A more serious note…
I’ve been doing this a long time now. Taken the licks, and the gifts. Had many great and talented people take me along and give me advice. Been published many times over. Big or small. It doesn’t matter. Went from shooting anything for whatever someone was willing to pay to learning what I offer is worth and how I need to protect that. But every year that goes by is filled with people asking me to do what I do for little or nothing at all. And it’s always the same phrases from the same people.
“We want to work with you but its just not in the budget!”
I need people to understand just how little that is my problem. I don’t go to a car dealership and say give me a Benz, but I’m not paying for it or we can do an even trade for my 12 year old Honda. And I certainly don’t go into these people’s restaurants and bars and tell them just how much I’ll pay for the services they’ll provide me.
These same people will tell me there’s no budget for it, but go on vacations, show off the great things they’ve obtained through all their hard work etc.
My question to them is why is it only okay for you to make money with your hard work? Why am I supposed to make no money even though I will be doing everything I can to make sure people are driven to your business. Why should you reap ALL the benefits of my hard work?
I don’t think this has ever been a budget issue. The budgets can be made. Hell, I now shoot with an over $7,000 setup. Let me tell you how many meals I skipped, how many vacations I never had, how many “cheap” gigs I’ve taken to save enough money to own the tools I cherish. I did it so that I could afford what I needed. I didn’t email people demanding what I should pay or guilt them for charging me.
So I’ll say it again. “YOUR BUDGET IS NOT MY RESPONSIBILITY”.
I am more than happy to do my work at the rates I have set because this is what years of experience, skill and dedication are worth. Its what it costs to have me put that same amount of love and care into you business to make sure that EVERY SET OF EYES that sees what you offer, needs it. It’s so that every single magazine, news spot, news paper, billboard, whatever looks like you paid a million dollars for it. And I’ll do absolutely anything I can for that.
Does it mean that my rates are etched in diamonds? Absolutely not. What it means is that discounts, favors and good will are reserved for those who work with me. Not for those just joining in. You wouldn’t call up a stranger and ask them to move your home for free, You’d ask your friends. And I promise, I’ll always help those who’ve helped me. Always.
Thats the end of my rant, but I want anyone who is reading this to understand that I’m not angry. I don’t wish anyone ill will or failure. I want everyone to succeed in the best ways they can. But this predatory activity is just too shiesty. I know we all have bills to pay and annual budgets to spend safely. But so do I and I’ve made my rates as fair as I can see them and my exceptions when and where I can. And I won’t make anymore just because.
