Cause I can't compete. I think I'm gonna start at around $250.00 for 2 hours and all of their proofs like the most well known studio does here in town. I might throw in a DVD of the files too. I'm sooooooooooo tired of hearing 'She's too expensive.' I'd rather be really cheap and actually get to take pictures than to be too expensive and sit on my rear most weekends. Sigh...

sigh...

i'll sit with you in this. i've been there before, too.

i don't have other words, just wanted to let you know that i hear you.

julie

(or do you want me to say that no, you shouldn't lower your prices? i'm willing to play that role if you want...)

Haha!! No you don't have to say anything about prices. I'm just frustrated. It seems today that I'm not the only one! What is going on?? I wish I had a dollar for everytime I've heard - 'I'm using Ahmann's' - this year. I'd be so rich. Brides in this area don't see the difference and I suppose that is my fault because I am not marketing the right way or something. Who knows. But I really am thinking of doing a $250 package. Other people do it.

is this for real! is your saturday's not worth more than $250... i may be the **butthole** here... but i just dont get it. You cant possibly make a living shooting for $250 so what is the point? Im just curious?

Um, well, I'm really just kidding. Ya know - venting. Cause my husband is tired of listening to me. But - if I did lower my prices I would be shooting a wedding EVERY single Saturday around here I bet. And taking pictures is what I like to do.

I'll chime in and be sorta' a butthead too.

Nothing is stopping you from "taking pictures" as you call it. Just walk out your door, camera in hand, and start shooting. In fact, you don't even have to go out your door. You have a world of immense beauty right in front of you.

But if you want to be a professional photographer and run a business, well, that's different. What are you doing to market yourself to clients in your price range? Are you hitting the streets daily to get your name out, to network, to connect with vendors and potential clients? Are you going to be able to support a thriving, profitable business at $250 a gig? Very unlikely.

I was in your position not too long ago. I made the immense mistake of lowering my prices to get work coming in. I reasoned the same as you, "I'd be better off getting something and shooting than getting nothing." Worst mistake I think I ever made as a photographer!!! To this day I am regretting that decision, and now that I am trying to get not just what I think I'm worth, but what I need to actually stay in business, it's like starting all over again.

You need to be out there constantly promoting and exposing yourself and your business. And while you are waiting for the RIGHT clients, get out there and take some pictures! It never hurts to keep refining your skills and training your eye. And who knows, maybe you'll discover something new and exciting in the process!

I gotta agree with Bruce. Hang in there Colleen! You do great work and you're worth waaaaaay more than $250.

I understand that it may be frustrating to not be taking pictures when that is what you want to do so badly. My Grandparents live in Ephrata so I realize that the market is certainly much different then here in seattle. I personally love you images. I checked out your price list and I would consider several things.
1. you should probably raise your hourly wage up from $100 per hour. You should be shooting at around $200-300 for your current packages to make sense. If I were a bride I would just get the minimum package and add a couple hours.
2. Do you want to be editing a wedding the whole week thinking to yourself that the nice people at McDonalds are getting paid more than you per hour for unskilled labor.
3. I think you already realize this but you may be marketing yourself wrong for your area. If you say that a studio is taking most of your business then you might need a change of marketing techniques. Try to think of things that you can truly and honestly set yourself apart with. Work super hard to provide the best customer service ever. Be very personal with the clients that you have and the clients that you want. Push the fact that if you know someone better on there wedding day you will know how to take better pictures of them. BE BETTER, more creative and more fun than the Studio. Give away stuff to your brides that they can carry around in their wallets. Basically the studio is marketing to people who want cheap photography and have the "oh, i guess i should get a photographer" mindset. You probably don't want these clients anyway because they are not the clients that will refer you.
4. If you must consider throwing in your DVD with your packages. This is the current trend and most brides will come to expect it in the end.


OK, I've ranted for long enough too. That helped me let off some steam as well.

I kinda had the same problem. I just wasn't booking weddings. Most people say not to lower your prices, and I actually think that is correct. But I did. I lowered my price and booked 2 weddings right away. Now I might regret lowering my prices in the long run, but I needed to book some jobs. My prices are still start over $1000 but I dropped my price $400.

I almost wonder if all the brides are ether low price brides or high price brides? I was in the middle before so I wasn't booking anything. Maybe I should have raised my prices to see if that worked. oh well.

$250 is still too much. How about $24.95?

I would leave your prices just the way they are. Your work is amazing. Don't sell your self short.
I raised my prices this year. And I'm not getting as many calls as I was but I look at it like this. If I charge $1000 for a wedding and I do 10 weddings thats $10,000 dollars. But If I do 5 weddings at $2000 thats still $10,000. So I'm still making money and I know the Lord will bless. I do a lot of Families and Children shoot to so that helps a lot also.
Godbless

You think so?? Maybe I should just advertise that I'm free. I wonder what would happen then.

This is an inside joke, right?

Surely I hope you're not serious.

The pastor's daughter at my church wants me to shoot her wedding for her (because "I know what will happen if I use disposable cameras") I made a special package just for her (because I am a nice guy and I know that she can not afford me) I haven't talked to her in over a month..... I wonder why???

(I heard from a 3rd party that she was surprised my rates were so high and my prices are comparable to yours!)




I'm hoping that it is a joke, because I took it that way.

do you market yourself in Spokane or Seattle at all?

Good for you!

I really mean it. Everybody's market is different. You need to identify your client, and make sure she can afford your prices.

I don't charge outrageous amounts for wedding photography. I am busy almost every weekend this year. and I'm taking my wife to Rome (Italy) for Christmas, too. Be smart, work your business, and you can succeed.

You don't need to throw away money on advertising, or work for free. But do work smart, and it sounds like you are.

i looked at your current price mentioning on your site, there's no way that's expensive. i start our photo packages at $2400 and photo/video at $3300 and we're still super cheap for the NC area. don't be discouraged though. if you're better then your comp and more artistic then people will want you regardless of the other comp. i used to think that wasn't true but we've had seven clients this year change their wedding dates just to have us shoot it. it'll happen in a good way. take care.


-courtney

I know how you feel at times but my hubby has said to me time and time again, "your work is worth what you are paid. Hand any monkey a camera and show it to press a shutter and it can take pictures. You, my dear, are an artist."

Colleen, you are an artist. I think you should raise your prices and work on setting yourself apart from the other studios in your local area by highlighting your strengths and differences.

1. As an artist I look at each 1000+ images and enhance and edit. Anyone with a computer can crop and adjust the color. I strive to go above and beyond to make you look like a work of art.

2. I offer custom graphics and designs that are personalized for your day. Anyone can glue pictures into a leather cover album. Our custom design fine art books are custom edited by you and never ordered without your approval.

3. I am here to serve you and your needs on your wedding day. I don't limit my time becuase every couple is different and special. Anyone can show up for two hours and snap a few pictures. I am here for your to capture your day from start to finish so I can help you remember every joy of your day.

These are just three examples of the way I handle objections to my prices. I am fortunate that $1,500 is fairly low midrange in central Indiana but I did make a recent discovery.

I booked more weddings these last two months when I added a higher package to my basic package than when I just had the one "affordable" package. Lesson learned for me.

Don't sell yourself short Colleen. Sell yourself and all your strengths. Brag about what you do. Be excited about your unique and creative ways. Your clients will see your enthusiasm and book faster than if you are an under paid over worked mule for the thrift store shopper. You deserve better than that.

I hoped I helped and didn't sound mad or ranting. You are a great photographer Colleen. Don't forget that.


(just call me Barnabas)

Wow!! ANd sorry! I didn't realize people were still commenting on this! Thanks so much for the encouragment!

I'm working up new pricing right now but I'm having trouble deciding if I should go way up to get myself out of the 'everyone else' range, or make it look like I am lower than the local photographers.

So frustrating. But - i did a wedding this last weekend and it was so much fun! Reminded me of why I do this and how much I really enjoy the shooting part. It just made me wonder if by lowering my prices and possibly shooting more weddings (around here) if I would be more happy with what I do.

Thanks again - especially you, Candice. It's takes a long time to type all that out and I appreciate the kind words!!

Colleen, you're a photography goddess! Don't deprive the world, babe.

Seriously, if you love taking pictures (don't we all?!) then get out and take 'em! They don't have to be pretty girls in white dresses, right?

I totally understand your frustration, though - even I've been told that I'm too expensive, and I thought I was the cheapest deal in town. Go figure.



Go way up. I think getting out of the "everybody else" range will really be a benefit to you.

Don't go lower - I bet you'd end up with even less business. So many people shop by price, and not in the way you think. Many high-end clients won't even look at vendors in the "low" range, because they obviously can't be good if they're charging so litte, right? The ones who value their time and professionalism very highly must be the ones producing the best work!

Go up, up, up. You have the quality of work to back it up, IMO. Be fearless and confident! Huzzah! It is Colleen, mistress of the camera!

I'd hire you!

Gee - thanks Nathan. Hahaha!!



Thanks for the email Libbie! Next time I come over to Seattle I want to go out to lunch or something fun, okay!?

If people finds you too expensive is probably because they don't appreciate what you offer or your talent.

When some one tells me that I am too expensive I kindly remind them that you get what you pay for. Cheap photographers usually cuts corners, their service will be sub par, etc. Teach them why are you worth what you are asking.

I also learned that those clients that are too cheap to pay for photography are not worth having as clients.

So, do what you think what is best for you but keep in mind the long term effects and not only the immediate one.

100% agreed dude. very well said.