rogerolson

<p>I can't talk about B&H, but I have done four international wire transfers and only 1 went well. One took over two weeks. Two took over a week. You are dealing with B&H and at least two banks. B&H is not the weak link, the banks are.<br>

I had a wire transfer not show show up for a week and the company faxed me the paperwork showing me they had paid the bank. A full week later, (two weeks total) it showed up at my bank.<br>

Wire transfers can suck, international wire transfers are almost guaranteed to be a headache. I have never used B&H, but my money is on the the banks involved as your problem, and they will NEVER admit they screwed up.<br>

Just my $0.02.</p>

<p>REO</p>

<p>Kirsten,<br>

<br />I am not a professional photographer, just a hobbiest, but have been an independent consultant for 20 years, and the dilema is the same, how much to charge. The worksheet that Jessica linked to is an excellent place to start. It really helps to list out all the costs of the business you will need to cover.<br>

Every time I talked to competitors charging less than I do, what I found what they were not considering their costs, just what they hoped would get them work. No matter line of work you are in, if you don't cover your costs you won't stay in business.<br>

When you subract time for vacations, marketing sick days, and any other nonbillable days you will have, what percentage of the time remaining do you realistically believe you could make billable?<br>

Besides listing all the costs you need to cover, it helps to list your assumptions about the following at a minimum: how many days a month will be billable in the next three months, in six months, in 12 months; regardless of billable days you have, what are the costs you have that must be paid, even if you have no income?, How long can you go if you are covering 75% of your expenses? 50%?<br>

Regardless of the size of the business a lack of cash flow kills more businesses than almost anything else.<br>

Regarding that multiply by 3 factor you mentioned, that is probably someones "factor" to cover overhead, marketing, canceled engagements, etc. Many consulting firms use a number between 1.5 and 3.0 to multiply an employees hourly rate by to come up with a billing rate.<br>

REO</p>

<p>Canon EF 75-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM<br>

This was my first lens purchase after I bought a Rebel body on ebay. Together they were my transition from film to digital. I was starting to hate digital, until I borrowed an "L" lens from a friend, then it dawned on me it was the first lens. In clear conscience I could not sell it, so I took it apart and got some satisfaction from it.</p>

<p>In every hobby/sport/interest, there are "gadget freaks", those more interested in the toys than what they can do with the toys. The manufacturers know that the gadget freaks must have the latest/greatest, and will convince themselves that their purchase of same makes sense. I still many great photos showing up with 3-5 year old Nikons, Canons, etc. Its not the equipment that makes the most difference.</p>

<p>I am not a wedding photographer, but I have been to numerous wedding without a camera, and heard guests make comments on the photographers inappropriate dress. These were not comments from old folks or B/G family. Most decent people will wonder whether "The Wedding Photographer" is trying to upstage "The Bride" if the photographer is dressed inappropriately. If the photographer is using a wedding as a marketing event, where they "need to be seen and remembered" that is not professional, but pathetic.</p>

Eset NOD 32 has a package that includes it all. It updated daily and seems to leave a smaller "footprint" as far as how much computer resources it takes. Been using it two years and very happy with it.

I explicitly tell them the date is not held for them until the contract is signed. I remind them at the end of

any meetings with them, that since there is no contract at that point, I am not holding the date for them.