The crux of the is blog post is stemming from a recent article I read about “photographers” in Yellowstone and their field ethics and professionalism. You could just as easily insert any other creative genre in the place of photographers and probably have seen or encountered this is some fashion. Not following through in a timely fashion or not respecting some rules that have been said out loud, but should go without saying.

I have witnessed this first hand as a wildlife photographer where others don’t feel the rules apply to them and they do anything to get the shot. Forcing animals to re-route or blocking a path, all for the sake of photograph. This not only affects the subject where often, it might be a matter of life and death, literally, but reputations of other photographers who are professional and practice good filed ethics. The general consensus, in the minds of some then becomes that all photographers are like that.

Let me provide another example. I had an editor at a major photography magazine recently complain about the fact that the photographers she works with can’t get things in on time. I’ve had other editors express total shock when I’ve replied to emails in a timely fashion, within an hour or two. Still others yet are amazed that I’ve replied to an image request on time and with well-delivered, clearly marked files that were to spec. As a rule of thumb you should practice:

Leave the place better than you found it and don’t disrupt the natural process. Respect all life and don’t endanger the welfare of the subject to get the shot.

Do your homework and research. Know before you go about rules, restrictions, regulations and what you need to do to bring home the photographs you want without compromising your field ethics and professionalism.

Reply to your clients on time. Don’t neglect your audience whoever they are.

Don’t depart from your core brand. You work hard to put your best foot forward. Know who you are never deviate from that brand.

I’m not even sure who I’m talking to out there. If it’s you, it’s not too late. This bodes very badly for those among us who are setting the standard of mediocrity so low. I mean, c’mon, it’s hard enough to do this photography thing, or anything creative for that matter, and keep your head above water, I know it is. I get emails all the time about these challenges. Don’t multiply it with customer service that makes you look ragged around the edges and drives customers to someone else – who might be “less talented” but is more inclined to serve the customers you don’t have time to serve well. Be professional!