Advice…

I needed to post this, its not one of my regular posts but I feel its important to share…

The first few months of photography I looked at so many other photographer blogs. Searching for inspiration and information. Being new to photography I did not know how to get started, bits of advice from other photographers helped me; but how did I learn all that I know today? I figured it out through trial & error, I read books and took workshops from the photographers that inspire me personally. I do not view photography as my job; it really is something I love to do. I have a list of 10 photographers who do not live near me… I follow their blogs because they inspire me and are a breath of fresh air to me. Pick your favorite photographers & follow them.

My advice: instead of duplicating someone else’s pricelist (which I found someone in my own town- has done this)- sit down and decide WHY you charge what you do. What affects my prices is- the amount I have spent on equipment, time spent shooting, uploading, sorting, editing, saving, ordering… I try to figure out how I can do photography and still make a little money for investing in more equipment and workshops. I created a pricelist that is realistic for me, and my clients. Once I really broke down my prices; I felt more confident. I can tell you exactly why I charge what I do.

My advice: gaga your attitude. Okay, that sounds totally lame; but think about it… Lady gaga’s style might be strange, but it’s made her rich and famous & we all are just waiting to see what she will wear, say or do next. She doesn’t care what anyone thinks; she designs all her own clothing, hair, music ideas. She says & does things I don’t understand but I think- gosh; that took loads of confidence and guts!! Getting to my point… be you, everyone else is taken. Lets be original as photographers, if you see an image you love that another photographer has done- don’t do it like they did it… make it your own.

I understand that in Utah, there are so many photographers and they would like to be competitive. I am flattered that someone liked my pricelist, packages, policies, information, and advice so much that they decided to copy and paste it and call it their own. I am so grateful that my business is doing as well as it has, keeping in mind that imitation is the greatest form of flattery.

To my fabulous clients: I apologize that my information, policies, advice & prices are no longer on my website or blog. Please contact me through this blog or via email, and im happy to send you this information!

Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend,
Stay tuned… super fun posts in the next few days!