Pixiq

about getting print orders?  Okay, not exactly that I'm getting orders, but I don't know why, or what I have to do to make it clear that it may take 2 - 3 weeks unless you tell me first, to get an order because I print and package each one myself, but lately, an order comes in and three days later the customer writes or calls to know when to expect the delivery.

Which is a nice way of saying, how long does it take and can I get it sooner.

Every single page on the site has the following paragraph:

DELIVERY AND PRINT PRODUCTION: Each print is made to order. I sign and date prints in the lower right border. If you are purchasing a matted print, then the mat is signed and dated as well. Each print also includes a signed CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY. These are not mass-produced posters. The finest paper and archival inks available are used. At this time I am using Epson Exhibition Fiber Double Weight Paper which is often used for museum and gallery shows of black and white photography. Expect between 10 to 15 business days to receive your order.

But now I see that in my trying to explain how this whole thing works, that I have managed to bury the important info.

And - I used to have this on the home page as well, but that seemed to be bothering the G Engine so I removed it.  In other words the G engine doesn't want to be confused with other stuff that isn't directly related to photography.

I am not going to complain about getting orders because that is - frankly the whole point of this endeavor.  But what I'm going to do is make sure to put two bits of information up front but in Graphics (images rather than text) on the home page:

1. Expect 2 - 3 weeks for delivery unless you ask for the rush service

2. I normally ask for a signature.  Let me know if you want it w/o signature.

Those are the main two things that I am not communicating well.

www.BeckermanPhoto.com

Now, talking about Pixiq, as I was yesterday - this is the sort of article that I wouldn't normally publish on Pixiq because it is just me griping about the little stuff that gets on my nerves while trying to run this photo print business from the web; but I'll bet that even though no one is going to have much to say about this (after all, what can you say, I guess I'll find out) - I think these little posts are part of what does give a sense of the cranky guy that's behind these images.

One thing you should know, if you are thinking of changing careers - don't think that just because you switched from some corporate career to that wonderful thing that you love - in this case photography - that you will have a personality transplant.  You won't.  You may be happier.  I am.  And you may be more relaxed.  I am.

But you are who you are and I am still impatient, and in a hurry to get things done, and trying to figure out how to get the job done properly... the same qualities that enabled me to get promotions in the corporate world haven't just disappeared once I began running my own business.  The main thing that has changed is that customers are generally grateful for what I provide, as opposed to when I was in the computer world, and I don't report to anyone.  I get to make and fix my own mistakes.

If you are the type of person that hates taking orders, and wants to make the mistakes (and hopefully learn from them) then you may find you are simply happier being your own boss - but if you are a cranky impatient sort - don't expect to turn into a Zen guru.

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Let me just say one more thing while I'm on the subject of being a professional: I took many more pictures when this whole thing was a hobby.  Maybe my case is different in that I'm not a commercial photographer.  I don't do weddings, or portraits. I just walk out of the house, usually on my way to do errands of some sort, and that's when I take most of my pictures.

And that's the way that I took pictures when I had my "day job."  I walked to work (about four miles) and took pictures.  I walked back, and I took pictures.  Now I wake up, and there are just lots of things to do that don't directly have anything to do with taking pictures: order the ink you need, you just ran out of a certain size paper or mat, you ran out of something or other, someone is coming by to pick up a print and they gave you a two hour window; write this blog; do this and that, and before you know it, the day is gone and I haven't taken any pictures or done anything that has to do directly with photography. 

So is this a complaint?  No.  I am making a living (and have been for ten years) selling art that I've created.  That's what I always wanted.  But as they say - be careful what you wish for... you may get it.