Self Pep-Talk
Dear Megan,
You ARE worth it. Stop doubting yourself. Stop feeling guilty. The guilt should be reserved for missing time with your kids (and even then, try to keep it to a minimum–you’re doing the best you can and they are happy and healthy!), but do NOT feel guilty for charging people more money for what you do. That’s why you need to do it. BECAUSE YOUR TIME IS THAT MUCH MORE VALUABLE.
And even so, you can’t put a dollar amount on time missed with your kids. You just can’t. So just grab it out of the air, stick with it, and feel confident in it. Some still might think you’re too low. Some might think you’re too high. Maybe you should do this, maybe you should do that… just shut it all off. Tune it out, because it’s all about perspective, and right now, the only perspective that matters is YOURS.
Every time you’re scared to send that new price list out to those repeat clients, pausing before hitting the send button, worried they will be "offended" or say, "No thanks" or flat out tell you you’re "too much" (which to date, NOBODY HAS… yet..) just stop. STOP OVERTHINKING IT. Honestly, you’re going to weed out and keep the ones that truly love your work. The ones that were just looking for a deal will move on. Don’t take it personally. You didn’t want those kinds of clients anyways.
But please. The self doubt has got to stop, the comparison, the "icky feeling" you get from time to time in this business which really only just exists in your mind. Sure, there will be tough sessions here and there, some past clients may go to another photographer, some may come back…and there will be things you wish you could have changed. The only thing you can do is try to do your best–your talent has always been there and as long as you believe in that, you are going to be just fine.
I know it’s hard to do what you love and not take things personally, and it’s hard to try to put a dollar amount on it, too. That’s the thing–it’s NEVER been about the money. The money is a formality. Obviously you need to make money to survive, but all the "junk" that’s attached to it is probably one of the least fun things about having your passion in life also be your business.
Your calendar this summer is full. Almost too full. Isn’t that enough confidence to tell you that you are going to be OK!? Even if you raise your prices MORE… you are going to be OK. You have a college education, 10 years of experience, and hundreds of clients backing you up.
Just believe in it…. you can do this. No more exceptions. RAISE YOUR PRICES and stick with it!
So what is wrong with me that this so hard!?
I think some reflection on why it’s so hard is good to. There seems to be part of you that is being overly self-deprecating – self-doubt, not valuing your work enough – but there might also be a very real desire to provide your photography to people who just can’t afford it after you hit a certain price point. I recommend sitting down and reflecting on what type of clients you want… (cont.)
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My mom is going through the same thing right now. Fear of rejection, I suppose, but you have NOTHING to worry about!
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(cont.) to be able to access your work, what your needs are in order for you to feel financially secure running your business (breaking even? small profit? larger profit?), and also whether there are other ways to manage your time. Being away from your family seems to be the biggest stress, as it makes you feel guilty in the same way raising prices does. Do you *need* to raise prices… (cont.)
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(cont.) in order to take fewer clients? Or can you just limit yourself to how many clients you take per week/month? If you do need to raise prices to make it financially sustainable (break even) or profitable, then by how much? Once you know that this number accurately reflects your business needs, it shouldn’t feel greedy and therefore hopefully not make you feel guilty for asking for it. (cont.)
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(cont.) Good luck, Megan!
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you totally rock, its nice that you keep reminding yourself of that because its totally true. 🙂
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It would be hard for me too. And I think there is something to the fact that even though you KNOW you are “worth” more, you also have relationships with these people, and I’m sure for some of them, money is no object, and they can pay the raised prices and not even bat an eyelash. But for others, maybe you’d feel a little sad/bad if you priced yourself out of their price range? That isn’t an unreasonable way for you to feel, and I agree with all of what [le defi] said about the matter. I think you are definitely worth whatever price you charge–no question about that!!! But I can see how it might still be hard and have more to do with your relationships with people you like working with than with self-criticism/self-doubt (though I know you are fighting that too). xoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxo
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Fact? Coming at this from a client perspective, I wouldn’t see an email like yours as being pretentious, or think to myself, God, she thinks she’s worth SO much. Actually, we got one from our wedding photographers, and my first thought was: YAY! This must mean they’re getting more business! I’m so excited they’re growing! Sometimes, the self-planted hurdles are the highest to jump over. Kick ’em out of the way and remember that you ARE worth it.
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Absolutely. But I know I would struggle with this too. But if anybody asks, you can always just say that as cost of living, inflation, etc go up, so do your prices to account for those costs. It’s business.
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All businesses go through this. Some people may think you built a new house and now they are joining you in paying for it with the new prices. Fact is nothing goes down in price and when all other living expenses go up so must your price. Its a never ending circle.
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Given the fact that i look at wedding pictures of friends and i am never impressed with any of them in comparison to you, i say raisw your prices with confidence. You are so worth it!
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If it were me, I’d still find a way to pay it because of the quality and the love for your talent. (It’s the same way with one of the photographers that has taken Abby’s pictures- she only does weddings now but said she’d do a few family sessions this summer. Those dates are being released tomorrow… I’ll do whatever it takes to get one) Don’t stress, you’re worth it. promise.
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Megan, you are THE BEST. Seriously! One of my most favorite photographers. If I fly out to Winnipeg again (I had a friend out there but she moved away for the time being) I am FOR SURE coming down for a session! Either way, one day it WILL happen! Be confident, if anybody scoffs at your prices, they clearly don’t understand or appreciate the work that goes into your photography. xoxo
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No more self doubt. Nothing is wrong with you. It’s natural, but got will over come the self doubt
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I’m embarrassed to admit how much I’d pay for a session with you. Your work is SO worth it.
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For the kind of work you turn out- people would pay exorbitant prices. I HATE asking for money, but you’re providing a service that they’ll keep with them for life.
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You are worth it!!! You photographed my wedding and your prices were cheaper than FL photogs (FYI). You are the BEST photog I have seen and my family. We adore you (both personally and professionally) and if you lived closer I would hire you all the times!!!
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