Showcase Photographers and those that aspire to be

[skbinks]

Originally Posted by BDS

Is it OK to pm/email providers and offer your photography services to them?

I don't think so. When a sales person blind calls me up on the phone, I hang up on them and immediately block their number. I could see it if I had done business with them but otherwise I hate it.

I'm not a professional photographer, or someone trying to make a living from it. I don't think I have ever blind pm'd anyone to do their pictures because I hate someone who does a blind sales call to me. If it isn't because they asked for a photographer in a thread, they contact me because they have seen either:
a. My national threAd
b. My signature line Ad
c. Saw my watermark (which is not required) on some of the pictures I have done.
d. Saw a thread talking about me.

[Iaintliein]

I'm neither a professional nor a professional aspirant.

And PMs are the ONLY way I contact ladies about photography.

Why?

1. Because I don't want to even appear to be taking business from professionals. In fact, I only ask ladies who's photos lead me to believe that they don't use professionals. That's why I send PM's instead of post threads in open forum.

2. It's my hobby and my home, so I only ask ladies I find attractive and polite in the forums who are very well reviewed, and who show their faces (exceptions made for ladies I have a client/provider relationship with).

3. I don't charge and I don't ask for trade, so I'm not "selling" anything.

4. They ALWAYS have the option to say No, thanks, or to simply not reply.

If the original question referred to mass mailings, I'd agree that isn't a good thing to do at a site with limited mailbox capacity. But I have no problem sending out PMs on the subject a few times a year to two or three ladies I've either shot, played with, or would like to shoot.

Sorry if that offends.

Regards,
IAL

[Randall Creed]

Agree about mass mailings. I wouldn't do it.

PM's? Yes. I don't know any other way to 'get yourself out there'. If you have no way to prove what you're a photographer (i.e. look at all my great work), you have to reach out in onesies and twosies to see if anyone will bite.

If there's a provider who looks like she could use some professional pics, why is it so wrong to ask her if she would like to get some professional shots done? You don't get discovered by being undiscoverable.

[Lil'Whiskey]

Hey DDBD - great advice. I have been shooting professionally for over forty years. One thing that I learned early on is that when your subject is new and wants nude photos then I insist on her or me having a third party along for the shoot. It makes them (and you) feel more comfortable, secure, and it can prevent some awkward situations.

[wade38]

From my portfolio http://www.kelliesinz.net

I can work with templates site too such as this one. Note 90% of photo work is part of my portfolio too.

-j

Serious Inquiries PM for other references and website.

PS it it should not take more that 72hr for photo packages or 48hr for basic web site design. Yes it will depend on artwork but that should not prevent a site from going online to start taking advantage of the product offered.

[R.M.]

I was just thinking and it would be nice to have a private area for photographers to have where we can list ladies that are time wasters. That book a shoot and then flake on you. Including photographers that practice bad business{rip off} and list things we may have to sell or trade or just chat and exchange ideas.
P.S. How many of you get a deposit? I will be adding that to my menu on my web site.

[Randall Creed]

Good idea. Setting up for a shoot takes time. When it's planned out days ahead, and day of the event, the flakers like to play dumb when you try to reach out them heading up to the shoot. I had one FINALLY respond, two hours after the fact, "Oh, I'm getting my nails done."

Oh, no big deal, except me blocking out 3 hours of my day, including travel, plus dragging equipment around. No biggie. No inconvenience at all. In fact, it's my fault for bothering you while you get your nails done. Carry on.

Yep, good idea. Some people think time is a one-way street (theirs, and theirs only).

[maxim_232]

Yeah that would be pretty cool. Exchange of information and ideas is always good, and without extraneous comments from outsiders would be good.

[AmanthaG88]

I am a provider. In my full time job I have a really successful photography studio. I've significantly discounted my services for providers because I want them to have a safe and comfortable experience. I have a studio, as well as a gorgeous apartment that I don't live in that is set up exclusively for boudoir photography. Of course I have an assistant on hand- that's what professionals do. Girls in this industry typically do reschedule once or twice. I find that they either get nervous, cash comes up short... Etc. I don't whine or complain... It's not a big deal. Why? Because I can fill that time with other clients. I can spend that time editing other sessions. My gear and equipment lives at my studio in a highly secured facility.
I don't pm them individually because that's just bad business practice. I'll post an ad in business services roughly every other week. They'll come to me if they want me- and they do.
We are a women's service here for other women.
Two years ago a not-so-gentlemen who has since been banned from eccie was posting on Craigslist that he would get them representation into the adult industry. Out of curiosity I met with him. He took me to a skeezy motel, took nude photos of me, had a friend show up because he said he needed "action" photos of me. I don't need to tell you how this ended.
In the end he told me I was too fat to market and no one would want me.

The photos were taken on a consumer end Nikon using pop up flash, and a handheld video camera from the early 80's.
Ladies, unfortunately this is the situation a lot of you will find yourselves in. I've spoken with 7 other providers with all too similar stories. Please use a professional. You should expect to pay at least $500 at the very minimum for a quality safe session. Take care of yourselves girls. If it's not my studio you use, I can recommend a million amazing ones. Be careful and do not get taken advantage of.

[AmanthaG88]

I require a $200 deposit. The remainder is due the day before their session. Please add me to your list. My website is beautifullylit.com

[Randall Creed]

What I'm getting sick of seeing is the assertion that all bad photographers are MALE. To be quite honest about it, my piss-ivity level goes up every time I see it.

All we keep hearing (reading) is how terrible guy photographers are for this business. Well, here's one major benefit of seeing male photographers over female provider/photographers. We male photographers are not competing and will NEVER compete with you for male clients. Ever. We have no use for them. A provider-ographer may think, "Damn, she's hotter than me, and works in the same circles I do. Will she possibly cost me some high end clients?"

I mean, we've NEVER seen a catfight go bad on this board. We've never seen providers that were once besties turn into mortal enemies. We've never seen providers refuse to give references for each other, over something that happened in the past. Oh, nooooo. None of this stuff has EVER happened...except, IT HAS, and does.

Look, I don't rip on female photographers, or any photographers, for that matter. I've always felt that photography was like motorcycle riding. There's this "code" within that you don't steal another rider's helmet, take parts off each's ride, or kick over his/her bike or whatever (I don't know all of them...they can tell you about 'the code' much better than I can). I guess I'm being way too naive to think such a thing exists with photographers. All I keep reading (on this board) is how male photographers suck, are a bunch of perverts, and that ONLY female photographers know what they're doing.

Maybe I'm overreacting with this. Forgive me if I am, but I've had enough of the assertion that only females can shoot females, that guys don't know what they're doing, and are just looking for a cheap thrill. Peh!! A dozen 'free' appointments won't begin to equate for the cost of my equipment, time, and the effort I put into this. Legit photographers want to show work that they can be proud of, that the customer appreciates, without feeling like they've been scammed.

I'm not 'angry' as I type this, just annoyed, as it seems that there's an audience out there that's trying to sway the market with underhanded tactics. If you're good, your work will stand on its own, and such tactics wouldn't be necessary.

[hits79]

outstanding post

[R.M.]

I have a question please. Is there another option to Drop Box?

[ash1102]

interested

[The Eternal Bachelor]

Originally Posted by R.M.

I have a question please. Is there another option to Drop Box?

Reese, this website lists quite a few alternatives to dropbox along with some user reviews

http://alternativeto.net/software/dropbox/