The Confessions of a Starving Artist

When I was asked "what do you do" or "oh, your a photographer, what are your prices?" I felt a tremendous amount of fear in saying my sitting is $150. I always sat there, stood there, or just studdered a little bit when I would work up the nerve to tell someone. I was afraid it would be frowned upon. That I would loose the chance if any to work with this person. I'd feel rejected right out of the gate, especially if they didn't say anything back.

For the past month or so, I've been watching Creative Live with some amazing photographers. Learning and getting inspired to revamp my business. Because lets face it we all need refueled every now and again. So, here I am needing to get excited again. Watching these incredibly talented people like: Sue Bryce, Zach & Jody Gray, Sandy Puc', and I can't wait to see Jasmine Star. All of whom I'm a huge fan of. And, I realized one thing they all have in common: They all VALUE themselves and VALUE their work. I look at them and say to myself: "I can do that, or I will do that" "I am that, I DO that" "What am I so afraid of?" "I AM A PHOTOGRAPHER".

Now back to me and this fear of rejection when asked: "what are your prices?" I got to thinking about what are these fears all about. Am I as good as those other photographers? Do I not VALUE myself? Do I not feel WORTH what I'm asking? Am I just not good enough anymore? Then Sue Bryce said something that made my eyebrows stand up a bit. She said that the national average for a professional photographer's sales is $3,000, meaning a client will spend $3,000 minimum when knowing they are going to a professional. WOW! So, then I think: I'm really selling myself cheap and what's that say about what I think I'm really worth? What's that say about how I value myself? Why do I feel less worth than someone doing what I do. I should be PROUD to say: "This is my rate, and by the way I'm worth it." But, I've lost my way, ferred off the path that God so graciously blessed me to be on. I don't put 100% of myself in my work anymore. Not like I did when I was a new photographer and excited and inspired. I don't treat my clients like I should be treating my clients, my turn around has been appauling in which I've cut off my biggest connections with people (and their families and friends.)

So I bow my head and pray: God please light my way back to the career path you had me on 10 years ago. Back when I was proud to say: "I AM A PHOTOGRAPHER, and I'm good at it, and I LOVE IT!" Back when I was so happy and because I'm happy, I'm rubbing that happiness off on you... I know thats a whole lot of happy going on in that statement. haha

But I'm going to STOP being ashamed starting today. I am going to make myself WORTHY to my clients and treat them better. And, next time I'm asked: "what do you charge for just a portrait session?" (I'm not even touching wedding photography in this blog post today) I MIGHT JUST LOOK AT THAT PERSON WITH OUT HESITATION AND SAY: "I start at $150 but I promise you I'm worth every penny, given the chance I'll put 100% of myself into my art and my craft to show you".

Thanks for reading, I know I haven't blogged in awhile but it's just one of the things about to change! :)

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