How did you build your portfolio?
- Thread starter lorinajac
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Sensitive spot? Um.. more like you were being rude, and looking pretty uneducated.
The reason florists have FTD images.. it's so they can SELL them. They pay a fortune and endure all kinds of headaches to be a part of that service to generate ORDERS.. you need sending/receiving florists and the service on the same page for that, that's why they have them.
I considered using the John Henry images - even paid for them! - but then went in another direction. They sell them for a reason, you know.
I'm a formally trained (and continually updating!) floral designer, but I chose to go the home-based route, based on my skill set, desires, and many other factors - not the least of which was the current state of the industry. I researched before starting. Research being a pretty key word here.
There are loads of home based "basement bettys", people who are NOT trained, do NOT run legit business, etc. I pay my taxes, I file my papers, I have overhead that may not include a shop, but is still pretty high. Even still, I have to work to distinguish my (educated) self from those who just want to "work with pretty flowers" for fun and a few bucks. This forum isn't too friendly to those type of "designers".
I think it's silly to put down people for doing something they're SUPPOSED to do, especially when you're looking for help from them.
I believe that we have all said we are sorry and we ALL make mistakes but if you really want to call myself and other names I can go there, talk about uneducated is that what we are here for to be educated?? if you read the threads we called it quits. or kissed and made up , or what evr you want to call. it. Have a great day and thanks~Tracy
felicityflowers
New Member
Wink,
It's OK! We are emotionally charged people in an emotionally charged business. We all tend to take comments to heart from time to time and there is nothing wrong with that! If you can't speak your mind on a floral issue in a floral related forum...where can you?!
You, just like a couple of us who posted on this thread, let our passion bubble over.
:musical: Rock On.
As a designer/employee - I have found it quite hard to build a portfolio of work as most of the time...the work goes out the door so fast, getting a photo or snapshot of it is almost impossible.....and then when the rare phtoto op comes up....usually it against the cooler wall, or a door, or a poor background.
For that reason, I tend to refer to the selection guides photos, both in store and on the phone. - I tend to prefer John Henry guides over the wire services as the John Henry designs are a little more upscale and creative.
How would you all suggest that I begin to build a portfolio of work.....btw - I was in that group of AIFD applicants who did not have to submit a portfolio during the changeover from phase one and two to the modified phase two so I never had to complete a portfolio for AIFD submission.
For that reason, I tend to refer to the selection guides photos, both in store and on the phone. - I tend to prefer John Henry guides over the wire services as the John Henry designs are a little more upscale and creative.
How would you all suggest that I begin to build a portfolio of work.....btw - I was in that group of AIFD applicants who did not have to submit a portfolio during the changeover from phase one and two to the modified phase two so I never had to complete a portfolio for AIFD submission.
back in the day when I worked for a designer wire service came in a watched you do designs!!( am dating myself) you had to summit photos thats how you got the wire service. I know that days have changed and new rules. but how do you get into a wire service with out them, Do they just take any store? its been awhile what are new rules?:hammer:
After a really angry private message from "greatflowerlady" this morning, I think I should probably clarify my post.
I wasn't calling anyone a basement betty. It was partially a warning that if they are (or come off as one!), they won't find the atmosphere very friendly here.
It was partially a rant on my behalf.. A lot of the posts about basement betty's here really blur the line between "basement betty" and "homebased business", and that's always driven me nuts. So, to see someone with a freelance style business come here and do something as over the top as accusing wire service members of theft for using wire service images.. it was really an "oh brother!" moment for me.
The private message mentioned stuff about education and priviledge. I didn't slur anyone who was under priviledged. Education doesn't necessarily need to cost a cent. Even THOUGH I've been trained formally, I am continually educating myself.. some paid seminars and things.. some free/sponsored... and man, I spent SO many hours pouring through posts when I first joined here.
To me, the thing about the images was something that I considered to be on such a basic level of understanding, I was worried about the backlash against "home based businesses" in general.
Those of us who are legit designers who choose to be home based.. we all need to be educated in the industry. I may not deal with wire services, but that's an issue that affects the WHOLE industry, and is therefore important. Running a business isn't just tying a bunch of roses together and calling it a day. It's understanding everything around you, the stuff your competition (brick and mortar florist, home based, OG, etc) goes through, etc. It takes a little effort.
So, rather than just reply to that PM, I'm apologizing publically if anyone misconstrued my post.
I wasn't calling anyone a basement betty. It was partially a warning that if they are (or come off as one!), they won't find the atmosphere very friendly here.
It was partially a rant on my behalf.. A lot of the posts about basement betty's here really blur the line between "basement betty" and "homebased business", and that's always driven me nuts. So, to see someone with a freelance style business come here and do something as over the top as accusing wire service members of theft for using wire service images.. it was really an "oh brother!" moment for me.
The private message mentioned stuff about education and priviledge. I didn't slur anyone who was under priviledged. Education doesn't necessarily need to cost a cent. Even THOUGH I've been trained formally, I am continually educating myself.. some paid seminars and things.. some free/sponsored... and man, I spent SO many hours pouring through posts when I first joined here.
To me, the thing about the images was something that I considered to be on such a basic level of understanding, I was worried about the backlash against "home based businesses" in general.
Those of us who are legit designers who choose to be home based.. we all need to be educated in the industry. I may not deal with wire services, but that's an issue that affects the WHOLE industry, and is therefore important. Running a business isn't just tying a bunch of roses together and calling it a day. It's understanding everything around you, the stuff your competition (brick and mortar florist, home based, OG, etc) goes through, etc. It takes a little effort.
So, rather than just reply to that PM, I'm apologizing publically if anyone misconstrued my post.
not an angry message!
WinkDesign
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Re: Thanks~
Quote:
Originally Posted by greatflowerlady
Just wanted to say Thanks for last week when you responded to a thread that I was on. I quote" UNEDUCATED BASEMENT BETTY" wow I have been called a lot over the 42 years I have been around. That was really educated, That other lady and I are new to the boards and you really made us feel welcomed...Sometimes educated people need to help the underprivileged. Not bash them . So after I received your nice message. I went to my Basement(that I don't have) and worked on the 1,500.00 wedding order I had for the weekend. Thanks for the warm welcome and may your biz(I saw your website) make you lot's of money. We all have the right to earn a living.~Cheers Tracy:iwuvyou:
Huh?
Registered User
Location: Princeton
State / Province: MN
Country: USA
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 92
Rep Power: 15
Re: Thanks~
Quote:
Originally Posted by greatflowerlady
Just wanted to say Thanks for last week when you responded to a thread that I was on. I quote" UNEDUCATED BASEMENT BETTY" wow I have been called a lot over the 42 years I have been around. That was really educated, That other lady and I are new to the boards and you really made us feel welcomed...Sometimes educated people need to help the underprivileged. Not bash them . So after I received your nice message. I went to my Basement(that I don't have) and worked on the 1,500.00 wedding order I had for the weekend. Thanks for the warm welcome and may your biz(I saw your website) make you lot's of money. We all have the right to earn a living.~Cheers Tracy:iwuvyou:
Huh?
Well, I took it as angry/snotty.
You know, I'm not trying to attack you here.. but do you think maybe you're projecting an attitude you don't intend to? You pissed a lot of people off with your earlier posts.. sometimes it's hard to come across exactly as you intend to on the internet. Don't know what to recommend if that's the case, maybe double read what you're sending? I try to, myself.
You know, I'm not trying to attack you here.. but do you think maybe you're projecting an attitude you don't intend to? You pissed a lot of people off with your earlier posts.. sometimes it's hard to come across exactly as you intend to on the internet. Don't know what to recommend if that's the case, maybe double read what you're sending? I try to, myself.
Thanks for the info
Like I told one of the ladies on here in a message today, I am one of the most friendly, happy, fat person you would every meet. I love to talk about flowers,I love to get information and give it too. I live them they are my life and I also make a little bit of money off them too!! A lot of the people on here are wonderful high end florist with a God given talent that I respect very much, as for me the little guy I am new to the board I am here to learn from the masters!! Have a great and wonderful week:hug:~Tracy
Like I told one of the ladies on here in a message today, I am one of the most friendly, happy, fat person you would every meet. I love to talk about flowers,I love to get information and give it too. I live them they are my life and I also make a little bit of money off them too!! A lot of the people on here are wonderful high end florist with a God given talent that I respect very much, as for me the little guy I am new to the board I am here to learn from the masters!! Have a great and wonderful week:hug:~Tracy
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