I really enjoy watching you! I ran into a guy last week who just quit his day job to go full time in photography. In our conversation I gave him your "Tin House Studio" RU-vid name. I told him it was a must watch for him. I'm not in the business. I do photography for my own love of it. Look forward to your next video.
I hear you on the brand switching, however, I am considering it, for a 2nd time (don't shoot me). Initially I switched from a Canon 5D Mk1 to a Nikon D750. At the time, I wasn't professional and the Nikon was leagues ahead for dynamic range and low light performance, so it was a no brainer. When I went pro, I went into architecture/interiors. I had the "wrong" brand for my niche (most people use Canon because of its excellent tilt shift lenses). My Nikon is now over 8 years old and worth as much as a sack of potatoes, so I don't feel like I'm going to be losing out much in the trade. Canon's current offering (R5) is several grand cheaper than Nikon's equivalent (Z8) once you price up a 2x body and 3 lens system, and it has more, better and cheaper tilt shift lenses than Nikon. It also offers dual redundant video recording, which Nikon still doesn't, and that's pretty important to me. I am prepared for the change to be painful, but I only really plan on doing it once, so after I've done it, I should be pretty much set for life. Feel free to tell me I am being an idiot before I go and do it. haha.
I don't do business with anyone who wants to negotiate my rates. Everytime I did it ended badly where no amount of work and returm brought satisfaction to that client, they always felt cheated. It is the same with people who do not respect the contract, and who do not read the contract before signing it, "Let's go over it so you understand what I will do, and what usage you can get from these medias. Because everything else is extra." I've learned to walk away from these customers.
I don’t do any type of discounting, no day rates, no half day rates, only flat hourly rate, want me there for 9 hours, pay me for 9 hours. Clients have stopped wasting my time, and I make more money.
I’ve been with Nikon since I was 18; 50 years ago. Because? I was too lazy to chase, change horses. And the benefits are…an extensive institutional knowledge, Brand specific...that’s been very helpful. Now I’m just loitering for an affordable Z9….someday!😮
In a past life I shot weddings and events.. That was back in the days of film. When I got to 75 weddings, I said enough, and events 100. By then I was working in the film and TV world, a whole different ball game. Nowadays, when I shoot stills, its either a commercial shoot, (rarely) or one of the specialist areas I like to work in. It also depends on the project..whether I like it or not.
On point 1, especially when people talk about changing systems or upgrading, I always ask them, cause I ask this to myself with I get GAS: what does my current setup prevent me from doing, and, did I have to rent in a body/system to be able to get the job done, at the very least, 5 times in a row, and, within the span of no more than 2 months, AND, is this the work I have been marketing for and is now getting. If I just want it for "then I can do that" then, NOPE!!! Do not change.
I play around with 5 different camera brands right now. Yes, I’m a gear junkie. But when I was working shooting product and general commercial, it was basically a studio kit and a road kit when I went full digital. I never bought into the additional brands for fun until after I dissolved the business in 2022. I do have one hard and fast rule though. A camera never goes on a credit card or gets financed. And that goes for business or personal. I’ve seen too many business friends commit business suicide by financing cameras, especially ones they don’t necessarily need.
NEVER DO LIST? Allowing random, no longer used gear to clutter up my work space, brain space and P&L statement. REMEDY: Once a year, get honest, get sorted and with the 'you're outta here' gear, it's Sell it, Donate it or dump it. I started small and worked up from there. I now think twice before buying kit. Best bang for the buck gear? 5D mkII with 24-105 L.
Disagree on the new camera point for certain niches. I don’t unnecessarily update equipment often, and I generally would rather invest in better glass than bodies. However, the more events and sports I shoot, the more newer tech has a huge impact on my work. As such, when the Canon R6mkII was announced boasting vastly improved AF along with other key features taken from or inspired by the R3, I did not hesitate to pre-order it at $2400 USD. The improvements in fast paced low light situations was immediate and hugely impactful. As a skilled photographer it was liberating to have a body for this type of work that does the job while getting out of your way, allowing you to focus on capturing the moment and not get distracted by compensating for a clunkier performing body. For other photography uses, yes, your point is definitely valid and what I otherwise generally abide by, but for the significant improvements at a fantastic price point for what you’re getting, it has since made up for the expense many times over in the two years I’ve owned it. It is a camera I will likely be using as my primary event camera years to come. Waiting for the price to come down or remaining with an older less capable body specifically in regards to AF & FPS for what I often shoot would have hurt my bottom line and career development.
I think Scott is looking at this from a business perspective, which is mostly what this channel focuses on. And going off that perspective, did upgrading make you more money?
I always thought that the flower count on Instagram doesn’t matter work should speak for itself. How wrong have I been, people are weird and super biased as that my current conclusion.
Extra- getting dragged into social media debates with other photographers/ anti copyright people etc. At the end of the day you have taken time and stress to write stuff which achieves - nothing… You’re not richer at then end, are unhappy, it hasn’t promoted your image in any way. Leave it. There are better things to do with the time.
I enjoy your RU-vids, but to call people who buy a new car idiots is in itself idiotic! Just because you have a personal buying preference doesn’t make other’s idiotic … you don’t need to use derogatory words for people who have a different buying habit than yours!
I don’t think Scott is as successful a photographer as he makes out. If you can’t afford a new camera every three years and new car every five… clearly you’re not doing very well on the photography front.
If you’re a professional photographer and you can’t afford to replace your camera body with the new one every 3 years, time to find a 9-5 in a different field.
Your such a sellout, changing from Canon to fuji.I have never changed brands, apart from that swap from Ricoh to Nikon in the 1990's. To be fair though, I loved my Ricoh XRX, great camera for £300.
