is it cocky and pretentious?

cameragirl21 wrote: ok, so i'm in the process of revamping my website and one of the things i wanted to do was add a price list because i will admit that i don't come cheap and i want to weed out those who call me and can't afford my prices. i'm also changing some of the wording because some advice i've been given by an alleged expert is that i have to make my website look expensive so people expect my prices to be high when they call me for an appointment.
one of the things i've seen another photographer do is in her price list, she refers to her pictures as "the art" as opposed to pictures, prints, etc, which i think is absolutely brilliant because art is expected to be expensive and it sets the expectation for the client.
here is where my question lies--this particular photog also refers to herself as "the artist" in her about me page. my about me page simply says, "about me." i think it makes sense to refer to yourself as the artist if you refer to your work as the art because in all fairness, a photog IS an artist and the pictures ARE art but i'm really not a pretentious person and certainly don't want to come across that way.
so would you think it's pretentious and cocky to the about me page billed as "the artist"?
ETA--i want to stress to those of you who have pm'd me asking me my rates that this absolutely has nothing to do with you, nor am i assuming or implying what you can or cannot afford, this is targetted specifically to my local clients who whine about how expensive i am when they go to order prints and find out how much they are and try to make me feel like a schmuck for charging them my prices.

Jamison'smama replied: I don't think it sounds cocky but I'm not sure I like it. I agree you are an artist.

I am always curious about prices when I am looking at a studio. I think you can do a simple statement about portraits/ packages/sittings or whatever start at $XXX.XX so people can get a general idea without you having to go into detail so if you change prices, you don't have to change your whole list on the web.

Edited. It didn't sound right

Calimama replied: Not at all. From what I've seen you are an artist. Art isn't just canvas and paint.

cameragirl21 replied:
that's so sweet, Bellasmommy (Denise, right?), thanks so much for saying that, it made my evening.

Jamison'smama replied: Maybe I should ammend it a bit. It may be that I'm not used to it. You are an artist, you should be able to call yourself one. It is different and that will make you stand out.

paradisemommy replied: i think if you are going to redo your website and add the prices than they will be on there and it will be pretty point blank what your prices are - i don't think i would view a photog. website then go on to say..but will you take $x instead of what's on your price list?

i think you could also put a little paragraph in your about me section that states some of your accomplishments to show that you really do deserve and have earned your prices, kwim?

i'm kinda with brenda..i don't like the wording but i can't quite figure out why. pretentious may be the reason especially when we have gotten to know you and feel that you are far from that..

eta it's not that i don't think you are an artist because i think you are an incredible photographer and worth every penny of your work (didn't want you to think anything bad or take my post the wrong way)

cameragirl21 replied:
B, i wasn't offended by what you said and didn't think you were implying that i'm not an artist or that you were questioning my talents as a photog or anything like that, and i don't want you or anyone here to be afraid to speak your mind in fear of offending me or whatever.
i'm curious what people's reaction to this would be because to me it sounds pretentious but on the other hand, i love the idea of refering to the pictures as the art and it makes sense for one to go with the other so i'm simply putting it out there to see how all of you would react to it and what your thoughts about it would be.
i certainly don't want anyone to look at my website and think i am full of myself and will therefore be difficult to work with or snobby.

cameragirl21 replied:
Tammy, i'm so glad you don't think i'm pretentious, i'd hate to be seen as being pretentious, you just made my evening too.

Cece00 replied: I do think the pricing is a good idea. I cant stand when I look @ a photographer's website and it doesnt have SOME sort of pricing...I want to know if I think their prices are worth it BEFORE I have to deal with them, but thats just me.

I do think the wording is pretentious, esp "the art". Not that I dont think your pics are good, I just think if I saw that, I would probably a little

CantWait replied: I wouldn't list your prices on your website only because you may drive potential clients away without them even stepping foot in your door.

I'll use a company here for example.

Canadian Baby Photographers come into your home when the baby is not even a couple months old. They will actually get ahold of you somehow pretty much soon as you have your baby. They dress the baby up in all sorts of cute little outfits (tarzan, fireman hat yadda yadda), beautiful pictures. They will take the pictures for free, come back at a later date to show you the proofs and then let you decide whether you want to buy. Their prices are way above what most people could afford, but because they get to see the final product and then get the prices, a lot of people buy it anyway. Who can't resist their babies pictures? I myself have not gotten any of the kids, only because 1. Robbie was born when I was just a teen so I didn't invite them in my home and my mom talked me out of it, I wish I did though. 2. When Anthony was born, I had them come in and do a session, but they were incredibly impatient, and rude with Robbie when doing a shots with both kids, they didn't finish the session because Anthony was getting cranky, I choose not to invite them back in.

Do I make sense??

C&K*s Mommie replied: I agree with Tammy, esp on the list of accomplishments.

As for "the artist" idk... I'm with Brenda and Tammy- I am not very fond of it. However, learning about you as Jennifer from these boards, the term "artist" makes me appreciate those words. But as a would be client who knew nothing of you, it would make me take a second glance, and that is where the idk comes in.

Listing prices would be a good thing, I think.

Calimama replied:
Yep It's Denise!

MoonMama replied:


And I do think a general pricing guide is a great idea.

skinkybaby replied: I like the idea of putting up your prices.
I would be put off though by the wording you've described, no matter how much money I was willing to spend.

coasterqueen replied: IMHO I don't think it means squat diddly to me what you call it or yourself. If you want to call yourself an artist and your work art, why not? I would definitely be turned off by a page that didn't show some kind of pricing, though.

I say call yourself what you want.

cameragirl21 replied:
what about the wording upsets you?
you mean to say you would be put off by my referring to the pics as the art and myself as the artist?
why does this bother you?
not trying to argue or make light of your opinion, just trying to understand as i proceed to revamp my website.

skinkybaby replied: Its not that it would upset me, but personally I would lean towards using someone who seems personable and friendly. Like someone else said I know you're like that from seeing your posts on here, but it would make me go hmmm if I just saw that kind of wording on someone's website. It doesn't mean I wouldn't use your services, but if it was between you and another photogrpaher I would go with the one whose website gave off a friendlier vibe. Does that make any sense?

cameragirl21 replied:
yes, it makes sense and that is precisely what i'm worried about--i don't want people to think i'm pompous, full of myself and difficult to work with, because that is actually not the case at all.
ok, how about this--what if i used that wording but in my description of myself and what i do and all the verbiage on the website, i still sound friendly but do use that verbiage--the art and the artist, how would you feel about that?
would it change anything?

skinkybaby replied: That actually sounds like a great idea. It shows that you're very serious about what you do, but at the same time you have a chance to say more about who you really are and it will give off a good vibe about yourself. KWIM?
And the right font will make a difference, haha

cameragirl21 replied:
funny you should say that, i'm actually going to be changing my font...i love the font i have but it's an old hollywood font and a marketing expert said that this works against me because it's like an art deco, old fashioned font and my pics are rather contemporary and so the two don't go together...he said that when people see my font they'll assume i'm some old guy who is still shooting old style.
i'm bummed because i so loved that font but now i have to find a more modern one.
if anyone has any suggestions or fave fonts, i'm all ears.