You know.....I've been thinking (watch out!):

You've got the WPPJA......the PPA.........the CIA..........and lots of other important organizations that your clients don't know anything about, but are very impressed you're a part of.

I think we've earned the right to add "OSP" to our list of credentials. Imagine it...

"Stacy Cross Photography is an active member and contributor to OSP, which is a worldwide pannel of expert photographers. Many of her images have been featured in the OSP gallery over the years, earning critical acclaim."

What do yall think? Wanna start a revolution?

Hmmmm - what are your entry criteria - because I could then go and add that to my 'resume' and completely dilute your "expert photographers" statement.

I would be careful about putting OSP out there to clients. It might be that we end up getting swamped with soccer-moms with digital P&S camera asking "Im a new photographer, how do I get more business"

I guard this place like its the secret garden or something. LOL.

Just my honest opinion

I don't think that would work because OSP isn't a panel of expert photographers.

It's a forum where anyone who wants to can come on and contribute (or not) whatever they want. Since there are no actual criteria to joining except an interest in the photography business in general, adding it as a credential wouldn't really carry any weight.

jess

[ in my best bill lumberg from office space voice ]:

umm, i am going to have to go ahead and disagree with you here.

clients don't care what organizations you belong to. they don't care that i have an associates degree in photography from saddleback college (the local JC here in town). they certainly aren't going to care about our geeky little forum. thy just care about your images, image and attiude.

and think about this, what if you put a logo and/or link to osp in order to show your affliation... do you really want clients to know about OSP? do you want them here reading about all of our inside stuff?

+1

agreed. remember that photographer dood who people were baggin' on .. .and then he found OSP and realized all the bad stuff that everyone said about him - ya just never know who's reading your stuff. - especially when it comes to past, current, or future clients.

I know you were probably just having fun with this idea.... but - just throwin my .03 out there.

Did I forget to write just kidding? Totally a joke, folks, however, were this real life, I totally agree with everything said....I don't even tell other photographers about OSP - kind of mean, but it's may favorite secret. Nor do I buy all that Jazz about needing to be a part of all those orgs.

+10000




... and now I feel dumb, but I *do* guard this place... It's a haven!

100% with you, Carrie!

LOL!!! FLASHBACK!!


I think it "appears" to be more credible if you're featured on a page like...

Admired by Beckstead
Awesome Photographs

or if you write articles for the photography publications or the online resources...

Wed Shooter
New School of Photography

or if you're featured on...

Simple Photo Minute

shhhhhhhh.....

that has all disappeared... let's fugettaboutit

And i thought i was the only one keeping OSP to myself!!

Seriously, I am soooo selective with whom I tell about this place. I feel selfish about it at first and then I just shrug and continue checking OSP. HA!

Now...if we were to say something like "currently ranked # " on Open Source Photo and leave out the part about what was being ranked...