Can of Worms: facebook photography price fixing groups FAIL

In the past 5 days I've seen a rash of photography support groups pop up on Facebook. I don't know if it's because they know lots of folks got that DSLR on their Christmas Wish List or just coincidence, but I'm finding it pretty funny. Because I have no intention of supporting the groups, I'll make up pseudonyms for them. There's one called "Tell all new photographers they have to charge the same as established photographers because we don't like any competition" and another one called "I'm terrified I'm about to lose all my clients because I charge a high price for my services and some of these newcomers who charge less are actually better than me." There was also this little Craiglist advert that has been circulating for a wedding photographer, which while humourous, also seems a little bitter and cranky.

Photographers: It's no wonder the general public is so disenchanted with so-called professional photographers. It's one of the only professions besides being a painter or an actor that really (seriously) has absolutely no rules, guidelines, or standards. You can charge whatever you want for your services, shoot however you want, be educated or not... and the toughest part of our job is figuring out how much people are actually willing to pay us. So what are you complaining about?

The only way you build a business is by attracting and retaining clients, and when you have no portfolio, you're going to be giving it away for free or cheap, at least for a little while. Consider that as you raise your prices and become an established photographer, you are going to have clients who quite simply cannot afford you anymore. But theoretically, if you won your clients who can afford to move up with you, and you have some decent skills, you will be working less, and making as much or more money, so it shouldn't really affect your income if you're really that awesome, right?

Snobbery abounds. When you enter higher levels of photography you run into all sorts of people who have become a brand instead of a human being and spend as much time promoting themselves as they do shooting. While I see nothing wrong with this, it's not something I personally aim for. They whine and snivel and complain about the new photographers and how everyone and their dog has a camera without considering geez - some of these people are going to be good, and one day, they might be the ones deciding if *I* win an award.

A word on memberships to the umpteen professional organizations that are out there. If you pay, you can say you are a member. Being an 'accredited' or 'famous' or 'award winning' photographer means you have spent enough money promoting yourself to enough people within the organisation that have bestowed upon you some kind of peer recognition, usually represented by a piece of paper. This has not got a damn thing to do with my clients. While it's nice to have a fun group of people with similar interests to hang out with, bounce ideas off, and learn a few marketing tips, mostly what happens is everyone sits around oohing and ahhing about who got famous that year and was able to enter the echelons of the togs who charge more than brain surgeons.

The only way you get true respect is to earn it, and being well-known (even if you have amassed 2000 fans on Facebook) doesn't mean you are respected. Even if you get paid substantial sums of money it doesn't mean anyone respects you (think reality TV stars.) In exchange for accolades and fame amoungst my peers, I prefer to be valued for who I am, not what I've accomplished. Some call me a rogue, others call me a hack, and I am probably referred to as completely unprofessional by a few, but when it comes right down to it I would rather have a 4 year old I've known since they were in their Mom's tummy sitting by the doorway waiting for me to arrive than have peer recognition from people I barely know. That validates me more than any piece of paper ever could.

Here's what happens when lots of togs hit a certain point in their career. They call each other down based on what camera they use or how much they know their way around photoshop. They are cheerful and loving while they attend conferences and enter competitions, then bash their colleagues behind their backs. They equate what you charge with your level of professionalism and for many, it becomes the primary measure of success. They look down their noses at those who charge less for their services and, on occasion, look down on the clients who are unable afford them. They don't see the value of upstarts taking on the task of providing something other than department store photos for the biggest demographic in existence.

Listen up, and listen close. There is always going to be someone coming up behind you. When they're first starting out, they are probably going to be cheaper than you. Whether they are going to be (or already are) better than you is a matter of personal taste that the open market will dictate. You can either help them to raise you up or try and beat them down so they can't step on you as they climb past. The choice is yours whether you want to live in fear or celebrate the fact that photography is accessible to everyone, not just the elite. When a computer replaces human interaction, that's about the time to really poop your pants.

Last thing - but it's a biggie - before you start joining PUBLIC groups and whining about your poor underpaid photographer self all over Facebook and blogs, maybe stop for a second to remember that some of your past and/or potential future clients and colleagues are on your friend list, followers, or fan page, and it's likely that the vast majority don't feel sorry for you or your poor underpaid photographer friends (who are, by the way, usually the ones agreeing or suggesting that you need to raise your prices...) When it comes right down to it, a photographer has the ability to make more than a brain surgeon. No one feels sorry for you. No one should. I sure as hell don't. Quit whining and go take pictures.