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Roland, I just checked out your work. I absolutely love your branding and the locations you shoot in. Kudos for speaking a very specific voice.
That said, it's no secret the photo industry is in big trouble and many are feeling the heat and their advice reflects that. Even in your locale I've seen some very talented photographers and business people having to lower their pricing because competition is growing in all markets. Considering what I've been witnessing over the past 4 years, this trend isn't stopping. I just found out an extremely busy (and big photographer) in LA is booking jobs for $1500. Another confessed to making half what they used to. I was flabbergasted but the trend is still moving downward. But the LA economy is literally an incredible pile of poo to behold so different markets will obviously be different. There are photographers who happen to have been in the right place at the right time and are rocking it (even in Cali) but the reality is those are a very few percentage. You may become one
That said, and I have no idea what you're currently doing for work, but my advice for you is to not put all your eggs in one basket until you get busy enough with photography that you absolutely must not do anything else. I say this because of many reasons but as someone who reads a lot about the health of the economy, 2014 is looking especially worrisome and it's just good to be prepared in life. When you progress through life, you realize quickly that $2000 for complete wedding coverage with an album like you're offering won't cut it running a business and you'll eventually realize just how important being a responsible adult with retirement plans and health care is. I remember when I booked my first jobs in that range for just photo and a DVD as a beginner....I was ecstatic. Now I look at those budgets going riiiiiight, that doesn't pay for what needs to be paid for by any stretch of the imagination. If you did 30 weddings a year (when you're in your mid 30's you'll also realize just how much 30 weddings a year starts to hurt ) you're looking at $60K gross which depending on your gear habits and local taxes you'll probably end up with half if you're lucky. That's not a lot of money in the real world unless you're happy living in an apartment eating ramen. The catch 22 with this is you also realize that your referral base is only as good as what your past clients spent because people with money generally hang out with people who have money and just about the time you establish yourself there's a whole slew of new photographers who are underbidding the past underbidders. Try to spend cash on all gear and avoid debt at all costs (personal experience speaking here). This will not be possible at all times but try. Buying used is especially good for saving money. Moments caught are more powerful than what you catch it with, but a camera that won't focus properly in all light can miss moments and poor gear can dictate your style. Getting published on blogs and SEO are important but I'd probably say getting on blogs is way more important. For full day coverage, DVD and an album, there's people out there willing to spend $5-6000 and well beyond that. Why not go after those people from the get-go?
Edited on May 18, 2013 at 11:10 AM · View previous versions
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