Down to Business

I've been lamenting lately the status of photographers advertising on Craigslist.

There seems to be a few key issues at hand that are forcing prices to bottom out:

-State of the Economy

-Always a n00b around to do it for less $$$

And here are my thoughts.

On the State of the Economy:

Most are suffering. Many have lost jobs, cars, homes, etc. But LOVE, well, love don't wait for no business boom, baby! Love comes whether you are financially prepared or not. And so, when it comes, and you decide YES, this is the person I want to spend my life with, you go into wedding-planning-mode with money or no money.

Most of us feel like we work our tails off for what we earn, and because it seems like there's little money out there to be had, we should just be grateful as our paychecks shrink. And as our paychecks shrink, we feel like we should just be grateful that we get them at all. And as we are grateful, we realize, "oh snap. We have to cut our spending."

But cut spending during wedding planning??? Yes.

So we create budgets and we vow not to go over them and we bargain shop on Craigslist for all the "extras". Usually the short list of must-haves includes the following:

-Groom
-Bride
-Wedding venue
-dressy bridal attire (tux/suit, dress of some sort)
-Reception venue

And the rest is up to the Bride and Groom on what to include. Music? Many are now renting a DJ set up/speakers and plugging in their iPods (fixes that Chicken Dance problem, at least). Food? Family members pitch in and prepare it. Videography? Who needs it. Officiant? Uncle Bobby is licensed to wed, he can do it. And yes - my industry is not exempt here. Photography?

Everyone feels different about pictures. Everyone Bride and Groom to be has to decide how important photography is to them, and budget accordingly. Yes, even in this stale economy.

And now: The n00bs!

I am totally a n00b! Totally. I admit it. And I've been that n00b on Craigslist doing it cheaper! Because I had a portfolio to build, because I was super excited to be doing what I was doing, and because advertising is totally free. What better way to build your business, yeah? Ok. But at some point you want to stop doing weddings for $400.

Then what?

Or perhaps I should ask - now what?

Because I think my work is worth more than that. And I don't want to be thought of as a bargain bin photographer forever! Good value - yes. But goodwill find? NO! I am a far classier dame than that!

I mean, yeah, I got crazy curly hair and my teeth are funny but that doesn't mean I'm classless. And that doesn't mean I deserve to be bargain bin, either. So. I am debating ending the craigslist posting forever, however...I don't really know where to go from here. How to get the word out there. How to get my brand out there and be recognized. How to keep booking weddings.

I already know that big changes are coming to the website. I gotta get out of "vintage chic" mode. Its cute but not all that I do/like, and plus everybody seems to be either rocking the Ultra Mod Helvetica Neue font or the Vintage Chic little scrapbook-looking logos with vector swirls and fleur de lis. Cute, but... perhaps not for me.

I have this idea for my page but I don't have a clue how to make it happen. I'm designing in my head, though. And when I get it down, it's gonna rock. Give me a month! I'll make it happen.

Until then - MUCH LOVE to those craigslist photogs just trying to get their foot in the door. And please - don't give yourself away for almost free. You won't respect yourself the morning after.