A Word of Caution

Ok, I'll be flying off to Vietnam tomorrow, but I've really got to post this before I leave.

I've just come to know via the local photography forums that there has been some cases of hard-selling and pressure tactics going on recently. As far as I know, it's not related to wedding photography, but closer to the makeover / portraiture market.

From the first-hand accounts of some of the victims, the whole scheme sounds very much like the time-share deal, but this time the products are photography packages.

Just like time-sharing, I'm sure they would have done enough homework to keep the business legal. The methods however, are questionable.

Phone call telling you you've won a free session. You turn up, get shots done. Pressured into buying other packages.

Sound familiar?

Let me remind you of an age-old wisdom: There Is No Free Lunch In The World.

Be a smart consumer. However attractive something appears, do your research. If you decide to give it a go, bring along a strong-willed friend for moral support. Strong enough to say 'no', and to keep that wallet in your pocket.

What I feel about this, is that it is a very unethical way of drumming up business, and defintely a great disappointment to the photography industry.

Again, be a smart, informed, and savvy consumer. In this age of technology, you have no reason not to.