#206 – April 3, 2022 (93/365)

This photo of Bec was taken from the 4th floor. That’s her puppy, Shadow who finally made it into a photograph.

Saturday

Back from a haircut and looking forward to going to see the new Batman movie in Gold class this afternoon thanks to a very generous gift certificate given 9 months ago for my 50th by some dear friends. 

But today’s post is about how saying no to photography work is not a bad thing.

Recently, and I couldn’t tell you why I’ve been getting more enquiries about my photography. This is great. No complaints. Another thing, after 14 years of not doing it, I’ve decided to start charging what I’m worth against what I think people will pay. I put a great deal of effort into every session I do, often coming out of the session mentally exhausted, and it’s time I was properly compensated.

This week someone approached me about 5 hours of photography for their Mums 50th birthday event. This is a person who frequents a wedding photography and videography group so you would think they would have a clue about pricing and value. When I quoted the event (reducing my standard event rate as it was a long shoot and I could relax a little in order to get all the shots in), he immediately required, “That’s out of my price point.” I suggested less time (dropping it back to 2 hours at my standard event rate) but even that was more than he wanted to spend. 

Past me would have tried to get the job dropping my rates to what was acceptable to him. 2022 me decided that it was no reflection on me that I charged more than he was willing to pay. I have no doubt he’d find someone to do it for the $200 he hinted at wanting to pay. He just wasn’t going to have me at his event, at least not for longer than 96.15 minutes.

I’m currently compiling the video testimonial for the last 50th birthday I did (which even included a drone photograph of the venue as part of the delivered images) as the client was blown away.  This is a person who not only values photography but is willing to pay for the chance of having her 50th birthday memories always available to her.

My event hourly rate is not cheap but for the money, you get my continual focus, always looking for the next interaction and moment from across the other side of the room. I’m not afraid to get down on the floor to take a stunning photograph of a toddler and I’m happy to do all the grip and grin photos a client could ever want. As a non-drinker, your bar tab is safe with me and I rarely eat your food.

Oh, you’ll most likely get the photos back within 48 hours, even though I’ve told you 7 days.

Just like a plumber who charges you $150 to tap a pipe in just the right place. You’re not paying for my time, you’re paying for the 1,000,000+ photographs I’ve taken and learnt from in order to not panic when I walk into a very dark room and capture amazing moments, even in really shitty light!

Let me interrupt the flow to bring you a message from our sponsor, Me! Did you love the photo? Each photograph in the 2022 365 Black & White Challenge is made available as a single signed limited edition print. If you are interested, you can purchase the print at the Shop for only $36.50 (including free postage to anywhere in the world). If it’s not there then someone beat you to it! I thank you for your support of my photography and this website.

And another thing. When you hold your next big event, consider hiring a photographer (send me a message via the contact form if you want). That way, you can enjoy the event you’ve spent weeks or months planning and have a bucket load of memories you can look back on for the rest of your life.

Bucket not included.

If you’ve made it this far, thank you for your time and your attention! I will see tomorrow you for the next post.

Richard

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# Photo Information 
Camera: Nikon D850 | Lens: Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm 1:2.8G II ED (VR) @ 135mm | Settings: 1/2500, f/4, ISO 640 | When: Wednesday March 30, 2022 | Where: Melbourne West, Victoria, Australia

Cameras: Nikon D4s | Nikon D850 | Nikon Z6
Lenses: Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1:1.4G | Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm 1:2.8G II ED (VR) | Nikon AF-S Nikkor 105mm 1:1.4E ED 
Lighting: ICElight

# Useless Website Statistics
Post number: 206 | Published: Sunday April 3, 2022 | Composed: Saturday April 2, 2022 | Scheduled Posts Ready To Publish: 0 | B&W 365 Challenge: 93/365 (25% complete) | Candidates Folder: 5

# Useless Life Statistics That Only I Like Looking Back On
Audiobook: Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller | Reading: Linda McCartney. Life in Photographs | Podcast Queue: 103 | YouTube Subscription Video Queue: 81 | Favourite recent YouTube video: Unless You Learn To See... Ernst Haas Shows You How. (The Photographic Eye) | 7DA: 22 [+6] | Hamilton: 25/42/45/161 Days

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