I don't know who has been in charge of bringing in photographers for the HCA Nationals, but they need to be shot. It's got to be someone who doesn't do enough winning or advertising to realize how unrealistic the restrictions are that these photographers are placing on us. Or someone with enough money that the price of photos doesn't faze them.
Last year they had the woman photographer (I almost said 'lady' but she wasn't), set up at the end of a crowded hall near the vendors and the main doors to the ballroom. She spent a good majority of the time yelling at people to be quiet. Her prices were outrageous, and when you bought the photo, you didn't have right for advertising or anything. She also made us go back to the end of the line with each dog. How crazy is that. We ended up not even getting photos of all of our dogs. So, yes she made some money off of us, but not as much as she could have if she had been nicer!
Why do we take the photos? - BRAGGING RIGHTS - and proof to the AKC if the paperwork gets screwed up - that's about it. And they hold us hostage. It costs us so much to attend shows, especially a Nationals, that the club needs to check into these things and look out for their exhibitors.
From the HCA Premium List:
Official Photographer
Paul Payne
Paul’s Photography
paulsphotography@yahoo.com
(810) 724‐0622
His photos will be printed in such a way that they cannot be scanned.
Here are his prices
2 - 8 x 10s $38 I never got why they automatically do 2. Charge me $30 for the first one and give me a break if I want more. It's not a good deal if you don't need more than 1.
If you want a hi-res digital image with advertising rights, and pay at the show, it's $50.
If you buy the hard copies for $38, a digital image is $30 extra.
If you only want a digital image it's $60 (You Save $8)
C'mon, exhibitors are a captive audience. We can't go anywhere else to get proof of our win.
You would think that the show giving clubs would check into these things. But clubs are still hiring Sosa (cigarette & cell phone in one hand, camera in the other), so I guess it takes a long time to break a habit.
Many of you have seen my photography and adwork. It ain't half bad. I would gladly take photos at the next Nationals, $25 for the first hard copy, $5 for additional if purchased at the show. Digital Hi-Res $30, with disc included if you pick it up at the show, plus postage if you don't.
The last really good photographer was "Sherm" Potter,
http://www.shermanarts.com/shermanarts/Welcome.html
ShermanArts Photography, at the Richmond, VA show in 2009. He also took many rinside photos, had several computers up so you could view your pictures, and was reasonably priced. I don't know his prices or restictions now, but then it was wide open, just like most show photographers. You buy a photo, you can use the photo for anything except commercial gain.
Your thoughts?
