[Rizzo]

No BEG, that’s not what I’m saying. But I AM saying is that it seems like you could go to any random fauxtog’s FB page and see that exact line. It’s not an insult to those of us who are photographers and can SHOW that photography is their passion. I invest more into my photography than I do into what I consider my passion (singing) so maybe I am just wording it wrong. Or I could just blame the wine. Yep. That’s what I’ll do.

Totally didn’t realize this was that old. Sheesh.

[Rizzo]

I am so tired of hearing fauxs say “photography is my passion!” I just want to tell them “then stop charging for it!”

I do not say photography is my passion. I am good at it, I make a living at it, I study and learn and grow daily within it. I do believe it is my CALLING… But it is not my passion. Maybe I’m wrong for saying that but I absolutely DO enjoy it. You have to like what you do, otherwise you’ll be miserable, right? However, with any business, it’s a LOT of work. If it’s too easy, you’re doing it wrong.

That aside, your photos are very much amateur. Selective coloring, vignetting (ESPECIALLY white) and it doesn’t seem you’ve found your “look.” I’m guessing you use a lot of actions – and I have nothing against those, but you need to figure out your style, what makes YOUR vision and interpretation of subjects unique instead of using a random action and saying “oh, hey, that’s pretty.” Consistency is the most important thing you’re lacking right now. Looking at all the categories, I haven’t seen one yet that has blown me away. I’m not a huge snob but if you haven’t posted one single photo that makes me go “oh, wow” then I have to say you probably shouldn’t be charging yet.

Your black and white images are very flat. Do you adjust the settings themselves or just “grayscale” it?

On the business side of things: There’s no consistency (again, I seem to be using that word a lot) in your watermark/logo on your photos. Choose one. Stick with it. Don’t use that godawful cowboy font thing anymore – it’s a fauxtog hallmark.

The website is basic. Weebly is not a bad host to start with and there are a lot of customizable options. Instead of having photos line down the page so I have to scroll for an hour, use a slideshow (they have that option). It’s a lot more aesthetically pleasing. You could probably streamline your menu and have separate pages under a portfolio heading for each category you shoot (kids, teens, families, newborn, maternity, etc.) and a separate for weddings. You also really need to proofread what you write. I’ve found numerous grammatical, contextual, and spelling errors. Marketing yourself as a professional = coming across as one in person AND online.

The fonts overall on the site are unprofessional. I’d choose something a little more reader-friendly, if I were you.  You have potential, you just need a lot more practice. It took me a few years before I even thought of charging, to build a consistent and professional “wow-factor” portfolio.

Oh. One more thing. Get RID of this image forever. It’s atrocious, I’m sorry. http://heatherlynnphotography.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/8/8/11885344/___820938064.jpg

[Rizzo]

Pica- click on your name on your post, it’ll take you to your profile.

[Rizzo]

that’s so sly.

like a fox.

[Rizzo]

damnit seth, you made me go look, now i’m having a giggle fit.

[Rizzo]

nope… saw that and said what the actual fuck. why would you even put that on your site?!

also i was afraid to enlarge many of the wedding photos, but what’s with the weird  circular vignette-thing?

[Rizzo]

agreed on the first peacock and the cat, i like both of those.  i REALLY like the peacock. nothing in the scenes really stood out to me, though. in the creative section i really liked the fourth picture – the light painting (thought that’s a personal preference, of course – some people aren’t a fan).  with the portraits, keep an eye on your white balance, and shadows. the comp of most of the photos aren’t super interesting – but from the animal section, i know you’ve got the creativity in you, so keep at it.

[Rizzo]

okay i’m not sure about this one. it’s kind of hit or miss? but the fact that she’s offering “workshops” and doesn’t even pay for her own damn domain name screams fauxtog. and her website says she gives “cd with copyrights.”

also, she can’t spell “lens” properly and that bugs the shit out of me.

https://www.facebook.com/cieararuessphotography

[Rizzo]

well aren’t they a bag full of wtf covered in bad ideas.

[Rizzo]

i had friends get married in vegas last year and some of their photos were so tacky and cheesy it was ridiculous. i guess vegas and cruise ships are where fauxtogs go to die, maybe? cause another pair of friends went on a cruise and he proposed to her there… but the photos done on the ship had them posed like it was their high school prom.

[Rizzo]

okay seriously… someone needs to find the fauxtog that made the new post “broken baby.” i need a bigger picture to say WTF to.

[Rizzo]

to say nothing of the awkward pose. that poor baby. :/

here’s a new one i found. i’m pretty sure the ‘business name’ says it all. https://www.facebook.com/AlyssasBackwoodsPhotography

[Rizzo]

I photographed a wedding last year that did the sand thing. I had never seen it before (and it was a friend of mine) so I asked why. Apparently it’s to signify the union of a blended family. Each one had a child from previous relationships, so the kids poured sand as well as their parents, and it represented them becoming a family. I like the idea for that… but I don’t understand the mothers doing it. I got married in 06 and we did a unity candle, like you talked about – that’s a long-time tradition.

On another note, this photo has been shared a LOT on Facebook (a relative shared it on mine) and while the concept is adorable, the execution is wretched. Spot color and awkward baby pose much?
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=519516428085476&set=a.518068571563595.1073741837.157281664308956&type=1

 

Annnnd I just noticed that she didn’t zero balance the scale. That newborn does NOT weigh 15 lbs. *sigh*

[Rizzo]

told ya! she’s ~special~ guys.

oh, and pretty sure those are braces. a couple closed-mouth unforced smiles would have been good, eh?

[Rizzo]

i’d like to think that we beat the walmart/sears studios… but that could have been a fauxtog victory as well. 🙁

agreed… i actually learned a LOT on my first “expensive” camera which was a canon powershot sx-something, i believe. i bought it when they had just come out, because i wanted to get deeper into photography but wanted to learn first. i spent two years doing what i could with it (yay for learning manual!), and reading a LOT, and finally bought a real camera. not saying i don’t have more to learn, but if you stop learning, you stop growing and getting better. i make it a point to try and learn something new daily, and i haven’t failed yet. even if it’s what NOT to do 😉

the people that are happy with this kind of photography are definitely not what i want in a client.

[Author]

Posts