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03/03/2008 04:21:38 AM · #1 |
Im feeling really done with weddings. I want to broaden my horizons. I want to do charitable networking, create a foundation of sorts for the foster kids and inner city youth...give them a place to learn and have positive role models. I want to help New Orleans build up from the inside out, in whatever part that I can muster. I want to take time for art projects..both paying and non paying..for the love of art. I have a lot of ideas, but I need the time to invest in these ideas. I have continued to raise my prices in an effort to slow down weddings. I raised the bottom package to 5k, and still booked at least 45 weddings for 08. Already have a few for 09 booked.
My issue is this. I never really chose wedding photography. I have fought myself over it for the last 4 years. It has paid my bills and bought my equipment and put food on the table, etc. I cant just drop out and live on air alone. At the same time, I can not continue to work the way I have been working, because it is eating me alive. It is depressing me. I need to grow, evolve and branch out into new realms. The only reason i continued to shoot weddings is because people continued to hire me. I have never been much of a salesperson or marketing guru or anything of that nature. At this point, I am living mostly by word of mouth, and still over booking myself.
I can not change my process of editing because that compromises the way i want to do it.
I was thinking, why not take a chance and just have one package...say...a 10k package and hope that at least 10 people hire me. Then, I have time to do portrait sessions of families, nudes, babies, pregnancy, eccentric wealthy freaks....plus a bit of time for art and charity.
Im just curious. IF i did that..does anyone think that 10 people would actually hire me for 10k? I mean, I guess i could always lower the prices if it didnt work, but i really dont want that to be an option. I want to change my life now. Selling gizmos and action sets is not an option either. I am not made up like that. And workshops..that too is not an option. I am not workshop material. I am not a salesperson.
Do i just follow my heart and instincts and take my chances? I have done so in the past and everything worked out. I find that risk can reap the greatest reward.
Im just wondering what anyone here thinks. Am I crazy? if you think I am..then I am probably on the right path. |
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03/03/2008 04:45:25 AM · #2 |
Yep Crazy is the way to go.. Follow your heart, nice plan, I wish you all the very best.
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03/03/2008 04:50:02 AM · #3 |
I have no doubt you'll still get hired at 10K a package and on word of mouth alone. Now you just need to learn to say "no" after you've booked the 10 clients for the year! Go for it. You will not do "just fine" - you will do very, very well indeed. And the more you can find the time to do what your heart wants, the better you will enjoy those 10 paid weddings a year.
Oh, and have you considered a second shooter to help out with the weddings you currently have scheduled?
Message edited by author 2008-03-03 04:51:09. |
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03/03/2008 04:54:12 AM · #4 |
I actually don't think that you're crazy at all. It seems to me that something once a passion is becoming a drudge and you need to get back to what you love. I don't know much, but I would have thought that if that many people hire you at 5k, then you should get quite a few, even at 10k. Good luck.
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03/03/2008 05:02:58 AM · #5 |
Max is my second shooter. He shoots with me at every wedding. We work as a team. Its part of the package. We have developed a great dynamic. He is actually quite charismatic and enjoys talking to people. the groomsmen love him and take him in as one of their own during his time with them during prep. I am more aloof and alone..always have been. I get lost and focused on the moments at hand. We balance each other out beautifully as a team.
I had considered, in a moment of desperation, of having him form his own business with the photography. But then, I would just end up second shooting with him. Its a bit pointless. Makes more sense to keep it as a dynamic team that clients are loving.
Having him shoot half the weddings already booked is not an option. That is not what the client paid for. They paid for us to both be there. I could never pass off a wedding to another photographer when someone had hired me (us) specifically. That would be bad business in my mind. Unless, of course, I had died or something. I am very loyal to my clients. I guess that is why i get the good word of mouth. I give them my soul, passion and more than they ever expected. I give too much of myself. This is my problem. I am a giver. Cant help it. Cant change it. Cant compromise who i am or how i tick. But...i have to change the path to suit my personality and personal needs. |
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03/03/2008 05:20:47 AM · #6 |
| Cool about Max - I didn't know if you had a second or not and didn't mean to imply that you should pawn any events off on him alone. Just thought if you didn't, it might take off a bit of the stress - sounds like he's a great guy to work with! |
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03/03/2008 05:21:49 AM · #7 |
| Go for it Julia, follow what your soul is telling you to do. I believe you will soon have many new clients in a different market (like pregnancy, newborns, crazy wealthy eccentrics) |
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03/03/2008 05:26:58 AM · #8 |
Ya know Julia, I think you will find a way to pull this off. You're THAT damned good!
I completely understand the need to find your own inner peace and feed your soul. You know inside yourself you have another calling, yet still want to hang on to your creativity and art that is fueled by your own way of doing what you do behind the camera and at your computer. Those in the top percentage of a niche, can name their price, and you just did. Follow your inner voice on this one. You will find a way to make it all work and in time, the mark you will make on this planet will be yours, and with it will carry your signature. Can't get much better than that.
I can count the number of people on one hand that have made a lasting impression in regards to style and creativity in photographing people, and you are one of them. I can't tell you how many times your name crossed my mind a week ago shooting my first wedding. WWJD took on a new meaning: What Would Julia Do? I can only hope to someday find my own niche and carve it out, my own way, such as you have done.
Run with it Julia! You only get one chance to really live your dreams and not kick yourself later for not trying. |
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03/03/2008 05:37:14 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by suemack:
Go for it Julia, follow what your soul is telling you to do. I believe you will soon have many new clients in a different market (like pregnancy, newborns, crazy wealthy eccentrics) |
The crazy wealthy eccentrics i do believe is my calling for the moment. It came to me in a flash of brilliance while drinking with a crazy wealthy eccentric. Suddenly, I could see completely into her pscyhology and new exactly how i wanted to express it. I MUST do that shoot. And I will. She wants me to. Its just a matter of getting over my current mad rush of hectic weddings. I am just the person for the job. Its like Diane Arbus being attracted to the freaks. I am attracted to the crazies. But, the crazies who appear normal on the outside. The people you would assume to be normal upon first inspection..upon the outer persona. I want to reveal the truth. I think it could pay too. ;)
And Brad, you are right. And its so very interesting some connections that I have made recently. I have been more and more focused on this spiritual need to grow. I think the universe is putting people on my path for a reason.
Im doing it..dammit. DAMMIT!
As for New Orleans, I have to get out there and get people up off their apathetic butts and stop waiting for the government to bail us all out. Its up to us as a community. Maybe I will become a speaker after all, despite that it is my worst ever fear. But this is something i am passionate about. We have to change. We have to grow and evolve. I dont see cant as an option.
Thank you all. Really. I am officially crazy. Feels kinda nice, actually. ;) |
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03/03/2008 06:18:24 AM · #10 |
Julia,
Glad you've already made the decision, but just wanted to add that I BELIEVE you've been led to this decision and I think it ROCKS!
Your heart is SO in the right place - your creativity is SUBLIME and I think it's wonderful if you can reduce the stress of many weddings.
There is no doubt in my mind you'll receive the clients, because your intentions are BRILLIANT!
I look forward to watching your evolution.
BELIEVE and head forward, your weddings will be the bread and butter and the other wonderful stuff will be 'food for your spirit and soul'.
Well done you for 'feeling' where you need to be - it's a blessing to watch such a talent as you.
Lisa |
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03/03/2008 06:58:54 AM · #11 |
The more you charge the more work you'll probably get because people like to spend more on things. There's a psychological added value you'll be placing on less bookings, especially given that you don't do it the way thousands of other wedding photographers do (from what we've seen). The laws of supply and demand will help you fetch higher rates if you decide to book fewer gigs a year.
My only question would be are weddings recession proof and what's going on with New Orleans? But I think that rich eccentrics are pretty much recession proof, right? So you should do fine. Worst case scenario ....you book 12 weddings at 7-8k. Still a nice piece of change.
Look into getting a Grant to teach the Foster Care kids. There are some huge piles of money out there to help train them but I think the goals might have to be very practical. I taught Foster Care Kids/Adults that were aging out of the system how to cook. Really challenging and quite fulfilling. I was mother, brother, father, teacher, mentor......hard to believe but I helped a lot of kids get on a good path. Again, Grant Money could pave the way.
Cheers and good luck.
Message edited by author 2008-03-03 10:55:00. |
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03/03/2008 07:38:07 AM · #12 |
Julia, you're one of the best wedding photographers -- if not THE best -- any of us have ever soon. I think you could charge $10,000 and still turn down work if you wanted to.
~Terry
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03/03/2008 08:58:15 AM · #13 |
To pay your bills, how much money do you need?
How many weddings to you want to do, or, how much time do you want to devote to weddings and how many weddings will that let you do?
Take that number of weddings and divide the money and you'll get a price.
The theory on wedding pricing I was taught is pretty simple, and can be approached two ways. When do you raise prices? When you've booked what you want for the year. Are your prices too high or too low, or just right? Depends on how many, percentage wise, of meetings you book. You should book about 80%. If you book 90% raise your prices. If you're booking 50%, lower your prices (or add content).
You've also got the option of hiring help - either for processing, shooting, sales - yeah, it's scary to give up the control but it can be made to work.
I'd say yeah, raise prices and see what happens. I'd bet it works out just fine.
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03/03/2008 09:06:01 AM · #14 |
| Julia, I went to your website and after looking at your images I am positive that you still will have 10 customers willing to pay $10,000. You truly have a talent and people will pay for that. What you are doing is not crazy, if it works it will prevent you from going crazy. Good luck with your plan, I truly do hope you succeed. |
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03/03/2008 09:29:38 AM · #15 |
| Actually, I think you'd find plenty of people willing to pay much more than 10K. I think you're definitely headed in the right direction...as they say, follow your heart and the money will follow. Blessings to you on your new direction. |
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03/03/2008 09:32:36 AM · #16 |
Originally posted by grigrigirl:
Im just curious. IF i did that..does anyone think that 10 people would actually hire me for 10k? |
I have no doubts that you would get the bookings. But why sell yourself short? Make packages available at 15k and 20k. What if 10 people book you at 10k, 4 at 15k, and 2 at 20k??????
If you wonder that you aren't worth 20k..... How did you manage to book 45 5k shots this year??????? I bet 90 percent
of them would have paid 10k. If you start offering more expensive packages you start attracting people who can pay even more. Some of them may even be eccentric or crazy!!! hehehe
Good luck in your endeavors. |
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03/03/2008 09:34:32 AM · #17 |
It's kind of like the exclusive club that people can't get into...you would be the photographer behind the velvet rope. You would become the wanted wedding photographer for the rich/famous and could let it be known you only shoot 10 a year. It's supply and demand!!!
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03/03/2008 10:20:22 AM · #18 |
No doubt about it, Julia -- if that's how you're feeling about weddings now then your plan sounds perfect. You're absolutely good enough (see Shutterbug, March 2008 ;-) and this will give you enough time to do what makes you happy. Good luck!
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03/03/2008 10:21:53 AM · #19 |
| Julia, your stuff rocks girl. You are truly an inspiration. I don't think any of us have any doubts that this will work for you. And as some people pointed out here, getting the high end of clientele could start drawing in the kind of folks that could make you happier working with, and maybe lead to good contacts for the directions you want to go in life. Since you're already starting to book for 09, go ahead and go for the big fish, go for that 10, 12 or 15k wedding, if it doesn't work, lot's of 08 left, you can lower the prices again for 09 if you have to. Book that first 10k wedding though (and I'm sure you will), and your reservations should start to ease quickly! :-) |
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03/03/2008 10:31:34 AM · #20 |
Basic economics, law of supply and demand. You have a product people want, if you reduce your supply (do less weddings) people will be willing to pay more. Basically, your product becames more valuable because it's more exclusive.
And if you are selling out quickly at 5K, 10K may be too low to do what you want? Start at 10K but if the orders still come in too fast raise that price again! Ideally you want to price yourself where you do as much as you want and not have to turn down work.
Good luck!
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03/03/2008 01:18:44 PM · #21 |
Originally posted by LoudDog:
Basic economics, law of supply and demand. You have a product people want, if you reduce your supply (do less weddings) people will be willing to pay more. Basically, your product becames more valuable because it's more exclusive.
And if you are selling out quickly at 5K, 10K may be too low to do what you want? Start at 10K but if the orders still come in too fast raise that price again! Ideally you want to price yourself where you do as much as you want and not have to turn down work.
Good luck! |
Ideally, yes. The fact is, I could be taking in lots more weddings right now, but I am already booked, so cant. The new orleans wedding market is up and running strong. Its one of the coolest places to get married.
Another idea I had was raising to 7, 10 and 13..something of that nature. And having a portion of the package go directly to the foundation. So, you buy a 10k package and receive a 2k tax donation thing. It was one way to keep putting money into the foundation. My fear though, is that i continue to overbook. I seem to have plenty of people willing to pay 5 and 7k right now. I guess thats why i thought...go 10k..make it ridiculous. I am so busy right now that i dont even have time to meet with people. I DONT HAVE TIME! Its driving me wonkers.
Hiring out is not an option. It just isnt. It isnt my work if i do that. That is where I cant compromise and I know it. I can barely even use lightroom at this point. Seriously. I hate lightroom. I hate quick fixes. I cant change this about the way i work. I have tried and I end up hating myself. I know who i am and how I tick. Some things cant change. |
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03/03/2008 01:40:05 PM · #22 |
Are you planning on raising the rates on all the existing orders? Or just for new orders?
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03/03/2008 01:50:40 PM · #23 |
Seems to me you probably know the answers yourself . . but perhaps you need affirmation :- )
If you are offering a bespoke, handcrafted service, you need to charge an amount that will allow you to deliver the bespoke product that people are hiring you for, in a timescale that allows you to enjoy what you are doing, and give the best of yourself without feeling rushed and pressured.
Besides if you move up to 10k or 13k weddings, you might find movers and shakers who could help out with your foundation vision - it might become a win - win.
You have taken some wonderful wedding shots though - I'm sure people would pay.
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03/03/2008 01:59:27 PM · #24 |
If you're having to turn down business at 5-7k, then 10k is probably also too low. You might need to work your way to 12-15k. If you feel that might be too much to do in a single jump, then go to 10k but be prepared to raise again.
If you're currently offering packages at 5-7k, then go to 10k, 12k and 15k - your work is good enough to command it. You have a unique vision, and it's one that's in demand.
~Terry
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03/03/2008 02:01:39 PM · #25 |
Originally posted by LoudDog:
Are you planning on raising the rates on all the existing orders? Or just for new orders? |
only new orders. I would never up prices on people that have hired me already. Again, bad business. Im all about integrity. |
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