Why Does Photography Cost More: Came across this Blog while doing some research . Makes a good point. http://timesmartimagesblog.com/2013/02/why-does-custom-photography-cost-more/ Here...

rickfinn2013 Loc: Mesa ,Az

Came across this Blog while doing some research .
Makes a good point.

http://timesmartimagesblog.com/2013/02/why-does-custom-photography-cost-more/

Here is the Home page
http://www.timesmartimages.com/

2x25mpg Loc: Long Island NY

Does'nt matter how much the photographer justifies the price. The consumer cares only about price and nothing more.
I recently printed 300 8x10's and paid a 150 dolar entry fee to sell my prints (8 dollars each).
My booth was packed with people all day just gushing out compliments on my work yet i never sold one print !
All i heard was stuff like " your bird photos are gorgeous, but i probably could get some cheaper elsewhere "

rickfinn2013 Loc: Mesa ,Az

Oh I do understand . It is not like the old days .
Like the saying goes everyone is a photographer.

Use to do freelance photography in my younger days now just for my self.

People want something for nothing like they say you get what you pay for . Have made that comment to people when they say that to me .

pigpen

2x25mpg wrote:

Does'nt matter how much the photographer justifies the price. The consumer cares only about price and nothing more.
I recently printed 300 8x10's and paid a 150 dolar entry fee to sell my prints (8 dollars each).
My booth was packed with people all day just gushing out compliments on my work yet i never sold one print !
All i heard was stuff like " your bird photos are gorgeous, but i probably could get some cheaper elsewhere "

I went through the same thing. The digital age as done as much harm to photography as it has helped. The current economy hasn't helped. I know of 2 pros (fulltime) that shoot the same things I do, landscapes, flowers, wildlife, etc... They both say the same thing, ""No matter how bad the economy is, people will always pay to have photos taken of thier kids, and thier pets." So, during the day, this is what they do. On weekends, they take photos of what they want to.

I am a skeptical, a self critical person. I learned to take "compliments" from family and friends with a grain of salt. About a year ago, I had a show at a local civic center. Not the place for sales, but just wanted to get my stuff out there. I showed up on a Sunday to take them down. A show had just let out, so I had to wait about an hour because the hallways were full of people. This was the first time I saw "true" reactions to my work, as no one there had any idea they were mine. This was quite a learning experience. People really loved my work. I also noticed, that no matter how long a person/couple stood and talked about a photo, not once did anyone pick up my bussiness card that were placed in several places throughout the hall. I sold nothing, regardless of the fact that the manager of the place said my stuff was a big hit, and some of the best work she's had there in years.

I had a show in the fall. People loved most of my stuff. I even had a 20 year old photography student ask me if I took interns. That was a nice compliment. Didn't sell much, but broke even as far as rental space goes. A women asked me what my camera was. When I told her a Canon T2i, she said, "That's what I have! How come my photos don't look as good as yours?" I asked how long she has been doing photography, she said about a year. I asked what lens she used, she said the one that came with the camera. I then told her I've been doing it for roughly 20 years, and that I had about $6,000 wrapped up in lenses alone.

People don't understand. You hear of people doing weddings for $800 using a rebel and a kit lens. A women in my office just took her 2 year old to Sears for a portrait special. The shoot, one 10x13, one 8x10, two 5x7, ten wallets, for $12.99!!!!! They obviously tried to talk her into more money, but she said no. Tell me how someone is to compete with that. The established ones, the ones that have been doing it for years, have a reputation and will probably be ok. The ones just starting out?? GOOD LUCK!!!

I ran into a guy I haven't seen in years. He told me that his wife had opened a studio. It was very large, about 2,000 square feet. I then found out later that she's a fulltime school teacher, and that her father owned the building and pays nothing for rent, just utilities.

bebo1998 Loc: Baltimore MD area

ONCE BEFORE I MENTIONED MY FRIENDS BAND CALLED " MY EXPENSIVE HOBBY". 'NUF SAID :)

Mama Bear984 Loc: Langley, BC Canada

I totally agree with you. Some people just don't get it. there will always be users & people who want something for nothing. I do my photography for myself and if I had to do just kids to make a living then so be it. But I keep in mind that my time is my time.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

pigpen wrote:

2x25mpg wrote:

Does'nt matter how much the photographer justifies the price. The consumer cares only about price and nothing more.
I recently printed 300 8x10's and paid a 150 dolar entry fee to sell my prints (8 dollars each).
My booth was packed with people all day just gushing out compliments on my work yet i never sold one print !
All i heard was stuff like " your bird photos are gorgeous, but i probably could get some cheaper elsewhere "

I went through the same thing. The digital age as done as much harm to photography as it has helped. The current economy hasn't helped. I know of 2 pros (fulltime) that shoot the same things I do, landscapes, flowers, wildlife, etc... They both say the same thing, ""No matter how bad the economy is, people will always pay to have photos taken of thier kids, and thier pets." So, during the day, this is what they do. On weekends, they take photos of what they want to.

I am a skeptical, a self critical person. I learned to take "compliments" from family and friends with a grain of salt. About a year ago, I had a show at a local civic center. Not the place for sales, but just wanted to get my stuff out there. I showed up on a Sunday to take them down. A show had just let out, so I had to wait about an hour because the hallways were full of people. This was the first time I saw "true" reactions to my work, as no one there had any idea they were mine. This was quite a learning experience. People really loved my work. I also noticed, that no matter how long a person/couple stood and talked about a photo, not once did anyone pick up my bussiness card that were placed in several places throughout the hall. I sold nothing, regardless of the fact that the manager of the place said my stuff was a big hit, and some of the best work she's had there in years.

I had a show in the fall. People loved most of my stuff. I even had a 20 year old photography student ask me if I took interns. That was a nice compliment. Didn't sell much, but broke even as far as rental space goes. A women asked me what my camera was. When I told her a Canon T2i, she said, "That's what I have! How come my photos don't look as good as yours?" I asked how long she has been doing photography, she said about a year. I asked what lens she used, she said the one that came with the camera. I then told her I've been doing it for roughly 20 years, and that I had about $6,000 wrapped up in lenses alone.

People don't understand. You hear of people doing weddings for $800 using a rebel and a kit lens. A women in my office just took her 2 year old to Sears for a portrait special. The shoot, one 10x13, one 8x10, two 5x7, ten wallets, for $12.99!!!!! They obviously tried to talk her into more money, but she said no. Tell me how someone is to compete with that. The established ones, the ones that have been doing it for years, have a reputation and will probably be ok. The ones just starting out?? GOOD LUCK!!!

I ran into a guy I haven't seen in years. He told me that his wife had opened a studio. It was very large, about 2,000 square feet. I then found out later that she's a fulltime school teacher, and that her father owned the building and pays nothing for rent, just utilities.

quote=2x25mpg Does'nt matter how much the photogr... (show quote)

This is PRECISELY why, when people come to the 'hog and say "I just bought a Rebel T2i and I'm starting a photography business..." someone will try and caution them and the threads eventually turn into a flame war, with forum sheriffs telling the person to leave them and their dream alone.

People TRY and help them understand that it's like being a successful actor....005% actually make a living...the rest are starving...but saying that is what starts the flame wars. :(