Comments on: “Good Enough” Isn’t Good Enough for True Pros

By: attilavolgyi

attilavolgyi — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 12:57:39 +0000

One of my mentors used to say lowering your price may bring more customers but what good it is to work more for the same amount of money?

Of course this works just until there are customers willing and capable to pay your fees and until you can make a living from the income.

Bad (low) pricing and poor business skills of others (those dropping their prices quickly just to get another job) ruin the business for all making the market belive their prices or at least lowering the average price with theirs. And the worst part is: customers rarely know the value of the good quality. Often they only think a picture is a picture and onyl the price differs.

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 21:38:05 +0000

Good enough is a function of market demand. The market doesn't care what you, the photographer, think. The mind of the specific market that is aware of you dictates your worth. You are not worth a thing to someone who doesn't know about you.

By: Denver Engagement Photographer

Denver Engagement Photographer — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:03:53 +0000

Yah I totally agree about sticking to your pricing, however, as we all know that can be hard to do sometimes. It's also important to consider the market you are in and whether your "high" prices will net you more high price gigs, or whether lowering your pricing will get you within reach of everyone, even if it is a stretch for some. I recently have started to think about lowering my prices just a bit, but I also want to stay within the realm of enough money to make it worth my time and effort.

By: Will Seberger

Will Seberger — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:14:03 +0000

I agree with your sentiments, but to play devil's advocate:What would make a client OK with "good enough" as opposed to "freakin'-super-unbelieveable-cool" is when "good enough" works and comes at a fraction of the cost of the latter.A lot, and I mean a lot, of businesses have no idea how to effectively commission and use commercial art, so when they want a piece created they often want it as cheap as possible to mitigate their risk in using it; while still meeting a basic level of quality.It's the bell curve of business. There are few people and little money on the "bad" side, there is much money and many people in the middle section, and there are few people and comparatively less money in the "best" side of things; following the chart left to right.

By: Kathryn Ellis

Kathryn Ellis — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:59:20 +0000

What I've found is that the most important factor is #3, business acumen. Customer service is sometimes more important than the work you do because it can be such a dealbreaker. It's a balance though, really. Being a great photographer only goes so far.

By: SteadmanTech

SteadmanTech — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:48:12 +0000

I would add "Dependability" to your list of how a Pro separates themselves from the "good enough" crowd. This is not simply a matter of being on time mind you, but goes far beyond that. This includes delivering the image expected in a timely manner, providing professional level support to the client and proving even after the shoot your value as a photographic professional.Plus one aspect where the dabbling amateurs and "semi-pros" usually fail is with equipment redundancy. If you come to a shoot with one camera, one lighting system or only on way to save your work (digital storage) then you are not taking the work seriously and your client is being shortchanged.Surpassing "good enough" goes beyond the image itself, if you consider yourself professional and worthy of pro level compensation...

By: FrozenPhotog

FrozenPhotog — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:38:50 +0000

#3 is the one I try to get through to my assistants and apprentices. It took me a while to understand that but thanks to Doug Box and my business mentor it sank in big time! Thanks for the article!