A PHOTOGRAPHER IS ONE INGREDIENT IN A RECIPE OF MANY
I was just sent the MOST OBNOXIOUS email of my life from a wedding photographer … and it brings up a VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE that needs to be heard.
Here’s the gist of what just happened … I downloaded images for the use on a website I am designing for a client … first, some facts:
My client worked the wedding
My client was paid for her services that day
My client created something for the photographer to BE ABLE to photograph that day
My client was sent a link from the photographer of the images that she was allowed to use from the day
>> CLEARS THROAT LOUDLY <<
So, I download the images … I guess that sends some sort of notification to the photographer that his or her images were downloaded … I get an email from him/her to check and see who I am that is downloading their work … valid, fair … I respond: explaining that I am designing a website for someone who worked the same wedding.
WHAT I GET BACK IS A LECTURE.
Essentially, this photographer would like me to email ALL photographers before I ever design a website … asking permission for my clients in order to USE images on my client’s websites. Images of THEIR WORK … images that were made possible by my MY CLIENTS who made the wedding day BEAUTIFUL for these photographers to capture.
This photographer also reminds me that “HE DOES THIS FOR A LIVING” … and that he has cut ties with vendors who use his images on their websites … DUDE. Got any friends left??? Also, a question: why is it always the sh*ttiest photographers who have this kind of attitude?? You never hear this crap from the great photographers out there … I guess lack of actual talent creates more than just an ugly photo.
Here’s my point: if you want to get ANYWHERE in this industry, the first thing to do is realize that it takes a TEAM to create these weddings …
Photographers, this brings me to a question for you:
HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF YOU SHOWED UP FOR A SHOOT OR WEDDING YOU HAD COMMITTED TO PHOTOGRAPHING AND NONE OF THE DETAILS WERE THERE? THERE WAS NOTHING TO SHOOT.
^^ I realize that's probably happened to you at some point - I know that shoots get canceled, but then you just don't photograph them ... but in a wonky world where you still had to do your job, what would you do in this scenario? Would you take photos of an empty table and rally anyway? My point, which I am making very poorly is:
IT TAKES A RECIPE TO CREATE A SHOOT AND A PHOTOGRAPHER IS ONE OF THE INGREDIENTS
I'll repeat: you are ONE of the ingredients ... without a beautiful bouquet you have no bouquet shot - without amazing linens the table will be bare - without a gorgeous model and a kick-ass hair and makeup team .... well, you get my point. You all need each other! They don't have photos without you ... you are VERY IMPORTANT ... you're like the flour! You're a TOP TOP TOP ingredient - but you are still just one of them.
NOBODY WANTS TO JUST EAT FLOUR ;)
So my questions: why are SO MANY creators of the pretty things out there going without images of their work? Why am I getting heinous emails from a photographer lecturing me because my client wants to use images of HER WORK on her OWN WEBSITE??
All I know is that there is a divide - and for the photographers who aren't team players and don't get images to their team EVER or they just IGNORE EMAILS all together or get all uppity with people and lecture them when vendors do want to use the images?? It looks like the referrals are going to start drying up for you ...
XO~ Heather
