Reply To: WOAH! Serious fauxtog alert!

[IHF]

More proof that fauxtography and faux business practices have skewed people’s perceptions and have devalued photography services considerably.

Wedding photography services usually cost around $2,000. $1000 on the very low end, as a starting out rate.  $2000 is a very reasonable and very average price for full day coverage.  I think she handled herself just fine, and I completely agree that if you aren’t willing to change your budget or the amount of time you want covered, then YES. you would be better off hiring your cousin.

See, this photographer, unlike your cousin, is trying to run a profitable business, and understands how much it’s costs to do business, and how to price fairly while still getting compensated for their time and work.  Family and event togs don’t make $100s an hour just because that is what they charge.  There are expenses to being a photographer, quite a few.  While your cousin may be able to pocket that whole $300 a legitimate business owner may pocket much less even though they have charged much more.  The average family tog maybe makes $30,000 to $40,000 a year IF they are successful at running their business.  They aren’t ripping people off by charging $2000 a wedding.  They are just trying to make a modest living, by pricing their services and products at their true value.  Fauxs don’t know this.  Just as they skip over learning how to photograph, they also skip over learning how to be a legit profitable business.

lots of photographers don’t list prices, because their pricing is tailored to the individual’s needs.  It also can be a very smart marketing strategy(usually after providing people with a phone number).  Fauxtography on the other hand, the price is almost always put right out there, because the cheap price is the biggest selling point.  So not providing prices on their website is not a good gauge of wether they are faux or not.

With that said, I wouldn’t hire her, at least not without seeing a full wedding shot by her.  She needs help organizing/optimizing her portfolio.  Either that or she hasn’t shot enough weddings to have it covered, and maybe needs to second shoot for a while longer to get her port fuller, and to gain more experience.  “Totally tacky”

“Total crap”

AND the accusation that she is stealing others people’s work???

I’m finding it really hard to believe you were actually a potential client, and not a faux, out for some sort of vengeance or blood.  In either case hopefully I helped you gain a little knowledge 😉