Looking in the Mirror: Self Value
The never ending cycle of value question is still happening. It happened to me two times this week and it caught me by surprise a little bit.
The first one was the opportunity to shoot an album cover. This is not something I have done often and am interested in doing more. The person was asking for a free session and wanting the experience- I said yes. Come to find out the photography they wanted did not really align with my style at all. There will be alot of props and likely overediting on their part. I also like to have a quick premeeting to review ideas and meet each other which they did not seem keen on doing. But as I promise to do something, I hold to my word. If I am honest, with a teeny bit of resentment.
The other one was an individual I have known for a couple of months. They had asked about a headshot after they got a new custom fit piece of clothing completed. Sure, I would love to. Once the clothing was done they saw my prices and said no thank you. I don’t mind if people think I am too expensive. Yes, my prices are higher than the average area photographer but I feel they are worth the value I provide. In fact I have had clients tell me I should charge more. But still… knowing there was a recent custom clothing purchase here… a tiny bit of resentment.
As I thought about this I thought this is not the clients fault. And the rest of this post is not about them. It is about myself and the photography industry.
Look in the mirror I thought. What is there to see here?
Overall, I think there is an industry that is struggling to show value when everyone has a camera on their cell phones. And everyone else has a DSLR in auto, also claiming to be a photographer. Not that there is anything wrong with taking pictures in general. I first came to enjoy the benefits of photography as it is essentially an exercise in mindfulness and creativity with mental health benefits. I am happy everyone has a camera.
But the concern is they take pictures. And I take pictures. The client then asks what is the difference?
Let me first start with a story. This past week I gave my networking group three tips of how to appear smaller in pictures. I told them to stay away from baggy clothing, lean forward a bit or rest on their back hip and move their arms away from their sides. In truth I would add even more to this: the specific style of what they are wearing, finesse the pose completely unique to their body type, use light to highlight what I want, shade what I don’t want to highlight and have an authentic expression. On a personal note I feel that an expression can make a photograph over anything else. I also would arrange the photo in a way to suit the purpose of the photo whether it is for a headshot, a fun session, something specific to their purpose… or the dozens of other purposes I have come across. I start and create my photos with purpose as opposed to the ‘just click a button’.
I say this because what I have listed here is more than the average person with a cell phone and more than most with DSLR’s will know to do. But at the end of the day, we are both photographers. So how to differentiate? Does it matter? Or does it matter that at the end of the day I know my value and do not let the detractors take away from that.
For me it is still a work in progress. Photography has always been a bit of putting myself out there and when people say no… sometimes, even though you know the process- it is hard to get around. I have come a long way and photograph much less often for a value less than I am worth. I remember years ago having friends ask me to do their weddings and me turning them down because I felt I was not good enough. Then I would see the pictures and know I could have done a better job.
It is unfortunate that there is little information out there on how to price yourself and so much of what you see is other people also undervaluing themselves. I was lucky that in the beginning I did not offer people 100 pictures for a small fee. While I was still cheap I offered per picture that sounded cheap, but when people saw all the pictures they liked, and wanted- they bought more. But I will was not ultimately charging at value.
A little note here. The best information I heard was if you feel bad about how much you are charging, is to add more value. This same person also advocated that instead of just a photo session, change the way people see themselves.
Boom. This is not just photography. This is not just a pretty picture on your feed. Although, if I am honest, I think many of my pictures are pretty. Since then my goal as a photographer has changed into more than just taking pictures.
I want someone to come to my studio and for however brief or long of time they are there. I want them to feel completely seen, heard and special. I want them to look back on their photo and remember that time. Remember in a tough time that they felt amazing, alive, comfortable in their own skin. I want them to remember the confidence they had being in front of a camera- which is hard to do. And with any luck have that confidence spill over into their own life. I waited 20 years to chase my dream of being a photographer, I don’t want others to wait that long.
In addition to the thought that a photograph is more than a photograph. With the right compilation of art, light, technology and direction- it can be a story. And if I am lucky enough perhaps one day a master piece. While a regular photo does tell a story. A photograph that tells a story of a future dream or goal can be an opportunity to focus on and make that dream a reality. A photograph that tells of a tough time can be an opportunity to communicate something that words cannot.
In conclusion as I look in the mirror after these two occurences I am not upset. I will, and have already learned something from each interaction. I also beleive that putting good juju out into the universe will come back full circle. And while my self value, and value as a photographer has come a long way I will continue to evaluate as opportunities like this arise. Was I feeling a drop in self value? Where do I need to improve? I do have to wonder if the client that ghosted me last week was a reflection on me ghosting myself at times. I will do better.
As for the photography industry. I hope this beautiful industry will be around for years to come. I am looking for ways to authentically use AI in a way that accentuates my goals for photography clients, not takes away from it. I think I can safely say right now that AI is not, nor will it ever be a substitute for how someone feels in and after a session. Then looking back on the picture thinking- wow! I did that! But I do think there is a distinction between a photographer and a story teller, a light worker, a master of their craft that is not being made. The public will not see the value of that until we see it ourselves, and we show them.