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06/06/2007 11:11:47 AM · #1 |
Why do those mix like oil and water...with some exceptions of course.
Why do brand new photographers think that they can charge more money for their services just because they bought more expensive equipment?
Why do they also think that they can charge the same rate for weddings that the established pros charge?
When did they forget everything they ever learned about variable vs. fixed costs and supply and demand?
This is basic business. |
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06/06/2007 11:13:37 AM · #2 |
Originally posted by Jmnuggy:
This is basic business. |
It may be, but most people do not know basic business, nor ever been to school for it. They just assume and go with what they believe is right.
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06/06/2007 11:27:17 AM · #3 |
So If I developed a new automobile I should market it cheaper just because I'm new to the car market and the old boys have the right to charge more because they've been around?
Your logic doesn't necessarily follow. Photographers, regardless of lenght of time in the business can and should charge what their market will pay. I've seen old photographers that do crappy work, I've also seen new ones that do amazing work. Length of time in the business shouldn't dictate pricing; quality of work should.
If a new photographer comes out of school, or out of the woodwork and asks $5000 for a wedding and gets it...... what's the problem? Is that some personal attack to you? I don't understand why it would bother you.
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06/06/2007 11:59:50 AM · #4 |
Charging what the market will bear is good business.
If you were an auto maker, you would have to charge less because you have no reputation. Take Scion for example or Hyundai. Both relatively new in car terms and both low on the cost scale. You never see a luxury car from a brand new maker.
Quality is important, but so is experience. The established people charge what they do because they guarantee results because they have done it before. A new person can try to charge just as much. Even the established photogs had to put in their time and pay their dues.
I don't have a problem w/ people getting paid. I have a problem with newbies charging more and justifying it with equipment costs and what others charge. Another example using cars... If I develop a car can I charge the same as BMW?
Its a basic knowledge of fixed v variable costs. Your equipment, at least the basics of your bag (camera, battery, memory cards, lens) are fixed costs. You cannont operate without them.
If I owned a bakery, can I charge more for bread because my building is more expensive. NO I cannot. I can charge more for bread when everyone wants my bread. This is the basics for supply and demand.
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06/06/2007 12:07:13 PM · #5 |
.
Message edited by author 2007-06-06 12:07:56. |
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06/06/2007 12:11:18 PM · #6 |
techno,
I am pretty curious to see what you wrote and edited.... |
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06/06/2007 12:13:39 PM · #7 |
In the business that I call my career, perception counts a lot.
In other words, IF I charged a day rate that was under my competitor, I would get hired for the job, sure, but I would also be looked at as cheap labor.
If, on the other hand, I over bid a job, have same experience under my belt as my competitor, but can talk the talk, walk the walk , and schmooze like a rooster in a hen house, then I am looked upon as a quality, so be it, expensive labor that can do the job competently, efficiently, and on time.
Perception, and persistence go hand in hand in my line of work.
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06/06/2007 12:15:04 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by Man_Called_Horse:
Perception, and persistence go hand in hand in my line of work. |
indeed, as in most careers. |
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06/06/2007 12:19:20 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by Jmnuggy:
I don't have a problem w/ people getting paid. I have a problem with newbies charging more and justifying it with equipment costs and what others charge. |
Personally, I have more of an issue with newbies and hacks charging less and driving down the market expectations.
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06/06/2007 01:35:21 PM · #10 |
Charging less isn't so much a problem because if I charge $600 and you charge $2000, we are fishing from different ponds. Besides that, everyone needs a starting point. Im sure your first wedding was cheap or free.
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06/06/2007 01:47:25 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by Jmnuggy:
Why do those mix like oil and water...with some exceptions of course.
Why do brand new photographers think that they can charge more money for their services just because they bought more expensive equipment?
Why do they also think that they can charge the same rate for weddings that the established pros charge?
When did they forget everything they ever learned about variable vs. fixed costs and supply and demand?
This is basic business. |
Because when a noob starts out and posts on a board such as this about how they are charging little until they gain experience, one of the more established professionals will jump in to rail them for undercutting the business and hurting everyone, and how they shouldn't be starting until they have the experience to charge for.
Okay, the last part is a bit tongue in cheek, but the first part happens regularly. (and has, indeed, happened in this thread, already, I see.) :)
New photographers can't win.
Message edited by author 2007-06-06 13:48:57. |
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06/06/2007 02:17:36 PM · #12 |
I hope you are not referring to me as the noob... Im not. I charge what I charge because of the market and Im building a very diverse portfolio of paid work.
I live in an area that affords me the opportunity to get lots of work charging a bit less than the $2500+ weddings. I have 4 colleges in a small area, lots of young professionals, a large low income population, and an area people move to for quality of life not financial gain. I think I have found an OK niche. I have 2 small businesses that I own and they don't make me rich on their own, but toghether w/ my regular job I do pretty well.
I don't have aspirations of being a full time $25K/wedding type photog. My only career aspirations are to work for myself and make my own money. I do this by using my business sense and finding the markets that pay. I currently have done paid work for weddings, events, portraits, product, live music, album art and real estate. I may undercut the market a bit, but I produce results that everyone loves, Im easy to work with and clients recommend me all the time. I don't drive down quality or expectations. I feel that as my time becomes more in demand I will raise my rates. Right now if Im free and you want to pay me for taking photos, we will find a price that works for both of us. I don't like to turn down work. Im going to be taking pictures anyway, I may as well get paid something.
How about this, I am doing a wedding this weekend in CT for $300 and a case of beer. Why you may ask... Because if I wasn't I would be sitting on the couch wasting time or playing pool. This couple had a very small budget and it was that or no photog. Let me just begin to tell you how excited they are Im coming. If anyone they know gets married in teh next year or two, guess who they will call for a photographer? I surpass all expectations everytime I work with someone and it always gets me more work for the future. |
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06/06/2007 05:36:00 PM · #13 |
Jmnuggy, just like you have gripes with newbies charging what they do, the full time, full income wedding photographers have gripes with people like you doing it only part time and cheaper than them while you have other jobs to support you. What goes around comes around. I say live and let live.
June
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