Stephen Yanni, Orlando photographer started a GoFundMe campaign on Saturday to raise money to buy a Nikon D4s. Jared Polin of Fro Knows Photo made a YouTube video this evening talking about this unusual move. The video also has phone interview between Jared and the photographer. [Update: Yanni's GoFundMe was removed 03/05/2014].
Yanni explains why he elected to use this "alternative marketing method" citing taking over 100k images a year, requiring an upgrade every two years, and having limited ability to pick up extra events to cover the new gear.
Yanni has set up 6 tiers of rewards as detailed on his GoFundMe:
As written on GoFundMe:
Buying a new camera every two years is an expense that Pro-Photographers have to take on to keep up. (No they don't take any better pictures, but when you take 100,000 images a year they do wear out)
Help us get the latest and greatest and to maintain our edge in the Orlando Market.
We are not asking for a handout, the products listed all have value - (Save maybe our "Gratefulness").
Just last year, The Fro helped Jaleel King, another photographer raise over $9,000 towards purchasing a new wheelchair (as reported here).
While we've seen books, lenses, accessories, even apps (Shootset will be awesome whenever it comes out) funded on crowdsource sites like GoFundMe and KickStarter this campaign is the first to my knowledge to try to get equipment for an individual. As of the time of publication Yanni's GoFundMe is still yet to raise any money.
Where do you stand on Yanni seeking to crowdsource what is, in essence, a business expense?
[Via Fro Knows Photo]
Wow the intelligence .. now he try to twist words.
And if the points I raise are valid, then who I am or know is of little consequence. Do you think I write like the person that created this "Travesty"?
You do ... and you "try " to educate everyone on the definition like that will make a difference.
You now I am wondering .. what do all the photographers cope that shoot way over 100,000 images per year. As you know Nikon is not built for that .... smh
Did you know that the Shutter is not the only thing that wears out on a camera?
I wonder how photographers can use older model cameras ... they break down so easy and are worthless after 2 years.
The average repair cost of normal camera wear and tear is $300 to $1000 per year or pay $6000 plus for a new one.
Nikon camera D3 is rated for 300,000 shutter clicks so over 100,000 a year between bodies (as he said) is not enough to need a new model.