He told me that it is typical for those calling about his services to say they have “sticker shock” when he delivers a quote and that his response has been, “That is because I am the photographer you come to second” and then explained to them he had found most people first had to learn that the quality of photos they needed could not be created at the prices inexperienced photographers were quoting.

On my side of the fence, the story is the same, but I have been finding out during the shoot, not when I deliver the quote.  In each of the shoots I have done for the last six months, at some point during or directly after the shoot the client would comment “we used another photographer before you and couldn’t use any of the photos. So we came to you to get it done right.”

The picture here is that two different photographers who only met last week have both discovered that an increasing number of clients had attempted to save money by going with someone cheap, and ended up having to do the shoot again at professional rates.

The client can’t be blamed.  We have entered a world where prosumer DSLR cameras can be had for about $1000.  Add to that the number of free websites available, almost anyone can hang out a shingle as a “pro” for the cost of about a weeks pay at a regular job.  Suddenly everyone is a “photographer” and these inexperienced “professionals” spread a lot of disinformation.  One of thee first things a photographer has to learn is just how much he doesn’t know.  The photographer at this level does not yet have the experience to realize that the demands of a commercial shoot is far beyond his ability to deliver, or that it takes more than his cheap DSLR to meet the technical specifications  and will jump up to the plate with a “sure, I can do that,” “nothing to it” and “it will only cost….”  Conversely, a true professional has been shooting long enough to realize he isn’t equipped to do his best on every type of shoot and will refer you to another professional who is better qualified for the job.  We know enough to know we don’t know it all and are smart enough to say as much when we don’t.

Cameras are everywhere now.  I have yet to photograph a live performance or corporate event where I didn’t have at least a half a dozen people come to me and explain how they were “photographers.”   When I question what they mean by that I find that while they are loudly telling the world they are photographers, none of them actually earn a living as professional photographers.  They simply mean they have cameras and take pictures.  This creates the false perception than anyone can do it and that it costs nothing to create good photos.  This is the world the new art buyer or person in need of his or her first professional photos has been surrounded by and so the $1000 price tag on a shoot that a seasoned art buyer would know should cost around $10,000 to produce doesn’t raise any red flags… until after they have to pay to have it shot again by the bidder who came in at $10k.

Changes ushered in by both the internet and digital cameras have created a “perfect storm” in the industry for both art buyers and photographers.  It is a confusing landscape full or lies and myths….  propagated both by those who have no clue what it really takes to do the job and those who wish to exploit the lies for their own benefit.  One myth here is that digital did not make it cost nothing to take a photo.  While it did eliminate the cost of the film and developing chemicals, the cost of keeping up with digital technology is far more expensive that it was in the days of film.  Only the novice believes otherwise.

As a consumer, you can’t be expected to know everything that goes into the creation of a photo.  But do take the time to be somewhat realistic as to what it will take to do the job right.  Unrealistic expectations can destroy the outcome of a shoot.  As an example, I had a woman contact me who needed a shoot done of her entire line of clothing that she was selling via a website.  She wanted 12 models, some children, and the entire clothing line shot… in just one day.  She wanted to use inexperience and unprofessional models and there was no budget for a makeup artist, stylist or assistant — in a shoot where the mood, setting, personality expressed, emotion and attention to every detail in the clothing, hair and makeup (not to mention lighting, exposure, etc) were critical to the success of the shoot as a sales tool.

When I told her this was a recipe for disaster, she told me she had someone who would do it for $25 per hour.  As we talked it later came out that she knew he was incapable of delivering the work she needed, but somehow believed I would be able to deliver the quality of work she saw in my portfolio simply by being better at pushing the button.

Of course I turned this shoot down.  This is a client that needed to learn for herself that it simply can’t be done right without the proper estimation of work involved beforehand.  This isn’t a criticism.  She simply did not know what it takes to do it right and get the quality of images she was seeing on my website… and had been led by the inexperienced photographer she had been working with to believe there was “nothing to it.”

Where I am going with this is a little bit of practical advice.  A shoot is worthless if it does not serve the intended purpose.  It will not do so without the proper planning and a photographer with the experience to know when a vital step is dropped out.  Don’t make the mistake of assuming anyone with a camera is a photographer (as they all love to claim) and that anyone can do it.  A guy with a camera is just that… a guy with a camera.  A photographer is an experienced professional who earns his living by creating images that satisfy the demands of his clients … flawlessly.

If you are new to the game, take the time to look at what it might really take to produce an image and discuss it with the photographer.  Beware of the guy with the dirt cheap price who tells you there is nothing to it.  As I said before, he is not yet up to the point where he knows that there is still a lot he doesn’t know.

On the other hand, don’t assume that the highest price is the best deal either.  Not every shoot requires circus animals and 35 assistants, catering and exotic locations such as the typical Annie Leibovitz shoot.  But EVERY shoot is going to require more than a guy with a camera.  Somewhere in between will lie the right combination to fit your needs.  Finding that requires a realistic approach to what it will really take, a realistic budget, and some give and take to make it all work together.

Taking the time to properly estimate what it will take to do the shoot right and not leaving the outcome to chance could save you the expense of shooting it twice.  And nothing is more expensive than paying for a poor photo that does not generate business.

Tweet this

Please take a moment to visit my website to see more of my fashion photography.

High Fashion Photography - copyright Mark Stout Photography

Here is a photo from a recent high fashion shoot. While the original shoot was not titled, I am not calling this image “Passions”. Please visit my website for more high fashion photography.

Fashion photographer - copyright Mark Stout

Commercial fashion photographer - copyright Mark Stout

Advertising photography, copyright Mark Stout

Please visit my fashion photography gallery

Tweet this

See more of my portraits at Denver Portrait Photographer.

Portrait of Denver art scene icon and fine art photographer, Mark Sink, at the Red Line Gallery - Copyright Mark Stout

Tweet this

Two popular myths about photographers are:

That in an era of fully automatic digital cameras and iPhones, anybody can take a picture and a professional is no longer needed.

That a photographer can only photograph one style or subject matter and do it well.

Did anyone else notice the contradiction in the two myths?

Neither happen to be true.  A lot can go wrong during a photoshoot and only a professional can deal with the unexpected and still produce fantastic images.  Likewise, it takes years of experience to develop “an eye” for what makes a good picture for each particular circumstance.

As for only being able to photograph one thing, I’ve yet to meet a professional photographer where this is true.  We may become known for a certain style or genre, but our vision is limited only by our own decision to limit it.

I am currently best known for my fitness and fashion photography, as reading my blog reveals.  But I am also an extremely experienced and accomplished entertainment photographer, live performance photographer, and corporate event photographer.

The event photos below show some of the little details that many less experienced event photographers miss.

In the two images first shown, the untrained eye will miss the fact that the images as seen are not possible with a camera set on automatic.  The ambient light is too dim to register.  The flash would overpower the foreground and trail off to blackness.  Obtaining a correct exposure throughout the depth of the image required shooting on manual and adjusting all exposure and flash settings to fit the scene.  As an event is fast paced, there are no second chances.  A photographer has to know his craft and equipment so well that no time is wasted thinking what to do, it is intuitive.

Denver event photography, the Exdo event center being set up for an event - copyright Mark Stout Photography

Event photographed at the Exdo Event Center - Copyright Mark Stout Photography

A thousand little details come together to make a successful event.  The accomplished professional photographer knows this and doesn’t fail to capture these while not missing the main event itself.  The food photos below were taken while the event above was in progress and required off camera lighting to bring out the texture and detail in the appetizers and wine.

Food buffest at an event at the Exdo Event Center, copyright Mark Stout Photography

Closeup photo of the appetizers served at an event - copyright Mark Stout Photography

Wine and cheese photographed at corporate event - Copyright Mark Stout Photography

While the main action is on the stage, there is a whole world of magic happening in the audience at any event.  A seasoned professional photographer is so in tune with the entire environment that these special moments don’t slip by.  The photo below is one of my favorites.  The little boy found something much more entertaining than the presentation for the grownups and it was one of the client’s favorite memories of the event.  Capturing this photo required knowing exactly how to set the camera to capture the ambient light, and just how much fill flash to add to keep the child’s shirt from being completely black without destroying the impact of the moment by washing out the whole scene with the light from the flash.

A child amuses himself with a computer during an event - Copyright Mark Stout Photography

I hope that I have illustrated the point that it takes a lot more than a camera to produce memorable, effective and beautiful photos and that it is possible for an accomplished photographer to photograph more than one subject well.

If you are looking for a Denver photographer, please visit my website.  I would love to capture the magic of your event.

Tweet this

The opportunity presented itself shooting this fashion editorial for Baskit Wear. The model selected for this shoot is actually a popular local DJ named Sean O’Grady. You can catch him at Tracks this Christmas and New Years Eve.

See more of this sexy photoshoot in my Men’s Fashion Photographer gallery and my Artistic and Sensual Gallery. I have also completed several more shoots in the last few weeks and will be posting images from them after they have been published.

Men's fashion photoshoot - copyright Mark Stout Photography

Sexy Men's Underwear Photoshoot - Copyright Mark Stout

Male underwear photoshoot copyright Mark Stout

There are a number of qualities I look to create in my photos and this image illustrates a few of them.  In a fitness photo, obviously the light has to be perfect to make the most of the hard work in the gym and bring out the sculpting and definition the bodybuilder has worked tirelessly to achieve.  But that is just the beginning.  It also has to communicate something and create a motivating desire on the part of the viewer.   That can take as many forms as there are moods, emotions and situations.

For this photo, I elected to go with a mood that suggests a highly personal moment, of the sensuality of enjoying your own body and the sensation of the elements on your skin.  A peaceful moment in harmony with the elements that the viewer might want to enjoy as his own.

Please visit my Fitness Photographer photo gallery to see more of my work.

A sexy male fitness model on the beach - Copyright Mark Stout Photography

Also, check back soon to see photos from a published fashion editorial I recently completed  highlighting clothes from the same designer.  You won’t want to miss it.  Shoots just don’t get any hotter and still make it into print.

Similar images can be seen in my Fashion Photographer and Men’s Fashion Photographer galleries.

Male Underwear Fashion Shoot - Copyright Mark Stout

Tweet this

While we decided to push the envelope with this one and go with an implied nude, I adhered to my golden rule that the message of the photo must communicate higher values.  The goal was to communicate a feeling of luxury, confidence and contentment in a beautiful and sexy way and I believe we accomplished this end.

Visit my Men’s Fashion Photographer Gallery to see more shoots done with this designer.

Men's fashion photographer - copyright Mark Stout Photography

Men's underwear fashion shoot - Copyright Mark Stout

Tweet this

So while computer technology creates unlimited possibilities for special effects, and opportunities to create something “different”, I make it a point to ensure my work adheres to the above values.  This is a partially computer generated fashion photo combining more of my work with fashion model Megan Holmberg and shots I took on the way home from a recent shoot in LA.  While it involves a juxtaposition of both indoor and outdoor settings, the mood, tone and lighting combine harmoniously to create a visually compelling image.

Please visit my fashion photographer portfolio on my main website.

Sexy fashion model in a southwestern photoshoot - copyright Mark Stout

Tweet this