So, do I get to call myself a professional now?

[The_Traveler]

Low cost weddings simply don't throw off enough money to allow for technical improvements. How does one buy backup equipment, more lighting, pro level lenses?
It's subsistence work, where the profit is enough to keep you alive but not to grow in any way.
It's not just whether you can shoot successfully but the kind of work you can deliver.

 

[tirediron]

...It's subsistence work, where the profit is enough to keep you alive but not to grow in any way. ...

Actually Lew, I'd argue that it's not even that; it's subsistence work until you have to buy a new body or main lens, then all of a sudden you're in the hole. A big, big hole, which was the point of my post earlier about having sufficient additional income to sustain this methodology.

 

[table1349]

lol I don't think they are mutually exclusive. Heck if someone is doing great work and is charging less they will be more highly recommended than someone doing great work and charging more money.

It's great at the beginning, until you come to a cross road where demand is higher than supply. There is always someone who's willing to do it cheaper. Using price to compete is a race to the bottom that nobody wins in the end. It's not a new concept. Remember this post and come back to tell me that I'm wrong in 5 years.

lol Tell Sam Walton that.

LOL, Tell that to all the mom & pop stores that have been put out of business by Sam Walton and his lawyers who bully and force small suppliers to make products for them at ridiculously low prices. Walmart is one of companies with the highest rate of child and sub paid labor by their manufacturers. Explain to them the "Honor" Sam Walton and his company has.

 

[vintagesnaps]

It occurred to me that if you have to ask, you probably aren't. At least, I think when you've reached a certain status, you know it.

I remember when I was younger at some point thinking that 'someday' I'd do something with my photography. I didn't yet know what, but I knew that much. When you get to that point that you've accomplished whatever it is, I think you know it.

 

[Tabe]

I don't have a ton to add to this discussion but will say this:

1) IMHO, if you make any money at something, you're a pro.
2) Your bio pic on your site is a turnoff. It just doesn't fit the work you're trying to do.
3) Parts of your site get flagged by content filters and don't load or just crash. And the long scrolling single page layout is not a good idea.

I wish you much luck with your endeavor.

Signed,
Definitely a hack, not a pro

 

[webestang64]

Definition of professional

1. 1a : of, relating to, or characteristic of a profession b : engaged in one of the learned professions c (1) : characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession(2) : exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace
   
   
2. 2a : participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs <a professional golfer>b : having a particular profession as a permanent career <a professional soldier>c : engaged in by persons receiving financial return <professional football>
   
   
3. 3: following a line of conduct as though it were a profession <a professional patriot>

 

[Advanced Photo]

...It's subsistence work, where the profit is enough to keep you alive but not to grow in any way. ...

Actually Lew, I'd argue that it's not even that; it's subsistence work until you have to buy a new body or main lens, then all of a sudden you're in the hole. A big, big hole, which was the point of my post earlier about having sufficient additional income to sustain this methodology.

The OP did say that the photography was filling a want, not a need. So she can charge whatever she wants to, put all the proceeds into an account and when she has saved up enough, buy some new gear. It's all a luxury and not to pay bills. It's a way to have an interest that pays for itself instead of costing her money.

 

[PersistentNomad]

@vintagesnaps I do think my work has value. However, I am cognizant of the fact that my work isn't terrible, but it's also not top-tier. When I set these prices, I felt like they were fair for what many clients are looking for and were commensurate with the quality of work and what I personally feel I need to get out of it.

As for having to ask meaning I'm probably not one, I was asking a little tongue in cheek and I hope that is being recognized. As I said in the OP, I was just excited that I'm taking the steps and that there are already responses and inquiries.

Re: the Wally World rhetoric, I'm not trying to compete by having low prices and steal jobs from higher end photogs because I'm cheap. But, when I was looking there was definitely a gap in the market for decent, affordable photogs. So many couples now are trying to keep their weddings under $10-15k, and if a photographer is charging 20% of a wedding's budget, there are a lot of people who will forgo the photography altogether if they can't find someone who they can afford and still makes decent work. Basically, I'm just trying to be the vendor that I was looking for and couldn't find.

 

[Piccell]

It sounds like you are taking Gandhi's advice and being the change you wish to see in the world. Well done.

 

[Piccell]

lol I don't think they are mutually exclusive. Heck if someone is doing great work and is charging less they will be more highly recommended than someone doing great work and charging more money.

It's great at the beginning, until you come to a cross road where demand is higher than supply. There is always someone who's willing to do it cheaper. Using price to compete is a race to the bottom that nobody wins in the end. It's not a new concept. Remember this post and come back to tell me that I'm wrong in 5 years.

lol Tell Sam Walton that.

LOL, Tell that to all the mom & pop stores that have been put out of business by Sam Walton and his lawyers who bully and force small suppliers to make products for them at ridiculously low prices. Walmart is one of companies with the highest rate of child and sub paid labor by their manufacturers. Explain to them the "Honor" Sam Walton and his company has.

What do the failed businesses have to do with the success of Walmart?
in 2013 Walmart and the Walmart Foundation donated $1.3 billion in cash and in-kind contributions around the world last year, which makes it one of the most charitable companies in absolute terms.
Walmart brought in $476 billion for revenue in the year that ended Jan. 31, 2014, topping Exxon Mobil in the Fortune 500 for a second year. That’s more than the combined annual revenues of Apple, Target, Amazon, Coca-Cola, Macy’s, and Walt Disney Co.

I'd say charging less is a recipe for success as much as anything.

I do all my photography for charity, I don't keep any proceeds from my sales of prints and files. There is a reason for that but we don't need to even mention that. There is nothing wrong with giving your work and it's proceeds away for a good cause you believe in.

 

[tirediron]

I'd say charging less is a recipe for success as much as anything.

Ask Martha Stewart about that.

 

[table1349]

lol I don't think they are mutually exclusive. Heck if someone is doing great work and is charging less they will be more highly recommended than someone doing great work and charging more money.

It's great at the beginning, until you come to a cross road where demand is higher than supply. There is always someone who's willing to do it cheaper. Using price to compete is a race to the bottom that nobody wins in the end. It's not a new concept. Remember this post and come back to tell me that I'm wrong in 5 years.

lol Tell Sam Walton that.

LOL, Tell that to all the mom & pop stores that have been put out of business by Sam Walton and his lawyers who bully and force small suppliers to make products for them at ridiculously low prices. Walmart is one of companies with the highest rate of child and sub paid labor by their manufacturers. Explain to them the "Honor" Sam Walton and his company has.

What do the failed businesses have to do with the success of Walmart?
in 2013 Walmart and the Walmart Foundation donated $1.3 billion in cash and in-kind contributions around the world last year, which makes it one of the most charitable companies in absolute terms.
Walmart brought in $476 billion for revenue in the year that ended Jan. 31, 2014, topping Exxon Mobil in the Fortune 500 for a second year. That’s more than the combined annual revenues of Apple, Target, Amazon, Coca-Cola, Macy’s, and Walt Disney Co.

I'd say charging less is a recipe for success as much as anything.

I do all my photography for charity, I don't keep any proceeds from my sales of prints and files. There is a reason for that but we don't need to even mention that. There is nothing wrong with giving your work and it's proceeds away for a good cause you believe in.

The New Way That Walmart Is Ruining America's Small Towns

Opinion: Study shows Walmart kills small biz

Why Bad News for Walmart Is Good News for Small Town, USA

What It Really Costs When Walmart Comes to Town

I do all my photography for charity, I don't keep any proceeds from my sales of prints and files. There is a reason for that but we don't need to even mention that.

Then why did you mention it???

 

[Piccell]

lol I don't think they are mutually exclusive. Heck if someone is doing great work and is charging less they will be more highly recommended than someone doing great work and charging more money.

It's great at the beginning, until you come to a cross road where demand is higher than supply. There is always someone who's willing to do it cheaper. Using price to compete is a race to the bottom that nobody wins in the end. It's not a new concept. Remember this post and come back to tell me that I'm wrong in 5 years.

lol Tell Sam Walton that.

LOL, Tell that to all the mom & pop stores that have been put out of business by Sam Walton and his lawyers who bully and force small suppliers to make products for them at ridiculously low prices. Walmart is one of companies with the highest rate of child and sub paid labor by their manufacturers. Explain to them the "Honor" Sam Walton and his company has.

What do the failed businesses have to do with the success of Walmart?
in 2013 Walmart and the Walmart Foundation donated $1.3 billion in cash and in-kind contributions around the world last year, which makes it one of the most charitable companies in absolute terms.
Walmart brought in $476 billion for revenue in the year that ended Jan. 31, 2014, topping Exxon Mobil in the Fortune 500 for a second year. That’s more than the combined annual revenues of Apple, Target, Amazon, Coca-Cola, Macy’s, and Walt Disney Co.

I'd say charging less is a recipe for success as much as anything.

I do all my photography for charity, I don't keep any proceeds from my sales of prints and files. There is a reason for that but we don't need to even mention that. There is nothing wrong with giving your work and it's proceeds away for a good cause you believe in.

The New Way That Walmart Is Ruining America's Small Towns

Opinion: Study shows Walmart kills small biz

Why Bad News for Walmart Is Good News for Small Town, USA

What It Really Costs When Walmart Comes to Town

I do all my photography for charity, I don't keep any proceeds from my sales of prints and files. There is a reason for that but we don't need to even mention that.

Then why did you mention it???

The reason was not mentioned, never mind, you won't get it.

 

[Piccell]

I'd say charging less is a recipe for success as much as anything.

Ask Martha Stewart about that.

Well there is insider trading that makes money too, but it's still illegal.

 

[Vtec44]

I'd say charging less is a recipe for success as much as anything.

Until demand exceeds supply, and scalability becomes an issue. All the things I mentioned that you need to be aware of when shooting a lot of weddings and making the "same" money will limit your growth. There is no life in shooting 50 weddings a year to make the same as someone who shoots only 25. You can then either adopt the George Street Photo business model or work your butt off and be the next Jose Villa, Jasmine Star, Sue Bryce, etc. If you go with George Street Photo model, then you're no longer making "art". People just really need to be honest to themselves with whatever business model they're going with.