12/04/2021
Client: "How much will it cost to do this Bo***ir session?"
PHOTOGRAPHER: "$2,800."
Client: "That's WAY too expensive for this Bo***ir session!!"
PHOTOGRAPHER: "How much do YOU think it would cost?"
Client: "No more than $800 Dollars - MAX!! It's a simple session!”
PHOTOGRAPHER: "I can't prioritize my time for so little."
Client: "People in your line of work are so greedy."
PHOTOGRAPHER: "Sorry you feel that way. Why not do it yourself?"
Client: "But... but... I don't know how to do any of this."
PHOTOGRAPHER: "For $800, I'll teach you EXACTLY how to get this session done. Then, you'll be saving $2,000 Dollars - PLUS... you'll get the knowledge and experience for the next time you want to do a session yourself."
Client: "Deal!! Let's do it."
PHOTOGRAPHER: To get started you'll need some things. So you'll have to buy a professional grade camera, a few lenses (highly recommended to have backups of camera and lenses), a computer with a lot of memory and fast processors as these files can be huge these days and running editing software takes a lot. If you choose to do this and get paid from someone else, You’ll need a website subscription, Photoshop subscription, Lightroom subscription, a CRM subscription so you can send invoices and contracts. You’ll need insurance and ensure you save 40% of the income you make for taxes. These mentioned above are minimum. Specifically for Bo***ir photography, it’s good to have a client closet which includes lingerie, sexy gowns and a variety of jewelry and some body jewelry. I’d also recommend satin sheets in miscellaneous colors, Variety of fur throws, sexy fabrics, white sheets and miscellaneous throw pillows. At a minimum. You’ll also need a studio or rent a space for the type of session you want to do because your home here doesn’t have the look required. And you’ll need to hire a hair and makeup artist as well.
Client: "But I don't have all this equipment and I can't buy all of these for this session."
PHOTOGRAPHER: "Well then for another $1000 more I'll let you rent my things... and you'll still be saving $1000 Dollars." You’ll still have to rent or buy a space and pay for hair and makeup artist though.
CUSTOMER: "That's cutting into my savings. But I'll rent your things”
PHOTOGRAPHER: "Okay! I'll be back on Saturday and we can start."
Client: "Wait. I can't on Saturday. I only have time today."
PHOTOGRAPHER: "Sorry, I only give lessons on Saturday, because I have to prioritize my time and have to be at other sessions with other clients all week long.
Client: "Okay!! I'll sacrifice my family plans on Saturday."
PHOTOGRAPHER: "Yeah... me too.
Client: "Ummm... ya know... I've been thinking. It's probably best if YOU get this session done. I'd rather pay someone to get it done correctly than go through all the hassle.
PHOTOGRAPHER: "Smart move, sign this contract and let’s do this!
THE REALITY IS THIS...
When you pay for a job, especially with an artist (photographer in this case) you pay not only for the portraits taken but you are also paying for:
- Knowledge
- Experience
- Equipment
- Services
- Time
- Punctuality
- Accountability
- Professionalism
- Labor
- Sacrifices
- Safety and Security
- Payment of tax obligations
- Quality
- Style you admire
- Art (not the paper the print is on)
No one should denigrate a professional's work by judging prices - ESPECIALLY when they don't know all the elements or costs necessary for the production of such work.
You can't haggle over a service that you don't actually have the skills or knowledge to do yourself. You can't get a high quality gourmet dinner party for the same price as a Happy Meal from McDonald's. And you can't be mad when skilled people actually KNOW their own worth.
Be smart. Trust a reputable professional. And never forget... that you ALWAYS get what you pay for.
-author unknown.
