Sanity post.
Just as I swore I wouldn't, I've let my life get lopsided. It's easy to do when you really love your job. But it has overtaken my every waking minute. This weekend was a wakeup call. I spent EVERY SINGLE SECOND of it shooting, or at the computer. Literally. I get home around noon from a shoot, then sit down at the computer and stay there, until I go to bed around 2am. I know that as a client, it seems like I show up at the park, snap a few shots of your kids or your belly and call it a day. But the reality is that there are HOURS and HOURS and HOURS associated with processing photos on the back end. There are companies that I could outsource this to, but I'm too much of a control freak about it. I work hard for my photographs to have a distinctive style, and am not convinced that a generic company would able to produce the same quality. What I do know, is that right now Jason fixes dinner, does bedtime routines, makes lunches, meets with teachers, and is basically the only one who interacts with our kids. My kids feel far away. I feel disconnected. And I don't want my life to look like this anymore.
So, prices have to change in January. The sitting fee will still be the same, as will the a la carte prints. However, the "Sweet Deal" (which is what 99% of people order) will at least double in price. It's all-inclusive, and ridiculously low-priced as it is. Even so, it's a hard decision for me. Because, good or bad, I take my business personally. I genuinely like my clients. Most of them are repeats, and all of them are by referral. So it's turned into just what I wanted: a big network of wonderful people whom I have great affection for. But I also know that for as much as I love my clients, if my life isn't balanced, I will get to the point of not wanting to shoot anymore, at all.
BUT, it's not all bad news. The "Sweet Deal" will cost more, but it will also include a LOT more too: more prints, and a WAY upgraded leather album. You will be getting a MUCH higher quality product, AND a photographer who is not strapped into a straight jacket. Always a plus. :0) Also, you always still have the option of ordering prints separately, wherein this change won't even affect you at all.
Moral of the story TODAY is, if you want to get in on the old pricing, please email to schedule SOON. As you may have guessed, my intentions for December do not include staring into my computer screen for days on end. Instead, they include watching my kids sing carols at school, taking time to find gifts for people I love, and spiking my cider while I stare at Christmas lights with Jason, and friends, and family.
Thanks for your understanding. And I wish all of you a season full of BALANCE too. :0)
Reader Comments (10)
Great post. I LOVED this post, actually. Most people really don't understand the time and effort that goes into making photographs art. I do. I think you're doing the right thing and as usual - YOU ARE DA BOMB.
B.) you suck. I wanted to come to TX some day and get a cheap sitting.
:p
Lana <---- Your secret admirer photographer that just got her FIRST paid job over the weekend.
thanks for the push to do so. :)