Product Photography In NYC
Product photography in NYC can be a tricky situation at best for photographers as well as whoever wants to sell their products. Sometimes clients just think the process is point and shoot and offer extremely low rates for product photography in NYC. On the other side of the coin there are lots of photographers out there that charge an exorbitant amount of money for product photography in NYC. There needs to be a solid medium between client and photographer before product photography in NYC implodes.
I do a lot of product photography in NYC that is actually outsourced to me from different parts of the country and even the world. Usually, a client will send me their products and I will cast the model. After that I would shoot whatever they needed and upload their product package. I have been very fortunate to have met some cool folks along the way. But, like with anything there are some people out there that just want to rake you for your time because they think that because they are PAYING you for THEIR product photos means they can treat you like a slave. It happens. You have to be able to screen the potential hits from the potential misses. There is a lot that goes into product photography that may bite someone who is getting into it in the butt, which may also lead those less than trustworthy clients to take advantage. I remember my first product shoot and the rate I quoted. After the attitude, rudeness, and haggling that happened before and during the shoot; it dawned on me that I was doing a job that should have reasonably been charged three times more. BUT, I bit my tongue and did my job. Sometimes we have to pay our dues in order to get to where we want to go. Product photography can be a very lucrative side job for freelance photographers. There will always be new product to shoot and clients to help out. Plus, more often than not you will get some take home swag!
BUT, there are some great people out there that have a vision for their product and want to show it off as best they can. I was recently contacted by Taft Foodmasters, which is a certified Non GMO organic/natural food manufacturer based right in NYC. Along with the shoot, I have tried their products first hand and can attest that they are the best vegetarian foods I have ever had. They wanted some product photography in NYC and wanted to use local talent as well as a local photographer. I found the model Tony Cantanzaro, who is also a fitness guru, to match with the look my client wanted. Taft Foodmasters wanted to replicate the gyro ads that populate Greek food stores across the country. Growing up in Queens and having a Greek wife, I was all too familiar with those classic ads. What you see is the final product of using a concept, finding the right face, and then nailing the image in production. It was a great experience across the board.
Product photography in NYC can be a very cool thing because it puts a photographer right in the lap of creativity. It’s also kind of cool to see an ad, billboard, or website that has your photos and maybe graphics on it so you can proudly say ; “Hey, I did that.”
I would love to hear some stories that relate to doing some product photography!
As always pick up some stuff for the holidays from Amazon!
You Can’t Please Everyone
Welcome to another one of my photography blogs. You work hard and play hard. The harder you work the better the rewards. That is a true statement. When you work toward something you will find yourself building something that is fulfilling as well as creative. That being said sometimes you cannot please all of your clients through no fault of your own. People are people and as photographer we have to remember that. ESPECIALLY as photographers we have to remember that everyone is different and that we are not mind readers.
Client satisfaction is the number one goal for all working photographers. We have to take great photos and deliver a high end product so that we get repeat business, as well a referrals, and establish a great reputation. Sometimes photographers will come across people that do not know how to be people and or polite. It happens. Most people are completely awesome and if you work hard they will give you that pat on the back and a “Good job, kid.” Sometimes clients assume that because they are paying you it means that you are their slave and can be yelled at or talked down to.
Others will just try and tear you down. Why? Because they have nothing better to do or because they are just unhappy with themselves.
Photographers: Do not let these people get to you. You have to remain calm and professional at all times and show the bad apples that you are better than that. Be firm.
Clients may on occasion issue you a complaint about something that could have easily been remedied with proper communication (on their end). When you offer services it is of the utmost importance to be clear about exactly what you do and what you CAN do in post work. This also means that you may have to hold certain clients hands through the entire photography process so that they can suss out exactly what they want. This can be a daunting task because it’s very easy to be dismissive. Be a pro and hang in there. No one is a mind reader.
It’s really easy to bitch and moan about other people but in the photography profession ALL you deal with is people so sometimes you have to take attitudes with a grain of salt. Don’t be a pushover but establish yourself ahead of your shoot so that nothing unforeseen pops up. Sometimes you may have to remind clients that when you order food at a restaurant you can’t talk the waiter or chef into giving you free grub. If someone gets mad that you are charging for extras then let them get mad. It’s not a poor reflection upon you as a photographer at all as long as you tell them ahead of time.
Again, this doesn’t happen all the time but if it does just stay cool and be cool.
Now, bring the ruckus.
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