Zero Dean

The photographer claims that professionals are the only ones who can get your headshots done right.

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Professional photographers are the only people who can get your headshots done right. Right?

Wrong.

It is entirely possible for anyone with a decent camera to capture a stunning headshot. Sometimes your “buddy with the camera” can get good shots, too. But in many cases, getting that shot will take a lot of time, patience, and a bit of luck.

Some people are just better at taking headshot photos — and those people are generally the professionals who make a living from doing so.

But if you’re hurting for headshots and you don’t have the money to pay a professional, then make the most of what you have — and if that’s a friend with a camera, so be it.

But keep in mind, many photographers offer specials or are willing to negotiate with clients in order to gain your business. While you may not have enough money to pay the average rate for headshots in your area, you might be able to negotiate a price that works for both you and your photographer.

Keep in mind when working with non-professionals, “people with cameras” who have little invested in their “photography business/hobby” don’t necessarily feel obliged to provide you with a level of service you can expect from someone whose professional life revolves around exactly what you’re looking for.

The photographer claims to have unique insights or skills to capture “the true you”.

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The photographer claims to have unique insights or the skills necessary to capture “the true you”.

This could be true. It depends on the photographer.

Getting great photos out of people when you point a camera at them has a lot to do with how the person getting their picture taken feels during the shoot. If they’re comfortable and they trust the photographer, it really helps in capturing great photos.

If the person is nervous or uncomfortable during their photo shoot, it nearly always shows in the photos. That does not mean it’s impossible to get fantastic shots while nervous or uncomfortable, but it does make a photographer’s job more difficult — and it’s much less fun and enjoyable as a subject.

While that “fake smile” may work in a snapshot, it doesn’t belong in a professional photo. A good photographer will know how to capture “the true you” — and if that’s someone with a genuine smile, all the better.

The photographer has very limited availability.

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The photographer has very limited availability to work with you.

First, keep in mind that this may very well be true. Or it may be true one week, but not the next.

The general idea of using limited availability as a photographer marketing tactic is that it can make a photographer appear as if they are in high demand. Items that appear to be in high demand are often viewed as superior to others.

Another thing having limited availability does is create “scarcity”. People tend to want things more when they’re more difficult to get.

In the end, be careful not to be manipulated to working with a photographer simply because you perceive them to have limited availability.

Make sure that you look at their work and have a good idea of what you can expect if you work with them. And if that is something you want, go for it.

The photographer promotes a “limited time” offer.

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The photographer promotes a “limited time” offer.

There is a reason why sales are popular. And there’s also a reason why every holiday season, there are one or two “must have” holiday items that are nearly impossible to find.

Scarcity makes people act.

When people think something is in short supply, they are more likely buy it. It’s almost automatic in some case.

In most cases, stores and manufacturers deliberately create shortages and intentionally market the fact that their items are in short supply. This way, if you had ever thought about purchasing an item, even if you weren’t that serious about it, if you know it’s almost impossible to get, but you somehow discover it on a shelf somewhere, you’ll buy it. It’s a marketing tactic. Remember that must-have item that was extremely hard to find last Christmas?

Photographer’s “limited time” specials are a psychological attempt at the same thing. But it doesn’t mean they’re not also offering a great deal either!

So don’t be afraid of limited time offers — just be certain that you’ve done your research and know that the photographer is capable of meeting your needs.

Also realize, many photographers may be willing to negotiate to the same price as a “limited time” offer at other times. While it is not a guarantee, it never hurts to ask.

The photographer’s web site has very positive testimonials.

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The photographer’s web site has very positive testimonials.

It is a fact that anyone can write anything and post it on the internet. And some photographers do just that by writing their own testimonials or online business reviews.

And in some cases when the testimonials may be genuine, the person they were intended for may not be. Some photographers are so desperate to promote themselves with positive feedback that they lift entire sections of websites from others and present them as their own.

Sadly, this not only includes testimonials, but also photographs as well.

If the testimonials on display at a photographer’s don’t seem to fit with the presentation or something seems off, ask for references from actual clients.

One simple trick is to copy and paste specific wording from a photographer’s website (including testimonials) and enter it between quotes into google like this:

  • Enter this into google (including quotes): “The photographer’s web site has very positive testimonials.”

If you do a search for that specific text and it appears on other websites, one of more of those people have copied it.