Just as your art and business acumen grow over time, so should your prices, and your profits.
Although I encourage photographers to work closely with and support their local chartiable organizations, we as small business owners aren’t non-profits ourselves. I believe you should charge according to the value of the art and experience you provide to your clients, which almost always means less in the beginning and more later on.
Easily half the e-mails I get from the super-awesome readers of PTP have to do with pricing.
Reader R.G. from Georgia wrote this week to ask about package pricing for senior portrait clients…
“If I work harder, I’ll be more successful; if I’m more successful, I’ll be happier <- This way of thinking is scientifically broken, and backwards."
So shares the funny and fast-talking psychologist Shawn Anchor in his TEDxBloomington presentation, “The happy secret to better work.”
I just saw this video for the first time today, and I had to share with you guys – I think Shawn speaks to an illness that afflicts so many of us photographers, especially in the early stages of our professional careers.
We’re never satisfied.
We’re always wanting.
We think, “If I could just create art like that photographer, I’d be so happy.”
I’ve never been a fan of New Year’s resolutions – I always figured, if I saw a change I needed to make in my self or my life, why not make it then? Why wait?
Well, for the same reason we eat too much around the holidays, put off going to the doctor too long when we’re sick, and spend more time trying to learn photography in front of a computer instead of behind the lens – we are imperfect creatures.
We need a catalyst to make change so immediate and important that we get off our butts and do what’s right instead of what’s easy.
So here we sit together, on the brink of 2012 – let’s look at 12 ways we can make this year the best in our lives as part time professional photographers.
1. You are your own worst enemy – Procrastination
I’d bet good money your first gut reaction to seeing this subhead was to put off reading it. Odds are you felt that uncomfortable twist inside that says, “Meeeeh, I’ll come back to that later.”
I’ll tell you honestly and up front, Procrastination and its conjoined twin Inaction are by far the biggest reasons your business is not where you dream it to be.
What in the name of Richard Simmons does losing weight have to do with being a successful part time photographer?
Business badboy Donny Deutsch said it best – “Pain or paunchiness can render you almost helpless. If most of your energy is being spent keeping you upright, it’s not going into the areas where you need it most keenly. Go to the flip side of that equation and you’ll see how being in tip-top shape can help you immeasurably.”
It’s safe to say that most folks would like to lose a few pounds – a few as in five pounds, 20, 100, some even more. Especially us Americans who have nigh unlimited access to the most fattening, unhealthy food in the history of mankind.
It’s entirely possible to kill yourself, 99 cents at a time.
Photography Business Vision Workout: Men’s Health, September 2011
Just as you strive to improve your artistic vision as a portrait photographer, you need to develop your business vision as a professional and business owner. Consider this, my Photography Business Vision Workout series, as us hitting the gym together for some much-needed exercise. With time and practice, you’ll learn to see business and marketing inspiration all around you, just as you see artistic inspiration in everyday scenes.
The September 2011 issue of Men’s Health magazine is on the shelves at your local bookstore and newsstand. Grab yourself a copy, and let’s thumb through all 190 pages together to see what nuggets of business wisdom we can glean!
The longer you’ve been a photographer, the more developed your vision is.
Your vision, perceiving the world as an artist, is your talent for seeing that which others do not see.
You’ve heard the expression “to the untrained eye.” Just like an old-school gumshoe can see clues in a crime scene that the young bucks can’t, a learned photographer can see artistic potential in the play of light, line, color, texture, wardrobe, expression and pose.
Admit it, you “see the light” all the time and say to yourself or a friend, “That would make a lovely photo,” or, “This would be a great place to bring my next client.”
You don’t need me to talk about developing your vision, your third eye, your sixth sense when it comes to art – but what you probably haven’t considered is that a good business owner (as you aspire to be as a professional photographer) has the same special vision when it comes to seeing business potential and opportunities.
Despite how the grognards view their paying customers, and the advice they give to gifted young photographers like yourself just starting out in the business, the people you shoot and sell to are not your enemy.
In fact, it’s in your own financial interest to educate and empower your clients as fully as you can.
One way to do this is with a Client Prep Cheat Sheet.
RT @mayalaurent: How do all these people have time to take part in this photo industry drama? Focusing on my clients, family & friends i ... 2012/03/27
Don't obsess: Your domain name (and biz name) are just wrapping paper; what's important is the gift inside -> http://t.co/BwUfpVkv#togs2012/03/27
Your business is a vehicle for solving the greatest challenges of your most profitable clients, then doing it better -> http://t.co/AaHPvJK82012/03/27
No session fee breaks the system – instead of it being You against JaneDoe+CreativePhoto+JCPenney+Etc., it becomes You versus Everyone Else. 2012/03/26
Great basic tips on posing couples outdoors (and the concepts are great for any shoot) -> http://t.co/j99Ucty82012/03/26
Complete off-camera flash kit for only $136; I own this kit myself and love it, it's infinitely versatile -> http://t.co/VcrQqrDK#togs2012/03/26
I shoot 'into the sun' and use flare in my photographs on almost every shoot I do. Learn how here -> http://t.co/T9LTqQIN#togs2012/03/26
