I would assume, that what is meant by that, is a photographer is still required to be physically present and know how to use the equipment. Maybe someday they'll figure out how you can just pose for them in front of a web cam.
Yes and no. In the wedding market, there are an increasing number of couples who are booking their photographer based only on what they see on a website. They look at the prices and the pictures, pick one that fits their budget and email them. They're only contact with their photographer before the wedding day is by email. It's becoming really hard to convince a bride to be to actually come into the studio and look at your work and meet with you.
This is one of the most intelligent things said on this long thread. We are not all photographers or expert printers or scrap bookers or whatever else. We are expert framers, or we should be. Adding anything else takes dedication, interest, expertise even if it is learned, capital, and marketing talent. I don't see a lot of portraits come in to the shop these day, nor posters from the big online outfits. I think those items are being framed at the source. Not with the beauty and specialization and preservation that we would treat them with, but "good enough."
Actually, yes they can. Yes they still have to come here to photograph them but there are photographers who can and do sell their services to people all over the world via the internet, especially in the upscale wedding a portrait markets.
The distinction isn't as clear as you think. True, the quality of the pictures is nothing like what an independent studio can do but we are constantly trying to stay one step ahead with the sales techniques and products we offer. I know photographers that regularly go and check them out and with in a short time of the independents getting a new product, the BB studios have it and are offering it to their clients and they are often getting it from the same suppliers we are but at a discount. It isn't as different as you think.
Where's the customer service in online ordering of photos? It's one of the main complaints about the online photo ordering systems. Some photographers have quite using them because they found their sales weren't that good from them. I don't see much difference between this and framing other than product. If the framing BB's are working on it you can bet the photo ones are too. They aren't going to pass up an oportunity to make more money.
The more I think about this original post the more questions I have.A photographer that I use to frame for, sent his girl in with a broken frame for me to repair. I question where she got it and she replied, "LJ". I asked if it came in broke and she said yes, and that LJ had sent a new one and never sent a call tag for pick up. Now they need another one and want the broken one repaired. I explained that I would need to trim it a bit and it would be about 1/2 smaller if that was OK, Fine she replied. I then said it would be 35.00 to fix it. She said that almost as much as a new one. It's more work to fix than to start from scratch, I said. She left taking the frame.
I'm going to put in a photo studio and take pictures for 99 cents and charge for framing. If he can sell framing I'm going to sell photos.
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framer
They did this long before internet. The use of the internet is purely coincidental or an extention. Like you said, somebody still has to come and take the picture. If you can explain how the internet can remove this vital element and you will be very wealthy.
You asked me if I have heard of Sears...have you seen what they are putting out? If you're struggling to compete with that quality, the game is over.
The types of photos you're selling will determine the amount of success this type of selling. I have done it a few ways and can discuss this further but suspect it would just another point of contention.
The human interaction and labor will never be overcome by the internet when it comes to photography. It has to a small degree in framing. We are on the leading edge of mastering custom framing via internet. There is currently no similar movement in photography and there never will be.
The use of the internet to sell framing is just an extension also of selling framing by catalog. We used to get catalogs that sold frames and mats to just about anyone willing to buy them. Someone still has to fit the picture in the frame.
It's not their quality we're competing with, it's the sales and marketing of the big box studios we are competing with. The quality at Michels is #### too but alot of framers still see their business go down when one moves into their area even if their quality is better.
True, which is why it works well for resales for sports and events, even for weddings but for portraiture it's still best to do it in person, preferable projected.
There is still human interaction when you order framing on line. A computer doesn't do all the steps yet. Photo companies like Lifetouch don't have a human face on their online ordering. There is definitely a similar movement in photography among some of the bigger companies. They would love not to have to send an employee to the school to photograph the kids. Employees cost money. There is actually one company that does school photos by sending the equipment to the school with instructions and having volunteer moms to the photos. A percentage of the sales goes to the school as a fund raiser.
I'm not too sure about the longevity of photographers. As consumer digital cameras get better, more people are deciding to do their own family portraits, senior portraits, wedding photos, and just about every other kind of photographs you can think of. The photography market is shrinking because of this trend. Fewer people are hiring photographers. They can just use their own camera, upload it to the web, and share it with their friends or order just about anything they want that a photographer would have supplied to them.
No, I wouldn't expect him to work at a loss but I'm sure any of the big business names on here (Bob Carter, Jim, Kirstie, etc.) would tell him that if he wanted to keep that account or win it back, he would find a way to sell his services to them at the price he wants to make. He could do it by emphasising the unique nature and superior customer service of what he does for a start.
I still say a great photographer is a rare commodity. The quality of the photographer in my shopping center is second to none. And let me tell you I've see thousands of photographs and hundreds of pro and wouldbe photographers over my 20 years in framing. I don't care what kind of equipment you have you still have to have an eye for it, the right lighting and a technical understand that goes way beyond point and shoot.
I think that similar applies to framing in some respects. Framers can distinguish themselves from their competion based on design flair, and on the quality of finish they put on their frames.
How are you bringing in this work?
Swatches - a simple, but effective, workaround!
It seems like there's a similar trend over in the UK. One of the members of the UK Framers' Forum reported that Spring Fair at the NEC this year was very quiet, whereas the Focus photo and imaging trade fair a couple of weeks later was absolutely heaving with visitors.
It depends. Team portraits, yes. Action shots, no.
Did you ask if they would sell those to you as well? My guess is that they will. Our rep and area manager have offered to join frames for our ready made program.
I will find out. I know we have been using a mailing store that is in our mall complex and that they recommend the lowest priced carrier for the item. We are told that all the carriers price by size rather than weight, and a framed poster is large! I'll get more detail because it seems like we are overpaying. I know that a framed print about 11 x 16 is costing about $30-$35 to ship across country. A large one is prohibitive. art.com must have huge shipping discounts.
I have been quoted joined framed for length price but this is on large volume orders. I can't see photographers buying that many at once, but maybe they do.
So who is everyone using to send out, say, a boxed 24 x 36 framed print? I really need to find something cheaper. Thanks.
Just been looking at framing websites in the UK, and came across this site: definitely the best attempt at selling "bespoke" online that I've seen so far. Their shipping charges aren't high either.
Kirstie, I have a recent shipment from SC to VT that was packed in a Foam Core box (25 sheet, 32x40, 3/16") to a residential address. The total charge was $31 because it was both oversized (dimensional weight) and residential delivery. The same package to a commercial address would have been $16. Set up a UPS account and you will receive a discount and not pay another business a profit on top of the discount.