Decisions regarding PEP

There is an old saying … “it’s better to do something really well than to try and do too many things and not do them well at all.”

I have learned SO much from my photography class. You would be amazed … it’s not just about lighting, but about the photography business, that people disagree with my methods (of selling a digital file) that I am just “one of many” and “most people just go to Sears.”

As I look back at 2005, I have come to the realization that I did “too much” with my end result photos. I turned some black and white. Some sepia. I desaturated some all in an effort to find the right “fit” to sell to a client. However, in most cases, the color version probably would have been just fine.

And, I LOVE(!) color! I love the richness of solid backgrounds pulling out just a hair of the color in a child’s shirt. I love mixing and matching and making photos *really* stand out.

So, I have decided to follow that “old school philosophy” and go away from the “norm” that is “every other photographer in my competitive market” and go full throttle with color only. I am going to market myself as a superbly colorful, children’s photographer.

And guess what? It’s a niche. Type “photographer” and your city name in Google and look at how many photographers you’ll see that do everything in black and white. Or, a mix of one and the other. They are all the same. Yes, black and white has a distinct purpose. It’s beautifully classic — but that’s just it… it’s too classic. I want color! I want life! I want to see the blues and pinks and reds and greens come to life on the screen and in print.

I started to do too much on white… so pulling my blue and raspberry back out has been so much fun! I missed it!

And, that, is my decision. I am going to do one thing and I’m going to do it so well that no one will want to go elsewhere for full-color, full-fun, children’s photography.

Ron said to me “You know why people don’t shoot color? Because it’s harder! Black & white doesn’t have the same issues with tones and hues and lighting as does color.” And he’s right. So I’m picking the harder of the two, but that’s what’s going to be my “claim to fame” if you will.

I am not going to do weddings. I am not going to get into corporate headshot or stock photography. I will do brides, just because they are so giddy with excitement at being in their wedding dresses that they are like kids again… little girls all dressed up! I will do maternity photos — because a mom and baby are an amazing sight. I will photograph kids up to age 18… because then the weight of the world really hits them.

I will do alternate colors for folks if they want it… on a request basis, but that’s NOT what I am going to try to display for sale… that will be up to them to choose.

I am sooooo incredibly happy with this decision. Now I can relax and enjoy and have fun with color!