To those three people following along on this journey, I did something “they” would not be happy to hear: I unfollowed a bunch of photography pages. Groups that are all about supporting small business photographers and helping you get better at website SEO and all that. OUT THE WINDOW. I learned some helpful stuff, no doubt. But I am more turned off by how others run their business. The fact that people will not take clients or include them in their portfolio if they don’t fit their “aesthetic?” That some photographers will outfit and style their clients to fit in their own brand? Um, have we forgotten about individuality? About how everyone is beautiful in their own way? Apparently this is not a thing. So I ditched all those people. And with this I’m back to revamping my pricing AGAIN. Sorry. I got some awesome feedback this month from old and new clients alike that helped me refine a few goals:
- I don’t care if I don’t get clients via web searches! For over eleven years I’ve worked almost exclusively via word of mouth and it’s gotten to the point where this past fall I had to turn a few away because I was so booked. So yes, this website will be an awesome place to have info for new and old clients alike. I’m not going to spend soooo much time stressing out about how high up I place on the list when someone googles family photographers in my area.
- I tried to finagle my pricing to hit a lot of price points while also encouraging clients to order prints because I find value in that. But I think it just complicated things – although it aligned better with what “they” would have me do. Yet I was still affordable compared to many DC photographers. So I’m ditching that and going back to a more simplified all inclusive situation. That’s worked for me for eleven years and my clients appreciate that ease of use. Fees will be higher because frankly I was undervaluing my work but they will still be at the bottom of the list for DC and I’m OK with that. I can streamline my business in other ways that will up my pay to myself in an effort to reduce burn out. I came awfully close this past fall and I don’t want to get there again.
- I will continue to include all my clients in my galleries. That is something of value to me. It was never really on the table as an option to cut but I’m more committed now knowing it’ll piss off the photography establishment. Basically telling me something I have to do is a sure way to guarantee I’ll do the opposite.
So if it seems like I’m just reiterating the same things I’ve been saying, tough cookies. I probably have. But sometimes we aren’t smart enough to see the forest for the trees. Or is it trees for the forest? Regardless, too much soul searching and business practice research and it keeps coming back to, “Stick to your gut.” So stick to it I shall. What I hope will be my final updates coming soon!