I’ve created a handy form to use as a booking tool.  It’s a “job application” for a photographer, and it asks for information like, “do you have insurance”, etc.  It’s available in PDF or WORD format in instant download.

Photographer Interview Form

It’s a great way to educate your client as to what are questions to ask a photographer.  I have no idea what to ask a drywaller.  But if a drywaller gave me this filled out application (plus blanks) and explained the importance of each of the fields on the page, I’d really appreciate it, and I’d hand it over to anybody else I was interviewing.  It would help me set standards of professionalism, in the mind of me, the consumer.

Here’s the link to the pDF click here.  Here’s the link to the WORD document (which will automatically transfer to your desktop).  I hope this is a helpful tool for you to use in your business.

I haven’t edited this at all, including spelling:

i know it will be competition but my wife has started Photography Business and we dont have a Photaophers Camera we just have a regular Digital Camera and i ewas wondering if you would have an old one you could us for round 500 let me know or let me know where we cann find one thats bout all we can afford rite now THANK YOU

Thoughts?  Comments?

Today I asked for ripoff stories from students of charlatan photography workshop instructors. My email box was FLOODED with stories of outrageous full-out greed. I know that great workshops exist, but they are few compared to the the unorganized, untrained events run by those who are good at marketing falsehoods, but short on talent, experience or skill.

I got into this mess by listening to some of my friends not able to get refunds from a Motivational Speaker from OC that I used to know really well. Their lives were impacted because he took their money. I know of another lady who spent $16k on workshop and “founder” materials, and she wound up nearly getting a divorce. She spent it all on credit cards, reasoning that she would earn it back without her husband ever knowing the money was gone. This is why they signed up. The instructor made representations that the students would earn multiples.

Brooks Institute of Photography just went through a class action for “persuading prospective students to enroll by “willfully misleading” them, “falsifying and omitting critical information.”. This lawsuit eventually cost the school $12.5 million.

In many ways, what Brooks got nailed for was similar to most workshop claims today. I think I have a way to protect yourself. Have them fill out the application (attached) and get your copy signed before attending the workshop.

An “implied” claim is not the same as a “stated” claim. In a “stated” claim if the photographer states that you will increase your income, that is a stated claim. If you signed up because of this claim (e.g. make more money) then an attorney may have a “Brooks Institute” field day. If they say they probably won’t give you skills to increase your business, why go? Please pass this on as I’m interested in your thoughts!

Send this to your workshop instructor before signing up for a class!