I truly feel so sad for all of the people who lost their jobs with kiddie kandids, and for a business that was in business for years. My dad was one of the first to call and tell me the good news (you see as a photographer, he thought for sure it was good news for me as clients would be beating down my door to schedule appointments.) “Dad” I said, you dont understand, custom photography is different than what kiddie kandids produced. He said hmm how? I proceeded to tell him that I edit clients images, include up to 40 proofs for them to view, spend an an hour to an hour and a half with them on sessions and im out to capture more than just a glimpse in time. Im here to produce art! Images that we can cherish forever, moments that can be felt through the images we hold as heirlooms. Im not writing this to start a great debate, not at all, but im writing this to say…….Im really concerned about our industry here in Utah. Things are very saturated here. Now thats not a problem as much as it is photographers armed with cameras that they dont know how to use, pricing they dont know where to start with, and products that are being sold to consumers that are sub par to the industry. Now when I say subpar, Im meaning lacking the knowledge, not the ability. When I first started photography I had NO mentors, no one to tell me I was crazy for charging $50 for a cd and session and no one that I could ask questions too. I think this is a perfect time for us as photographers, to help one another and rebuild the industry here in Utah! Im tired of selling portraits, I want to sell heirlooms and priceless art pieces! Now dont let anyone make you feel inferior or sub par if you are just starting out in photography, or for that matter, if you are wanting to start out in photography. We have all been there! We all have to go through and learn to shoot in manual, learn photoshop, learn lighting and other aspects but we all have some sort of different creativity and ability! If you are thinking about doing photography, or are doing photography, just take a step back and look at a few things, why you are doing it, and is what your asking worth your time? I definitely believe in different price levels, we are all at different levels, but lets put name brand back on custom photography! Offer products that are different, quality that is superior and will hold up as heirloom pieces. Now why did I write this you ask?????? I want to help! Yes of course, ive always loved helping!!!! So if you are a photographer, or a client or just a blog hopper and are yearning to know something please stop by ask some questions and Im going to start a Q&A area on my blog that will be up for photographers to view all the time. so please email me at marissavargasonphotography@gmail.com. Now go ahead ask anything! you know what they say, the only dumb question is the one not asked. I really want to see our memories valued as art again, because lets face it, we know these moments in life are PRICELESS!!!!!
To all my valued clients…….I strive only to produce and deliver quality heirloom products that will last for years to come for you and your family to cherish forever. Thats what I expect, so that is what I will deliver.
Peace, Love, and happy rebuilding!
PS I have some amazing mentors and friends now, and I must admit, they still change the way I see everyday, and I express gratitude to those of you (you know who you are) now if only I can do that for someone =)
Amen Sista!!!! I have this same problem with my clients. I feel I am worth a such amount, but I know many dont want to pay a lot so go and find anyone ANYONE WITH A NICE CAMERA and use them to save a buck. I cant compete with suzi Q who wants to charge 1.- a picture for a quick mediocure shoot. And…I feel I’m far better then to except that for payment. So, I dont. I agree we can all help eachother out by not doing freebies. We are spending time doing what we love, away from our family, and then editing after the session as well. Isn’t that worth more then 90.- of a 10 min shoot at kiddie kandids. I think soooooo. Great post.
LOVE THIS!!! Seriously, lets just publish this in the Desert News and Trib, okay?? Love the fact taht you are promoting helping eachother… when so many are tearing down. You are awesome, Marissa! xoxo -jen
Marissa, you ARE other people’s mentors! I learned so much from spending time with you, a lot of things that I was lost about, that I had spent months researching and trying to do myself! I am so happy you helped me out, it has made my business grow so much! You have given me confidence, and trust in other photographers! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!1
Could not have said it better!!! You are an amazing mentor, photographer and friend. We do need to help each other and you have helped me so much!! Thank you!!
You do produce art! I have the picture you took of Sasha in the multi-color wrap in my breakfast area and everyone that sees it comments on it. I absolutely love it! It is one of those pictures that will always be up in my home, no matter how many kids I have and no matter how old Sasha is. It is really priceless. Everytime I see your newborn pics it makes me want to have another baby just so you can take pictures of him/her!
What you do is worth every penny you charge. Not only for your talent and ability, but for your time away from your family, too. Many people out there think that all you do is click a button and print out a picture. SO NOT TRUE! I don’t have your talent so I know it’s worth a lot. Keep up the good work- making memories and teaching others.
Marissa, you took so many words right out of my mouth! I hope stores & closings like this remind everyone that you can’t get something for nothing. And that’s proof from stores that are having to close down because they can’t support their overhead. Because they can’t pay their employees. Knowledge is power & education is key! I have a few things up my sleeve as well, trying to help the very things you are talking about … but you sparked some ideas with the Q&A as well. Thank you. I think sometimes people don’t realize how much they are affecting the industry (in a negative way) by trying to low-ball. And the crazy thing is, they think they are helping themselves … when really, that’s not the case either. It’s a lose-lose situation for everyone. Maybe the first Q&A you can answer for those in your area or your state … what made you ‘take the leap of faith’ and realize that a “$50 cd & session” was doing no one any favors? Sometimes those with less experience than us just need to hear the answer(s) to a few key questions that get them thinking about their futures as well. Thanks for the dialogue!
Very well said, Marissa!!! Love that you are putting it out there to help one another to make this business thrive! The memories you capture really are priceless! Thanks!
Wow Marissa, great post, loved it! I guess my question would be then, how do you know when you are ready and what to charge? Ive shoot in manual and am confident for the most part that I know what I am doing, and I think I have a good idea..but how the heck do you know what to charge? I dont want to be one of those photographers that you are reffering to
Its almost like you need a professional (s) to look at your work specifically and tell you honestly their opnion, at least I think that would help me. Im so sad that Ive missed out on your mentoring, I really think you are wonderful and would have loooooooved to do one!
Anyway, thanks for always being so generous and helpful!!!!
Love it!!! And I have been in the same boat till I took a class from you with the whole “no mentor thing” and I am truely in your debt for what I have learned in your class!!! And would still like to learn more! I have to say that I wasn’t sad that the kiddie kandids company was gone, but am terribly sorry for all the people who lost their jobs. It is becoming all too common. I guess I just hate that there are people out there who aren’t well informed as to what they could have. Us custom photogs put so much more work and love into what we do, it’s not a straight from the camera thing. And i too believe that custom photography (to the right photog) is art! Honestly…this is the only artform that I have ever been slightly good at. It is something I made…I produced and worked hard on. Thank you for all you do! You are a great mentor!! You RAWK!
what a great post!!! be concered with the saturated Utah market is very concerning to me as well. I guess it all comes down to education and striving for perfection. i pride myself on the way i treat my clients, the time i dedicate to give them the best product that i can, and being unique. i really scares me that the “kiddie kandid” clients wont get the “boutique” style photographers and why they charge the prices they do. I was a Nordstom employee for many years and it really drove home the customer service mentality for me. I dont want the “stack em deep- sell em cheap” style of business, but it is hard to compete agaist it. I love that you are always so willing to share and give of your knowledge. i think it just raises the level of quality here in Utah… or at least i hope it will
you are such an amazing photog and wow, if we could all be like you we’d have it made… you rock!!!
Bravo
great post, and well written. I do hope some of those new to the industry take what you have said to heart.
I completely agree.
You are awesome.
I’m going to send an e-mail now with some questions!!!
We need to hang out sometime!!!!
Great post. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Can’t wait to learn more from everyone and the different styles out there.
Thanks so much for this post. I have already asked you questions and believe me that took some deep breaths. I am always concerned that I would be stepping on toes to find out the “secrets” of great photography. I have loved photography since I was little and the moment I got my new camera I was ready to take awesome photos. I am still learning and want to improve. I find that the pictures I would have been happy with before are now challenging me to do better. There are quite a few “new photographers” in my church since I have started taking photos as a business, but I have had quite a few clients that indicated they really like my style. This is great! …and great pressure. I don’t want to put out mediocre photos! But starting out I didn’t really know what I was worth. i have to admit that, YES, I did do 45 min sessions for $60 with a CD of images! I was really testing the waters to see how many good shots I could produce in that time AND how much time it truly took me. I made sure that I indicated this was an introductory holiday offer to make sure that they would understand the prices going up. I had HUGELY satisfied clients that are asking for pictures in the spring! But, I also do not have any mentors to look to. In a way I feel it hard to find them here in Houston because I feel we would be competing business. Anyway, I would love to be confident enough to charge more and that is where my questions will lead me. I NEED CRITIQUE!! Of course I would love it not necessarily in the comment section of my blog (unless it is really positive) ..but I would love an email to tell me how to improve. PLEASE!! No competition here, I’m in Houston!
http://robbinscreative.blogspot.com and facebook at Robbins Photography & Design. I do this because I absolutely love what a child and (family for that matter) brings to the camera. I fall in love with my children over and over again when i see their pictures and capture their smiles and personality. Such pure joy! I want to capture that for other moms and dads….but at the same time I don’t want to eye-gouge. Some photographers are horribly expensive and I feel for the families that truly can’t afford that but want those beautiful memories….but I don’t want to rock bottom the cost either. My time is definitely worth more than that. I know that I will care for their photos like I would my own kids…it isn’t fast food photography. Ok, long comment, but definitely heart felt.