time you learn/adapt and grow. however if you got a camera in your hand one month and be a business the next = fake.

also, be a hobbyist if your into photography. really it's such a rewarding experience to be a hobbyist. So your friend wants a photo and they give you a few bucks - awesome but its not like your opening up a business not doing things the way a business should do. So many photographers i admire don't do commissioned work because they have the luxury of photographing strictly to their vision or what they want to do. Many are just hobbyist - stay at home mothers journaling their child's life.

Message edited 1/16/2014 12:53:46 PM.

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I have a very close friend who is trying to open a business now. We have the same cameras and they are good cameras. I certainly don't think I'm a professional. I don't get why some of her friends are paying her $75 (her start up prices) to take outdoor only photos. If I'm paying money I want someone who knows what they are doing , knows about lighting, angles and how to edit. I feel like they look a pintrest and copy what they see. My fb feed is filled with people trying to be photographers with no experience. So annoying!

Message edited 1/15/2014 10:14:03 AM.

Fauxtographers.....

Some people prefer their photos on location, like the beach or park, whatever. Just because the photos are natural light or outdoors doesn't mean that you can't screw them up. I've seen quite a few really bad outdoor photos. And? There are some photographers who are absolutely amazing that shoot predominantly outdoors. What would surprise you is that they use tools like strobes and reflectors outdoors too. Light is light ;)

I agree with Nifheim, too. Ask to see a FULL gallery as delivered to a client. I post very few images on my FB, usually a teaser if allowed by the client every so often. Not only have I had more than one person take a watermarked image and "reedit" the image with some crappy instagram filter, I have watched my peers have images stolen and used by people out to scam. And I know of at least one person who has downloaded an image off of FB and printed it (watermark and all!) So I don't post much there any more. Not to mention, I've had FB distort more than one image on me. My portfolio on my website has more, but it's varied and doesn't show an entire gallery. That is the only way you'll see what they actually delivered.

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Message edited 1/16/2014 12:17:48 PM.

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this is a funny site that I have bookmarked and check often for a good laugh:

http://youarenotaphotographer.com