hyperhex.com

I just got home from a weekend shoot at Cameron Highlands. Me and my bro took a drive in the evening to reach Tanah Rata about 9ish. Had our dinner and sat by Starbucks geek out the night before heading back to the apartment. Man, that is another story all together.

I made a strong statement on twitter before the trip, and being twitter, 140 character wasn’t really enough to really put my thoughts in perspective. I am long winded, I know. I’ve been telling people too… Whenever there is a person who holds a mic, and start their speech starts with “I am going to make this short” … you know what it is next. The longest grandfather story you would hear for the rest of the evening.

Same goes with this. Yes. I’ll try to make this short . *wink*

I’ve got approached by a friend recently, and he said he’s getting very intrigued with wedding photography and he asked me where he should start from. I try recalling how I got my first job and work my way through to be doing the weddings I am doing today. I am sure there are similar questions that pops up when one journey this road…. Like, how do I attract my first customers? I don’t even have portfolio to showcase. Does my photographs taken on my last Langkawi vacation able to pitch a job for wedding photography?

I am not going to start to detail out what should or need to be done. I am not that good, and what I did was just one of many many ways to get started.

And then this friend of mine, he was so enthusiastic that he said he would work for free to get his portfolio up. I mean, yes…. free. I did that before, and I still do it now and then for various reasons.

Man, I am thinking, he’s going to be doing what looks to me a favor to people, and I really hope he gets appreciated for doing it. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of good people out there, and I am blessed with knowing quite a number of them. People are generally nice, especially if you ask them. When was the last time we said “No” to certain reasonable request? Just that, in my line of work, we really meet a lot of people…. well, sometimes when I reflect back my previous doing, it does sound like the arsehole me myself, and I…

In my twitter, I said “Never approach a job to be free, even if you intend to do so. IF they can’t pay, let them ask” . Looking at it, I wish I would word it differently.

It’s harsh, but let me explain. When they ask, you are turning the scenario to making yourself providing a favor to them then otherwise. And when you do that, you do not look needy of the job, but willing to do some good stuff with them. Wouldn’t it classier to say “Hey, i totally get it….. I want to do it just for you…”.

When you are doing a favor to somebody, they know that it is a favor. They know that it’s not charity… – “E.g. telling their friends that this bastard case gonna be shoooting for free”. They are not charity – and that is very important. They appreciate your time and effort.

If you wait long enough, for all you may know, the offer may as well be better than what you think. Let people have a chance to value your services and work.

I still believe in good work pays. Simply because we work to produce the good work. – monitory wise, or other matter, it’s up for debate . But, it is a challenge to not under sell yourself, and overate. The question is, which would you prefer. Under rate, or over sell?

I went through plenty of jobs, stupefied by why people treating the way they are treating me, I went through people who leverage the sort of kindness, with these remark “But you did it for free for them.. they are my close friends… you can one…”.

Because of that friend, who asked me about his photography business, he made me stop and think how to do it better. I am glad I found a better way for myself. As for him, he’s starting to find portfolio in Brisbane to kick start his photography career. So, do buzz me if you need someone to help out. *Psst* Treat him nice, value his time and effort.

Cheers,

yw