Are you a "Consumer"?

At Pixelhounds, we use the term consumer in a new way.  We use it to define the world by two types of people:  Hobbyists, those who are fascinated by digital photography, photo re-touching, layout and printer and snapshot photographers, or consumers, those who see these tools strictly as a means to an end.  The 'end' being mementos and tidy, sharable collections of your family memories.

Pixelhounds consumers are seen as "having it right".  You'll know a Pixelhound consumer as the individual who always has a small paperback photo album in the purse or briefcase with this season's family photos.  A Pixelhounds consumer has the most current, most fabulous images of their recent vacations on their computer screensaver; their iPod or phone.

In addition to the satisfaction of having easy access to these mementos, a Pixelhounds consumer has the true satisfaction of knowing they did not sacrifice time with family or friends to produce these items.

If you are a Pixelhounds consumer, you understand this. 

If you are curious to hear more about how we arrived at this simplification, read more...

At Pixelhounds, we have thought long and hard about the challenges of being a consumer of digital photography in the 21st century.  Digital photography has made snapshot photography easier.  By inserting great optical and software into digital cameras, they have removed lots of the 'technique' that historically made photography a hobbyist's pursuit.  Much of the photo industry still treats photographers like technicians.  Instead of learning to use a darkroom as in the past, they convince today's snapshot photographers that they must learn to use a stack of software packages, juggle memory cards, learn to use sophisticated photo retouch and layout tools.

This strategy assumes people’s time is free.  It is not.  A photo hobbyist can spend ten hours per week staying organized, with more hours to make photo books or web photo pages.  Few parents have a “free” ten hours each week.  The strategy’s better-life promise rings hollow because people do not get connected by making photo-mug gifts, they get connected by spending time with other people

We use it to refer to anyone who realizes the value of their time.  Pixelhounds Consumers realize that no matter how much or how often camera, printer and web site vendors tell them, they will never become photo hobbyists.