I have always had a part time job while doing my photography business. Sometimes it got in the way of my business, other times it has helped. Right now I work 30-35 hours a week at my part time job. This does get in the way of my business, I can't answer my phone, return emails or book last minute sessions.
I have decided that I needed to make changes to help my business. So I made a goal for 2014, a big one! My goal is to work only with my photography. No more part time jobs! To reach this goal I had to make a few changes in the way I run my business. First thing is my price. I never raised my prices, they have been the same since 2000! A lot has changed since 2000! The cost of living has gone up, I have updated my equipment three times and more!
Since I made my goal of being full time photographer I have kept better records of my time with each session. From the start of a full session, editing the photos, making the gallery, emailing back and forth with the client and ordering the prints. I found out I wasn't even making minimum wage! Most people think a photographer has an easy job, but it isn't as easy as it seems. From the time I start your photo session until I order your prints I log in from 15-20 hours with you depending on what type of session and how much editing needs to be done. Can you imagine working 15 hours and after deducting cost of running a business and the cost of the prints only masking $45! I couldn't believe it!
I am not writing this to justify my price changes. I writing this to remind everyone that what we do as photographers is more than just clicking a button on a camera.
Over the next 6 months there will be many changes in my business. I hope you stay with me during these changes.
Thank you!
Olivia Jean Williams
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