Ch-Ch-Changes.. {with love}

I've often have repeated a mantra to myself.

Over and over.

"I am worth it. I am worth it. I AM WORTH IT."

Lately, my mantra has changed. 

"I am worth more. I am worth more. I am worth MORE!"

Before I frighten you away..what is the point of this post? 

It is certainly NOT to scare you into thinking I'm going to start charging an arm & leg for my services.

But perhaps to hope to give a little insight that what you are paying for when hiring me is an experience; it's far more than a girl with a fancy camera, a beautiful day and a click of a button.

Those of you who know me, know I am not in this beautiful business {that I love with my soul} to pay for lavish things.

 But it does cost; time away from family, top quality gear, hours of training, learning & improving. 

I pour my heart, soul, sweat, tears and time into my job for two reasons.

#1 I love it. It's my passion.

#2 YOU! 

My client's happiness and satisfaction has always been a driving factor in my business. 

Let me preface this next paragraph by saying I believe in myself, I believe in my work, my knowledge, and my ability to deliver beautiful images for you to cherish. When I deliver my products to a client, I do so with pride and joy; because I know they are going to be loved.

 I have been told, or heard speak of getting my clients because I'm one of the cheapest photographers in the area.
(insert jaw-dropping, eye-bulging, hair-pulling, forehead-smacking emoticon here)

Do I really believe that is the reason all of you are here, time after time with me?
No way, Jose! As I said, I know my work is what brings you here, and keeps you here.

Pricing yourself is a hard, hard part of this business. And I've known in my head for some time that my pricing was not in fair conjunction with the quality of service I provide. In my heart, I justified it; after all, I'm in this business for you & making you happy, right?
Absolutely. However, part of that truth is also I'm in this business to support my family. And after long consideration my head has won out over my heart;
The "pricing to please" strategy just isn't working if I'm pleasing everyone EXCEPT myself.

I found this statement on a Photography Psychology page, and can't say how many times I've thought this myself in regards to pricing what I feel I'm worth vs. "pricing to please":

"You don’t want to lose past clients in a price change, you feel loyal to your early supporters, and you genuinely want to be available to serve everyone."

In relation, and I don't want to go too far into this and is not at all a bashing on any particular photographer (we all start somewhere, and I know my beginning work is embarrassing!!) but, imagine the feeling of seeing other photographers, whose work is at best amateurish; and the shock of realizing they are getting paid more than I am.

 I say, GOOD FOR THEM!! 

They realize the work that goes into this business. 

They value the time they are away from their family to run this business. 

They priced themselves for what THEY want to make, not what they want YOU to have to spend.

(Now, granted I hope in my heart, for their clients and business sake, that they use whatever profit they receive to learn more about photography and tone up their skill, to provide their clients with better images!)

Trying to wrap this up, I guess my point is this.

I value you. I value you putting your faith in me to capture your memories. 

I just need to start valuing myself as well. 

Yes, there will be a price increase. It's been slated for April 1st; and I hope to have things finalized by then.

My devotion to you, and your needs will NOT change. 

I'm not about to send you all to resorting to packing your kids in the car for an annual nightmare trip to Sears Portrait Studio! 

Hang in there with me, folks. I promise it'll be worth it!

<3