graham_morris

<p>These threads amuse me somewhat. If you're in photography solely as an artistic pursuit then kudos to you, you can complain about the quality of photography and it's demise through photojournalism, new technologies etc. etc.</p>

<p>However, if you're in the business of photography and you're complaining about the above then I would suggest you should save your breath and consider taking a course in business. Businesses fail when they do not adapt to changing market conditions, complain about it all you like but the market doesn't change because of your musings. I'd especially include the author of the linked article in this bracket. He can surely list all of the great photographers however he fails to note that photography was merely a scientific spectacle until the advent of the first Kodak consumer camera.</p>

<p>Photography is invariably linked to the consumers experience of it, they are either happy with point and shoot shots or it enables them to appreciate real quality photography, pick the market you want to operate in and charge accordingly. If you're charging a higher price than competitors then make sure you market on it, why are you charging more? One big differentiator, apart from photo quality, might be insurance, I can guarantee that a £/$500 shooter won't have insurance and all the protection that comes with it. I wouldn't try and straddle two markets, you'll be frustrated financially and artistically on the lower paid jobs and struggle to capture high paid jobs because you're producing low quality pictures on lower paid jobs.</p>

<p>Finally, judging other photographers based on their studio or lack of, equipment and my current pet peeve supply of digital photo's rather than prints. I'm willing to stick my neck out and suggest that if you're solely producing prints and not willing to release digital copies you're going to start losing more and more work. Technology is allowing non-professionals to do more and more with their media and they're expecting their media to be able to be used accordingly. To not allow clients to put photo's on Facebook etc. is a winding road to nowhere IMHO.</p>

<p>To the OP, know your market, price and advertise accordingly, trust that the quality of your work is worth what you're asking for. If you can't afford to charge $500 then no-one else can either, they're cutting corners, sell on that. Adapt, adapt, adapt. Be good at service not just photography, weddings are emotional, get it right and you'll get referrals.</p>

There's a delay on stats showing through on analytics, I don't trust them for at least 24hrs later, that could be where

there's a disconnect between your numbers.