How can I possibly charge so much for a photo session????
I know the feeling… your
head is saying “but I’m still learning, my photos aren’t as good as some
other’s out there, and I don’t want my customers to have an expectation of
quality that I just can’t meet! “ Oh yea,
just admit it! You think it. Heck I still have moments when I think it!
Well, I’d love to share some advice that I wish I had taken
when I was starting out and unsure of my skills, much less pricing….
SET YOUR PRICE WHEN YOU SET UP YOUR BUSINESS ! That’s it!
Don’t start cheap. You train your
customers to only pay what they’ve always paid. If you’re like me, it’s very hard to go up
on those returning customers that have been with you forever! Let
me say that again so put your ear to the computer screen and hear me! J YOU train
your customers to only pay what they’ve always paid!
But that doesn’t satisfy that nagging voice in your head
that is filling you with self doubt about your skill level.
So here’s the best
part….This will help you be able to swallow that $200+ price you’re asking
clients to pay…. If you are a newbie and portfolio building,
set your pricing and then offer a “Portfolio Building Discount”. Teach
customers from the beginning your pricing is with the market standards, but
while you are still building your portfolio and reputation, you are offering a
deep discount!
That’s it! The very
best advice I’ve ever been given about pricing.
Wish I had heard it years ago! I
started out cheap, got some awesome clients and returning clients. But guess what, those returning clients became
my friends! That’s one of the core
elements of my business. I become a
friend, not just a photographer. How the
heck do you go up on pricing on your friend???? Someone who has stuck by you since you were just
starting out! The answer – YOU CAN’T
FOLKS!
Believe me there will be a day when you ARE that good! If you live, eat and breathe
photography. If you strive every day to
discover your artistic style, YOU will value your work and KNOW that it’s as
good or better than most of what’s out
there!
And wouldn’t it be
nice not to worry about pricing when that day comes???
KEEP CALM AND SHUTTER ON!
PHOTOG FRIENDS
