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Question from Kim: “How do you compete with a photographer that has no session fee and only charges a few dollars for each picture?!? Looking at her work its really not that good but its still frustrating!”
Anna: You said it yourself, there is no competition. You want clients who appreciate art, they will come to you not based on price.
Victoria: You don’t.
Melissa: You don’t. They’re not in the same league. There is no competition.
Alison: maybe they are still learning, im still learning i only charge $60 and I dont charge that much for pictures. I’m not that great yet but I know in time i’ll get better. do you know how long they have been doing this? Maybe they do it as a hobby and not a profession.
Angelajoy: I wouldn’t say that’s your competition, probably a person gaining experience….
Heather: It’s frustrating for sure!!!
Emma: oh man can i relate! there are so many get rich quick “photographers” around that will sell their point and click images edited with picasa with the disc for rock bottom prices. i guess if people aren’t willing to pay for quality artwork then that’s what they’ll get. gotta stick to your guns and have confidence in your skills and quality.
Catrina: Don’t compete. Outshine. If her work is not good, and yours is, show it off! Advertise. Get your work out there. Offer incentives (refer a friend, get $_ off your sitting fee). Do what you do, and make your self known, and there will be people who will be willing to pay for the better quality.
It’s like this, I will go to Wal Mart only if absolutely necessary. Otherwise, I shop at Target. Target’s products are very similar from the outside, but I know from experience that the quality is higher and the customer service is better, plus the store is ALWAYS cleaner. Given the choice, I will ALWAYS chose Target.
Jada: Mercedes doesnt worry about losing customers to Kia
Heather: I get that’s frustrating. but coming from someone who is just beginning, no I dont charge much at all, and no im not that good… YET. But I can guarantee not everyone starts off at rock star status.
I know many amazing photographers in my area that do amazing work that I can only hope to begin to be as good as someday, and yes their prices reflect their awesomeness. They have earned it. I have found my clients are the ones that can not really afford the oh so amazing ones but also want something better then a friend using a point and shoot. So, hopefully the clients that can afford you and your quality of work choose you and those that cant afford that but want “something”beyond the friend taking pictures or the stuffy studio chains in department stores are stepping stones for the just beginning, the struggling, the person that yearns and wishes she had the skill set you do.
just a thought. cause while you are wishing you had more clients etc, she’s wishing she could provide the quality of images for clients that you are able to give.
Jenn: People will pay what they want to pay really… If someone wants photography for nothing they are willing to go with less quality and just be happy with it. There is always really going to be someone who is always cheaper than you – just be confident and keep your work looking great!
Sarah: I am finding more and more that everyone with a DSLR is calling themselves a photog. They do not have any formal training/education, no experience and no portfolio. I have been building my business for 5 years and it has only been in the past 6 months that I have really started to book sessions. It really bothers me that these said photogs just wake up one day and decide to charge pennies for sessions and call themselves professionals. It makes me feel horrible for people who book with them and expect professional photos and get “hobby” photos…..
Sarah: and it makes me quinch to see some of them promoting wedding photography… YIKES
Nicole: i to am learning an want to charge only a small fee to portfolio build! Atm i am self taught in photography and photoshop but am looking into a course. I did a photoshoot on the weekend which has gained alot if interest in business because the like my photography and my style. I am not the best but i dont think my work is bar and i have sooo much more to learn! People will go where they are happy and recommendations. I appreciate feedback from professional photographers and ordinary people. Have a look at Nicky G Photography!! I would appreciate feedback but yes i Am still learning but dont want to be paid nothing for my work. I have a family to support!!
Wendi: People have different reasons why they do photography. Not everyone is in it to make money.
Aaron: Here’s some great perspective from a highly respected photographer friend of mine. His site is full of fantastic information! Check out this article:
http://shuttercliq.com/an-open-letter-to-cheap-shoot-and-burners/
Alison: You have to start somewhere, you have to try everything out and figure out what you like to do best. You learn as you go. At first you make mistakes but you get better in time. Not everyone is perfect you have to practice and if that means charging a little bit, then whatever. Time is money. It’s not free anymore.
Meghan: Since when is art about competition anyways? I’ve spent the last year and half building my portfolio )which i didnt charge a dime for) and business. with each session my “art” a d talent has gotten better. I’ve learned from super talented photographers who are for the most part “self taught”. It’s people who are worried about competing that wont go far, will hit a plateau. (In my opinion) perhaps instead of worrying how you should compete, take some time to concentrate on your own business and how you can improve with EACH session. You may be surprised in a year from now, this photog you speak of may very well surpass any expectation you ever set for them. Which is why you shouldn’t compete. Do your thing your way.
Christina: I agree, don’t compete. What you think maybe working for some may not be and what works for them may not work for you. I was completely frustrated at first with it too until I learned what I was worth and stopped comparing myself to the highest of the high and the lowest of the low. Be yourself, work hard and believe in yourself. Things always work out the way they are supposed to
Alicia: Plus, those shoot and burners are going to get BURNT OUT soon enough and start to hate it – spending that much time/effort away from their families for $20 is just not worth it to anyone – even if it is fast money for 4 months or whatever!
Kelly: I had this exact same thought today when I came across a friend of a friend on FB that literally out of nowhere started a “photography business“. Booking sessions left & right, at least according to her status updates. Quality of her work is under no circumstances professional. Pissed me off for about 10 seconds, then I moved on. For whatever reason, there’s now about 20 photographers on every corner w/ a DSLR & a set of free business cards from vistaprint. Granted, we all have to start somewhere & every great artist was once an amateur, but some of these people are setting up shop before they’ve even come out of auto mode & it’s disrespectful to the photography profession, in my opinion. Don’t even sweat it. There will always be clients that want the $500 wedding photographer or $25 portrait session. Can’t let that get you down.
Leanne: everyones got to start somewhere, i say good luck to them.
Heather: by having good work. That is all. I live in an area oversaturated with students from a very good photography program. They give it away. I know that I don’t have to, because I offer consistancy and confidence. People will usually buy confidence.
Heather: If you have great work and your price reflects that, you will get the clients who really care. The other who go for the cheap crap are not the clients you want anyway. They will not appreciate you as much. You want the clients to “get it”
BP4U: It can be frustrating. Times where I find myself looking at others work and pricing and all that… i just hide them or block them or make myself not go to their site.. Spend all that time on different ways you can get yourself out there. If you’re charging for your sessions, the crowd that would go to that other person, will not be the same crowd that goes to you. <– that makes sense in my head but i’m going on not a lot of sleep – lol
Heather: I just tried to say the same this lol. Made sense to me ^
Heather: the “coupon clipping” croud will always look for the best deal, the ones you want, are the ones who are looking for the best work.
Jenn: Thank you for this post. Exactly what I needed to ear right now.
Jaye: Yeah, my clients would never hire that person. They hire me for the experience and the quality. I charge a $250 session fee and that includes nothing (no disc, no prints). I average about $500 in post-session sales. My clients are the type that are willing to spend $750+ on a family portrait or boudoir session. THOSE are the people I want to work for, too. Those that really value photography. Which doesn’t look down at those that don’t value photography at all! They are OK people, just not my clients and that’s OK. There may be more of them, but with just one client I make what these other photographers make for every 20. I prefer that!
Christy: Offer a better experience, better product, personalized service, in person sales. You don’t want the price shoppers. The ones who truly appreciate photography as an investment will come.
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