I Am A Craigslist Photographer

http://losangeles.crai​gslist.org/sfv/for/199​5019061.html
I hope you guys don't hate me. I don't mean to undermine anything. I do like photography, and I would like to make some money. I figure I'm doing the world good by offering quality photos and great service to those on a budget. I'd rather have someone hire me over some soccer mom who charges more than twice what I do and just shoots on automatic mode all day. I've taken a fair share of completely free headshots, too.

I want to make more money and hone my skill. I'm still figuring everything out, though. I don't have any way of getting business besides Craigslist, actually. I'm young, and I look it, and I really feel people's perceptions of young people is holding me back.

Anyways, I'd really appreciate any comments or advice any of you might have.

A Picture of Me:

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It's not your age but rather your attitude. Think of yourself as a professional, build a portfolio that reflects that and you'll be well on your way. To think of yourself as a "craigslist photographer" already devalues yourself and your photos.

synapxe wrote in post #11099467
It's not your age but rather your attitude. Think of yourself as a professional, build a portfolio that reflects that and you'll be well on your way. To think of yourself as a "craigslist photographer" already devalues yourself and your photos.

Thank you for your comment. I will keep it in mind. I will always try and value myself for what I believe to be worth, and I will try and be real with myself while always aiming higher.

SunnyOctopus wrote in post #11099479
Thank you for your comment. I will keep it in mind. I will always try and value myself for what I believe to be worth, and I will try and be real with myself while always aiming higher.

I looked at your craigslist page, I'd suggest these changes -

All day photo coverage anywhere in LA (Up to 10 hours)
-change this to be more direct, "Up to 10 hours of coverage anywhere in the LA area"

Virtually unlimited pictures (Up to 2000)
- modify to "Up to 2000 photos included in the package"

Finally you have a bit that says Skill, Talent, Ability - CHEAP
- Replace CHEAP with GREAT VALUE or something comparable to give your work more value.

Keep in mind you have the advantage of starting young, it's not a disadvantage

Welcome, but your prices are not sustainable, scalable, and you are losing money every time you shoot. Nor will you be able to acquire better gear at those rates. I'm assume you live with parents, have no or minimum bills.

I suggest you read about photography business, perhaps check Zack Arias recent post.

I never knock anyone for trying, but there is a lot to learn about business. There are plenty of people looking for budget photographers, but there will usually be a difference in quality, and I know there are exceptions. However, If you are willing to invests thousands in gear, throw in lights, computer, software before you factor your work, travel time, gas, etc, only to basically shoot for a loss? Then you are either very charitable, or not smart at business.

There are a lot of young successful photographers. Prove your worth, build your brand wisely, and people, and success will follow. Keep shooting like you are, and you will have to find a different means of income.

Thanks! I'll try and improve the wording on my ad.

I don't see how I'm losing money. After costs of transportation and printing, I still make over $100. I read that post just recently.

Thanks for the comment. I'll reread it and process it again.

SunnyOctopus wrote in post #11099559
Thanks! I'll try and improve the wording on my ad.

I don't see how I'm losing money. After costs of transportation and printing, I still make over $100. I read that post just recently.

Thanks for the comment. I'll reread it and process it again.

Wow...............

you made in a profit $100....

I built my entire portfolio from jobs I got from posting and responding to craigslist ads. A couple of notes: I never had to work for no money; my first shoot was an event for which I earned about 1/4 of what I now charge (I don't begrudge you for doing free work, though; we have to assess the value of doing work in terms of not only money but in experience, contacts etc.). Another thing to think about, especially if you have a decent amount of humility, is that the relationship between your fees and the amount of clients you will have contacting you really isn't as clear and linear as one might expect. That is--don't keep prices low thinking that by raising them you will get less work. I charge 4x what I did when I began last year and I have far more prospective clients contacting me now.

turbo212003 wrote in post #11099587
Wow...............

you made in a profit $100....

If I could get 3 weddings a week, I'd make more than if I had a dayjob.

I wonder if that is possible.

Christopher Stevens: That is a good point you make. Maybe I should experiment with pricing. Sometimes I wonder if my low prices actually deter potential customers.

How much is your time per hour worth? Cost of equipment? Equipment maintenance? Computer upkeep? Software upgrades? Light bulb replacements? Ink costs? Oh yeah, taxes? Equipment and damage insurance?

What about Health care? Retirement savings? Emergency fund savings?

Then, how much are your regular bills? Avg rent $1000 or so? Utility/cable/Internet​? $250 on the absolute cheap side. Car payment? Maybe. Gas? Absolutely.

These are just some real world factors. That is before you decide you want to get better equipment to improve your work.

In response to some of the suggestions of others I'd say that it's ridiculous to expect for someone who is just beginning to be charging rates that would actually sustain a business. Chuckling at $100 profit especially misses the point: namely that when we are beginning, the value of shooting is weighted toward gaining experience and a portfolio and not $.

ImCBParker wrote in post #11099612
How much is your time per hour worth? Cost of equipment? Equipment maintenance? Computer upkeep? Software upgrades? Light bulb replacements? Ink costs? Oh yeah, taxes? Equipment and damage insurance?

What about Health care? Retirement savings? Emergency fund savings?

Then, how much are your regular bills? Avg rent $1000 or so? Utility/cable/Internet​? $250 on the absolute cheap side. Car payment? Maybe. Gas? Absolutely.

These are just some real world factors. That is before you decide you want to get better equipment to improve your work.

I don't know. $300 for Canon DSLR body + kit lens + 1.8 50 mm prime lens with filter and hood. Nothing. I don't know what that is. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. I don't pay taxes. Nothing. Nothing. I don't have any. I have none of this, either.

D;

SunnyOctopus wrote in post #11099604
If I could get 3 weddings a week, I'd make more than if I had a dayjob.

I wonder if that is possible.

Christopher Stevens: That is a good point you make. Maybe I should experiment with pricing. Sometimes I wonder if my low prices actually deter potential customers.

$15,000 a year is almost poverty level. Again, before all the costs listed above.

Probably not a good idea to publicly state you are not paying small business/personal taxes on the Internet.

ImCBParker wrote in post #11099646
Probably not a good idea to publicly state you are not paying small business/personal taxes on the Internet.

I am not legally required to pay any taxes.