 Michelle Ross |
Thoughts to ponder. . . My business is taking off . . . and I'm very happy about this . . . however. .. I often think about the photographers in my area that are sooooo awesome and wonder if some day I will be on their level . .. in my ponderings also comes the thoughts of how many helpers these studios have. .. one studio the main lady does the photographing herself and then hires a person to take care of the money end of things and then I "think" someone else to possibly help with the editing . .. and then her husband is a huge help in building sets, props, etc. Another studio nearby is a husband/wife team . . . I'm not sure how much of the editing comes in house but I'm assuming they do it . .. As I look at my calendar that is filling quickly and then think of the time it takes me to take the pictures, editing them, prepare them for proofing, make contact with the customers on their order and finalize it as well . .. I quickly begin to realize that those things take up alot of time that I could simply be shooting more sittings instead. . . sooo I guess my question to everyone out there is what are your thoughts? When it comes to the Bottom Line dollar in this business are you money ahead to hire help(when it gets to that point) or will hiring that help reduce the profit enough(if not more) to just justify shooting less sittings and doing the work ourselves? I have a long ways to go before I am at this level . . . but it just has me thinking . . . I tend to only schedule a couple of sittings a week but am finding that I"m needing to do more to accomodate everyone especially right now with the holidays. . . but I don't like having alot of jobs going on at once when it comes to the editing and such . .. Add to the fact that I enjoy the creativity I feel when I create new collages, etc and at this point I'm not willing to give that up . .. so . . .after all this rambling . . .what are everyone else's thoughts. ..
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Tammy L. Odell |
Michelle, You seem a bit stressed!! Just kidding. I know what you mean. But here is my thought on this. I could be doing more shoots right now and when people ask me I tell them I am kinda busy right now. I know that it is the holidays and that's why, but my sanity is worth more to me that the extra money. I don't ever plan to expand my business beyond myself. I am just not real sure about others work. I am very picky about my photo editing and don't like the idea of someone else trying to do it. No one is going to take the care that I will take. But I am not in this to get rich. I have often though, jeez I wish I knew someone who could help out with the editing, but then I think, no way!! I don't want to have to pay someone else to do something I will have to redo later. I just think this is YOUR name on this, and word travels fast good or bad, I wouldn't ever want to hire someone else to do a shoot for me, because the client has hired me(or my company)based on my work. Whew!!! That's my own personal thoughts on that!! I would like to do more weddings because the pay is good and I enjoy them, and I don't yet have a studio, but my husband is gathering materials to start building me a little "cottage" style studio on our property. I don't do alot of indoor work, but do have people ask from time to time. Plus I need some storage for all my 'junk'!! But I figure I'll always be a small little studio with myself as the photographer, editor, money collector, ect. But that's the way I like it!!!
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Michelle Ross |
I'm with ya Tammy . . . I too am VERY VERY PICKY!!! I want things perfect and not a speck less... I get frustrated enough with my own screw ups that I can't imagine having to fix someone else's. .. my thoughts are that if you are having to pay someone to handle the editing that in the end your profit will probably result in about the same ... maybe even less.. . I think people like good Customer Service. . . I want to be the ONE to provide that . . not necessarily a receptionist . . . I want people to see me and say . .. she did this for us, etc. . . The one photographer that I mentioned has an awesome business. .. and one mom that is coming to me after using her for 10 years has commented that her prices just have gotten too high . .. my thoughts are. . . she is high because she can be that high .. I don't necessarily want to take that approach to my own business. .. however. . . if I limit my customers for my own sanity as well as to provide good quality customer relations with my clients they won't bicker about paying for it as long as it is within reason . . . but I'm like you Tammy and I think I'd rather just be the one with all the hats rather than worrying about employee AND customer relations ...
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Tammy L. Odell |
I think you have a great point Michelle. People love great customer service!!! I always try to make my clients happy anyway possible. And I like you want people to see me and know that it was me that made that special memory for them!!!! I just did a cheerleading squad for a school in my neighboring town. The studio they always use has just gotten too expensive. But they are the leading studio in that town and alot of people can afford to use her. But I have gotten some of her business, but like my husband said to me, she has alot of expenses to cover, where I have hardly none. And the sponser loved the pics and was so pleased that she booked me for her daughter's wedding next summer and I am doing her family next week. So great customer service is key in making this work. Everyone keeps telling me I charge too little...but I don't want to get the 'big head' about my work. I am working on raising prices slowly (I live in rural Oklahoma BTW), I want to be affordable for normal people like myself. And God has blessed me so greatly!! I'm rambling here but it's nice to see your POV!!!
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Michelle Ross |
I should know this Tammy? But what area of Oklahoma . . . I live in SW Kansas right along the OK border. . .
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Tammy L. Odell |
I am located in Asher, don't blink you'd miss it!! Seriously!! I am about 45 mins SSE of OKC. So, south central OK basically. A very small town...The closest Walmart is 30 mins away!! But we like it here!!
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Michelle Ross |
Well aren't you the lucky one . . the closest walmart to me is 45 minutes away . . . but Hobby Lobby is about an HOUR!! SHRIEK!!!! Small towns have their advantages. . .
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Tammy L. Odell |
Yes, small towns do have their advantages! Hobby Lobby is 1 hour for me too..I think that's better for my pocketbook though!!
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Nick Milton |
Tammy lovely images on your gallery,well done.
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Tammy L. Odell |
Thanks for taking the time to look Nick!! I appreciate it!!
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Nick Milton |
just curious tammy,i note your using a 20D,have you had focus issues?and if so how do you focus ie:single point in centre etc etc,what lenses you using?I have had focus issues occasionally,but most likely user error I think? Nick.
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Tammy L. Odell |
Nick, I mostly use the center point to focus, unless I am set up on a tripod. I haven't had any foucusing issues that weren't my own fault, at least I don't think so.
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