How do you protect your reputation as a photographer?

Needless to say, this applies to videography as well. Respect for subjects is paramount. Most people don't like being in front of the camera. A reputation for making people comfortable and natural on camera can be valuable.

Protect your reputation by: - Knowing when and how to say no. - staying true to your core business and personal values - delivering what you say you will - working with others that have good reputations

I believe that there is no reputation to ruin if there is no reputation. Do you have reputation? Set a goal and a target. You can only respect your work when you start to respect your self, understanding your worth and the role you play in society. Discipline makes things easier. The image you present of your Self is how the world will view you. Therefore it is very important to respect your work and add value to the industry.

Respect your clients at least as much as you respect yourself ;)... work hard, well and deliver fast. It's essential to keep your client over happy on a long term vision.

Respect is very important. Treat others as you want to be treated. There is a huge difference between subjects and objects. Avoid violation of human, animal and environmental rights. Not taking these precautions is a liability for both the photographer and the client. Treating the subject with sensitivity and thorough knowledge and understanding applied and articulated meticulously from experience; and the quest to protect the integrity of others. Step onto a colony of ants and you will see all of them stop what they where doing or carrying, and rush there to rescue their fellow, the whole precision and meticulousness. Everytime they pass each other always acknowledging one another.

It is true that your reputation is affected by the quality of not just the final product but also in how a client experiences you. This ranges from the first point of contact all the way to the final edit. Having consistency in the small things such as response time to an inquiry, saying please, thank you, etc all add to clients raving about your quality.

You may tick all the boxes for reputation management as you address a client’s twelve month project photoshoot contract. However, on occasion the client may request photoshoots on the project not covered in the contract. What to do? In my experience with not much travel expenses involved I accommodated one or two of the client’s unforeseen photoshoot opportunities. But then very courteously I brought it to the clients attention that going forward any photoshoots not covered in the contract agreement will be invoiced. They expressed appreciation how I previously accommodated their unforeseen photoshoot request.