This one is a long time coming… I have wanted to share my thoughts on photography and business for years! I think nearly passing the sixteen year mark as a professional wedding, portrait, and commercial photographer makes me qualified to teach on the subject.
I have a lot of people approach me about shooting their wedding or portrait session. I also have a lot of clients. The art of photography and the law is becoming lost somewhere in-between novice unexperienced photographer, no formal education in art or photography, and clients who do not understand that you get what you pay for. Many do not know federal copyright law, how printing and ordering works once the photographer has photographed your wedding or session, and how print releases and reordering works.
Everything that I do is a service, not charity. This is a business and I need to put food on the table for my family just like everyone else. Everytime I open my computer; that is software, hardware, time and expertise. Years of hard work. Legal experience too… and always the risk that I will need to enforce the law, legally. Thankfully I have not had to take any clients to court, but I have had other photographers steal my work, copy my work, and stalk me and my family. It dangerous to be famous for anything.
By writing this post I am hoping that people will come to understand that photography is very much an art and a process. Photographers rely heavily on print orders and bookings. It’s expensive to run a good, honest, photography business. Websites, hardware, equipment, software, education, templates, and online services all make up my photography business. I have spent countless hours perfecting my own process. I have given blood, sweat, and tears to my photography business and I need for clients and potential clients to know that it very much a work of heart. I do my very best to deliver the best images that I possibly can to all. For both my clients and my portfolio- both are very important. It is in my best interest all around for your photos to turn out- and I have not had issues where they do not, just three in sixteen years that cannot be pleased no matter what. Even one who was a convicted felon with bad checks and fraud on her record. It was very frustrating and she attempted to defame my business in every way. People like that get reported to the police and FBI. You have been warned. I believe in the law, liberty, justice, and truth. I’m from New York and we New Yorkers love all of that, and our beloved Statue of Liberty that stands for it.
I really do try my best- and I am exceptional. I see other photographer’s work and see where they fall short in some categories. Some do not even edit their own work, they have a third party do it for them, which makes it only half their work. My work is my own from the very beginning to the very end. I am an original and my work is original too. I don’t copy, I don’t plagiarize, and I write everything on my website myself. I have also been creating and editing my own websites from the very beginning. I had one guy come in and fix something briefly but it broke something else. I research and I do it myself. I started programming HTML on my own MySpace accounts in about 2004 and always knew I could afterwards. I’m somewhat of a genius and I know it, not afraid to come out and say it.
Now, when it comes to prints… please understand that you are paying for art. Someone else’s work. Federally copyrighted and protected photographs. They are not yours unless you pay for them, as in purchase the print release… and even then you do not own the copyright, they are only printing rights. It’s original work. Just like a painting. Photography is an art- from start to finish. I work very hard to set the photoshoot up, photograph you in the best lighting, in the best possible location available to us, work my equipment like a pro- even in harsh conditions such as wind, rain, tall grass with ticks (I wear tall rubber boots now), and dangerous and wild remote locations. It’s not easy! Then I go back to my home office and edit said photographs for hours and hours, uploading them to your online proofing gallery once complete. When you are ready, you are then able to order any possible kind of photographic product you could possibly imagine, and at the highest quality possible, to stand the test of time. That is in my experience, framed prints with acrylic. It is also exhausting physically and it is necessary to be in good shape and carry up to 60 pounds of gear, even trekking up mountains, and crouching and bending in dangerous locations. I try to stay healthy and fit so that I can photograph your wedding or portrait session with precision. I’m fast and quick, and can capture things most other photographers cannot. I was an athlete… I rowed on the girls crew team, was on an all boys baseball team for two years, and also did gymnastics in childhood. Later, became a yogi and started weight lifting. I eat very healthy; lots of vegetables and fruits, and organic and non-gmo whenever possible. It’s important!
I hope that you will come to understand the art of photography and the hard work that goes into running a successful and good business. Local business owners need your support- me included. Shop small and appreciate the hard work. Do your part to be ready for the photoshoot… outfits, happy well-fed and well-rested children and guests, and your best attitudes too! I do the same on my end, and its tried and true. Props are always welcome but you do not need to bring or use them. It does add some personality to the shoot though! Be yourself and trust that the LORD will help them to be everything that they are supposed to be. Family is everything, and I will do my best to showcase yours in professional photographs, to cherish for years to come.
-Samantha Numbers
