Results vs. appearances

I did some professional portrait work a long time ago (as an employee of another company and using their equipment), but had a long layoff from shooting professionally. I have been pursuing photography only as a hobby over the last 10 years.

However, I have recently done some "professional" work for friends and the clients of their business and have been approached recently about doing some more from friends of those clients. While there is certainly a growing possibility of some good income, I have no intention of making this a full-time profession (at least any time soon) so I am reluctant to spend any significant money right now.

My dilema is my equipment. I have been getting the recommendations based on results, but because I was working through my friend's business no clients have yet seen me "in action". I'm concerned that when people see me shooting with a D50 and relatively cheap lenses, they might feel cheated that they aren't getting a "pro". Or worse, that they may ask prior to hiring what my equipment is. (I wouldn't expect the average person to notice, but I live in an affluent area so there is a strong possibility that many of my future customers will own better equipment than me just because they can--even if they have no idea how to use it).

However, for the purpose of generating future business do I need to worry about "appearances"? Or, put another way, how many pros are using specifics about their equipment as a "sales tool" (e.g. "I use only top of the line Nikon equipment, etc...")?

I guess it depends on the clientèle. My guess is that there are very few people who really care other than photographers. Of those, only the gear heads will care more about the gear than the results. I'd say it's a non issue.
-Kent

My experience has been that many clients do judge a photographers ability by their equipment. It's stupid, I know, but I see it often. The more pro-level equipment you lug out, the more they are willing to pay. I think that's one of the reasons medium format is still used by pros in many situations when 35mm would do. It's a silly game, but, it's real.
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David Garth

Having only one body is a recipe for failure. I had a shutter blow on me during an engagement session last fall. No problem, just switch lenses on bodies and keep going.

I'd say that the difference between cheap and high end lenses is much more dramatic than the differences between the sensor on a d50 and a d70 or d300. Feature set is a different matter.

--
peace

Todd Muskopf
Senior Photos and Portrait Photography
Dayton (Beavercreek) Ohio
http://www.muskopf.org
http://www.myspace.com/muskopf_photos
Member ASMP, NPPA, and NAPP

Agreed. The people who really know photography are not that likely to care, in my experience. It's the amateurs and dabblers who judge the equipment -- which sounds like just the kind of people the OP is going to be dealing with.

Thirty years ago I was using Canon while Nikon completely dominated the pro market. I'm sure it cost me a few jobs, and there were more than a few times I had to justify my choice.

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JR

http://www.fotolocus.com

My clients do not care what equipment I am using but demand my images are sharp, clear and are worthy to be looked at. The question is, "Would you want my images framed and hanging inside your home?" That is the image you have to portray.

I am confident and I do not over state my qualifications. I let my work speak for itself. I do not need to advertise. I just take work by word of mouth.

When someone is just breaking into the business, you exhibit your work. If you tell your clients you shoot with a Canon EOS 1D Mark II, with many "L" lenses, most would say, "So what?" Your eye and your knowledge of photography sells your work.

Thanks for the responses everyone...

I agree that my work should be what matters not the gear (and I certainly am selling based on the portfolio not the gear), but JR nailed it and I expect I will be dealing with many people who will judge me by my gear alone at some point.

I also agree with Todd that one body is a recipe for trouble. My plan all along was to upgrade to a better body and glass at some point, but I may pull the trigger on the body ASAP.

I don't think it SHOULD matter what camera you have as long as you get results, that said, people do expect a pro to have pro equipment, that's why it's call it pro equipment!

If i went to the hospital to have an operaton, my number one concern would be the ability of the surgeon, but still i would feel better knowing the operating room was equipped with the latest and best gear!

RhysM said:

I don't think it SHOULD matter what camera you have as long as you
get results, that said, people do expect a pro to have pro equipment,
that's why it's call it pro equipment!

If i went to the hospital to have an operaton, my number one concern
would be the ability of the surgeon

Click to expand...

How are you going to know? You'd be worried if you saw him driving anything but a luxury car in immaculate condition, and equally worried if he were wearing sloppy clothes if you bumped into him at the supermarket.

RhysM said:

but still i would feel better
knowing the operating room was equipped with the latest and best gear!

Click to expand...

But I bet you'd go for the hospital with the latest equipment and in the best area if you had a choice. I know we chose the newest hospital in a like neighbourhood for the birthplace of our son, and we're only going to one in a poorer area for the birth of our daughter because it has a better record and we are able to transfer to a postnatal clinic that is just down the road from our house.

If you are Steve Jobs and you are introducing iwidget you can wear jeans and running shoes. Everybody knows Steve can afford a suit or two. Steve's got nothing left to prove.

If you are a pro photographer and your client knows something about photography--but little about you--then low-end DSLRs and consumer lenses are a clear negative, IMO. Your low-cost equipment indicates that you are not getting much business, and, therefore, that you might not be a good photographer. And, that you might not be around for follow-on business and support.

Don't ask pros with cheap equipment, ask potential customers to get a more accurate answer. Or, ask pros who have upgraded their equipment (including computers and software). Maybe better equipment is also a positive that can be exploited one way or another. I'm simply claiming that, IMO, cheap equipment is a negative for pros. It's not a show-stopper, but it probably will reduce sales over time. If possible, get the equipment issue off the table.

If you do get better equipment, just act like it's just that--equipment that is durable under constant use, nothing more. Don't sound like you are impressed by it. Let your pictures do the talking. The final results are obviously critically important. You have to be a good photographer to succeed no matter what equipment you use.

Ever notice that many real-estate agents like to lease more expensive cars than they really need? People think that they sell more houses than others--and they often do after spending more on cars and clothing.

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John1940

If you have the last down,, ok,, but you need the first three to be really successful and having a good personality helps.

Much of the wedding business is Hype and marketing..

Of course you need to be decent too, but showmanship, putting on the dog, people want to feel they got the best, even though they are cheap..

I have shot with KM / Sony and do a decent job, and I know I have lost jobs because I didn't have the name brand pro stuff, canon, nikon..

So I bought a D3 to impress my clients.. no.. but to produce images that my other cameras can't do..

However when the see Pro bodies hanging off your neck it doesn't hurt. But to have cheaper cameras then the guests.????

I don;t mind (yet) having an equal or cheaper camera than the guests at weddings I shoot....

'cause although they may have a newer body and 1 or 2 lenses...

I come with a roller bag and a backpack... 2 bodies, 3 flashes, lenses, flaqsh bracket, tripod, monopod, light meter, Q39 mini softbox for a light on a stick, etc..etc..
and
I bring an assistant with her own gear too.

THEY have a camera
I have an investment

(and I'll chat technology with the gearheads politely... in between doing a professional job)

John1940 said:

If you are Steve Jobs and you are introducing iwidget you can wear
jeans and running shoes. Everybody knows Steve can afford a suit or
two. Steve's got nothing left to prove.

Click to expand...

But remember Steve will be standing beside or holding the latest amazing looking iwidget. So even Steve knows the importance of image; however, he will also know the importance of results, so that's what he will be getting us to focus on.

We are in the 'image' business... from start to finish.

So I'd agree with John: both matter... and it's a big part of why I still like to shoot with a Hasselblad system.

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Cheers,
Ashley.
http://www.ashleymorrison.com
http://www.ampimage.com

Not too many people will even notice the body. They'll notice the lens. I tape over the names/brands on my bodies (all Canon gear) just so I don't get into a P!ssing contest with some gearhead. My lenses are large with red rings and sometimes white (since you're Nikon--those are good lenses), so most people see them and tell me "wow, that's a nice camera". They're really talking about the lens.

When people ask me what body I'm using (usually two), I just say "Canon". 90% of the people don't dig any further.

--
peace

Todd Muskopf
Senior Photos and Portrait Photography
Dayton (Beavercreek) Ohio
http://www.muskopf.org
http://www.myspace.com/muskopf_photos
Member ASMP, NPPA, and NAPP

I too have taped over the logos on my cameras at various times, partly to avoid stigma but mostly to discourage time-wasting conversations. I have several times caught bystanders and even other photographers squinting at my gear, presumably trying to figure it out, but no one has ever come up to ask about it. So I do think a little black tape can help with brand image problems.

(3M brand black photographic tape does an excellent job here, BTW. Available from your photo retailer.)

I wrote above about the days when I was using Canon and everyone else had Nikon. One day I left my bag in the photo office where the other photographers were sitting around. The next time opened my bag I found that they had used a Dymo labeler to put "Brand X" over the Canon logos on all my bodies. I left it on for a couple of weeks and several time it served as an ice breaker on assignments. Of course, back then I had a secure newspaper job and the people laughing at the cameras were not the people signing my checks.

BTW, bigger is better. A bulky lens, maybe enhanced with a hood, or a big grip or winder can also enhance the look, at least for the unknowing.

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JR

http://www.fotolocus.com

The camera I use most often was released in 2004... Although it looks professional, the lay person doesn't know much or care about what all I put into making an image look good as long as I get results. LOL people still ask things like "Wow, your photos are awesome! How many megapixels is your camera?" When I respond, the answer is always much smaller than they expected from todays modern bohemoths.

Good images come from good photographers who know how to use the equipment they have. You don't need a $4,000 - $8000 camera to take images people are willing to pay for.

Are there some things that the D3 will do for you that your camera can not? Yes. But by the time your shooting gets to a point where you NEED a D3, your knowledge and experience will be at a level where you will already know it and you'll be getting paid enough for your work that it will pay for itself within the year (and in some cases within the month).

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TANK

'Why is it everytime I need to get somewhere, we get waylaid by jackassery?' - Dr. Venture
http://www.myspace.com/servantoflove

If you are concerned about the camera you carry, this will be subtly communicated to others. Just as animals smell fear, people can sense emotions in others.

Confidence is one of the key factors in business. If you do not radiate confidence, success will escape you in any venture.

It isn't about the camera, lenses, prices etc. Clients are buying you and your confidence and style. The way they perceive your results is also affected by how you present them. A nervous presentation of outstanding work will not be appreciated as much as an enthusiastic presentation in a great environment of just good work.

Others may disagree but I have seen this for more than 40 years of photography and other businesses.

Confidence.

The fact that you even ask the question tells me that confidence MAY be a missing ingredient for you. Get gear that you do NOT have to cover up and apologize for. Learn to use it in a manner that sets you apart from most of your competition. Then you will have the experience, the gear, and a healthy sense of confidence (important, make sure it is well deserved and not even bordering on arrogance). These three things will give you what you need to suceed if you are able to get the word out and communicate it effectively.

Please, do not underestimate the confidence that quality gear can give you. I know that it is not the same thing as creative skills and inherent talent, but in the marketplace people tend to hire those people who exude a sense of strength and assurance that they are up to the task at hand.

--

'Truth is stranger than fiction, for we have fashioned fiction to suite ourselves.' G.K. Chesterton

http://www.jimroofcreative.net

that was easy, wasn't it?

in any case looks are important, of course they are.

unless you are well known for a particular job and you can shoot products in your place where nobody will see you and you send the files by mail with the exif hidden

If you hired someone and they were using a push-pull cheap lens wouldn't you be very nervous?

--
peace

Todd Muskopf
Senior Photos and Portrait Photography
Dayton (Beavercreek) Ohio
http://www.muskopf.org
http://www.myspace.com/muskopf_photos
Member ASMP, NPPA, and NAPP