In case you were wondering, the point behind “go figure: consider ME”:http://revjim.net/2006/06/20/go-figure-consider-me/ is not about telling my friends to pay me more or even to pay me at all. I mean, sure, I’d be happy and grateful if they did, but that’s not the real purpose.
More than anything, its purpose is to bring understanding about what it is that I put into each photo session, in terms of both time and money, and trying to install a sense of partnership and responsibility into the friends and acquaintances that I do choose to work with for free. As “Josh said”:http://revjim.net/2006/06/20/go-figure-consider-me/#comment-8339 I can’t expect to make any kind of money selling to only friends and family as I’m tapping a very limited resource. However, my friends and family have lots of friends and family. A limitless resource, if you will. At this point in the game, $84.04 will help a little, but bringing even one paying portrait session or a handful of fine-art purchases my way will help a lot more. Especially when I then make friends with those people and get them to bring me even more business.
Advertising is expensive and I’m willing to accept that. They way I see it, I can spend $84.04 and advertise to my friends’ friends through word of mouth, or I can spend $84.04 and take out an ad in the yellow pages.
Do you ever feel like you have to explain yourself more times than not? When I read the original post about $84.04, I got it. I mean…as a profession, you have to charge something for your time and work. In my opinion, if someone asks you to do a photo shoot, then they should pay you to do it. If you ask someone to shoot them, then it may be different. Friends/family/whoever, should appreciate the fact that you put a lot of time and money, thought and skills, into your photography. To me, they owe you for that. You’ve mentioned before, that it doesn’t necessarily mean money in return for your work, but at least take you and Jess to dinner, or barter something in return. Maybe that’s just how my friends work and I’m missing the entire point all together.
I think you deserve to get paid for what you do. It’s your profession (on the side) and your passion.
Am I wrong?