Business Debacle #1

As if starting a legitimate business isn't difficult enough, I'm trying to find a happy medium regarding portrait and wedding prices. In our small town of Gaylord Michigan, when someone hears of a $2000 wedding, they drop their jaws, and question every aspect of the amount. To be honest, in my first year of wedding photography, I charged ridiculous amounts. By ridiculous, I mean the low end. My reasoning was that I didn't have the portfolio to present to ask for $2000 a wedding, so instead I sold myself short, and honestly ended up PAYING to do someones wedding. Every experience is a learning experience, and I never fail to walk out of a situation without learning important information about the industry. So, I raised my prices slightly, and went on my merry way.

I am beginning to resent people like me. I am grateful for the weddings I have done, and consider them to be WONDERFUL lessons about business, and what brides want...really the entire infrastructure. I've been cheated out of money, and ultimately not paid for a wedding. Why? Because to them, I was just a girl with a camera. Charging low prices from the beginning is no way to start a successful business. I truly did consider myself to be a 'professional' but just wanted to get a few weddings underneath my belt before I charged full price, which seems impossible to do at this point!

Weddings are a once in a lifetime event. There are no do-overs. There's no regret. You have to go to a wedding 100% committed and 100% on top of the game. Professionals charge professional prices. I feel like I am being unfair to raise my prices from what I originally modeled my business around, but I wasn't making money for a reason.

So I am not going to apologize for my actions, but instead remind people that they get paid for what they do. Would you show up for work if you didn't get paid to do so? I love every aspect of photography, and believe that I have earned my right in this industry to become successful doing so.

Just a mini rant. That I TOTALLY brought upon myself. *sigh*, I frustrate myself.

On a better note, today I discussed having an 'intern-assistant' with a local girl, Amanda. I am so excited to have someone who is as passionate about photography as I am on my team. Two heads is bound to be better than one....considering I got myself into this pricing issue all by myself...

We also began to clean out the studio area, and I feel like things are going to move much quicker than I had anticipated, which makes me SOOOOO HAPPY.

That's all for this evening,

STUDIO!

Yes, it's all finally happening. By this summer, I will have my own studio, which I am going to begin working on immediately, in downtown Gaylord. I am fortunate enough to be surrounded by wonderful people who support, and believe in me enough to offer their assistance in getting my feet off the ground, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

As soon as I have a 'grand opening' date, I will be having AMAZING sales on portrait packages. More info on that later. I have been online revamping my website, and stalking amazing websites like www.decor8blog.com in search of inspiration for my office and studio area and can literally feel my eyeballs burning out of my face.

Blessed!

Would you just look at that beautiful work load! I feel so blessed to have been as busy as I have been these last few weeks...if only it could be valentines day every day:)

I just received my print-press albums, and could not be happier with the final product! Truly perfect for clients who don't want to spend the money on a higher quality album; these albums are excellent cost to quality! Perfect addition for any print order starting at only $60 for 5X7, 10 side book!

February Already!

This has been an incredibly busy week! I've shot over 8 boudoir sets, and had an absolutely excellent time doing so. Coming up quite quickly is my darling son's fourth birthday! Hard to believe he's almost 4! I am unsure whether to insert a happy face or sad face...so heres a straight face :I.
Is or isn't he the cutest thing you've ever laid your eyes upon?

Also, I just purchased my second set of Totally Rad Actions and I'm oh so in love. These look a bit more urban to me, which is perfect for some photo's that are more commercial, and fashion aimed. YAYYYY.

Boudoir.

So I had my first boudoir shoot the other day, and I must say that I LOVED it! There is nothing more satisfying than taking photo's that make women feel confident and beautiful in their own skin. I truly, truly, loved it! All of the girls walked away more than pleased with the way the photo's turned out, and I was surprised at how amazingly comfortable all the girls were, and how comfortable I was! Here are a few to give you an idea:I will be sure to post more after all of my editing is complete, but just had to show off a bit :)

valentines day.

VALENTINES DAY SPECCCCCCIAL.

Others albums are available upon request!

warning: no content.

I have come to the decision that even if I have nothing of any value worth writing about, I will at least post one photo. I decided this because I want to post this adorable photo of my sister but have nothing of any substance worth writing about so.

black and white+ear muffs+snow+pearl necklace=WINTER.