Confessions of a Photographer

This week my cousin came over to interview me about my photography business for his English class.  I had already been thinking about my business lately, what I want it to be like one day and how, but I'm still not sure what to do about all of it! Stresses me out sometimes!

I LOVE photography! I have had a camera by my side since I was about 10 years old and have my parents to thank for always paying for all my film to be developed during those years.

I had film cameras, disposable cameras and then in 2003 got my first digital camera!

For me, photography is not so much about making art as it is about documenting life. It's an extension of my journal and I believe everyone should value photographs, their memories and their personal history.

I had a couple different camcorders growing up as well and so when I started college at UVU I was super excited to study film, cinematography and editing in the digital media department.

I thought making movies or even just wedding videos and other smaller things would be a blast! So before my mission I graduated with an associates degree in Digital Computing Technology.

When I got home from my mission I felt so behind the technology and thought that photography would better serve my family anyways so I switched my major to photography, in the fine art department.

I feel like I learned a lot there that has helped me, about technically taking good pictures and how to break the "rules", but there is also a lot I wish I could have learned about portrait photography, editing, equipment (lenses, external flashes) and business, instead of just how to make art.  

Documentary Photography, The Business of Wedding Photography and Lighting I were some of my favorite classes that I took! Others were just interesting. Like how to use the 4x5 cameras, the zone system, the history of photography, developing and printing my own film, how to cut my own matte boards, many historic processes, calibrating computers and printers etc. And the rest were art classes that I hated, like painting and sculpting etc.

But I never learned about Lightroom in college and very limited Photoshop.

So now I'm here 3 years after getting my BFA in photography, with a licensed business and still don't know how much to charge people, how to get clients, or how to feel confident enough to even deserve them.

Everyone I graduated with (and others that never studied photography) are charging double what I charge and I will tell you why.

I feel like I want more experience before I feel confident in charging my clients more. I feel like I would be ripping them off if they are expecting something that I am unable to deliver.

Also, I want my clients to feel like they can afford to get pictures of their families. I want them to have pictures of their families because they are so important for people to have!
 I give my clients what I myself would love to get. Like ALL the pictures. I don't just pick 15-20 images to give my clients. I would want all the options so I give my clients all their good images, edited.
I get my clients their pictures in less than a week (usually the next day) because I don't want to wait a month to get my pictures back either.

And if I am unwilling/unable to pay $300 for an hour family portrait session then how can I expect my clients to do the same?

But then I do myself a disservice because when people see my prices compared to everyone else they will automatically assume that I must not be as good and pick someone more expensive.
I do myself a disservice because I don't charge more in order be able to afford a fancy website or a studio space with lights and props and lots of other things I wish I could do sometimes. At the same time I like being simple and minimalistic. I like lifestyle shoots when it's real and raw and not a giant production.

In the end if I never get as much business as I would hope or even enough money to pay for the schooling and equipment I've invested in then at least I'll have nice pictures of my own kids (even if I'm never in them) and that will make it all worth it for me for sure!

So to everyone that has taken a chance on me, Thank you! Thank you for boosting my confidence that little bit that I needed because I love photographing your families! I love documenting and I love taking pictures so THANK YOU!

 Last week Tai even got to do a little modeling work for a sister in our ward that makes dresses and sells them at her boutique! I got to photograph Tai wearing the dress for her and Tai got a free dress in return!