So many times I hear Photographers say “people just won’t pay my prices”. Let me start out be saying that I believe in being 100% confident in your skills, having your business policies and procedures, pricing in place and a STRONG portfolio  BEFORE  you open your business. Can you imagine walking into a deli with only half their menu available, no cash register and the person behind the counter says something like “we are still working on perfecting that sandwich, but we really really love to make it and we know eventually its going to be really good”. I don’t think so. I may order something, it may even be half way decent, but guess what? That experience is forever cemented in my mind, regardless of how awesome they become down the road.

Okay so lets assume that your product is awesome, your customer service is top notch and yet still people just aren’t spending. Have you thought about how your portfolio/web site looks? HOW you are selling your product? Are you educating your clients on what you offer? Did you discuss before the shoot what they plan to do with their photos so that you are shooting to sell? Are you doing online ordering or in person sales? (studies suggest that people spend double in person vs online ordering). And most importantly, do you believe you are worth what you are charging? Because let me tell you friends, if you don’t believe in yourself, in your product, how can you possibly expect your clients to? So the next time you sit down with your clients for an ordering session, pay attention to what you are saying, your body language, are you confidently selling your product or are you apologizing for the price? Because you ARE worth what you charge and probably more since most Photographers aren’t even charging enough at the end of the day. If you don’t think you’re worth what you are charging, ask yourself why. If it is because your skills aren’t there? Consider stepping back and improving them. Not confident in your work? Get confident because at the end of the day, you if you don’t believe in yourself, can you really expect anyone else to?