So I attended a workshop a few weeks ago and met a few people. One was a beginning photographer/model that I spoke to. I agreed to take portraits of this person for their modeling comp card, and they told me how they were also attending workshops trying to learn more about photography. Through their profile on the signup forum I found their facebook profile. Since the workshop the person has been doing photoshoots and posting pictures on facebook. Today I saw they started a side business focusing on weddings! CRAZY!
This doesn't surprise me, there are so many photographers named on the forums now that I never heard of when I was looking for a photographer a two yrs ago. It seems that most of these newbies (not all) name the company basically "their full name photography" Make sure when you interview photographers you get an idea of the shooters experience and how long they have been in business. I am not saying someone new to the marketplace can't do a good job, but just make sure you know what you are getting. A good photographer is a good photographer, but a good wedding photographer is a different animal in the industry. It's not like doing portraits or landscapes where you have unlimited time to setup shots and nail the proper composition and exposures.
Anyway, a few givaways to look for:
1. Cost, most of these newcomers are undercutting the competition
2. No albums, just digital files - a lot of these newbies are not getting involved with the costs or hassles of albums, and only offer digital files or prints.
3. Professional marketing tools - They should have a website with a custom URL, business cards, a phone number other than a cell phone, proper event insurance, professional looking contracts, and last, an email other than a hotmail account!
Hope this helps!
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