No, not THAT kind of soliciting!

I often see a cute kid walking in park or on a street with his/her mom and always wonder if it is appropriate to just walk up to them and give them my card. Of course, I would start by saying something like, "I hope you don't mind, but..." I wouldn't just shove a card in their face.

A photographer once approached my wife when my son was little and she didn't like it. But I think he was really creepy! I'm only a little creepy.

I'm not sure how I would feel if it happened to me. I usually like to be left alone!

So, what do you think? OK or not?

Well, as long as you are not creepy, why not? I've done this once...a few years ago. I noticed an engagement ring on a bank teller's hand and started talking about her wedding and offered her my card. She did not seem to mind. I never heard from her...so who knows.

I keep wanting to do this! Especially with pregnant women. I also am not sure about the appropriateness of it.

ditto to Rebecca's comment. But Rebecca, being a female, it is probably easier for you to approach a mom than it would be for us guys.

One reason for having a professional looking card and website.

Which I do. Still, I wonder what a mom's reaction would be.

Any OSP moms care to comment? Of course, I'm asking PHOTOGRAPHERS what they think, but as a mom how would you feel?

I probably could do it, but I don't because I think that some percentage may not appreciate it and that makes it not worth it to me. For me, it's right up there with the chick at the mall that lunges at me to tell me how my kids should be in modeling. It makes me feel like I have the word "SUCKER" written on my forehead. Besides, there are so many other ways to get your name out that are more efficient. I find much more benefit by getting involved with community events and offering free or discounted sessions as a raffle prize or auction item. I never had to do a lot because WOM marketing really took off from there.

Jess

I made up a special batch of my little Moo cards (www.moo.com) just for this purpose.

Sometimes I run into people I want to photograph - a unique look, a great dynamic, adorable kids, or just a personality that clicks with me! I figured just giving them a card wouldn't always be that welcome, so I thought I should offer them something in return, especially if it's someone I really want to work with. I first let them know what drew me to them in the first place (complimenting someone's kid, if done in a non-creepy, genuine way, usually is a good thing - who's not proud of their kid?) and give them two Moos, one to keep and one to gift. I explain that each card is a gift of $50 off my $250 session fee, because I love their [daughter's amazing red hair/their chemistry as a couple/their identical twin toddlers/the fact that they let their 3 year old out in public in mismatched rubber boots, striped tights, and a princess dress/etc]. I tell them that if they're not in the market, to pass the cards along to someone they think might want to give me a call, and they do.

I've only had one person give me a really cold shoulder, and she said, very snottily actually, "My husband's a photographer, so I think we've got it taken care of thanks." Most people are flattered, and I only give my special cards to people I'm really drawn to, and I'm sure the genuine nature of my comments shines through so they don't feel like I'm selling to them too badly.

I also have my regular cards with me and when it comes up naturally in conversation, which it often does, I pass along a card with a big smile, and drop it. If they want to call, they will!

(I even have a batch of freebie cards I keep for really special occasions, those times when you see someone and think "I must get them in front of the camera." I've only given out three of those, tho.)

I'd say it would be kinda creepy with just a mom and kid(s), I know my wife would be put off by something like that from a male (maybe too much CSI or just being safe - too many crazy people out there), however from a female photographer she honestly probably wouldn't mind it much. With that being said, I'd gladly walk up to a family of 3(+) - mom, dad (p.c. term - other parent), and kid(s) and talk to them and hand them a business card.

But - I may be the minority on this...

As a mom and a professional photographer I will share my opinion. Dont do it.
As a mom it would really creep me out and I would find it weird if a total stranger did this. It is one thing if you think their kid is absolutely adorable and you would give them a session complimentary and prints or images on disc in exchange for their kids pictures on your website. As if you were portfolio buildning. This of course if you somewhat know them. Like if your kids attend the same school or so.
Out of a biz point of view this seems desperate to me if you approach strangers and also comes across as you dont have very many clients and therefore have to go hunt for them. I have only asked this once years ago and it was in park where my kids were playing with the other kids. I had just started out and the mom was fine with my approach but I honestly felt very weird about it. In the end I did not photograph those kids.
If you need some adorable new faces for your website offer to folks that you are portfolio buildning and before long the word will spread and you will grow your clientel,
This is just my point of view, others may feel differently.

I think if you start talking to them and honestly strike up a conversation, it wouldn't be terribly weird at all....some moms will be turned off by this as well, but most will appreciate the compliments, at least. If you strike up a genuine conversation, you can bring it up casually and offer a card at some point.

Sara - I like your ideas with the moo cards and freebies - GREAT IDEA!

I've been tempted to do this as well, but considering that most people would feel uncomfortable with WHY you want take photos of some random kid/pregnant lady etc. on the street I wouldn't do it. The chances of the person actually calling are so slim it may not be worth it (especially if they do find it odd, and now they have your card and info to tell their friends about how "odd" they found this photographer).

That being said, if you strike up conversation with someone like Matt Yeaton mentioned I see nothing wrong with it. As long as it's not, "hi I noticed your engagement ring/pregnant belly/cute kid, here's my card" But when I was buying a cell phone the sales guy in the shop and I were chatting as we were processing all the paperwork. He was telling me how he was suppose to be meeting his fiance right then for dinner to plan some details for their wedding. I congratulated him, and appologized that he was held up, and also asked if they had found a wedding photographer yet. They hadn't and I mentioned that I photograph weddings and he asked for my card.

I think if you've established some sort of "connection" or conversation with them, it's ok to hand out your card, but I think even by looking at the responses here, (from photographers mind you who get this mindset of wanting to do this) is that most people would be creeped out by it and not appreciate the intrusion.

+1

Depends on how hard you like to be kicked in the balls.... Pregnant women are targets for carjackers, purse snatchers, and a lot more sinister crimes because there's not a whole hell of a lot you can do to defend yourself when you're that big. It's not like you can run... hell, you can barely waddle! You hear the creepy news stories all the time... If a man came up to me and said something about photographing my pregnant belly I'd assume he was a sicko or a rapist before I'd allow myself to think that he was a genuine, legit photographer just working on a portfolio.

If you approached me like that you'd be kicked in the nuts or have the cops called on you... maybe both

LOL! Awesome! I feel the same way.

It's kind of on par with when strangers come up and rub your pregnant belly. Creepy!

Well I think Melody convinced me!

I haven't approached anyone yet, which is why I posted first. I don't want to make people uncomfortable and certainly don't want to be viewed in a negative way... or kicked for that matter.

Wow, I'm really surprised by some of the stronger opinions against this! Maybe I'm a weirdo, but I'm always talking to people I meet, making faces at babies at the grocery store, and generally being entertained by the people around me when I'm out and about. It seems perfectly natural to say (genuine) nice things about the ones that catch my attention. Maybe since I don't feel awkward about it, they don't either. If I were engaged and met someone I felt comfortable with, chatted with and liked, I'd be super bummed if they didn't mention they were a photographer so I could check out their work, especially if they were good! I may not call, I may have already chosen someone, but I certainly think there are non-creepy inappropriate ways to share your info with people you've only just met.

I've booked groups of friends based on meeting one of them at the coffee shop, and heard several times that they were really glad they ran into me. People's reactions are often that they've been meaning to get portraits done, but things are just too crazy. Some people think it's too expensive, but like the work, and others already have a photographer they use and are happy with!

But I'm not a mom, so maybe I'll get more protective if/when I become one and will sing a different tune. And I'm also likely to assume the best about people, perhaps to a fault, so maybe a more cautious person thinks it sounds like madness. Hmmm...

Strangers rub your belly?! Yegods. My boyfriend barely gets to rub my belly. My belly is SO mine. Hands off... I'd slap em.

I did it one time -- back when I needed some newborn stuff in my portfolio -- I saw a lady in the park with a newborn and offered her a free session because I needed newborn pics in my portfolio.

I felt SO creepy about it that I would never do it again. (But the pics came out great!)

I think about it a lot -- when I see someone who has, you know, "the look" of someone who might want an e-session or might want family pictures, or might be looking for a wedding photographer.

But no, bottom line: I wouldn't do it and as a mom I would think it was really creepy.

I ditto the comment about getting involved in community events, just get out there and people will come to know you and what you do and you won't have the need to approach strangers in parks.

But Sarah, you're a woman with a funny-faced avatar! You can get away with it. I think, as a man, it would be tough approaching someone cold. I do agree with you that if a conversation has been started and it is comfortable, then there might be a window to do the "ask."

Bingo, Matt!
I would be much more comfortable with a woman 'soliciting' me.

All I can say is, if you're gonna approach a pregnant woman, don't wait too long.

The wife, kids, and I went swimming at our neighborhood pool at least twice a week just about all summer long. About every other time we woudl go, we would see a very pretty pregnant woman swimming with her sister and brother-in-law. As time went on, my wife kept telling me to ask the woman about possibly doing maternity photos. Strictly portfolio building. But I hesitated.

So, one day, I just got the camera out and started taking pics of my kids playing and jumping off the platform into the pool. I had to leave early to shoot a sporting event. My wife sents me a txt message about 30 minutes after I left telling me that she gave the pretty pregnant woman one of my cards, because the pretty pregnant woman noticed my camera and asked her if I was a professional photographer. She said that she was looking for someone to do maternity shots, but couldn't find anyone she was comfortable with. She noticed how I sat back and let the kids play, and just captured what they were doing, so she felt she would be comfortable with me.

Of course, you know that she called me, and we set up an appointment. She went into labor the next day and and delivered 9 hours later.

After that story, I will say this ...

Everyone I have in my portfolio, I have approached. Everyone.

Women in class, bank tellers, my kids teachers, etc. They see my work in the coffee shop, or in the local paper, but I still have approached them.

I don't have a studio, or a website (yet). I am working on them. I do have a myspace page, a blog that I keep forgetting to update, and a desire to get better.

When I see someone on the street, in a coffee shop, at an event, I no longer hesitate. When I hear people talking about someone getting married, my eyes widen, my ears sharpen and my card case comes out of my pocket.


-tg

My mom actually does this for me all of the time! She has even overheard a girl sharing her recent engagement with a friend and went to her to give her my card. I booked the wedding. At the same time my mom is a woman and it may be different if it is a woman approaching a mom or future bride. It is all about your approach and their reaction, too. Some might think it creepy. some may see it as a compliment.

Oh but there is ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with somebody ELSE giving out your card and telling people about you!!!!

That's the BEST! I love it when my friends, neighbors and past clients do that!