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What is your worth?
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Feb 20, 2021 12:14:31   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
Rongnongno wrote:
Professional photographers, like all other professions, are mercenaries not do-gooders.


I do not think it is either/or - so I would just modify this statement and say - SUCCESSFUL professional photographers are MORE mercenary than do-gooder

note: successful does not necessarily = deeply happy
.

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Feb 20, 2021 12:24:10   #
Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb
 
I would like to think Im am worth being a friend.

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Feb 20, 2021 12:25:33   #
Dannj
 
imagemeister wrote:
I do not think it is either/or - so I would just modify this statement and say - SUCCESSFUL professional photographers are MORE mercenary than do-gooder

note: successful does not necessarily = deeply happy
.


All depends on how one defines “success”. It’s not a universal definition.

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Feb 20, 2021 12:26:53   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
Dannj wrote:
All depends on how one defines “success”. It’s not a universal definition.


Yes, I did try to qualify that a bit ....but I do think for most people, most of the time, more $$ = more success .....

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Feb 20, 2021 12:31:28   #
Rongnongno Loc: FL
 
imagemeister wrote:
I do not think it is either/or - so I would just modify this statement and say - SUCCESSFUL professional photographers are MORE mercenary than do-gooder

note: successful does not necessarily = deeply happy
.

Agreed, do not sweat it.

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Feb 20, 2021 12:41:26   #
Rongnongno Loc: FL
 
Dannj wrote:
All depends on how one defines “success”. It’s not a universal definition.

In the world of business there is only one definition:
Working all the time and running to the bank when possible.
(Professional photography IS a business)

In the world of 'artists':
Starve to death and criticize those who succeed as sell outs.

In personal world:
How long you will be remembered as 'a good person' after you die.

Historically:
Good people are not remembered, two generations, three, at most.
Bad people are in the pinnacle of remembrance (Look at Napoleon)
'Artists' are remembered after their death and celebrated with what they said they despised: $$$$
Businessmen are remembered when needed, mostly negatively as 'examples not to follow' but 'heck if you can do it, go for it'.

Is this cynical? Yes but true.

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Feb 20, 2021 12:42:08   #
User ID
 
Picture Taker wrote:
I would like to think Im am worth being a friend.

More “nice but off topic” stuff.

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Feb 20, 2021 12:43:12   #
PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA
 
Rongnongno wrote:
As a photographer, what is your worth?

Folks here do not seem to understand marketing and how to approach the upper end market.

It all about how much you think your time AND TALENT is worth. If you think it is average, print a price list and go for it. You will not go far and will have to work your *** off in order to make a decent living.

If on the other end you are good (you do not need to be extraordinary) and are introduced to the right folks by the right person basically two events a month makes the same amount you do shooting three/four events a weekend or a week for a month.

If you know you are in demand and highly recommended you set your price depending on your client's means and demands. In this case there is no price list, ever. The price fluctuates and usually goes up with time and 'weird demands'.

Once upon a time I was in demand by the Ross Perot entourage. These folks do not nickel and dime but have specific requirements both in time, location and more often than not have expensive demands to deal with. Not request, DEMANDS. Either you do it or you lose an opportunity. There is no price on this type of service. It all depends on how capable you are and how you come across.

So the real questions are:
WHAT IS YOUR WORTH?
Then
How do you come across?
And finally
Who do you know who can introduce you to a STILL very lucrative market?

The only ethic issue here is DELIVER. If you do not you are burned, end of it. Even smaller markets close on you. These folks will make you or break you, just like that, they have the reach.

The gravy train lasted two years and ended when we moved to Italy.
As a photographer, what is your worth? br br Folk... (show quote)


What is one's worth as a photographer, tells but a small portion of the person. What individuals gain from photography can be a very wide range. Self satisfaction, money, or accolades (from friends, family or the public). There are many reasons for becoming interested or active in the field. As for the monetary worth of individual photograhs, that relates to the saying, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." What I think is a noteworthy piece may be junk in another's thoughts. Basically, worth is relative to the individual and his or her personal emotions and thoughts regarding the art.

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Feb 20, 2021 12:44:58   #
User ID
 
Dannj wrote:
All depends on how one defines “success”. It’s not a universal definition.

True, but in terms of this thread the “how one defines” is quite clear ... so there’s no “all depends”. Your sermon does not apply here.

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Feb 20, 2021 13:14:26   #
PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA
 
I do not attempt to sell my photos, yet I believe my audience believes my efforts are worth a lot. I value the friendships it has offered me.

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Feb 20, 2021 13:16:33   #
User ID
 
PhotogHobbyist wrote:
What is one's worth as a photographer, tells but a small portion of the person. ..........

So what. Preach your sermons in the chit chat forum, not here.

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Feb 20, 2021 13:18:09   #
joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA
 
Rongnongno wrote:
As a photographer, what is your worth?

Folks here do not seem to understand marketing and how to approach the upper end market.

It all about how much you think your time AND TALENT is worth. If you think it is average, print a price list and go for it. You will not go far and will have to work your *** off in order to make a decent living.

If on the other end you are good (you do not need to be extraordinary) and are introduced to the right folks by the right person basically two events a month makes the same amount you do shooting three/four events a weekend or a week for a month.

If you know you are in demand and highly recommended you set your price depending on your client's means and demands. In this case there is no price list, ever. The price fluctuates and usually goes up with time and 'weird demands'.

Once upon a time I was in demand by the Ross Perot entourage. These folks do not nickel and dime but have specific requirements both in time, location and more often than not have expensive demands to deal with. Not request, DEMANDS. Either you do it or you lose an opportunity. There is no price on this type of service. It all depends on how capable you are and how you come across.

So the real questions are:
WHAT IS YOUR WORTH?
Then
How do you come across?
And finally
Who do you know who can introduce you to a STILL very lucrative market?

The only ethic issue here is DELIVER. If you do not you are burned, end of it. Even smaller markets close on you. These folks will make you or break you, just like that, they have the reach.

The gravy train lasted two years and ended when we moved to Italy.
As a photographer, what is your worth? br br Folk... (show quote)


Thank you for the excellent advice

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Feb 20, 2021 13:27:28   #
User ID
 
Know what, Ron ? In your thread title you made an unforseeable mistake.

Apparently “what are you worth” is an airy fairy hot button phrase. In hindsight, it really should’ve been “what is your $$ market value”.

This thread is gonna run 12 pages of philosophical off topic nonsense. Maybe I’ll check back after page 10 for some possible entertainment.

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Feb 20, 2021 13:56:28   #
FotoHog Loc: on Cloud 9
 
Paul Diamond wrote:
If you measure your worth in 'worldly values', what you might gain is worldly worth.

IMHO, you should aim higher, much higher. What have you achieved? What have you accomplished? What have you changed for the better? - What have you added? What have you originated? Where is your creativity? Where is your soul?

These are answers worthy of the last days of your life. I'm still working on mine. And, I expect to be working on them during the last day of my life.

Aim higher. Be bolder. Do good without the notice or recognition of others. Help without expecting glory. Encourage without appreciation. Love without receiving love in return.
If you measure your worth in 'worldly values', wha... (show quote)

When were you sainted? . . .

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Feb 20, 2021 14:01:23   #
DennisC. Loc: Antelope, CA
 
billnikon wrote:
I have seen that is true for most Canon owners. Why not sell yours and then you can relax and buy Nikon and Sony.


He already owns a Sony and Nikon is on a downhill slide.

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