How to Price My Wedding Photography?!?

Pricing has been driving me absolutely mental for days ... maybe even weeks. I finally decided take my prices off of the website but then I still had to sort out what those prices were going to be when people requested them.

I want to be fair to clients but I also want to be fair to myself. The greatest challenge for me has been trying to figure out what my images are worth. Because it doesn't cost me anything to give someone my image file it's easy to think that the images should be free. All the great photographers I've been learning from have been emphasising how the images are the photographers product and they are very valuable. It's in selling their product where most photographers end up making the majority of their money.

I know what my time is worth but I'm still wrapping my head around the idea that I'm now working as an artist and the photos I take are now becoming my artwork and they are actually worth something. Maybe this is just because for 99% of my life so far I haven't been selling my photos so I never associated them with a monetary value. It's only worth what people are willing to pay for it, right? I suppose it's a matter of just building up confidence in myself and a sense of self-worth.

As far as what I've decided to pay myself per hour, it's only fractionally above minimum wage. Considering that I'm doing skilled labour I should probably be charging more but I just can't seem to do it with a clear conscious. Again, I don't feel comfortable in my skills yet to say I'm worth much more than what I earn in my day job at The Crystal Shop.

One day I hope I'll have the confidence and self-knowledge to know exactly what my time and creations are worth.
:)
xoxo
Chamonix

What is Commitment? — {+ Minnie Mouse-ness}

COMMITMENT AS DEFINED BY MIKE HORN

"WE HAVE TO COMMIT TO SOMETHING SOONER OR LATER IN YOUR LIFE."

"YOU CAN ONLY BE TRULY COMMITTED TO ANYTHING IN LIFE IF THE WILL TO WIN IS BIGGER THAN THE FEAT WE HAVE TO LOSE."

"WE ALL LIFE OUR LIVE TODAY AROUND THIS CONSTANT FEAR THAT WE HAVE OF LOSING WHAT WE THINK IS IMPORTANT TO US WHICH IS OUR CAR, OUR HOUSE, OUR FAMILY AND WE CREATE THIS COMFORT ZONE AROUND US WHERE WE JUST SUSTAIN WHAT WE HAVE...THAT IS NOT COMMITMENT THAT IS JUST SUSTAINING WHAT WE HAVE... COMMITMENT IS WHERE YOU HAVE THE WILL TO WIN AND THE FEAR TO LOSE IS THERE BUT ITS ONLY WHEN YOU UNDERSTAND THAT THE WILL TO WIN AND ACHIEVE OVERPOWERS THE FEAR THAT WE HAVE CONSTANTLY TO LOSE."

"IF YOU DO WHAT YOU LOVE DOING THE COMMITMENT IS NATURAL."

{You must firstly KNOW what you are doing what you're doing. Secondly, you must love the pressure that's on you.}

I took these quotes from Chase Jarvis' Interview with Mike Horne.

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How inspiring is that?! When I think about my photography & business with this in mind I feel so empowered. It's a challenge that asks me to step up to the plate and do it or stop. It makes me feel like it's all or nothing. I'm going to give it my all, I'm not going to half ass it. It's an amazing motivator because when I'm faced with a scary challenge it gives me that extra push that I need to act. Obviously, the challenges I'm facing are microscopic compared to what Mike Horn has been up against but I suppose it's all relative and subjective. Everyone is facing their own challenges.

Whatever challenge you're facing today I hope you can realise your will to win and let it overpower your fear! If we all do this world will start to look amazing with all of us brave humans running about accomplishing our dreams :P

xoxo

Chamonix

PS: The times went back today in the UK! Exciting I have a whole extra hour this morning to tackle the challenges I'm going to face today! Face your fears or that thing you've been putting off during the first hour of your morning! Don't go check your emails or turn on the news straight after waking up. Give yourself 60minutes first. Use those 60minutes to improve yourself & your relationships. If you've taken care of yourself you'll be better able to help others during the rest of the day :) For me, I woke up this morning and did a tiny bit of yoga, made soup & a berry smoothie and wrote down my business goals (I've been talking about doing that for a long time but haven't gotten around to it till now.). I also found a moment to sneak in a cheeky self-portrait — I've got my Minnie Mouse (scarf) bow today :)

Royal Mile Wedding: James +Agata

James & Agata came up to Edinburgh from Oxford for their private ceremony on the Royal Mile. It was a beautiful blue sky day and the wind was blowing Agata's flowy dress around which was so beautiful! They were such a lovely couple to photograph — all they did was smile and laugh (I think they have two of the best smiles out there!) They'd also hired a bagpiper to walk around with us — love it! Everything was red, her bouquet, her shoes, his tie, the stripes in the bagpiper's kilt, my coat & my bag (coincidence), the door, shops, marble pillars & ribbons they posed in front of etc... We walked around the royal mile taking photos before & after the ceremony which was held in the Registrar's Office. We tried to take some photos in front of the castle but we got told off because you have to pay to have wedding photos there. Whoopsie :P We ended up taking photos on Victoria St. which is just below the Royal Mile and I love it because it's on a hill, cobbled, curved and lined with colourful shopfronts! After the wedding James & Agata headed off for a private meal and weekend in the city. They were so happy, it was a pleasure to photograph them :)

To see more of James & Agata's Royal Mile Wedding, feel free to CLICK HERE for a slideshow.


Congratulations James & Agata!

24-10-11

xoxo

Chamonix

Craving to Create

Hello :) I cleaned out kitchen this morning — which is much worse than it sounds! It took two hours or elbow grease grossness :P bleh. Anyway, you don't want to hear that. On a more positive note I've been feeling so inspired to break out and do a big creative project. I'm feeling a craving to create but I also feel like my forehead is leaning into a big heavy wall that's pressing back. I guess it's the classic writers block. I really want to do a project that has a meaningful message about something I care about. I like the idea of using photos as activism. One of the issues I care about most is vegetarianism / treatment of animals etc... How to portray that in photos? How to send a message out there with my camera? ah! I don't know. Makes my head hurt at the moment.

I've decided to embark on a portrait project though. I'm aiming to take 1000 portraits of people that I mean on the street - strangers. I suppose most of them will be taken in St. Andrews & Edinburgh but who knows where I'll be going before the project finishes. I like the idea of eventually printing them out into a book but I'm not going to get ahead of myself just yet. :)

I've also completely overdosed on dates, bagels and peanut-butter this week. Oh and popcorn too. Right, time to take a shower.

xoxo
Chamonix

PS: Here's some cool stuff for you to check out....

First Shoots & Yellow Handbag

 This past weekend, I shot my first proper engagement session & wedding! It went very well. The engagement shoot was in Leith, Edinburgh. We had lots of fun. The couple had a tumb war, jumped in puddles and hung from monkey bars. I'm still editing the photos but I'll put them up soon for you to see, promise :) Yesterday morning I shot my first wedding up on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. Those photos will be up soon too. The bride's dress was so beautiful! The wind was caught in the fabric and made it float up — gorgeous! So excited about the photos! I can already see the lessons I've learned from just these two shoots. I'm also starting to see some trends emerging in my photos which are pointing towards the development of my own style. Very exciting! After the wedding yesterday I walked back to my in-law's via Princes Street Gardens and I had the chance to snap some candid photos. I also had a great chat with an artist who was painting with his easel. It was really encouraging to have a chat with an artist who could look at some of my photos and give me feed back. I also saw a couple walking through the park and I took a few sneaky photos of them from behind. I loved the girl's yellow bag! Right, off to edit photos :D

xoxo

Chamonix

T&G Shoot, Style 2

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These two beautiful ladies worked so well together. They were stunning! It was fun seeing how their hair styles were different but essentially the same — the twirls were just on different sides of the head. We decided to put the leather belt around Rebecca's neck on a whim and I'm really pleased we did because I think it looks really cool. I love the detail Elisabeth's blouse too! Again, Gayleigh Chester of Pin Curls & Lace pulled off two more gorgeous hair styles and Hannah Rose tackled make-up. Those two are so great to work with & uber talented. Gayleigh brough along her daughter to the shoot who is only a wee baby still. It was so lovely to have her giggling/crying in the background. I had a chance to snap a photos of her chubby little face which was great for my children portraits portfolio :) I know I'm talking about my own photos here but I particularly like this batch. I'm really proud of them. I find them really mesmerising but I think 99% of the credit goes to hair, make-up & models! And a massive thank you to Toni&Guy Salon in Edinburgh for letting us use their super cool salon! 

CREDITS

{Hair: Gayleigh Chester}

{Make-Up: Hannah Rose)

{Models: Rebecca Rose & Elisabeth Kjellgren}

{Location: Toni&Guy Salon in Edinburgh}

xoxo

Chamonix

Tillett Wright & Her Self-Evident Truths Project

Self Evident Truths Project
What a beautiful project! I find this so inspiring - it makes me want to think about doing something similar. I'll give some thought about how I can use my photographer for good and get back to you with what I come up with. Until then me thinks a round of applause for Tillett Wright & her project is in order :)
xoxo
Chamonix

T&G Shoot, Style 1

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This was such a fun hairstyle! We saw it in a FashionWeek magazine & Gayleigh made it happen! So fun seeing that crimper transform the models' hair. The white 'bridal' outfit was borrowed from a wee shop in Edinburgh. Gayleigh saw it in the window and just walked straight in and asked to use it. I'm so glad she did because it was so cool looking. I think the outfit was designed by the shop owner's daughter who is studying textile design. The outfit was made of a few different pieces of fabric so we had to fiddle quite a bit here and there to made it work but in the end it looked great. It was also quite sheer so before we started shooting Gayleigh ran off to buy a pair of wait knickers for the model to wear underneath. I keep saying 'model' because for the life of me I can't remember this girls name right now...must ask Gayleigh. It's great too because this 'model' (hehe) is actually the reception at the salon. Her hair was nice and long so we asked her to work with us and if you ask me she's quite a natural. I think it's her ballet background that means she can move her body so well. We were actually shooting inside the salon so people were walking by the shop and peering in through the big glass windows. I don't blame them! Seeing a photo shoot is exciting :)

 

Thank you to:

Gayleigh Chester {Hair}

Hannah Rose {Make-Up}

Lovely Receptionist Ballerina Model - Name 2B Remembered{Model}

xoxo

Chamonix