Question:
“I would love to read about how to deal with a client that starts doing photography herself asking where I get my props about my locations. I know we all start out at some point, but how do you keep it professional and not give away all your secrets??”
Answer:
We all know that I believe in secret sharing. (I’m a twin…I’ve been sharing my entire life.) In our photography world, there aren’t a lot of secrets left anyways. The way I look at it is someone can either find it out from you, or google. I was not born with all the knowledge I have today. I have learned it piece by piece through other photographers, blogs, google searches and Facebook groups so I am happy to share everything I know. There are other photographers that have my same presets and follow my exact advice, but we are still so different.
You can copy all of my techniques, but I still have my personality and my imagination to set me apart. I have found that giving back to other photographers has helped me become a better photographer myself. I encourage you to be apart of this sharing community. If you share, you will encourage others to share. If they share, they encourage others to share. Pretty soon we are all sharing and just building up our industry. Jasmine Star is a great example of sharing. (She’s a twin too, btw.) In a recent post about this very thing, she wrote…
AMEN TO THAT! However, I definitely believe that there are tactful and appropriate ways to ask for advice from other photographers.
Sharing Secrets Etiquette for Photographers
Private Message: The appropriate way to ask a professional photographer for advice or specific photo location is through a private message. When a photographer is sharing a photo on their Facebook page, it is for their client and their clients’ friends and family. If you want to know the location of the photo, I am sure they are happy to share, but first say something nice about their clients. (Also, if applicable click on their blog link or read the other comments first because if their like me the location has already been shared in the thread or on the blog.)
- Bad Example: “Where is this?”
- Good Example: “I love this picture. This bride is beautiful and so is the location. Where is this?”
- Amazing example: Picture: “I love this picture. This bride is beautiful and so is the location.” PM: “Where did you shoot that wedding? It’s gorgeous.”
Asking a Question vs Mentoring Over Facebook Chat: Professional photographers spend years learning the business and techniques of photography. We invest our money in workshops, mentoring, books, online classes and more to learn others “secrets.” The knowledge that you have did not always come free! Just like the photographers you learned from, your time and knowledge are very valuable.
If you are finding yourself answering multiple questions from the same person everyday, suggest they set up a time to meet with you in person or over Skype in a one-on-one mentoring session and charge accordingly. There’s a different between asking questions and getting taken advantage of. Don’t let yourself get taken advantage of.
Giving Away ALL Your Secrets: You don’t have to give away all your secrets if you don’t want to. For example, if you stumbled upon a really amazing vendor for your backdrops that no one in the area has,then that is your thing and it sets you apart. When someone asks you where you get your backdrops, use a polite reply such as: “My backdrops are custom made by my designer, but there are so many other great places for high quality backdrops, such as 1, 2, and 3.” The same could be said for a secret location. “This was a private location, but I know you can find a similar view here, here or here.”
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Kylee started Kylee Ann Photography 9 years ago, and has since grown from a one woman amateur show to a full associate team. We shoot 50-75 weddings a year, and thrive on kindness and service. After a year of teaching Intro to Photography at the local technical college, she discovered that helping other entrepreneurs create thriving businesses is what fires her up! She hosts semi-annual Kylee Ann Sleepovers all over the US, speak at conferences and teach online courses about running a small business and marketing.
December 14, 2015
Kylee Maughan
