I've taken quite a while to make the most recent of my decisions involving my photography business. I will start this off by saying it has been extremely daunting, but I've finally reached a conclusion:
I am switching from Nikon to Canon.
My good friend that I work with, Mike, has kindly loaned me his Canon gear to take for a test drive for a while. After only hours with the gear, I have decided that this will be the right move for me to make.
Now, I LOVE my Nikon gear. I've been extremely happy with the images I've been taking with my equipment. I've realized, however, that in order to keep up with the best of the best, I have to shoot with equipment that is to par with what they shoot with. Unfortunately, the only full frame Nikon camera available is very much out of my price range. Canon offers a fantastic product out of their 5D model, and has some fantastic glass to go along with it.
I have three hesitations in leaving Nikon, however. I LOVE my lenses. I realize that the fisheye lens that I have is one of a kind on the market, and am hoping that Canon comes out with one similar to it in the future.
Another hesitation is Nikon's flash unit - the SB800. I LOVE this flash. I have found it to be fairly accurate in color temperature, and have found it to be consistent in its performance. I've yet to use Canon's flashes, but in reviewing the flash units out there, I have found that Canon's flash units have consistently been ripped apart in comparison. Whether or not that's true is always going to remain an opinion. The one mind easer is that Metz makes flashes that have consistently scored higher 'points' than both Canon and Nikon. I've decided that it will be within my best interest to go with the Metz flash in the end.
The last thing making me kind of wince at this change is the money involved to switch. I have to have equipment available to me at all times... but at the same time, I pretty much need to sell all of my Nikon equipment to help fund this changeover. Even after doing so, it's still going to cost me a hefty sum to completely switch.
All in all, I know this is the right decision. I've already been turned down several jobs because of the equipment I have... It's time for me to rid myself of my 'handicap.' It's just unfortunate that such a reputable company with a great product is looked at as such.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Thursday, October 11, 2007
TFP shoots and copyright issues
Due to recent confusion in contractual specifications, I am writing this entry to further emphasize and restructure certain aspects of Amy Aiello Photography.
Under NO circumstances, except via substantial fee to be determined on a per client basis, will any client own the copyrights of the images taken by Amy Aiello Photography. This is because I would no longer be able to claim the work as my own, nor would I be able to use it for my photography business. In addition, this also signs away my rights to any royalties on the image, as well as distribution or alteration of my work.
Under NO circumstances will even one photograph be taken without the prior signing of a contract which is fully understood and agreed upon by both parties involved (i.e. the client and my company). I will NEVER honor a verbal contract. All contracts are written, and all signatures must be real signatures (i.e. no faxes, emails or otherwise).
Once a shoot has been completed, and the client views the images, my end of the contract is complete. I will not issue a refund if the images do not meet the desires of a client. If the work I do for each client does not match the work that I display in my portfolio (the basis on which my clients hire me), I will gladly negotiate some kind of an agreement to make the client happy, pending on the nature of the dissatisfaction.
For all clients unhappy with the way that they feel they look in the photographs, I will gladly schedule a re-shoot, but for an additional session fee (with a new contract). Again, I cannot control what the camera sees.
Yes, this is probably a harsh entry, however, in life it only takes one bad experience to extinguish generosity.
Under NO circumstances, except via substantial fee to be determined on a per client basis, will any client own the copyrights of the images taken by Amy Aiello Photography. This is because I would no longer be able to claim the work as my own, nor would I be able to use it for my photography business. In addition, this also signs away my rights to any royalties on the image, as well as distribution or alteration of my work.
Under NO circumstances will even one photograph be taken without the prior signing of a contract which is fully understood and agreed upon by both parties involved (i.e. the client and my company). I will NEVER honor a verbal contract. All contracts are written, and all signatures must be real signatures (i.e. no faxes, emails or otherwise).
Once a shoot has been completed, and the client views the images, my end of the contract is complete. I will not issue a refund if the images do not meet the desires of a client. If the work I do for each client does not match the work that I display in my portfolio (the basis on which my clients hire me), I will gladly negotiate some kind of an agreement to make the client happy, pending on the nature of the dissatisfaction.
For all clients unhappy with the way that they feel they look in the photographs, I will gladly schedule a re-shoot, but for an additional session fee (with a new contract). Again, I cannot control what the camera sees.
Yes, this is probably a harsh entry, however, in life it only takes one bad experience to extinguish generosity.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
The High Strung, Apollo Sunshine and Dr. Dog
Last night was my first gig shooting for the Chicago Music Guide. I have to say, it was a very exciting experience, and I cannot wait until my next concert!
I went to the Empty Bottle to see Dr. Dog play as the headlining act for the evening, with Apollo Sunshine as the middle act, and The High Strung as the opener.
I went to the Empty Bottle to see Dr. Dog play as the headlining act for the evening, with Apollo Sunshine as the middle act, and The High Strung as the opener.
The High Strung
Apollo Sunshine
Dr Dog
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