Is my car making me look unprofessional?
July 29, 2017 11:07 AM   Subscribe

I am a portrait photographer and clients often meet me in person for the first time on location, standing next to my car. I'm concerned that my old car is creating a bad first impression. But maybe I'm just overthinking this, and no one actually notices/gives a darn?

No one has ever given me a reason to suspect that this is happening. But it's important that I make a good impression, because there's a lot of trust involved with hiring and working with a photographer - clients need to know that they are in capable hands as I'm posing them and taking photos, and they won't see the final images for a couple of weeks, so they need to have confidence that the photos will turn out well and that they made a good hiring decision.

Pertinent Details:

1. My car is a small 1997 sedan. It is in fairly good condition for its age (no rust, dents, or scrapes, the paint job is still good, I keep it clean, and the tires and hubcaps are decent, etc.) However, it is quite obviously an old car that cost about $2000.

2. I live in a rather affluent area near a large city, and many of my clients are quite well off. 95% of the cars my clients drive are significantly newer and more expensive than mine.

3. This could not usually affect the actual hiring process. Most of the time the client has already hired me and they are meeting me for their photoshoot. However, sometimes I meet clients ahead of time for consultations, so this does have the possibility of affecting the hiring process, though not frequently.

4. Preventing them from seeing my car when they first meet me is usually not a logistical option, and even if I could, the client always ends up seeing my car at some point because we stop by it to change equipment, process payment, etc.

5. My dress and grooming, demeanor, and equipment are all professional. Also, clients should have already formed a positive opinion of me based on my website, portfolio, and email/phone interactions with them - at least positive enough to hire me.

So, my question is, if you pulled into a parking lot for a photo shoot with a photographer you had not yet met in person, but who you were already reasonably convinced was a capable professional, and saw them dressed professionally and holding professional equipment while standing next to a very cheap, old car, would you start to worry or question your hiring decision?

Thanks!
posted by quiet_musings to Work & Money (27 answers total)
 
I'd not worry at all. I'd be concerned if your cameras looked shitty or poorly maintained. Heck your cameras and gear probably cost way more than your car.

Also, you're an artist, right? I personally don't trust artists who drive expensive new cars :)
posted by SaltySalticid at 11:12 AM on July 29, 2017 [12 favorites]


No, I would not worry as a customer. If we're there to meet and talk about a job, then you, the person, totally sell it. If you're professional, have good equipment, experience, etc., then what you drive is irrelevant. The only possible worry might be whether your car would get you to the job on time without breaking down, but a '97 sedan doesn't sound unreliable.

Note: I do not live in a particularly affluent area.
posted by klausman at 11:15 AM on July 29, 2017


If you're a photographer who is responsible for traveling from location to location, then I, your client, would probably want to see a car that says "reliable transportation." That's as far as that goes.

If you've maintained a twenty year old car, then that's good enough for me.
posted by Sunburnt at 11:15 AM on July 29, 2017 [2 favorites]


I think there is merit in having something creative and interesting about your look when working as an artist in a professional role, I think people like it. As long as the car is clean and looks well maintained, you can pull it off as part of your style. You should add something subtly fun to it, like a little chrome camera hood ornament.
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 11:21 AM on July 29, 2017 [2 favorites]


I think most sane people know that photographers aren't rolling in dough so having a modest car will seem pretty reasonable.
posted by joan_holloway at 11:23 AM on July 29, 2017 [2 favorites]


Yeah, I think this kind of thing could be a problem if the car reflected some (real or perceived) irresponsibility of the owner - junk strewn about inside, cardboard taped up to replace a window, things that suggest you can't get it together to perform routine maintenance. Otherwise, I wouldn't give it a second thought.
posted by exutima at 11:25 AM on July 29, 2017


Chiming in to say: absolutely do not put anything on your car that suggests there are cameras inside.
Your concerns are legitimate- you are in a line of work where aesthetics matter. If you're going to have a car from the previous century, go classic. Otherwise, get something this side of the millennium. Doesn't have to be new.
posted by TheGoldenOne at 11:37 AM on July 29, 2017 [6 favorites]


As long as it's clean and free of scratches, dings, and bumper stickers, I wouldn't notice. Depending on the make/model, I might not really even notice that the car was old- some cars from the 1990s look dated today, others less so.
posted by schroedingersgirl at 11:41 AM on July 29, 2017


absolutely do not put anything on your car that suggests there are cameras inside

oh man good point, forget my suggestion!
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 11:44 AM on July 29, 2017 [4 favorites]


I would totally notice, but it would have zero impact on my decision to hire you. Your portfolio and how comfortable I feel with you would be the basis for my decision. 100%

(I would notice and consider your camera equipment...)
posted by St. Peepsburg at 11:45 AM on July 29, 2017 [1 favorite]


I would be more concerned if the photographer had a really nice car. Photographers in general are not known to make the big jack. I am more impressed that you are taking good care of your older car. Clean, body in good shape, no McD wrappers on the back floor, etc. If you acted professional, had decent equipment I would not give two hoots.
posted by AugustWest at 11:48 AM on July 29, 2017 [3 favorites]


If the car were very dirty and/or had offensive (to me) bumper stickers, I would notice and likely project that you and I wouldn't mesh or you might be irresponsible. A clean, old, well-maintained car? Wouldn't bother me at all.
posted by TwoStride at 11:59 AM on July 29, 2017


I would definitely notice, but not in the way you are thinking. I would make a judgement about where you are professionally based on your vehicle, and only care if it was incongruous to what you otherwise claim.

An older but neat/well maintained car implies a one man business that is young or scrappy.
An older but disorganized or poorly maintained car looks to me like someone who is doing this as a side gig.
A transit van looks like you've been doing this a while and you have things like staff and business insurance.
A really nice sports car looks like I'm paying you too much.

BTW, you know that a vehicle purchased for your business can be written off on your taxes, right?
posted by danny the boy at 12:07 PM on July 29, 2017 [12 favorites]


The car is clean and neat inside & out, no torn seats or junk on the floorboards, looks well-maintained? Then no, I don't think it matters. It either creates no impression at all, or best case perhaps an impression that you take good care of things, and know the value of making a car (or photos!) that last.

It would matter in a negative sense only if the car looked like a banged-up junker barely held together by wishful thinking, because that would jump out at your customers as an indication of your work also being sloppy.
posted by easily confused at 12:08 PM on July 29, 2017


I'm shallow. I'd notice and I would judge.

What I would notice about an old car that would bother me. It's not that the car is old that would bother me it would be more if it was not clean or well maintained, washed & polished. I would assume if they can't keep their car nice then they don't notice details not something I'd want in a photographer. Things that would also bother me is the inside of the car also dirty or badly organised. Car in poor repair mechanically. Bumper stickers supporting politics I didn't agree with.

You don't have to buy a new car just a clean polished car old car with obvious damage repaired that isn't leaking oil on my driveway would inspire more confidence than a battered dusty car that scatters burger wrappers when you exit the vehicle. I would think this person takes cares of things & cares about his belongings so would work hard & take care of photos which are important to me.
posted by wwax at 12:32 PM on July 29, 2017 [4 favorites]


I am going to be the one to say that it does matter, given how much value clients put on professional appearance, whether they conciously acknowledge it or not.

My friend is a musician who travels regularly to music gigs and does this professionally for a living. They play country clubs and parties for people who live in the affluent area of Palm Beach. They used to travel in very presentable, clean, neat, vehicles (first it was a Ford Escape, then later on a Scion, and then after that the Scion XB) which were all capable of holding the kind of gear required for the performances, and which seemed like nobody would complain about them. And none of the clients seemed to care, noticably. However, when the musician upgraded to a Mercedes Sprinter van (which are surprisingly affordable) suddenly they were able to leave the van in front of the venues without any hassle from valet people, or from the clients themselves, where before they used to be directed to get the car out of sight ASAP, however nicely that was phrased, (or not - once, at an island resort where the staff were NOT friendly, "that piece of shit") as quickly as possible. What happened when they upgraded, was that clients suddenly behaved differently upon seeing the van. Where before there was a nice, if faintly condescending, tone to their interactions with my friend, once my friend got the van the tone disappeared. It was as if the clients went from "oh, another amateur peddling away their Saturdays" to "wow, that's someone who really knows what they're doing."

I did not want to believe this was true before I saw it, but I did see it. So probably a clean, neat, older car won't "look bad" per se, but it does leave an impression in the minds of people, and that impression does affect whether or not the professional in question is a.) hired for more gigs and b.) recommended as a professional (insert) to friends and co-workers.
posted by Crystal Fox at 12:53 PM on July 29, 2017 [16 favorites]


I think it depends on your audience, as Crystal Fox notes...if you're by extension representing the client when you show up somewhere else (for example, they pay you to take photos of a third-party's location) then maybe a "nicer" car might make some difference.

The flip side has been mentioned above. I am very reluctant to hire contractors for work at my house if they show up driving a $70,000 "show" truck (ie, one that will never in its life haul plywood or toolboxes). It's not so much I mind people being successful as it is I know what margins there are in these businesses and a $70K truck means he doesn't pay his line workers squat.

If you're just meeting clients and your car doesn't have to act as an ambassador for said client, clean and well-maintained is perfect. I mean, if you think having a $400/month car payment would net you more than $400/month in extra business, yeah, that makes sense. But I suspect there probably isn't a good way to enumerate the potential business.

Do you get much referral business? If you do, that's an indicator right there your clients don't care about the car.
posted by maxwelton at 1:25 PM on July 29, 2017 [2 favorites]


I think a small minority of people would notice and care. But that doesn't mean it's worth spending a ton of money on a new car. There are almost certainly other, cheaper things that would improve your business much more.

My real estate agent is one of the most successful in town -- he sells close to 100 houses most years. He drives a beat-up old Kia and mostly wears shorts and flip-flops. I'm sure some potential clients care but his incredibly good service more than makes up for it.
posted by miyabo at 1:58 PM on July 29, 2017


I do a lot of one-off public speaking and I decided at one point that I needed to upgrade my car because I could not longer look professional driving it. I used to drive a late 90s Subaru wagon with a little bit of rust and some (fairly normal) dings and dents. I "upgraded" to an only slightly newer Forrester which just looked snazzier and did not have any rust, nicer wheels, etc. I felt like I was saying "I am worth more" when I drove up in a nicer car and it was good for my self-esteem. I don't think people expect you to have a nice car but I do think it's important that what you drive is "in the range" of the clientele you are working for.

If you are in an affluent area, people will likely feel more comfortable dealing with someone who looks more affluent because they may believe, rightly or wrongly, that person shares their values. So make your car look as good as it can. Keep it meticulously clean, free of bumper stickers and other statement stuff, have professional looking gear bags and organizers in your car, printed materials etc. Generally speaking I think most people will base their first impressions off of more than just the external look of your car. But some people might care and you can decide how you feel about that.
posted by jessamyn at 2:21 PM on July 29, 2017 [3 favorites]


Granted, I'm not one of your affluent customers.
However, if your marketing, demeanor, and skills are all professional, I'm going to assume you are.
And I'll quietly assume that most of your extra $$$ goes toward your equipment - and that's to my benefit in the long run.
posted by stormyteal at 3:29 PM on July 29, 2017


I would keep the car, but also have a throwaway line ready if there's a comment about it. "I thought I'd keep it as long as it's running OK, and so far, so good."
posted by SemiSalt at 3:47 PM on July 29, 2017


"Nice, new cars get broken into more. This one isn't a target."
posted by fedward at 6:38 PM on July 29, 2017 [3 favorites]


We chose between two rather pricey photographers for our wedding. One we met in his home office, which was in a house that would sell for several million and had a nice car in the drive. He would have fit right in at a posh event, but he mixed me up with another client, his desk was covered in junk mail, and his "references" were provided in poor grace (mainly articles in a fancy magazines). He made all the right noises at us, but his statements were vague. The other photographer was a quirky lady who met us in a coffee shop and dressed very plainly, but she was on time, had examples of her work and references ready to offer, and had a matter-of-fact manner in which she described how she worked. You can probably guess who we picked.

I can't tell you how much your car factors in to your brand of professionalism. It's true that many people will treat you better if you match their preconceptions of who they should respect-- and some wealthy people respect frugality! But there are many other influences on how your clients see you. Mr. Good House was so belligerent after we declined to work with him that we reported it to one of the fancy magazines that had recommended him. His car didn't help him.
posted by zennie at 9:00 PM on July 29, 2017


I might notice it, but it wouldn't be enough to make me reconsider hiring you unless you otherwise proved unprofessional or unreliable. I'm not sure anyone would expect a portrait photographer to be rich and I think if you rolled up in a Mercedes Benz, that would be more noticeable.

You said most scenarios where they see your care, they've already hired you. In that cases where they see your car before they hire you, do you think your hiring rate is lower? I'd worry if there's concrete evidence that it's affecting you, but it doesn't sound like that is the case.
posted by AppleTurnover at 11:14 PM on July 29, 2017


I hire family portrait photographers in an affluent area and seeing you in and old model car would most likely make me think that you were just beginning your career or were only doing it part time. This isn't necessarily bad but I would expect your rates to be more in line with less experienced photographers. For reference, family sessions run $350-$500 an hour here and our photographer usually schedules multiple appointments back to back. I feel like a midsize SUV less, 5-10 years old, in good repair is what all of our photographers have owned.
posted by saradarlin at 2:40 AM on July 30, 2017 [1 favorite]


seeing you in and old model car would most likely make me think that you were just beginning your career or were only doing it part time

This was my thought. A business run out of a shabby, run of the mill older car (as compared to a classic old car or something newer) is going to make me think that you are either extremely frugal or in tight financial straits -- not a bad thing per se, but something I'd want to consider in case it would mean that you don't have good equipment or might go out of business soon.

It's a fine line and definitely not a situation where you should go car shopping tomorrow -- but I think you are asking an important question for the image of your business and professional reputation. In my work, where we do meet with clients, I have noticed that everyone drives run of the mill SUVs and trucks that are similar to what the clients tend to drive, new enough to be reliable but nothing noticeably expensive or flash (so, plenty of Toyota 4Runners and F-150s, but never a BMW or Range Rover) even for people who could afford much fancier vehicles. In your case you may not want (or be able to afford) to match what the clients are driving, but you might want to be driving something that to the client would directly communicate "I am professional, competent, and solid in my field," like what Jessamyn says above.
posted by Dip Flash at 8:16 AM on July 30, 2017 [3 favorites]


If you rolled up in a brand new Benz for my family portrait shoot, I might think twice about what I was paying you.
posted by trbrts at 11:41 AM on July 30, 2017


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