Yep, I’m having a charge of coffee goodness, right this MINUTE! And what better way to spend it, than answering Q&A’s for my internet friends! As I mulled over the answers, I find myself wondering how it is any of this even works, I mean, the collision between the love of photography, an artistic eye, and BUSINESS sense is a wonderous thing, and one I am still learning every day. But I’ll take a stab at the questions!
Question 1: When you and Bob first started out with your one camera, how much did you charge your clients? What type of time, photo, CD packages did you offer and for how much?
{A} Honestly, free. I knew we needed a portfolio, and in doing so, I did several shoots for absolutely nothing, giving them the CD with rights to all the images, hoping it would turn into a portfolio I could use to begin charging. In every area of work, I did free stuff to get the portfolio off the ground. Then I looked around at other sites, and started charging half of their amount. When I became too busy to keep all my clients, I started charging full price. You can see my pricing structure on my website.
As for time, I give my clients what is necessary to get “the” shots. If that is 1 1/2 hours in a session or 3, I don’t put set terms on a session, I like to work in a completely creative mode, so when I feel I’ve done right by my clients and what they are looking for in a shot, we are done. You just have to decide for yourself.
2. What steps did you take to get started? ie: Tax Id#, Insurance, business cards, advertising, etc.?
{A}Tax ID, business cards, and website and blog. All my advertising has been strictly word of mouth. I have yet to pay for advertising.
3.What web site did you use to get your pictures printed?
{A}I use several places for albums, but the main lab we use for prints is White House Custom Color. They produce awesome quality!
4. How did you know you were “up” for shooting weddings? They seem so intimidating.
{A} I didn’t know until I tried one. And most photographers know at their first wedding or two, whether this is the right avenue for them or not. I fell in love with it immediately! The kiss, the laughter, the little moments that make a wedding unique and beautiful and nerve-wracking and tearful…and catching all of that, I felt like I had found my calling!
5. How do you get your clients to smile/laugh so much?
{A}I’m a hopeless goof, sometimes I cannot believe the ridiculous statements that pour out of my mouth at a shoot, only cementing the fact that I’m SO not cool! I rehearse attempts at being cool and saying cool things, and then the real goofball shows up…at least its good for some laughs! So yes, those shots of eye rolling, and laughter are all real!
That concludes my coffee. And my answers, for today anyway! If you or any of your way-cooler-than-me photographer friends feel I have some kind of information that would be helpful, just comment below with questions, and I promise to try to answer quicker next time! Happy
Wednesday peeps!
Treva
by Treva
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