I’m not allowed to post pictures, so I posted a link to the site that triggered this post.

I have shared this on Facebook and on my blog. I feel like I have a duty to warn fellow photographers about a trend I see. If this is against the rules, I apologize. I’m just tired of seeing people getting taken for a ride. This screenshot below is just 1 example that I’ve seen most recently.

https://www.elevateyourphotography.com/coaching

I see many things advertised recently in the photography space from marketing hustlers offering marketing coaching for exorbitant prices, like for $1000 an hour. The guy who runs this always has clients booking with him.

Just to let you know where I’m coming from, I did my master’s work on teaching young autistic people skills using YouTube. I designed studies around self-directed learning using YouTube for future researchers to pursue, and I’ve given presentations on the potential for YouTube in learning art, specifically photography because that’s how I did it.

I promise you, there is nothing, absolutely nothing substantial that you can learn in ONE HOUR on any topic. Much less worth $1000 an hour. For the money you’re spending here, you can sign up for a community college class on marketing. They’re out there. They have perfectly qualified and credentialed teachers.

The people running these coaching programs aren’t credentialed in business in any way. Their entire schtick is, “Learn how I became really successful and you can be successful too.”

That’s doesn’t help anyone. There are many reasons why someone can become successful, and those reasons may be useless to anyone else.

I see this in wedding photography too. Marketing hustlers telling you how to book 3 clients a month with their programs. I’ve seen fellow photographers talk about “once I get into this marketing program I should be fine.” NO! You won’t be fine just because you gave money to some coach.

Any thoughts?

  • Pioustarcraft@alien.topB
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    11 months ago

    It really depends what you buy… I bought Michael Woloszynowicz’s online class for like $60… and I’ve improved my editing soooo much.
    The course was 16 hours long and yes some parts of it were not necessary but the editing part (the longest part) taugh me some high level editing technics…
    On the other hand, I bought another class from Elizabeth Wiseman and i was really desappointed…
    I also bought Lara Jade’s “business of photography” and it was 50-50… Some advices were really too basics and some advices were absurd for low level photographers.
    I bought like 4 or 5 courses and except for Michael’s that was great and Elizabeth that was desappointing, I didn’t feel cheated.
    My opinion : For the basics of photography go on youtube, there’s plenty enough to become a good amateur. If you want to become pro, then it’s more complicated to find a very high level course that isn’t too basic. I haven’t found anything yet that is high level enough for me so I’d advice to go and assist professionals for free and try to learn from them.