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08/24/2006 01:15:25 PM · #51 |
Originally posted by lild01:
Great Post Prof...
Just let me be clear. I have had my legal business in the states eyes (Does business as Cert. Liscense, and Tax ID). I pay taxes each quarter and do have expenses.For example each 4x6 printer cost me $200. And I have 3 of them so I do recover my cost but over time. I just chose not to go into all of that. I have cost and my $150 rate for a portrait session does cover all of the things that you detailed. I will also say that I do use a pro lab and have found that the things that I get from a lab do seperate me from wal mart. Its just that some customers dont want a 16"x20" canvas to hang over the fireplace. And if you remember I said I charge for the price of printing plus 25%.
Wee... take all of this in and find what works for you.
D. |
Like i said, if it works for you great! Sounds like you've done the business calcs and have a plan.
It's just i see lots of photographers that come from the artistic side of the tracks and the business part is foreign or just boring or unimportant and gets ignored.
One of the more common threads is 'What do I charge for....' - if you know your costs, you can figure out if it's profitable or not to do the job.
Each industry has their way of doing things. As a long time car and bike mechanic you ALWAYS charged for labor, on parts teh markup was from 20%-400%). As an electrician the theory was labor could be given away, but NEVER materials. both are blue collar trades but have very different opinions on the same thing. You can come up with a new biz model (Saturn tried for a number of years in the car selling biz) and see if it works. It might. Commercial photogs charge a 'creative fee' and then everything else is cost or cost + a markup. Consumers of photography are used to sitting fees, high print prices and and 'units' or pacakges.
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08/24/2006 02:58:04 PM · #52 |
Very well said PROF FATE... I understand and have considered almost everything in your post. I didnt go into as deep of detail as you but I have considered thoese things.
I am not saying that my model is the end all to be all. Just was saying this is what I am doing in my market.You said...
"Consumers of photography are used to sitting fees, high print prices and and 'units' or pacakges".
I dont dissagree with that. But that dosent mean that it will always be viable in todays market. I have heard many old school photographers look down on clients that use Wal Mart or Glamor shots. I insted am trying to serve them. They arent used to the High sitting fees etc. That is why they are using Wal Mart and glamor shots. I guess I am that bridge in between. The way I see it, there are more pople that can afford to use thoese services then there are avaliable to use high end photographers. That is why there is a studio in every Wal Mart, Sears, and Mall. They may walk in thinking they are going to get alot for the $6.95 that brought them into the studio. But once there, a strong pitch is made to up-sell. Most people walk out spending like $180-$250. Where I come in is saying you will get better service and your cost is known from the start. $150 and then I show you how to get your prints. Or I can print for you. Most enjoy the ability to print at their own pace or e-mail to family and friends. The great thing about America is there is a space for everyone. I am serving my niche and tip my hat to other photogrphers. This has been very enjoyable to me. It is always good see another photographer at least aware that the landscape is changing.
D.
P.S I peeped some of your work. Very nice.Do you have a web site ?
P.S II: I pay my 14 yr old son $8 per hour to help me. He is good at working the computer, and I can take him to some functions.
Message edited by author 2006-08-24 15:00:50. |
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