Too many unpaid hours and technical difficulties - Photograher Mom365 Employee Review

I had a great experience with this company. The management, presents great leadership. The district manager held weekly meetings to provide continuous learning opportunities and praise for the photographers sales efforts and accomplishments. There were also opportunities to get inspiration from other photographers work. The area manager ensured I was confident in myself and patiently guided me through training until she knew I was confident and offered continuous support beyond that. They want to see you succeed. This job allows you to work independently along side hospital staff and with the patients and families. The managers are almost always available to answer the phone if you have any questions or concerns. They also have a tech support call center while you’re working to report any issues with the equipment they provide you. This company offers a free digital keepsake unlike any other company, similar. I appreciate that concept because there are families who may not be able to afford it in the moment which makes the experience inclusive for all patients and allows for future opportunities to purchase from their portal online. If you care just as much in the photography as you do in the sales aspect you will excel and vis versa. As a sales job, you’ll have opportunities to make commission from your sales. There is no obligation for families to purchase which allows for you and parents to connect sincerely. As well as give them an experience worth buying. You have an opportunity to become a trainer. Lastly, the babies! Being able to photograph and hold babies is so awesome.

The cons for me felt more related to the outside factors like parents with a few minor challenges within. There have been occasions that I have dealt with disrespectful parents that judge you before understanding the intentions of this company. That is why it is crucial to explain everything you’re doing in the room from putting on gloves to why they are filling out customer paperwork. As a parent myself I can be skeptical in certain situations out of the protection of my children but I don’t think we would be allowed to be badged with the hospitals if we were “scammers” or we didn’t have good intentions. I have had a few parents think there’s a “catch”. Personally, the only “catch” is IF you agree to a photoshoot, you’re agreeing to listening to a sales pitch that you DON’T have to commit to. So I didn’t appreciate the times it was portrayed as if we are “scammers” because we are just trying to create memories and like any business you have the option to buy or not. Of course in sales, you’re going to try to sell but our job is also to give an experience so you can have your keepsake photo even if we don’t sell. It can take awhile for you to get the hang of a sales strategy that works if you aren’t using your resources to your advantage. Speaking with management to figure out what needs more work and not taking their advice personally is critical for success. Don’t be a know it all. Take the advice if you want to be successful. I genuinely do not believe some people are teachable when it comes to the actual photography aspect. I have seen work from employees who’ve had many opportunities to learn from other photographers that just do not have an eye for photography. They could be the sweetest most personable people with all the right things you need to sell and connect with parents but the reason they aren’t selling is because there is not quality in their work. I am not a fan of the fact there are inexperienced photographers they hire that are selling these packages with low quality work at times. These parents do not have to buy if they’re not satisfied. We all have to start somewhere but I think some people could do better when it comes to the quality and efforts of their work. Everyone wants to think it’s “easy” to take pictures of babies but it is not always like that. You will run into challenges like the behavior of a baby. They could be hungry, cold, or trying to fall asleep. They can be squirmy and gassy. You have to have good timing and tricks up your sleeve especially for these new parents. Like using a sound machine, making sure they were fed, using a pacifier or having a parent use their finger with a glove to sooth like a pacifier in between the pictures. You have to have patience because some babies will cry. It will take time to calm them down and sometimes you’re just really unlucky and the baby is not having it. You have to be confident in your ability to pose a baby if you don’t, parents will lose respect for you quickly. The rooms I some of the hospital locations can be very dark so you have to understand camera settings or use your guide to resolve those issues. I think some photographers tend to rush because they are more concerned about whether or not they can make commission over the hourly which results in poor quality work. I believe making commission can be a little unrealistic because it requires you to sell a lot of bigger packages or tons of smaller ones and spending less time in rooms so you can gain your commission over the hourly pay. I think this is what results in some of the sloppy photography and still low sales. There are also parents who genuinely cannot afford the prices and it can result in sales struggles especially depending on hospital location. Some parents also genuinely believe their iPhones can take just as good of pictures which can be annoying. Some people will not appreciate your efforts or talent and will be indifferent. Some hospital staff (nurses) can be hot and cold with you if you are in the way and not communicating. They will not want to support and “advertise” you if you aren’t personable with the staff. You also can’t fixate too much on the commission aspect that is more like a bonus. Unfortunately you would have to maintain high sales which isn’t impossible just hard for that two week pay period to even gain commission over hourly. Sometimes weeks can fluctuate due to different circumstances. Unfortunately this is a low paying job if you’re not making commission and it is not a reliable source of income to be a full time job especially because your hours also heavily depend on the number of babies you have and if you can get parents to agree. You’re either going to get more hours on your paycheck from photographing more rooms or you sell big to get commission. It’s all solely based on your efforts and commitment to learning from your management and coworkers. Some employees on occasion can show competitive behavior and don’t want to learn from one another. Most the time you’re working completely alone.

Working with families and newborns is emotionally rewarding. Getting to capture moments beautifully is nice.

Lack of management support. The equipment is outdated and not maintained. When we need supplies we mostly just get excuses.