Welcome to my blog. It isn’t perfect, and probably not even very good, but it’s mine so there.
I’m a professional commercial photographer with a background and training in photojournalism and I work from home near Bath, England, creating images for businesses all over Somerset, Wiltshire, Dorset and the rest of the country. This can be for web sites, brochures, leaflets, press releases. Really whatever the client requires.
I also offer training and consultancy to clients who may not need my photography, but need help getting their photography to work better for them.
The purpose of this blog is to offer advice, insights and information about all aspects of professional, commercial photography, and whether you’re a photographer or a business using photography, I hope the information I impart will help.
This blog will be updated roughly once a week, so do please check in regularly to see what’s what.
Thank you for your time, and I hope to see you again soon. In the meantime, why not take a quick look at my web site? http://www.timgander.co.uk
Tim
September 23, 2010 at 6:45 pm
Hi Tim
Your blog is superb. The info you have given is brilliant, sound arguments for using a pro. Locally (Lancashire) I am being undercut by someone who is a web designer, he is very good (at web design). He takes on clients produces the website and does all the photography himself. He is even doing £60 jobs for local PR companies (which I used to work for, who incidentally claim no one wants to pay for photography then mark the photography up by 50%). He is screwing the local market and is very busy. I suspect it will not last. I have decided to concentrate my efforts on bigger businesses in Manchester and Liverpool who value photography and are willing to pay. It would be nice to work locally though. Time will tell.
September 26, 2010 at 10:18 am
Hi Paul
You really are too kind! Thank you for your kind support and I hope you continue to enjoy the blog.
I know it’s disheartening to see people making a mess of the market, but it’s good to see you keeping your chin up and taking positive steps to work around the situation.
To be honest, this web designer may be busy, but busy doesn’t always mean making a living. Eventually his costs will catch up with him and he’ll have to re-evaluate his business model. And PR companies who think sub £100 all-in fees are going to get good quality photography for their clients are frankly just taking their client’s money without understanding the real role of photography in PR. I no longer get calls from this level of PR, which is a relief as the fee never covers the cost of doing the work and never leads to better-paying clients.
I wish you all the best, and I’m sure in time you’ll find more local work as you build your networks and reputation with those better businesses that work with you.