...forgive me for saying so Warren but terms like 'the real way' (not verbatim of course) and the ever present 'old days' attitude that permeates NPAC serves to increase the divide.
By "real way", I meant "most effective way" .... to get things done.
crowd funding has been a lifeline for some of us. with that said it isn't the answer by any means. what most of us are focused on is moving forward and any help in that direction will be utilized. frankly i think it is disingenuous to identify with the possible failings of crowd funding and then paint others with the same brush.
Just to clarify (or mudify as the case may be) (and I don't mean to paint every photographer with the same brush):
Some of the issues I have with crowd funding are:
1) *Some* photographers use crowd funding as their first choice rather than last resort. I don't include grants as a form of crowd funding.
2) As a matter of principle, I don't agree with asking other people to finance my business
especially when I have other options.
3) Look at some the world's most famous documentary photographers - go to their web sites and see how they finance their doc work. Some shoot advertising (car ads, restaurant ads, etc), some do corporate work, some do executive portraits, etc. What do they know?
4) Instead of crowd funding, why not try the more effective "reverse crowd funding".
Here's how it works: instead of passersby giving money to a photographer, the photographer gives money to the passersby. How do you like it so far?
Made up example:
I'm a photographer who needs to raise $10,000 by this fall to help fund a new project that I'm working on. But I need your help. If you help me find photo clients between now and then, I will pay you!
• Find me a $2000 wedding to shoot and I will pay you $200.
• A $500 family portrait session will earn you $50.
• $1,000 of business photography will get you $100.
A 10% commission is yours for each successful referral. Tell your friends, your neighbours, your co-workers, your Facebook friends.
Help me give you money.
Silly? Strangely enough, it works and everyone wins.
Of course, a bright photographer could spin this off into a new business:
Foto Finder Fee dot com.
6) I'm not saying it's easy but many photographers don't know how to do things "the right way". If your strategy didn't work last week, it won't work next week. I understand that some photographers are so motivated and involved in their work that they neglect/forget any and all business activities. But that always leads to some sort of failure (e.g. Annie Leibovitz 2009, 2012).
Like it or not, you're running a business. Take some sort of business course. Otherwise, you're just burying your head in the sand. Better business => more money => more photography => better business => more money => more photography => ...
Fundraise anyway you want and good luck.
But I don't understand why *some* photographers, more than almost any other type of creator, are so behind the times.
*Some* photographers don't know how to ask for more money for a job. *Some* don't know how to say "no". *Some* are just happy to see their pictures published.
John, I'm simply arguing for better (smarter) marketing efforts by *some* photographers. The easy way and the old way don't work.
Warrens post, if it isn't already apparent, ruffled some peoples feathers (judging by my inbox).
Good, glad to hear it.
I haven't relied much on crowdfunding myself (yet) however I support the efforts of those trying to find sustainable models forward. I take issue with the process being addressed in such a perjorative manner.
Agreed - sustainable.
But crowdfunding is not sustainable unless, like a cable company, you can do automatic withdrawals from people's bank accounts.
Stupid idea #476: Get people to crowdfund their Airmiles to you.
Stupid idea# 29: Reality TV show: "Bartering with a Photographer". Follow a photographer as they barter from an 8x10 family portrait to a three-month photo trip to China.
In the first post in this thread, the BBC link quotes Don Weber:
It's about being clever and making a market for yourself regardless of the ups and downs," he explains. "Opportunity exists, but you have to make it.