Recorded On: 1/1/2012
Log A Comment (73)

she works hard for the money

Enough said, right?

** The above does not pertain to those who are doing this for a hobby or charity, but for those who are trying to conduct a viable photography business.**

Yes, I remember those days when I was first starting out. They were tough. My business “wish I could do over” list contains the times I cheapened my work in order for it to sell (yuck).

And how many times way back in the day did I give images to commercial opportunities (commerical peeps should be paying!!) with the promise of “Oh, don’t worry, it’s a lot of exposure for your business, you’ll see!”

And not one call.

Getting no calls stinks. Getting no calls and no money for your hard work stinks all the more.

{And most of them forgot to credit my work. Eeep!}

Nothing hits a photographer’s confidence more than someone saying, “I don’t value your work enough to even pay you” . . . . even more detrimental when we say that to ourselves.

Think about what it really costs you to do a shoot for free. No, I’m not talking about vehicle milage, labor for loading & unloading the car, overhead, the actual shoot (though those things count!) —-> I am talking about what it costs by way of less time with your family, with your children.

I’m not even referring to “portfolio building” above. Yes, I do belive you can portfolio build without techically being “free”, however, I can understand why some photographers would do free images during their portfolio building season.

But seasons are just that, seasons. They have a set beginning and an end. Imagine perpetual summer. Sounds good in theory, but in practice you’d be over it after the 45th time the icecream man lapped around your block.

I’m referring to those varying situations (though there seems to be a common thread in most of them) in which the photographer KNOWS in their gut they are selling themselves short.

{Ever hear that sound in your head of your time being drastically sucked away? Sounds like “noo-noo” from Teletubbies only much more frightening. Maybe it’s just me.}

I want to hear from you. Do you have a story to share on this topic?

What would you tell yourself as a new photographer considering what you know now?

Until next time.

Oh yeah, if you liked this article —> share it and help your photographer friends know they don’t have to sell themselves short either.

Skye, xoxo

PS, the title “she works hard for the money” is just a song throwback. I know our guy photographers work hard for the money too baby!

< Vintage Posts

73 Comments Logged

holly penned:

We’ve done it many times! So many people think their exposure is just what we need. Although good exposure is a piece of the puzzle, nothing shows appreciation more than [something] for your efforts these days. [insert money or trade you actually want...]
zoe stewart penned:

I am all new to the photography game, and I only just found this amazing site. I would LOVE to have my own studio and of course all your info… but sadly, I just had a baby and my husband is no longer in the army so I cant afford it just yet.

When I first started, I wanted a good base to show people… hey, here is what I can do… and to do that, I thought I had to do it all for free… so I did. It was a hobby, that I wanted to make into a business. Then, friends thought hey, your pretty good, here’s my kid.. want some more practice? Then I’d throw in even more. After having my baby I decided to go for it, full time and see if I could actually get somewhere, but doing a load for free kinda damaged my reputation a little. I find it hard to know how and what to charge, I get shy when people ask me if I am any good and what my fee’s are and I am letting myself go too cheap, all because I did some free stuff. I work hard for the little I do get, sadly.
I was approached by a magazine, and asked if I would like an image on the front cover, in return for some info about me inside… I asked where they got their previous front covers from, turns out, they bought them from istock. Hurt a little, and made me feel like my work isnt worthy of being paid for. I dont recommend doing freebies to get started, makes life a lot harder,
Zoe xo
Bern penned:

Oh, goodness. Free sessions. I’m falling into this “trap”, Skye. I’m trying to gain exposure, build a strong group of clients who keep coming back for my services. I run specials, have contests, etc. But, yes, the “cost” of family time is often ignored. Partly because I am driven to build my business and think that this is what I’m supposed to do to get going and get out there. I never know what to charge for my work/services and still consider myself an amateur in some ways. So, an awakening has come to me and caused me to realize that the working for free aspect is influenced by my lack of self-confidence in my work. I want to be good at what I do, but I don’t know how much what I do is worth! I am being humble and honest with this post. Lol! I am anxious to see the feedback left by others and am wondering if anyone else shares the same feeling I have.

XOXO,
Bern
Erika Banks penned:

I have gotten suckered into this idea of free exposure more times that I’d like to admit! Definitely focus on receiving the value of your work, it’s so worth it!!
Megan Marhofer penned:

I have yet to be paid for a shoot. :( It kind of sucks, but I do feel I am getting a lot of practice since I am super new to the biz too. I know only a handful of people here, and my free “clients” know a lot… I am hoping it gets my name out a little bit. I don’t know an alternative form of marketing yet. :(
Just me penned:

Yea, so there is so much to say for working for “exposure”! but in a nutshell, I totally agree that its mostly a crock…

I have been in the business now for just over a year… I do ok, and I absolutely LOVE what I do. I would love the opportunity to grow and become… that said, I was approached by past clients of mine who had paid for my work about the opportunity to work for exposure. I listened, I thought, I talked to other friends about it. I made the decision to do it, and all based on this idea of ‘exposure’. Its a magical word… it encapsulates so much, the ideas of all those new people, potential new clients and friends, the big names knowing yours, having doors magically open… Exposed. And so it began.

The first event went well enough, as it was the first time for all, no one was really sure of what to expect…. No new calls, no new clients. Its ok, these things take time right? Second event is coming up. I wonder what is going on… I hear through the grapevine about the event. Its BIG! Its FABULOUS! Its EXPOSURE! Whoa, what? You asked another photographer? After all your promises- and me still in the dark, still completely unexposed- YOU ARE EXPOSING ANOTHER PHOTOGRAPHER? Really?

Moving on, things were discussed, and event number three rolls around. I did it again. Yea, stop looking at me like I have STUCK on STUPID on my face… You would have too…. right? Its a small event. No real new people are there for me to expose (ha-ha) myself too… I do the pictures, they go up…. and I wait. And wait… and wait. Wait, I am still waiting. La de da… now I really have SOS on my face, because I did yet annnnnother event. Another small event. Another event with little to no freaking exposure…. Fast forward to the present…

My throwback song, I heard it through the grapevine…….Another HUGE!WONDERFUL!LIFE CHANGING!SUPER EXPOSURE! event is happening… but that song keeps playing, cause again, I hear… YOU HAVE ASKED ANOTHER PHOTOGRAPHER. So. That bites. I mean, I don’t know if this other photographer feels the same way I do, or if she has gotten the exposure she may have been promised, but… all I can say is knowing now what I do, I would have made a better decision.

Oh, did I mention that before I had my epiphany on not working for exposure, I agreed to do a separate event for another group of past clients? However will I get these words off my face.

Thank you for allowing me to rant, and for having a place that I was able to just say how I feel! There are so many times you have discussions and I desperately want to partake, but worry about the negative exposure. (Pun intended).
Shutterbugz penned:

I can’t tell you how many times I have been suckered or have done promotional giveaways…. only for them to bite me later on!!! I do charge much cheaper than what I KNOW I am worth!! It’s a matter of getting the confidence to actually charge for that worth!!! I will someday but one thing I WILL NOT DO— Is freebies!!!! If I am going to take time away from my family and paying clients then your going to pay me for it!! I am asked all the time by “New” photographers wanting to know how I got where I am and all kinds of questions, I let them know that FREE is not the best way to go… because the customers that enjoy your free sessions will not return to you for a paid session PERIOD!!! I do do however kickbacks about 2 or 3 times a year for returning customers with mini sessions…. and to allow a few people that can’t afford a normal $400 session to get in for a low price!! And so far that has worked for me!! LOL!!
Susan Fischer penned:

Well, for those just starting out and trying out new things, a free shoot is a good way to get experience. I’ve been doing that with newborn photography. I’m trying to figure it all out so I’ve had a couple of free shoots to help me out. And I’d for sure do donation/charity/whathaveyou. And every now and then, a fun giveaway is a good way to promote your business. IMO. Not to do it all the time, but just every so often.
Ally penned:

I once read a photographer say “you want your clients to hire you for your work not for being the cheap photographer” YIKES! I would NEVER want to be known as “the cheap photographer”. After hearing that I raised my prices and have done 3x what I did the previous year. I love what I do but I will not give my time and talent away when I have a family who needs me more :)
Nikki penned:

I’m just starting out too. My introductory offer was: waiver the $80 session fee, purchase JPG images at $5 each and in return I could use the images for promotional purposes. Cheap cheap cheap!! I actually had people try to get the images from their session for free because the images “weren’t very good” … Funny – if they weren’t very good then why did they still want them?! I thanked them for their feedback {cough splutter} and told them they didn’t have to order any they did not want … and I would happily put the images they did want on a disk – at the cost of $5 each. They ordered & they paid! Free images are the same as a No Sale in your pocket … you lose nothing by asking to be reimbursed for your time and effort.
Angel penned:

I have been dabbling in professional photography for the last 11 years and am still getting hooked with the “exposure” bait. I am just withering away…waiting for my business to take off, you know…thanks to all that free stuff I have given away in the name of Exposure. I have had many paying gigs, but for the most part, I work primarily for free. It has seriously damaged my self esteem. Maybe I should just dial up my prices and then sit back and make them beg!! Would be fitting… maybe… if I could keep from getting overtly excited at getting the business… darn that double edged sword!
Belinda Perkins penned:

I am a newbie and yes I have done my fair share of freebies. I just started to charge recently and was just charging for the session and including the CD . . . . Finally broke free from giving away my images and now I am charging for prints. But so scary with prices, because I am struggle with how to price everything. I know I have so much still to learn, but yet I am getting tons of referrals. Many seem frightening by my prices (I think these folks are just used to JCPenney’s and Sears prices) and have never had custom portraits done. I know I priced myself lower than the pros for now as far as print prices. Lots of people see my work, inquire, and then run. Should I lower my already low prices . . . frustrating.
Kristin Guynn penned:

Hahahaha! So funny that you wrote this(hence the obnoxious over-use of haha’s) I learned this lesson this past week actually!…well….it’s been a long time coming. I would realize what I was doing then, thinking it was a good opportunity, do it again..Can we say glutton for punishment?
This past week has put a clincher on what I thought I learned. A while back I agreed to do a ‘friends’ wedding for WAY cheap. Unfortunately the bride was really demanding, didn’t like my style of photography, and decided I needed to do more. It has been the most eye opening journey of my professional career!
What I learned? If someone isn’t willing to pay for you, you obviously aren’t a good fit! Wait for the people that love your work and are willing to pay for it come along. They will eventually. So stop worrying. Keep working towards getting better at what you do and the right clients will come a long. At least that’s what I keep telling myself.
heather floyd penned:

I am also about to run into that trap but stop myself each time.. It is really hard to value your work but you have to have confidence that you are worth what you charge. Not the other way around and not everyone is meant to like your work. Just those that are willing to pay for it :)
Alison Rab penned:

I am loving reading this! I am curious, how DO you get exposure, and build a portfolio if you don’t have a portfolio to begin with? I have been *learning* for 6 years now, have yet to make the plunge ( even though I have won photo contests and such) and the main subjects in my six year portfolio are mainly my kids… I am determined to *go into business* this year! I was going to do the *free* as in you let me use you for advertising and in return you get *some* free photos… have lots knocking the door down for that offer! Just hard to know how to break down that barrier without a *barter* of you let me use you and I will give you something in return… any suggestions?
Mel penned:

Been through the same thing…but I guess at first it was just my hobby. But once I started taking myself more seriously and realized (after my photo partner pointed out) I take amazing photos. I take what I do seriously and with that others have begun to take me more seriously, too. Last year, we started doing weddings for nearly peanuts. In fact we did 6 weddings for next to nothing. About halfway through the summer, we realized that it wasn’t just the wedding day that we were away from our family, but countless hours of processing time…never again. Another thing we encountered was bring cheap photographers put us within reach of a clientele that expects EVERYTHING RIGHT NOW!

Your time, my time, it’s priceless. Never compromise price just to get a foot in the door. Chances are you won’t want the job once you get it
Shannon penned:

As a spouse to a service member, this means a mobile lifestyle, and loss of clientele. I came into this busines about nine months ago professionally and was booming up until I had to move. Overseas, no less. Now, I’m competing with four other military spouse photographers and I’ve fallen into the rut of giving out a few freebies just to get my name back out in the field. I do offer free sessions as part of the organization Operation Love Reunited (www.oplove.org) but I also need to replenish my pockets both professionally and personally (helloooo, familiy time!). Not easy moving and re-establishing your client base. Great topic!
Cate Scaglione penned:

I remember one woman called and said she had a “special needs” child. She had seen my work from her friends’ holiday card. She wanted me to do her family portraits with the promise of getting me “IN” with the special needs crowd. I cringed at her suggestion, it just all felt so awkward. Anyway, I agreed to do the shoot for her, but when trying to book it, it was as if SHE was doing ME a favor…never available on any dates I’d suggest and even cancelled on me twice! I stopped taking her annoying calls and we never ended up booking it.

That taught me a lesson: people place more value on your work when they have something invested in it (monetarily and therefore emotionally). My best clients are those who pay full price and give me referrals, where all the “freebies” and “cheapies” I’ve handed out never order a thing. I came to realize the cheapies are the Sears crowd, and I think we’d all prefer they just stay at Sears. LOL.

Sometimes I feel like I have a lot of nerve charging what I do…I hate discussing prices. After all, in my own head I am not this stellar photographer yet. Yet, strangely enough people keep coming to me or noticing the work. I think by nature artists tend to be humble, introspective people who sometimes lack confidence because our work is subjective. But the laws of simple economics (demand!) give us the objectivity we need to get what we deserve to get paid.

All this said, I would love to get published in a magazine for free ONLY for the purposes of stating on my own site (to draw customers) saying I was in X, Y, or Z publications. It gives me the cred I need and a lot of cache.
Alisha Lopez penned:

Well I am still on the NEW side to people photography, but I did recently start a prop business and I offered to “give away” some pieces with the understanding that in return the givee would take a picture of a child with the prop and tag me in the photo (exposure, plus I would have the items actually ON a child). Well low and behold I am watching the FB feed one day and POP comes a picture with my prop by the photog who got it for free and No tag, no thank you, NADA. SO…. lesson learned. it only took 1 (so called famous) photog on FB to mess it up and teach me a valuable lesson!!!!

As the old saying goes, I guess nothing beats beating the pavement!!!

I am still going to be at a loss for quite some time on the charging for people photos….. gonna have to think on this one a bit so I am fair to my self and my clients.

Thanks for the posts!!!!
Lisa Henriksen penned:

My business isn’t up an running yet.. I’ve only just started on my portfolio as the only subjects I’ve photographed are my own kids, a few friends kids and my neice, (which were all practice shoots for me).. So now that I’m feeling more confident in my abilities as a photographer.. I’ve decided I needed some more variety in my portfolio. I’m charging $60 Australian Dollars (Which is next to nothing) for an hour shoot with 20 images on a disk (10 in colour & the same 10 in black and white), I also have rights to use any of the photos for my own advertizing etc & I’ve called it my “PORTFOLIO BUILDING OFFER” (very borning i know!) I’ve only offered 6 of these.. and they’ve all been snapped up pretty quickly.. so any clients who wish for me to be their photographer from now on will have to pay full price. Is what I’ve done not the best wayto go about building my portfolio??

Skye do you have any opinions or advice on/for what I’ve explained above? or Anyone else ?, your feedback is all welcome :)
Tiffany Pond penned:

You are so right for addressing this. I think we have all done it at some point. I am not new to the business but struggle sometimes with my marketing and promotion. I worked for a local magazine for the price of an ad. I worked soooo hard on many different assignments well over the cost of my ad. My work was often not displayed how I would represent myself, (strange cropping, bad printing color, etc). They gave me credits which often I didn’t want based on how my images looked in their magazine. I decided that my work and time was worth much more to me so I quit. I was then called through PPA to do some photos for a national chain and my image ended up on the cover of their annual report. That was satisfying and I got paid very well!!! Don’t sell your self short!!
Bernie penned:

When you are starting out and you haven’t quite got your flow yet what better way than to do it for free…your subjects can purchase prints from you but there’s no incentive to pay an amateur for a sitting fee when they are still working out the bugs. Once you have a good grasp of your style and equipment you can start charging a fee for sitting and so on. How on earth are you going to gain experience?? What’s the first thing you want to look at when you want to get your picture taken?? It’s the pjotographers portfolio. How does a photographer build a portfolio?? By taking pictures! Don’t get too big for your britches. Keep building and trying new ideas. You will end up with so much more in the long run!
Elizabeth Halford penned:

Yup. When I first started, I got conned into doing free work for a salon ‘in view of future work’ as the owner put it. Guess what? She called the next year and wanted free again. And why? “In view of future work”. So I said, “This IS the future work!” And also said sayonara to miss cheapie.
Melanie Nicklin penned:

I have not done many free sessions, but I have priced myself pretty low for friends and family, and am still getting complaints on pricing for things like Gallery Wraps and other Fine Art pieces. So much, that I have a few “clients” that have not even fulfilled their order that came with the session fee. The other product I have been selling myself short on is the digital files. I had been offering 5-10 on CD with the session and had not set a price for upgrade to all edited images, so I priced it very low to try to be helpful to a college student, and then did the same fora family member since I did not have a set price. That is why I have set up product and digital collections with their gallery and session fees only cover my time, talent, and travel as of the new year. All session fees and deposits are done through paypal and all orders are done through my gallery hosting site. I request that they complete a collection order with a minimum purchase within 3 weeks after the gallery posting, if not, then they will be charged for the smallest digital package and sent a paypal invoice. I have twelve years experience, so while I need a portfolio, I feel that I should not have to discount myself. Knowing many are being successful at a much higher price bracket, I feel I can price reasonably for now and then offer discounts and print credits. I only started my own business a few months ago, but hope this helps avoid those “traps” in the future. Thank you all for sharing.
Diana penned:

It is very true. I am still in my portfolio building stage and May last year an
organisation where I served my internship knew I photographed, and one
day emailed me if I could photograph on their annual congress. They wanted
me to go to paris and they only paid for my exspenses (travel, hotel and food)
but no fee… I worked for 3 days, starting very early in the morning til
late in the evening… I was away from my 6 month baby and my husband.
This was supposed to be my great exposure, and verbally was said I could
use this images on my portfolio…

After I got back… I spent 2 weeks of editing and in the meanwhile they kept
emailing me for a previews of the photos. After I was done I gave them
a DVD with 300 pictures…

I published some of those on my portfolio… and after a few months I
got an angry email saying I had to remove these photos from my
website, although verbally they had promissed me differently. I was
too naive, too of good trust…

All my hard work, long travel, and the time away from my little baby girl… I did
everything for nothing… They don’t even credit me when using
those pictures… I was really dissappointed.

I had to learn it the hard way… I won’t do any free sessions anymore,
and if in some exeptional cases I do…. I make sure they sign a portrait
agreement…
Ian Hamilton penned:

Yesterday someone got in touch through a mutual friend for landscape images – I’m a wedding and portrait shooter but landscapes are a passion, and some have sold well. I didn’t want to turn her away, so I emailed her to find out what exactly the images would be used for. She’s into holistic healing and wanted some stunning landscapes so that she could create a slideshow to music for her website – the slideshow would run on a digital frame at shows, and clients would be able to download the show from her site to relax before their sessions with her.
Whilst I have sympathy for her I had to be brutal and say there was no way I could help – images have a commercial value, and those shots were the result of countless hours of fruitless trips at 4am waiting for the right conditions. It’s funny how people’s perception of the worth of images has diminished in this digital age.
To summarise – don’t give it away!
Siegrid penned:

Funny you come up with this right now… I have raised my prices enormously this year (for wedding photography) after I’d actually sat down and calculated the hours that go into it. Including Bridal talk, putting an offer together, Engagement shoot, the wedding day all the editing and the first album design I came to over 40 hours! YIKES! I overworked myself so much last year that I was so ill I could barely got out of bed for a whole of 3 weeks over Christmas.
No, this year I want to make more money, invest less time and be happy with myself. Quality instead of Quantity!!!
One of my Brides contacted me last week after she received my offer for photographing a 12hour wedding. She had passed that offer on to another photographer in the area and got back to me saying: “We have another VERY attractive offer. Now will you make a price IMPROVEMENT on your offer” UHHHMMM let me think… NO WAY! I was really mad – especially because they were the richest couple I had met so far. And a few days later I replied very polite explaining that I would NOT change my prices for them. After all how unfair would that be to all the other couples who want me and my work and pay the full price? She has not replied yet… And I couldn’t care less. Work is important but being happy about what you do and confident with your work and is even more important. And that will not happen if you take on any job, no matter what they pay! x
Brenda Horan penned:

It’s pretty simple – really. Most people do not put any value on the things that come free or easy to them. After 13 years in business, I still have people ask me to do things for free. The only thing I do for free is shoot my family or best friends kids – everyone else pays. Unless it’s MY IDEA to give away a session or a portrait. I have a policy to give a 30% discount to teachers, fire fighters, police, ministers and active duty servicemen. It’s my own personal thing because I believe they are under paid so it’s my way of giving back in appreciation. They appreciate it!
Charge what the market will bear in your area – investigate what the other photographers offer and match yourself up with someone who does similar style work – be HONEST about your abilities. If you are a newbie don’t match your prices to that of a Master Photographer. Create a niche for yourself.
If you give your clients creative work, good customer service they will WANT to refer you to their friends.
Exposure…. well I’ve done charity events before where I offer a free 16×20 and session to the lucky silent bidder – probably 2-3 of them per year in the 13 years I’ve been in business – only 2 of them have ever called me. I keep doing it because when I am allowed to put up a 20×24 image on a easle in a room of people – my work will get noticed and I will get calls from people who saw it – so for me – it’s no loss all gain. Be particular and be creative as to where your work is seen.
Lastly, anyone who wants something for free or asks for your services for free will not be the type of customer you want in the long run. They will either not be able to afford it or be a pain in the butt.
The only advice I would offer new photographers is that you should probably invest a little in yourself – buy Skye’s workbook – it def. works – changed my business model and now I am making over $150k per year and working less days. Invest in yourself because you don’t want to make more mistakes and take longer to reach your goals. The workbook was my present to myself after feeling stuck – I read it twice thru and implemented her plan as much as I could in my market and it worked!
I am not being paid to say that either.
Then I would also suggest you find a photographer who you love and ask them to mentor you. Everyone needs a little polishing here and there.
And one last thing – do not sell images on a disc. That is killing this business faster than anything.
Dirk Witt penned:

Great article Skye! My do-over starting out in photography would be to run it more like a business. We tend to get caught up doing stuff that’s “fun” like Photoshop, design, and “getting your name out there”. I never saw an uptick just by getting my name out there – what does that even really mean?

What I would have done on my do-over is dive-in and really hit marketing hard. Get displays up in stores, do email blasts, get a blog up, do direct mail, etc.

Also the most effective marketing, IMO, is the take an active role in making this happen. Call people, get referrals and call those people, find a good live auction, work with a charitable organization, etc. These are the things I wished I had done a better job of starting out. There is always the element of art, but if you want to make a living by creating art, you have to be able to support yourself, and have time left over for other important things in your life.
Siegrid penned:

ups just wrote a huge story and now it’s disappeared… :( Well long story short NEVER undersell. Because that will make you very frustrated very quickly. And this will not be good for your creativity… People who want you for the job will be happy to pay for it. The ones that start haggling for a “better” price do not deserve what you can do! x
Jacquilyn Avery penned:

A friend broke it down to me like this once when I was complaining about someone canceling an appointment because they didn’t realize “Just the CD would cost $100.00″ I was totally flabbergasted considering how low my CD pricing is to begin with. It was a shoot I was really looking forward to and I was bummed. My friend’s reply went something like this, ” If they don’t value custom portraiture then they wont value you and therefore you don’t want them as a client anyway.” She related it to people who are really into wine, they will visit vineyards and pay incredible amounts of money for a single glass/bottle of fine wine, something she could never understand. The same is for custom portraiture, if someone does not value it they won’t spend the money, refer their friends etc. So why give them a free photo shoot? She continued to tell me , “Set your prices and don’t apologies. If you feel your prices are fair for your talent and hard work then there is no need to lower for anyone.” I replied to the woman telling her I appreciated her interest and wished the best for her and her family and left it at that. The next day I booked three sessions. :)

***If you go to my site you may be confused since I am currently running a facebook promotion for 50% off sessions and free newborn sessions. So what am I even talking about! But I do think there is a time and place for “sales/marketing” I opened a brand new studio in January and wanted a lot of buzz. In addition I am expecting in March and will be taking some time off so I wanted to fill my calendar and build some new clientele for when I return. So far this sale has been very successful for me and for the first time I have started generating clients that aren’t friends or friends of friends etc. I’ve found however, that people that don’t book at the regular price aren’t booking at the sale price either which reinforces the lesson of not making excuses for the price in which you value your work! ***
Jennifer Juni penned:

I started my business a year ago. I had kind of already done some portfolio building before starting it, so I never really did the ‘free’ session thing. I’ve priced myself the way I feel I’m supposed to as far as my training goes (considering I’ve had none… other than articles and forums online. Oh and friends who have gone to school for photography have given me advice). I actually pray about what my prices should be. I have total confidence that I am no longer selling myself short. A part of the reason I am priced at what I am right now is because of my location. I am in a small town in northern Minnesota. I’m not saying that people won’t pay big bucks. But for me, in this time of my life. I feel confident that I charge what I am supposed to charge. Thanks!
Danielle Pyeatte penned:

I am so glad to have seen this today. I have been struggling with pricing, etc. for some time now. I am new to the professional end of this and am learning things the hard way. It is amazing how people will take advantage of you. I have had to reword so much of my bid sheet because clients will find the smallest loophole and take advantage. In some cases it is a good lesson learned…the hard way.
I think as photographers we need to start having more confidence in ourselves. I have a very close friend who is an AMAZING photographer and I find myself comparing my work to hers all the time and thinking she is so much better. I make sure I do not charge near what she does and recognize that she had an art degree, has more experience than I and is a master at photoshop. Funny enough, she is the one who shared a great quote with me: You will never get to be #1 by chasing the current #1/competition. Stand in your own light-make it shine!!! I love her. She is teaching me to just love what I do and the people who like my work will find me. If someone does not feel I am “up to par” that is ok with me now. Everyone has their own style and taste. Even me :)
I am done with free sessions. I do a small amount of charity work for free but it stops there. I just shoot my kids and nieces and nephews like crazy! I thought people looking at my portfolio might get sick of seeing the same faces over and over…but they don’t. It gives me practice and forces me to keep the memories of my kids going. I don’t want to get so busy documenting everyone else’s kids that I forget my own!
Good luck to all of you in your endeavors and have fun!
Rena Durham penned:

It’s funny that this topic is being brought up…I was just asked if I would be interested in shooting a kid with whom I have done headshots for previously – they paid me! (a young actress and singer who is up and coming with no substantial credits) for FREE in exchange for them giving me exposure. I will be their photographer, they will mention me on their sites, they wanted to video tape the shoot for a portion on a youtube video, etc. Exposure! I haven’t completely said no BUT I did mention to them that I am already an established photographer and that the publicity/exposure would have to be REALLY good and well worth it. I also said that it would need to be in writing. I think drawing up an agreement laying out exactly what you are giving them and what they are promising to give you is essential.

I shoot mostly young celebrities and I find that in this business everyone wants something for free (okay maybe not everyone but it comes up more often than not) – if they can get it! It amazes me sometimes. It’s like they are doing ME a favor. There are times when you just need to put your foot down and know that you are worthy of being paid and respected!

I also find that photographers hurt the market by NOT charging or not charging enough. I work very hard at what I do and am worth the rates I charge. BUT if the client can get it cheaper or FREE somewhere else then they will go that route. I think it all comes down to placing a value on your work and your time.
Kristin Cast penned:

Skye, I just want you to know it’s not by chance I ran across this post today. I have been praying and praying about my business and what I have been charging, and this was my answer! I needed to read this today. Thank you Skye!
Christy Lynch penned:

I actually practiced saying, in a mirror, how much my charges were, and when asked by the client, I would say the prices were half because I didn’t want them to call someone else! Turns out, it hurt rather than helped. Just recently, I was successful in quoting the starting price of my wedding coverage, and the client gasped and replied, “Good grief! That is waaaay too expensive!!!”. Normally I would try and work it into the client’s budget and simultaneously cheapening my worth as a photographer. Most people can’t understand how your pricing comes to be, because they don’t realize the work that goes into the actual shoot. I’ve stopped chasing those clients. I am a busy working mother, so I choose to put my efforts into clients that understand the value of a integrity based business, and are willing to pay. I’ve enjoyed building my business with these types of people.
YouAreValuable penned:

Oh, no, please don’t do FREE! I’m always amazed at the photographers that sell a complete CD with 50 pictures for $100. Really? After the federal government gets their share (assuming these togs report their earnings), they might have $70 in their pocket. So $70/50 photos = 2.33 per photo OR $8.75/hour if a typical session/editing/ordering/emailing/phone calling/traveling to and from session costs 8 hours of time. And to make a small profit of $2000/month doing photography… well, that tog would have to do at least 30 sessions a month BUT that wouldn’t even cover business expenses like business cards, web hosting, website/blog, business license, liability insurance, displays, samples, props, OH and don’t forget upgrading the equipment… that’s several thousand for a new camera body or lens so make that 60-70 sessions per month.

I want to say – VALUE yourself! You are VALUABLE and worth way more than $8 per hour!
Krystal Olmstead penned:

I am definitly in this category. My husband is in the military so even If I build up clients in one state when we move to the next I will have to start over. I am barely starting (self-taught) so stil learning and have a far way to go I never thought of this as a business until people saw my pictures of family and friends and started to encourage me to take it up as a business so when I decided to do this I didnt know where to start and how to compete with the already established photographers in my area except to run a free session contest and half off specials I even offered totake pictures of my friends and their family to build my portfolio. But now alot of people expect me to do it for free or for practically free. What a nightmare, I just wish they saw really how much time work and money goes into this especially when you are just starting and have to buy better equipment lenses lighting etc.
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charlena penned:

One thing I’m learning now is NOT to do business with family members or even close friends , Ive been doing photography for quite sometime now , but just started as a business last year , Ive only got paid for one job and that was because the lady wanted to , so it was more of a tip , I still have to pay for her prints because she I didnt make it clear that although it was a free session you still had to pay for prints so now my 75 dollar tip will be used to pay for her prints . Im really putting a lot of money into this and not making a profit , I have two young kids and Im trying to make this a success so I dont have to sit at a 9 to5 that I hate , and able to conduct my business at home with my children , last week I almost quit everything and I even posted my camera on craigslist, but after a good talk with a friend I made a choice to tuff it out , So Im taking a break from advertising a business that clearly wasnt ready to be launched and going to really plan this out carefully , read my workshop workbook and other resources I have carefully and make sure I stay far away from people who just want that free picture .
Heather Stokes Mullin penned:

I am in this exact place in my business right now. I do not have any business. I saw the other day that there is a girl (no name) that is a photographer that is advertising free photography. It is tempting but NO. I have been there done that. What I am doing in this slow time is reading photography books, good online info to get better and be better when I get started again. I am using this slow time to grow. YES, it is frustrating not having any business, but I will not sell myself short anymore. Thank you for this post because it has really gotten me pumped to do the right thing. To keep doing what I am doing and then when the calls start coming in, they will. Thank you!
Heather
Erin Perkins penned:

In the beginning I had a lil too much humble pie & was way too low key lacking confidence & working constantly to prove my own self worth. I was given a voice through my images & yet didn’t use it. My problem was being afraid of failure. In the process I allowed many times to be taken advantage of. My fault but I have not failed. Working for free to prove something didn’t help my confidence!
Kathy Scigliano-wildflower photography penned:

ooohhh, how i am the poster child for this- i am just getting my foot in the door for portraits and like others so want to build my portfolio and get the experience at the same time, i think it is because i lack the confidence of thinking i know what it is i am doing.. i am totally self taught no classes except the one i took in the 10th grade which was a long time ago- and the one studio lighting class i took about 4 weeks ago and just about forgot all i learned the second i walked out the door- i want to charge and when i discuss to a potential client what i might charge it seems they think its too much when i know in my head it is waaaayyyyy to low- uuuggghhhhh- what to do- it is so frustrating- there are so many things i need to get to make a session go better- for one a new camera would be nice – but i think the props i have and the tools i use are good- and i have done pics for FREE and the clients i have done this for love the pics- so how to get them to pay me????? well maybe not them but the ones in the future-??
Jessica penned:

I decided to start portfolio building about a year ago and worked up to a least a good variety of about 30 different images to showcase. I really did not mind doing those images for free because to me it was a win-win situation. I was able to build my confidence working with children learning what worked and what did not with each shoot. I only started charging once I felt I could get 90% of the shot. Even now on some of my paying sessions I’ve royally screwed up and have had to offer reshoots. So I am driven to get better and better so I can jack those prices up. All of my business is referrals from those free portfolio building sessions!
Christina@Red Corduroy Media Group {Photography} penned:

It is entirely frustrating when starting out because to practice and get better, you need people to photograph! Ideally, the easiest thing is to photograph people for “free.” The problem is they then expect you to give them everything else for free–and then they refer you to their friends who also expect everything else for free. Pretty soon you’re in a whirlwind of working for free NOT doing what you want to do instead of pacing yourself and getting paid the good money you’re worth. People who don’t value photography shouldn’t even be a blip on your radar. People who do value photography–those who see the art in your photographic vision and are willing to pay for such quality–are the ones you need to focus on.
Catherine Nguyen penned:

Thanks for a great reminder (in hard times) that we should be getting paid for our work! Pretty fresh out of school a few years ago, I took on a work-for-hire job that paid, but woefully little considering the number of hours per day I worked. And I kept telling myself it was worth it because I would be gaining experience. My work suffered, I suffered, and in the end, I can’t use any of the work in my portfolio!

On the subject of shooting for portfolio, I think it is ok to work for free when you’re experimenting with a new style or way of shooting. It frees you to truly push your creativity in a way perhaps paid work might be hindered by client expectations. Of course, there should be a “season” with a definitive beginning and end, as you mentioned.

Thanks again for a great read.
elizabeth pellette penned:

I have recently been agonizing over my pricing. I raised my prices some .. but then it seemed to high.. I live in a smallish ruralish community and the money just is not there like it is for people who live and work in a large city.. So what to do. I want to work.. I love what I do.. but I also don’t want to be giving away my work either. I thought a new year was a great time to raise my prices.. the few people who did contact me pretty much told me I was way too expensive.. or that they couldn’t afford me.. I am not going to lower my prices so much because someone can’t afford me .. but still I did change stuff around a bit and all.. but I don’t know.. I just plain old feel lost with this whole pricing thing..

Elizabeth
Megan Rogers penned:

It’t my time now! Thats what I have written on a post it on my desk right now! I am at that stage as well … I am selling my soul to these people to just have them turn and go with the cheeper photographer just becasue she is cheeper .. …. I am about to this week change my prices to be the real deal ! Am i scared heck ya but I now see that its not worth it to let my family loose out on momma for those who want to pay Walmart prices ! I cant wait to be able to buy your book but I know i just know I will win it !
Lisa C penned:

Ugh, ain’t this true. I struggle with this because I have a lot of friends and family who can’t afford my regular prices. I know that’s a little different, but I think the same truth applies. As for regular clients, I really do try to make sure I’m getting a fair cut.

And I think this can also apply to the *type* of photography. I get people wanting me to do head shots for their business, and to me that just sounds so BORING. It’s not like they want to pay me full ‘artistic’ fees, either. So I’ve learned to turn those down, even though I get very little business. Like you said, it’s not worth it if it means spending time away from my family.
krissy penned:

Like many of the other posters here, i too have been struggling with pricing. Ive done some research for what the local photogs in the area charge, and though people who see my work tell me i should be charging similarly i dont have that same confidence. I made the mistake of offering a free session to one of my friends from a group im in as a baby gift for her and as soon as she posted them i had a slew of emails from other moms in our group wanting free pictures of their children also. FRUSTRATING!! Im caught up in figuring out what im worth based on the my work and my experience (self taught with help from a friend, no real training). I did some research online and what ive found is that it is detrimental to your business and to the industry in your area to undercut your local photogs. Yes, they are competition but they are also part of the community and most (not all haha) are willing to help up and comers. So ive set my prices at $150.00 for a session 1-2 hours and that includes a disk with 25 printable images (Cheap for the area i live in) this is about 40-50% less than what other people are charging. I do get a lot of “well im not sure that i can afford that right now” and i just say “well just let me know when youre ready and ill be happy to set up a session with you” but so far not too many people want to pay that. But im confident that it’ll start to work out. I just need to be more confident.

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