This is why I'm a Photographer!
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
For a few years now I have been photographing houses for real estate agents. It began very simply with average homes. Recently, however, I have been photographing much higher end homes.
These photos are from an $11 mill (was originally listed at $18 mill) - 20,000 sqft home. The owner wanted to take a shot with his ferrari in front.
After completing the assignment I received a call from the agent asking if I knew anyone who did aerial photography. I thought about it for a moment and said that I did! Never turn down a job - right? I knew I've done it before, so why couldn't I do it again? Without Hallmark's aerial photography assignment I don't believe I would have said that I could do the job. After I booked the flight at the optimal time of day for the house - another agent called with two more homes to photograph, and then a fourth house was tacked on. The first house looks the best, but the others would have benefited from an earlier time of day.
I went in this tiny R22 with the door off.
I did my assignment, but photographed for myself of course - with the expense of the helicopter being paid by the client.
I think this one looks cool.
This house, I found out later, is owned by one of the Red Sox. This anecdote would be much better if I remembered which player, but I unfortunately have forgotten.
and these are what I did while flying between jobs...
I safely landed. If you look closely - I'm showing my Hallmark pride. I'd love to hear feedback - this was only my second time doing aerials - counting the Hallmark assignment as the first. Going in September was much!! warmer than December (or was it January?)
Labels: Aerial Photography, Architectural Photography, Lara Kimmerer - Photographer
posted by Lara Kimmerer @ 7:54 PM,
9 Comments:
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At October 2, 2007 10:25 PM,
Wayne Wallace said...
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Great job!!!!
That's why I love this blog!
I never what I'm going to see next time I visit.
I think your shot are killer.
But, one thing, yes you turn down jobs. Let me make this clear to all you newbies and people that have not learned it yet. I tell people all the time, I may not be the guy for you.
I was on the phone with a lady that needs some nice product in env. shots today and I made it clear if she wants pier one catalog stuff she was going to have to play by the rules and pay licensing fees.
She thought I would just give her a CD. No, when you deal with a professional photographer you pay licensing fees.
I also recently turned down a photography gig because they didn't want to pay enough for me to fly in a hellicopter. Did you hear about the photographer that died in CA recently doing a flying gig. We should get hazard pay for flying. -
At October 2, 2007 10:51 PM,
Wayne Wallace said...
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I think I just figured out what you were talking about. Do you have your parking sticker on you car still?
I do!
Number 5 I believe. -
At October 3, 2007 5:01 AM,
Lara Kimmerer said...
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This post has been removed by the author.
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At October 3, 2007 5:03 AM,
Lara Kimmerer said...
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I definitely turn jobs down - or have the client turn down the job once I speak to them about rates. But, as I have learned the hard way, those jobs that you decide to take a little less pay for - just to have the job - aren't worth it in the end.
When your work is under appreciated - the job becomes miserable in all aspects - shoot to delivery. The work that I get correctly paid for is the work that is the most rewarding because the client appreciates and respects me as a photographer and my work.
So, I correct myself, you should turn down jobs when necessary. Perhaps it's more...Be open to anything and decide what is best for you. But, I'm glad I said what I said because it sparked this discussion.
ps - I was nervous going up in the helicopter for that exact reason! I really am not up for dying yet. But I figured people do it all the time. My pilot has flown 20 years and he used to fly a traffic helicopter for a new station in Boston. I'm really glad I didn't know about that before hand - I probably wouldn't have gone.
pps - I'm wearing my Hallmark sweatshirt. We didn't need parking stickers when I was there. We had a dirt lot - pavement is a new luxury, but the building was new - so it evens out. -
At October 3, 2007 6:08 AM,
kbayne said...
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Nice - I really love your interior shot!
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At October 3, 2007 6:30 AM,
Lara Kimmerer said...
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I also have to say that those jobs that I took in the beginning which I didn't get paid what I should have been paid - and my work wasn't appreciated as it should have been - were also the jobs that I learned the most from.
I learned to stand up for myself and I also had a portfolio (which helped out a lot!) to show to future clients who would be paying me what I was worth.
Even the bad experiences are worth it sometimes. You have to look for the lesson in everything and all jobs will have something that you can benefit from - if not always monitarily - especially in the beginning. -
At October 3, 2007 10:27 AM,
Wayne Wallace said...
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Hey Lara,
Yes, we learn from everything we do and I've certainly done those freebies or low ball jobs in hopes of getting more out of it but like you say you just feel used and unappreciated and it's usually not your best work.
As Hallmark grads we need to stand tall and proud and get paid what we are worth. I'm constantly pushing people away and telling them they can go find an amateur on craigslist that will do it for next to nothing and give them a CD but you get what you pay for.
Ahh the sweatshirt, didn't recognize it. We had blue ones.
Cheers,
Wayne -
At October 3, 2007 4:11 PM,
Karinna Gylfphe said...
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That interior stair shot in mind boggiling. It look mirrored. I like the parking lot shot. Very intresting.
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At October 3, 2007 4:47 PM,
Faith Dugan Photography said...
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Building on Wayne's last comment...
...there's nothing more rewarding then telling someone to find an amateur on Craigslist after they give you tons of static about pricing.
