When Being Cheap Beats Being Good – A Strange Reality in the Creative World
Not long ago, I saw something that really made me shake my head.
A client hired someone to build their website—a person who didn’t even know how to properly host or maintain one. Why? Because he was cheap.
On the other side of the spectrum, I know skilled IT professionals and experienced web designers who haven’t had clients in years. They’re technically excellent, reliable, and understand how to build scalable, secure, SEO-friendly sites. But somehow, they’re overlooked.
This trend isn’t just limited to the web industry. As a professional corporate photographer, I see it all the time.
Why Do Clients Choose Cheap Over Experienced?
In the corporate world, we know that cutting corners often costs more later. But in creative services like photography, web design, or branding, many clients still default to price-first thinking—without fully understanding what they’re actually buying.
They think a “camera is a camera,” or “a website is just a page with some pictures.”
But here's the truth:
A corporate headshot done by an amateur can make your team look unprofessional or inconsistent.
A badly built website might never rank in Google, load slowly on mobile, or simply crash when you need it.
A cheap “quick fix” often ends up costing twice as much when it needs to be redone properly.
What Makes Corporate Photography Different?
Corporate photography is not the same as consumer photography. It requires:
Understanding the business context – Your images represent the company's brand and culture, not just a face.
Consistent lighting and color management – A professional look across your team portraits, office shots, and executive headshots.
Planning and coordination – Working in corporate environments means managing schedules, approvals, and sometimes high-level executives.
Knowing how to create trust – Especially when photographing people who aren't used to being in front of a camera.
You’re not just hiring someone with a camera. You’re hiring a professional who understands how to communicate a business’s personality through visual storytelling.
The Long Game of Quality
I get it—budgets are tight. But here’s a corporate truth that hasn’t changed:
If your visual presentation doesn’t reflect the quality of your business, you lose credibility.
Good photography, like good web development, isn’t about looking pretty. It’s about impact. It’s about aligning your brand, your message, and your trustworthiness in a single frame or webpage.
So the next time you’re comparing prices, ask yourself:
Will this make my brand look stronger?
Can I trust this person to represent my company’s image?
Will I have to do it all over again later?
Final Thoughts
The world today is noisy, fast, and often too focused on shortcuts. But in the end, quality still matters—especially in the corporate world.
Professionals like myself, and so many others in the creative and technical fields, have spent years mastering our craft not just to create beautiful things, but to help businesses grow and stand out.
So whether it’s a website, a corporate portrait, or your company’s visual brand—don’t just go for cheap. Go for right.