Untitled Bullshit

I got a few things to address.

[1] »» Bullshit Photographers.

Some people need to be approved before they can buy cameras. As a black male, it’s harder to get respect in photography, because you have a tool that can be used to put people in vulnerable positions, especially women. For this reason alone, I DO NOT shoot lingerie or swimsuits. I usually get paid offers 3 times a week, from men and women, all of which I have to turn down. I cannot allow myself to fit into the category of the plague of men who buy $2500 camera set ups and call themselves photographers just because they can take a picture clearly. This leads the general public to create this general equation for male photographers :

Photographers + Cameras = Girls.

I get a call, text, or bbm every weekend with the following :

“Hey Speechie! What’s good cuz? You in town? Where the hoes at? Shit n*gga I’m tryin’ to be like you cuz…”

This is usually followed by a call from a female friend of mine, because someone has added her facebook page and is currently messaging her. It’s funny because most of the people messaging will tell them that they are a friend of mine or they “know me” and that she should call them the next time her and I hang out. Luckily it usually gets back to me before it goes any further, and I simply tell them to stop messaging them.

Niggas need to delete my number with that shit.

 

[2] »» Bullshit Clients.

America’s Next Top Model should be banned from television before 10p.m. It fills ladies heads with these grand expectations of what a photo shoot should be. Sadly, everytime I get a potential client talking about what they want their session to be like, I have to shoot down there dreams with one word :

BUDGET.

Haha. That’s some funny shit. Especially when people get really deep into their ideas. They start making props and everything. People need to understand a few things if they want more successful photos :

  • Be realistic. If you want your session to look tacky, go find another photographer who is going to sell you a dream.
  • Communication is essential for success. Tell the photographers your ideas, but at the same time, listen to the photographer as he tells you what he can provide. You give him the vision, and let him translate it to the best of his ability. He/she can manage their tools way better than you.
  • Meet the demands. Don’t change 2822 times if you only can change twice. Be prepared. Give the photographer what he/she prerequisites before you even show up to your shoot.
  • And finally, be timely. LIGHTING is everything. Time is precious.

And finally.

[3] »» Respect.

That’s simply enough to make anyone work for you.

6 comments
Calypso on August 19, 2009 @ 12:36 am

…TRUTH

GZtheVillain on August 19, 2009 @ 4:19 am

fire….

a sign of things to come.

Chris Rayne on August 19, 2009 @ 6:28 am

truth I don’t shoot nudes or vixen for that reason. people really don’t know how much lights, location (in studio rental), craft services, graphics, editing, film/ dark room (if used), and more really cost. They want these big huge set ups but what a free shoot, ha not happening.

nolis on August 19, 2009 @ 9:38 am

lowkey this was an amazing post… good shit.. specially #2… ppl really dont understand what goes behind what a shoot takes and what is needed for it to happen properly.

chestnut on August 19, 2009 @ 9:44 am

pro-killer<3

423BraggingRights (Diamond Hammer) on November 15, 2009 @ 12:42 pm

I agree completely with the douche bags who buy cameras fact confronted, its gross and its fucking rude. On top of that, photography is me, its what im gonna do for the rest of my life, I don’t want some overweight middle aged mouth breather potentially ruining my name for being a male photographer.

And for the clients, my organization shoots parties shows and events in Chattanooga Tn for free. We recieve funding through donation parties and other such resources, so within not charging to shoot, we have complete say and control over how the photography will be carried out. It works out real well cause me and my partner definitely know what to shoot and when to shoot it, no toe steppin. But within completely agreeing with you, what you said about clients is why me and RobotParker.com teamed up to start our current project.

Good words… where are you based?

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