I sell direct also. I don’t advertise, it's all word of mouth for me. There are three outfits that do advertise, but not me. I really like it when the first line out of a persons mouth is, "how much do you charge." Even people that know I'm the best sports action photographer in the area ask me how much do you charge.

I always chuckle and say to myself, "for what." And then I think, what are your options? You cant get better images, and in some cases, you cant get an image period because no one took one but me.

I know if the first question from someone’s mouth is, how much? They are shopping price, not great images. I do more for my clients and charge less than anyone within 300 miles of my house.

Just a small gripe, but I wish someone would call and say, I want you to photograph my kids. . .

As for $25 bucks for an 8x10, that's a great price. Don’t budge; it's a fair and appropriate price in your markets. I can’t get $25, because I live and photograph people who have no money, and where the unemployment is 87%. I provide my services in part to a community that can not afford the big-shot photographers that charge a grand for senior photos, and give them that senior photo look from the studio to boot. Hey, maybe they ask me my prices, because they can't belive they can get a $1000 worth of photography for $250 bucks - hum, never thought of that till now, I'll have to think it over. . . .

No disrespect to you senior port guys/gals, I know you have a margin too, and I'm not trying to undercut anyone either. My business monto is, "I believe images should be in the hands of the subject - I make that happen at a price that you can afford." I post that right on my brochure!

Maybe this thread shold be in the business forum?

Take care,