Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

epoh · **Giving away the farm. -** 01-14-2008, 04:08 PM

Ack. Can I just ask, what is with people wanting to give away so much of their business? I fail to see how they benefit, as they are loosing out on hundreds of dollars. Not to mention they drag everyone else down with them.

I am only a part-time photographer, as I have a fulltime job. But I still feel I have something to offer a client, and I feel my time is worth something. I am not going to shoot for free, or just give away my digital negatives. I just got a call for someone looking for a wedding photographer and one of the first thing she mentions is that another photographer was asking the "super high price" of $1900 to shoot the wedding and give them a cd of all the photos so they can do whatever they want with them. This was apparently way out of their price range. I have my base wedding rate on my site ($800), I guess I need to either remove that or explain better that that price is just for my time, not for prints. Bah. I am thinking this is not going to be the job for me.

This is one of the reasons I haven't put more time into really starting up my photography business (I am just word-of-mouth right now.) Am I the only one who is frustrated by this kind of thing?

dbphotos · 01-14-2008, 04:16 PM

No you're not. If you do a search you will find many different threads on this issue. Most are in agreement but some feel that giving away their services for "experience" is worth it. If I were in a debate I could make a case for both, but I'm of the opinion that you don't give away your work to customers. If you're talking about a non-profit, that's a different story.

Actually if you check the Wedding forum you'll find some threads on this issue.

CaptainTom · 01-14-2008, 04:24 PM

I think that if you have a full time day job, it should be illegal to be a part time photographer !!

JPalmer · 01-14-2008, 04:26 PM

Unless you're a full-time photographer... then basically you are an all-times photographer.

CaptainTom · 01-14-2008, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPalmer

Unless you're a full-time photographer... then basically you are an all-times photographer.

??

barP · 01-14-2008, 05:01 PM

i looked at your website and you have nice work. i think you ARE giving it away. as a salesman, i can say that sometimes you have to - all of something is better than none of everything. however, it should be strategic.

that said, i also believe photography is hard - if you do it right. making money at it is really hard. making great money at it is ridiculously hard. it just boils down to what you want.

at the end of the day, you either believe or leave.

wp.

epoh · 01-14-2008, 07:03 PM

Thank you wp. I am keeping my prices low for now because I don't feel I have enough of a portfolio to really demand higher rates. Plus, so far everyone I am shooting is either friend/family or a friend of a friend/family member. If I ever stop being lazy and start getting clients that are non-related in any fashion I will probably start to increase my prices.

HutchPhoto · 01-14-2008, 07:29 PM

Quote:

I have my base wedding rate on my site ($800), I guess I need to either remove that or explain better that that price is just for my time, not for prints. Bah. I am thinking this is not going to be the job for me.

YES explain it better I don't see putting that on your site! Why charge $800 for your time and all they get for that is Oh we got Amy to photography our wedding but we can't afford to see the photos because $800 was for her time ONLY we can buy the photos next year.

I might put $1195.87 inclludes $200 print credit..

.

a2rob · 01-14-2008, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

I think that if you have a full time day job, it should be illegal to be a part time photographer !!

Okay, this just flew straight over my head?

Hooked on Phonics Worked for me!!

rhoffart · 01-14-2008, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

I think that if you have a full time day job, it should be illegal to be a part time photographer !!

Now that is funny ...

... and only full time photographers can buy digital SLR's

LonestarMan · 01-14-2008, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

I think that if you have a full time day job, it should be illegal to be a part time photographer !!

I sure do not agree with this comment, but you are entitled to your opinion.

hbwise · 01-14-2008, 10:30 PM

What if you are a full time photographer with a part time job? Or if you have a job but THINK about photography full time? Or maybe you think you have a job but have a full time photographer?

deep_creek · 01-14-2008, 10:56 PM

Off topic perhaps, but I was looking into jumping into the DSLR world a couple of years ago. I met a fellow at a local Camera store who took the time to spend a little over an hour with me discussing my interests, his interests in photography, the routes to take, etc...

I'll never forget these words, "If you decide you really enjoy photography, never do it as a living." "All my weekends are tied up shooting weddings, birthday parties... I don't have time anymore to enjoy what I love."