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

[The_Traveler]

A series of small comments popped into my head:

bride and groom A: "I really don't give a crap about pictures, but this person is cheap. What's the difference?"

bride and groom B: "I thought I needed to spend more money on pictures but this person is cheap and as good as most of the others we've seen. Now we can have an open bar or another day or so on the honeymoon."

wedding photographer: "I don't know what's happening. I've always been pretty busy, not getting rich but doing OK and all of a sudden, this one photographer is shooting weddings at starvation wages and the clients she doesn't take are just levering my prices down. Man this profession is going to crap."

 

[PersistentNomad]

@The_Traveler, while those first two are probably true and happen more often than you think across more than just photography, I think the last statement is over-embellished. There are geographical limitations to someone being able to do this job, not to mention times of year where the market is super-saturated with requests, making it physically impossible for any one photographer to dominate the market just because they are more affordable. Not to mention there are a lot of people who won't look at a quote that they think is too low because "something must be wrong." Then you have the people who think that higher price unequivocally means better quality and they will only seek out higher dollar vendors as a result. Most people fall somewhere in the middle. I also am not too far off of prices that other photographers are offering in the area, so it's not like I'm the only one offering a full day for under $1000.

 

[The_Traveler]

I also am not too far off of prices that other photographers are offering in the area, so it's not like I'm the only one offering a full day for under $1000.

It's my opinion that people (people with cameras) who do this, know exactly what their work is worth and the flood of them has negative effects on people who want to be good and be rewarded by it.

There are only two reasons to do work, for love or for money. I don't mind doing things if I love them and the extra time spent is returned in belief in my own self worth as an artist. If I do something for money, I want to get enough so I can spend time to make the work to my standards without feeling like my time is going cheap. If I am forced to do work cheap, I feel degraded as an artist.

There is hardly anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price only are this man's lawful prey.

John Ruskin

 

[PersistentNomad]

There are only two reasons to do work, for love or for money.

The way you speak, it's as though both reasons are mutually exclusive... and they aren't.

The fact that almost this whole conversation has been about price is really frustrating. It's as though everyone here wants to discourage or indoctrinate every new professional into an established pricing philosophy. And sorry not sorry, but I don't need or want to subscribe to some quasi-official pricing structure that makes you guys feel uncomfortable because maybe it might cost another photographer a job or two. As I said, I noticed a hole in the supply, so I'm filling it. I think it's just super that you all are mad that my prices are "too low" and are suggesting that I could be charging more for my work (I assume because it's of a good enough quality), but trying to bully me (and other newbies who might be reading this) into higher prices against my philosophical values is not going to work, and quite frankly is not constructive.

I once worked with a photographer in my old gallery who was also a student in my professional practices for artists course. She had been regularly selling her work from the exhibits and had won a few prizes over the previous year. Every piece she showed was matted and framed the same way, was all the same size, and she sold them for all the same price ($125). When we got to the session on pricing your work in the course, I used her as an example to illustrate how you know you can start charging more for your work. Her response was this: I want people to love my work, and I want people to be able to afford loving my work. I'm fortunate enough that I can afford to keep my prices low so that more people can love my art everyday.

If you don't understand it any more clearly than that, you won't understand it.

 

[Piccell]

There are only two reasons to do work, for love or for money.

The way you speak, it's as though both reasons are mutually exclusive... and they aren't.

The fact that almost this whole conversation has been about price is really frustrating. It's as though everyone here wants to discourage or indoctrinate every new professional into an established pricing philosophy. And sorry not sorry, but I don't need or want to subscribe to some quasi-official pricing structure that makes you guys feel uncomfortable because maybe it might cost another photographer a job or two. As I said, I noticed a hole in the supply, so I'm filling it. I think it's just super that you all are mad that my prices are "too low" and are suggesting that I could be charging more for my work (I assume because it's of a good enough quality), but trying to bully me (and other newbies who might be reading this) into higher prices against my philosophical values is not going to work, and quite frankly is not constructive.

I once worked with a photographer in my old gallery who was also a student in my professional practices for artists course. She had been regularly selling her work from the exhibits and had won a few prizes over the previous year. Every piece she showed was matted and framed the same way, was all the same size, and she sold them for all the same price ($125). When we got to the session on pricing your work in the course, I used her as an example to illustrate how you know you can start charging more for your work. Her response was this: I want people to love my work, and I want people to be able to afford loving my work. I'm fortunate enough that I can afford to keep my prices low so that more people can love my art everyday.

If you don't understand it any more clearly than that, you won't understand it.

Hear, hear! It appears a lot of people do photography because they see dollar signs in it and want to hike up prices as far as possible. It has a detrimental effect of how people perceive photographers I'm afraid.

 

[Vtec44]

Hear, hear! It appears a lot of people do photography because they see dollar signs in it and want to hike up prices as far as possible. It has a detrimental effect of how people perceive photographers I'm afraid.

You have such a weird attitude. lol

 

[Piccell]

Hear, hear! It appears a lot of people do photography because they see dollar signs in it and want to hike up prices as far as possible. It has a detrimental effect of how people perceive photographers I'm afraid.

You have such a weird attitude. lol

Weird?
I have been called selfless. A humanitarian. Kind. Giving. Not by myself, as I consider myself to be just an ordinary person trying to do what they can to help out in the world. I donate time and my photography skills to many retirement homes and other charities locally without compensation and I donate money when I am able. I guess if that makes me weird then I am but I wish it were the norm and not something different or weird. I suppose I should consider that a compliment from someone driven by the almighty dollar more than art or people. I don't know if you really are such a person, but your comments seem to suggest that much. If not, I sincerely apologize.

 

[table1349]

You missed humble.

 

[Piccell]

I hope you are not taking a Warhol quote seriously. lol
Ok, you have derailed this thread enough, Again, to the OP, I applaud your efforts of providing a high quality service at prices the masses can afford. Well done.

 

[Advanced Photo]

I also am not too far off of prices that other photographers are offering in the area, so it's not like I'm the only one offering a full day for under $1000.

It's my opinion that people (people with cameras) who do this, know exactly what their work is worth and the flood of them has negative effects on people who want to be good and be rewarded by it.

There are only two reasons to do work, for love or for money. I don't mind doing things if I love them and the extra time spent is returned in belief in my own self worth as an artist. If I do something for money, I want to get enough so I can spend time to make the work to my standards without feeling like my time is going cheap. If I am forced to do work cheap, I feel degraded as an artist.

There is hardly anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price only are this man's lawful prey.

John Ruskin

I see the reverse side of that coin too though, The 'photographers' that think that high prices makes people see them as being somehow "better" has the effect of making photographers seem like a bunch of pretentious arrogant money grubbing low life (s) out for a fast buck at any cost. Kind of how lawyers are perceived.
Not all are of course, but there is a perception.

There is hardly anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price only are this man's lawful prey.

It can also be said that there is nothing in the world that can't be improved upon and then offered for a little less allow those that are restricted by income or class access to something better than they could have had otherwise, if they have an advocate that has their interest at heart.
I am glad there are people willing to be their advocate, like the OP here.
By allowing those below you (financially) to have a better quality of life, we all get a better quality of life.

 

[SquarePeg]

OP - you asked for c&c of your website and you got it. People expressing their opinions about your pricing is a part of that c&c. I don't think anyone is trying to bully you into some type of pricing model, seems more like most of the experienced pros who make or have made their living from photography are giving you similar advice based on their personal experiences. In the end, it's your choice of course and I'm looking forward to seeing some of your wedding work and hearing more about how your business start up is going.

@Piccell Is there a link to your website or Flickr? I'm interested to see your work.

 

[table1349]

I hope you are not taking a Warhol quote seriously. lol
Ok, you have derailed this thread enough, Again, to the OP, I applaud your efforts of providing a high quality service at prices the masses can afford. Well done.

Are you really that uninformed or just confused? You idolized Walmart and Sam Walton when the Walmart track record is stuffed with every thing possible to make profit at the expense of it's employees, suppliers and the general publics expense. Report: Walmart Workers Cost Taxpayers $6.2 Billion In Public Assistance

You tout Walmart's "Charitable" giving. Are you aware that in the US that amounted to only 350 million out of that touted 1.3 billion. Do you realized that "in kind" is fuzzy math wherein a business gives at cost and takes credit at full markup value.

And then you think people wouldn't take Warhol's observation seriously.

 

[AlanKlein]

I'm not a pro photographer. I have no idea whether your prices are too low. The worse that will happen is that you'll spend a lot of time and not make money for the first couple of jobs - a great learning lesson. New business people often underestimate their worth. Also, I'll mention that it's good not to count your chickens before they hatch and brag about being a pro. First get the work, do it and most of all get paid for it, something that often is a problem in any business.

As an ex-businessman in specialty sub-contracting work (construction), totally unrelated in function to your work, I can tell you that your biggest problems will be the business side of it. The photography will take care of itself. So finding someone who can mentor you on the business end is very helpful.

By the way, I like your web page. It works on my desktop. I didn't try it on my cell phone. And finally, the very best of luck to you. It takes guts to start a business. It won't be easy. But I have a feeling you're going to make it.

 

[Piccell]

@Piccell Is there a link to your website or Flickr? I'm interested to see your work.

Think about what you are asking, I don't sell any of my work, why would I pay for a website to showcase what is not for sale? I also do not subscribe to any social media for personal reasons.
If you have a worthy cause I believe in though I would be happy to help any way I can. Just ask.
Have a great day and God Bless.

 

[table1349]

This forum is social media.