Today's Monday 16-May-2009. I'm writing this article now, and will publish it soon. So what's special about this Monday? In Canada, it's a statutory holiday, it's Victoria day, in remembrance of Queen Victoria. One of my neighbor had a leak, not a leak but a geyser. I had to help to find and close her water main. Edith had to call a plumber to repair the water pipe while we helped with the soaking up some of the water. Edith asked if I knew a good plumber, I did, but he was away for the weekend. So Edith called the "big plumbers" from the yellow pages.
- The first one charged $275 per hour with a minimum of 2 hours.
- The second one charged only $250 for the first 1/2 hour, then $250 per hour.
- The third one charged $333 per hour with a $175 travel charge.
As a photographer, how do we compare with plumbers? Do you charge $250 per hour? Do people line up for you? Why are people willing to pay $333 per hour for a plumber and not for a photographer?
The plumber does not sell plumber services:
- He sells flood prevention
- He prevents further and more expensive damages
A photographer can sell:
- Memories, weddings, events...
- Business solutions with images for advertising, promotion, documentation...
Uncle Henry, with his new Canikon Mark 37, gives away photos, so why compete with all the Uncle Henries?
Chris said:
I'm not a plumber but I have fixed my fair share of rusted out drains, loose toilets and running faucets. For free.
I think there are some other important distinctions though:
- Plumbers are needed for survival (they make sure you get water).
- Sometimes not having a plumber can cost more than having one (the price of continued water damaged, mold abatement, health department violations, etc). Also, those high prices take advantage of emergencies when you usually need a plumber *now* and don't plan ahead for it. They have you over a barrel. If you know a plumber or can plan ahead, then you can get better deals.
100% agree, you have expressed my opinion, just in a much clearer way. We, photographers, must stop selling photos and prints. We need to start selling memories, business solutions, quality photos that will raise the readership and raise the ad rates...