Welcome to my journey as a photographer, where passion meets business, and every snapshot tells a story. This blog will be my professional diary, and I’m excited to take you along for the ride.
As a photographer, I’ve noticed there are generally two types of photographers: those who believe that all their knowledge, skills, and expertise belong solely to them, and those who love to share—whether it's their passion, insights, or techniques—with others, including their clients. This willingness to share is what truly separates the "great" photographers from those who are simply good. and man do I hope I fall into the first category!
The Beginning: From Passion to Career
When I first picked up a camera at 23, six years ago. I had no idea how far it would take me, let me tell you how it all started. I didn’t grow up with much money, so the idea of owning a camera seemed impossible, so I didn't even dare to dream. But sometimes, life surprises you in the best ways. A friend gifted me a camera and a few lenses, there was more than just total excitement and joy but a sense of purpose and that single act of kindness changed my life. I committed myself to this craft and started my photography business from scratch—literally doing free shoots for everyone I knew. YouTube was my mentor and well just experience overall, I was the only person in my friends groups, colleagues and family that did photography, so self-taught it was.
Lessons Learned: Starting Over in the Big City
I moved a few years after that to the big city! not realizing I will need to start all over, I actually built such a great client base in the small town. Not just building from scratch again but the city was overflowing with fellow photographers probably trying to built from the same place I am trying and only a few are way up there, flying! Suddenly I seemed very, very small and insignificant. That did not stop me! I started from that same bottom again, for years. It paid off and I have built something again.
Understanding My Value as a Photographer:
After a few years, the church I am in one of the leaders helped me with a mindset I had and I realized I wasn’t just pricing my photos wrong; I was undervaluing my skills. In the city, people associate high prices with quality, and I had to adjust my mindset. Let me share the advice that changed everything and I want to share what she told me: Being in the city is a lot different than being in a small farm town, the people can afford expensive stuff here!! and secondly people that CAN afford expensive stuff will never look twice to very cheap stuff, why? let me explain, they question cheap things! what do think when you buy a very cheap item? "I hope this won't break easy". Cheap items are not considered very valuable and quality items, so me being a very cheap photographer (and not bad quality) won't help me actually wanting to make money and growing my client base.
This idea really stuck with me, so I decided to apply it gradually, and it WORKED! Even now, I still have to remind myself that it's okay to price my work according to its true value, not less. It's an ongoing process, but knowing that my worth is reflected in my pricing has made all the difference.
Don't think it was an easy transition, Still to this day clients, and even fellow photographers make me feel I am "too high priced" if so why can other photographers be priced at R250 000 ($ 14 200 for us South Africans we consider this A LOT) and they be still fully booked? there will always be people that want to make you believe your work is not that valuable so that they can get your quality for the lowest price as possible! If they really want you as photographer, they will pay for you even if they need to save money.
Have you ever struggled with pricing your work? How did you overcome it?"
Your work is valuable, and you deserve to price it as such. Remember, if you believe in the quality of your art, so will your clients. Here’s to building something meaningful, one photo at a time.
Comments