RANT

ok i need to rant a little..... i started photography as a hobby and it soon grew into an obsesion. i started to learn more and buy better equipment. then i was asked to do some senior pictures for a couple friends kids. i have not had any work since last year and it has been pretty dry. i know im not a pro and dont claim to be i just made enough to help pay for my lenses. well that is not happening with people like this springing up in jackson!
https://www.facebook.c​om/EliseSmithPhotograp​hy
she is charging 45$!!!! for senior pics! thats crazy!

That is what the free market economy is all about. If she can survive at that price point then you must compete in some other way, or not. She may not survive but could hurt others in her path to self destruction.

Remember, your services are a want, not a need and it is a tough competitive world.

Hehehe....you have to read more posts in here. You are upset because you are competing in the low end market. You can only win if you can produce shots that few can master. Or you manage to establish a good network of clients and you make them to want to hire you to shoot. If the any GWC can produce similar shots as yours and charging less, you will lose clients.

I don't see the use of complaining even though it might feel good to get it off your chest for 5 minutes.

I wonder if this is how "professional" lawn mowing guys feel when they see some kid putting up an ad on the local supermarket notice board advertising to cut lawns for 1/2 what they charge?

If you can only do a lawn as good as a 15 year old kid, you should only be charging what a 15 year old kid charges.

Totally agree with Jim.

Something to think about. She might be offering this price as a promotion. It's certainly not sustainable. And to be honest, with the level of quality that I saw on her facebook (with respect to at least newborn photos) she'll be able to quadruple her fees in no time. I think it's a pretty good business strategy, though it would be better if she publicized a much larger fee and then offered a massive discount on that fee for the first few shoots.

Perhaps what is holding you back from getting sales is the quality of your work, not the price of hers.

cachemerc wrote in post #14165353
she is charging 45$!!!! for senior pics! thats crazy!

There are people like her in every market.

Yet there are also people charging ten or twenty times that much, and they have lots of clients and they make a nice living.

Go figure.

Figure out how the high-end professionals built their businesses, and you may have a shot at success. Hint: The high-end professionals really don't fret over the $45 "competitors."

More than likely she is operating illegally.
Call your State Sales tax division and ask if she has a sales tax license and report her.
Next call who ever is in charge of collecting property taxes and see if they are paying
property taxes for the business. Check to see if she has a city business license.
Lots of ways to skin a low baller.
Most importantly don't think twice about doing the above. People doing business illegally are thieves plain and simple.

mobei wrote in post #14166517
More than likely she is operating illegally.

What would you base this on??

mobei wrote in post #14166517
More than likely she is operating illegally.
Call your State Sales tax division and ask if she has a sales tax license and report her.
Next call who ever is in charge of collecting property taxes and see if they are paying
property taxes for the business. Check to see if she has a city business license.
Lots of ways to skin a low baller.
Most importantly don't think twice about doing the above. People doing business illegally are thieves plain and simple.

We will have to assume that you are absolutely squeaky clean. Really, this is what you would do to compete. Let me guess, you were the one on the playground that took your ball home half way through a game.

I've never been one to complain about my competition, they are here and posting something on a mostly anonymous forum board accomplishes little, ok nothing. It seems to be a theme lately to bash those that can't bash back, post in generalities and never give us details. I will at least give the OP credit for letting us know who he is referring to.

There's probably someone else complaining about photographers who just want to make enough to pay for their lenses too!

fotoworx wrote in post #14165510
I don't see the use of complaining even though it might feel good to get it off your chest for 5 minutes.

I wonder if this is how "professional" lawn mowing guys feel when they see some kid putting up an ad on the local supermarket notice board advertising to cut lawns for 1/2 what they charge?

If you can only do a lawn as good as a 15 year old kid, you should only be charging what a 15 year old kid charges.

GWAM...I hate those guys.

Seek out a new niche. For example, partner with a travel agency to book weekend senior shoots at exotic locations.

I read this rant earlier this morning and had a chuckle - came to mind again when looking through craigslist where I found a similar operator with as good or worse images. If nothing else - it certainly makes me see that I should be charging for what I do - so in that regard I guess she is "inspirational".
Some of her shots/shoots are very average (being kind). https://www.facebook.c​om …en-Images/178820192148266

At least their work is a little better than this operation in my area. $30 Sessions.... with CD


https://www.facebook.c​om …0127943880&type​=3&theater

mobei wrote in post #14166517
More than likely she is operating illegally.
Call your State Sales tax division and ask if she has a sales tax license and report her.
Next call who ever is in charge of collecting property taxes and see if they are paying
property taxes for the business. Check to see if she has a city business license.
Lots of ways to skin a low baller.
Most importantly don't think twice about doing the above. People doing business illegally are thieves plain and simple.

I'd love to have you as my neighbor. Your such a do gooder aren't you?