I have been telling people that I will be raising my sitting fee in March.  I put an ad into a magazine that came out this week, and my phone has been ringing none stop.  My calander filled up very quickly for February - which is for a sitting fee of $45.00, 15 proofs included.  For March appointments, I'm telling them my sitting fee is $75.00, and it includes a package of 1 8X10, 2 5X7's, and a sheet of wallets.  After that it's $2.50 a proof.  I've had 20 callers today, and I did not make even one appointment.  I'm so confused.  Half of my family doesn't let me lower the price, the other half says I'm crazy, no one will come because I'm not that known.  (One year in the business.)

What should I do?

 

It is difficult to tell someone if they are charging too much or not enough.  My advice to you is to check out the prices of some other photographers in your area.  That should give you a rough idea.  Wal-mart & Sears Portrait studios don't count though.  Customers need to realize that if they want cheap photos they go to Wal-mart, if they want a professional to do it, they should expect to pay what a professional charges.

 

Keep shooting!

Alicia

 

P.S.

The saying is that if you are comfortable with your prices, your probably not charging enough! 

I have no clue.  Maybe you need to determine which clients you want to cater to?  Maybe the ones who wouldn't set appointments are just calling around places hoping to find a photographer cheaper than Sears or Pennys. 

There is a photographer in my area that is pretty hot right now, and she charges the same sitting fee, but the rest of her prices are much higher.  She's in business two years. I feel I'm just as good, with the exception of less backgrounds.   Then there are photographers who charge more as well, but they're in business a lot longer.  They don't work on their pictures, and most break all the rules of photography.  And then there is one more that is in business forever, and photographers and customers are in awe of him.  He has customers that make $1,500 orders.  I don't feel $75.00 is so much for what I do.  I feel I just need to get the right crowd.  Maybe it is too soon to raise my prices, but I need to start making money.

One more thing; I've had two customers who laughed at my price of $45.00.  They have been around, and they said my work is worth more.  I hate decisions.

Raizy... sounds like you already made your decision.. now you have to give it a chance to fill in... don't be discouraged because of one day... if in March you still have no bookings... then  maybe you will need to rethink it.

shauna

Shauna, thanks for your comment.  I decided I have nothing to lose by waiting another month.  Guess what!  It's going strong again!  The people who book have seen my pictures, so I guess they realize they're not paying for Walmart quality.   I'm so relieved...

Congrats Raizy!