I stumbled onto this video 9 years later and understand the pricing and marketing from other fields I have been in and my retirement small businesses, 4 of them, includes photography and mostly do stage actors, 90% of my clients are film or stage actors, and 80% of them are females from 6 to 80 yo with most in the 20-35 age range. The problem is stage actors are low income clients where we live. I moved from California in 2000 to a large Eastern European city with hundreds of drama, ballet, opera, and film studio theaters and the most difficult part of serving that niche is pricing. And not they need short videos because I have a strong following of casting directors and their prospects. Back in the US my primary business was owning one of the most successful recording studios in the 1973-1990 era with 197 gold and platinum albums in that era. I have a small studio 50x37x12h with decent light and natural light and skylights, with home designed and built strobes. My problem is not being active in social media and never have posted on IG where all the actors live, posting a dozen times a day. Most of my clients come from attenting one our twice monthly actor master classes where we host 20-60 actors who want to make the transition from stage to film. I do basic head shots and short video of 1-2 pages of dialog as part of the class for each. That leads to a lot of requests for private sessions. Delivery is a question. Now I put edited files on a personal DropBox folder for them since their use of them is for on-line submissions. CDs and DVDs are not used anymore. How do people distribute images now? Actors are very price sensitive but due to the age, I get a lot of requests for weddings, which I only do for close friends, because here weddings are very long and only 30 minutes of the 23 hour day is predicable or planned. Formal weddings back in the US were short and planned. With the advent of low cost gear and everyone having a phone, a whole generation has evolved to accept "filtered" images generated by the dozens daily so the value of good images has dropped so those fewer and fewer people who appreciate well done studio of location images are targeted by an ever expanding number of people calling themselves photographers. I would like to deliver a stylish physical portfolio but the only markets that seems to care are corporate headshots and boudoir so maybe moving more into boudoir would be a direction still valued. I have done a lot of those sessions usually for free for friends.
It's absolutely incredible how you take the time to explain step by step the breakdown procedure of going from shoot to completing (and managing) a folio - Start to finish.. I haven't seen any other pro photographer take his/her time to explain it the way you do! Awesome work and thanks for the powerful words of encouragement - YOU are without a doubt, a MASTER of your craft.
Very informative, thank you for doing this Q&A, I have been a business coach for over a decade and you just hit the nail on the head with how you answered these people with the blocks. The money game is a small game that small people play, just doing what you love to do and the money will come. I love how you say you just have to get out of your own way. Thank You!
This is pure gold. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽And yes I agree. I have never liked having clients going thru the raw files and choosing what I should edit. It looks very unprofessional to me.
This appears to have be deleted so I will repost! Here is my challenge to Sue Bryce who says in this video multiple times "I think I'm worth $500 an hour." Below is a list of a good majority of my photography equipment and expense. Note, on most expenses, 15% was added to cover depreciated items and allow purchase or upgrades in the future. I have include my math for anyone's review and also note that not every item will be utilized every day or on every shoot. However it is incorporated into the total cost per hour price at the very bottom which is $168.28, which is a difference of $331.72 for this example. Everything and I mean everything in my business is costed out to the penny on an hourly basis and I am at just roughly $240 an hour. This mean if you work 8 hrs a day, 5 day a week is 40 hrs a week times 52 weeks is 2080. If you were to have 2080 billable hrs. the $168,28 would produce revenue to cover each item below in the figures. So to Sue here is your challenge. Produce a video showing your expenses and how you arrived at your $500 or greedy 2 shoots a week at $3500 or 104 sessions annually to produce $364,000 annually as you state in another pricing video. This is nothing short of promoting price gouging and profiteering and to think I heard to state you charge your first client $9700 for a portrait shoot? I clearly do not see the value in your packages or work to command your so-called $500 an hour! We clear saw and witnessed Russ just smile and remain silent at the 43:41 mark where you explain price gouging and profiteering... I mean profit margins. The video has be view now some 95641 times which means you just promoted to that many people how to engage in photography price gouging and profiteering, which we turn down on average some 250 photogs annually who want to shoot my fashions and have some scheme with wild pricing such as yours. This is why I am writing a book to likely be titled, How to Find, Hire and Deal With Photographers to Keep From Getting Ripped Off. Make a video and show us your detailed numbers! Bodies Batteries & Grips Nikon D5 - $6,496.95 x 15% = 974.54 + $6496.95 = $7471.49 / 2080 = $3.59 an hour. MK-D5000 Battery Grip - $67.96 x 15% = $10.19 + $67.96 = $78.15 / 2080 = $0.04 an hour. Nikon D850 - $3,296.95 x 15% = $494.54 + $3,296.95 = $3,791.49 / 2080 = $1.82 an hour. Nikon D800 - $2,999.95 x 15% = $449.99 + $2,999.95 = $3,449.94 / 2080 = $1.66 an hour.
MB-D18 Multi Battery Grip for Nikon D850 - $67.96 x 15% = $10.19 + $67.96 = $78.15 / 2080 = $0.04 an hour. Nikon D750 - $1,396.95 x 15% = $209.54 + $1,396.95 = $1,606.49 / 2080 = $0.77 an hour. MB-D16 Multi Battery Grip for Nikon D750 - $59.46 x 15% = $8.92 + $59.46 = $68.38 / 2080 = $0.03 an hour. Nikon D7200 - $996.95 x 15% = $149.54 + $996.95 = $1,146.49 / 2080 = $0.55 an hour. Nikon D7100 - $996.95 x 15% = $149.54 + $996.95 = $1,146.49 / 2080 = $0.55 an hour. Neewer MB-D15 Battery Grip Replacement for Nikon D7100 - $29.99 x 15% = $4.50 + $29.99 =$34.49 / 2080 = $0.02 an hour. EN-EL15a Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery - $54.95 x 6 = $329.70 x 15% = $49.50 + $329.70 = $379.20 / 2080 = $0.18 an hour. NIKON MH-67P Battery Charger - $49.99 x 3 = $149.97 x 15% = $22.50 + $149.97 = $172.47 / 2080 = $0.08 an hour. Lenses Nikon / NIKKOR - 24MM F/1.8G AF-S ED - $749.95 x 15% = $112.49 + $749.95 = $862.44 / 2080 = $0.41 an hour . Nikon / NIKKOR - 35mm F/1.4G AF-S - $1,696.95 x 15% = $254.54 + $1,696.95 = $1,951.49 / 2080 = $0.93 an hour . Nikon / NIKKOR - 50mm F/1.8G AF-S - $216.95 x 15% = $32.54 + $216.95 = $249.49 / 2080 = $0.11 an hour . Nikon / NIKKOR - 85mm F/1.4G AF-S - $1,549.00 x 15% = $232.35 + $1,549.00 = $1,781.35 / 2080 = $0.86 an hour . Nikon / NIKKOR - 24-70mm F/2.8G AF-S - $1,449.00 x 15% = $217.35 + $1,449.00 = $1,666.35 / 2080 = $0.80 an hour . Nikon / NIKKOR - 70-200mm F/2.8G AF-S ED VR II - $2,496.95 x 15% = $374.54 + $2,496.95 = $2,871.49 / 2080 = $1.38 an hour . Tamron SP 70-200MM F/2.8G Di VC G2 - $1,199.00 x 15% = $179.85 + $1,199.00 = $1,378.85 / 2080 = $0.66 an hour. Speed Lights Nikon SB 910 Speedlight Flash - TTL - 34m - $724.00 x 6 = $4344.00 x 15% = $651.60 + $4344.00 = $4995.60 / 2080 = $2.40 an hour. Strobes PROFOTO B1X TO-GO KIT - $2,095.00 x 6 = $12570.00 x 15% = $1885.50 + $12570.00 = $14455.50 / 2080 = $6.95 an hour . Reflectors Neewer 43-inch/5-in-1 Multi-Disc Reflector -$19.99 x 15% = $3.00 + $19.99 = $22.99 / 2080 = $0.01 an hour . Associates Model - 4 hr shoot @ $100 an hour = $400 x 35 (shoots per year) = $14000.00 x 15% = $2100.00 + 14000.00 = $16100.00 / 2080 = $7.74 an hour . MUA - 1 hr per shoot @ $100. 00 an hour x 35 (shoots per year) = $3500.00 x 15% = $525.00 + $3500.00 = $4025.00 / 2080 = $1.93 an hour . Photographers - $150,000.00 annually gross / 2080 = $72.11 an hour . Retirement - $2000.00 x 12 = $24,000.00 (annually) / 2080 = $11.53 an hour. Insurance - auto - $150.00 x 12 = $1800.00 / 2080 = $0.86 an hour insurance - medical - $300.00 x 12 = $3600.00 / 2080 = $1.73 an hour Studio & Equipment Rent - $1200 x 12 = $14,400.00 x 15% = $2160.00 + $14400.00 = $16560.00 / 2080 = $7.96 an hour. Insurance - $150.00 x 12 = $1800.00 / 2080 = $0.86 an hour Utilities (average variable monthly expense) Water & Sewer $55.00 x 12 = $660.00 x 15% = $99.00 + 660.00 = $759.00 / 2080 = $0.36 an hour. Electric $150.00 x 12 = $1800.00 x 15% = $270.00 + 1800.00 = $2070.00 / 2080 = $0.99 an hour. Natural Gas $75.00 x 12 = $900.00 x 15% = $135.00 + $900.00 = $1035.00 / 2080 = $0.50 an hour. Phone - $150.00 x 12 = $1800.00 x 15% = $270.00 + 1800.00 = $2070.00 / 2080 = $0.99 an hour. Cable - $80.00 x 12 = $960.00 x 15% = $144.00 + $960.00 = $1104.00 / 2080 = $0.53 an hour. Trash - 50.00 x 12 = $600.00 x 15% = $90.00 + $600.00 = $690.00 / 2080 = $0.33 an hour Computer & Equipment - $2000 x 2 = $4000 x 15% = $600.00 +$4000.00 = $4600.00 = $2.21 an hour. Adobe CC - $9.99 x 12 = $119.88 x 15% = $17.98 + $119.88 = $137.86 / 2080 = $ an hour. Sub Total Overhead listed above $134.57 an hour Profit - 25% x $134.57 = $33.64 + $134.64 = $168.28
also you are just either damping or doing a poor job. Or both. edit: ok, I've looked up your site. Yeah, I think your prices are a tad too high... Probably to offset the price of all the gear you bought, right?
Many thanks Sue for sharing your experience with us. Your thoughts and marketing model and target market has been very much inspiring. The fact that beginners like me always start with basic equipment makes you think twice before going further...your videos have helped me a lot to starting believing. Thank you again.
This is a great Class for beginners and experienced photographers- Sue is authentic and speaks from the heart on all aspects of photography and business. If you are just getting started or need to move to the next level I recommend picking this up over at Creative Live! She is an amazing and giving photographer! Tammy #28dayswithsuebryce
Bryce thank you very much. One question. When you are showing the final product to your clients? After you got paid and the package done? How they agree to pay for something they never saw? Or on the day you're shooting you're showing them ? I'm really confused. I hope my words make sens. Thank you
Do you use a 3rd party company that keeps track of payments, and notifies you if a payment fails for a month? How do you keep track of all these payments?
Love your work Sue and listening to ya. Can I ask what did you charge when you first started? I can't imagine its was 500 a hour. I am just starting out and opened a studio (gulp). I have the studio cheap so thats good. I live on a small island called Tenerife and people here will not spend that kinda money. It is so different from city life or a country like Oz or UK were people are primed more to spend and earn more on average than what they do here. My studio is based around Boudior so I am very confused about my pricing, its in the back of my mind all the time. If you can give me your thoughts please. cheers
Sue, Jerry, Karl and others are top on their area... i don´t think they charge too much, unfortunately not everybody can pay that. I work in a 10,000 px town.
I have to add a bit more to my comment below and I'm this comes not just from a photographer, but a client perspective! There are tons of photogs like Sue all over the web and on UA-cam who are telling new photogs to check around your local area for what you are looking to shoot, check prices and raise them. Hell you are an artist for God's sake so you deserve to make $5000 an hour and who cares if the client can pay for it or not! That is dangerous, and I will tell you why! I'm not here to harp on photography although from what I see out there, there are a ton of average photogs who don't even understand the fundamentals or simple stuff like the rule of 3rd, let alone have interesting images. Most I scratch my head trying to figure out what you all are trying to convey. With that being said, I again do fashion photography and I would highly recommend checking out and watching Bambi Cantrell's video on posing. When it comes to wedding and just all-around excelling photography and art, check out Master Photographer Joe Buissink and his B&H video, Back to the Basics. Learning the fundamentals and your camera, I highly recommend John Greengo as he is the bomb when it comes to this stuff! Notice I didn't mention Sue. The first thing is, if you are looking to make money in photography, go to your State's Secretary of State, and do a name search. Find a name that matches what you do. Check and see if it is available and if so, to a trade name registration. which will be less than $100 and normally is good for 5 years. Next, you want to check your consumer laws for your state and this is again something you would think a a so-called professional photog charging $500 an hour would tell you. be cautious of a la carte pricing and here is why. In Ohio as well as other states, the law reads as such - Ohio Administrative Code 109:4-3-05 (D)(12) Repairs or Services “Fail to provide the consumer with a written itemized list of repairs performed or services rendered, including a list of parts or materials and a statement of whether they are used, remanufactured, or rebuilt, if not new, and the cost thereof to the consumer, the amount charged for labor, and the identity of the individual performing the repair or service;” I'm sure there might be some armchair photographer attorney who will say "That does not apply to us photographers." Keep thinking that and I would love to have a date with you in court! Reread the above prohibition of law and strike out repair(s) and use photographer and/or photography in place of service. Next, Sue promotes she takes a 10% deposit. Okay, go for it and do that! But if in Ohio you better read and comply with this... Ohio Administrative Code 109:4-3-07 Deposits. "It shall be a deceptive act or practice in connection with a consumer transaction for a supplier to accept a deposit unless the following conditions are met: A through E of this section." This means you need to comply with A-E which includes things like what is your refund policy and how long do clients have, etc. You must have a policy, show your clients before you accept any deposit(s). So, make sure you check your local state requirements and law on that first! Next is your contract and I don't care what you have in it or if I signed it! Two things you need in it is a Contingency and a Change Order clause. Why is this important? Sue gave the example of a couple who split up and she ended up only giving the female client images of just her. Did Sue' reduce or adjust the price? Sue did not clearly state. She did mention that she does not refund any deposit(s). Is she compliant with her state's provisions on deposits? We don't know. The point is there WILL be times when things happen beyond yours or your client’s control and you or they need to make changes. DO SO and do it happily! If you need to give back a deposit or refund a client fully or partially, DO IT! For example. a number of years ago a friend of mine was getting married and they did the engagement with a photog and had most of their wedding package paid for. On the way to the wedding someone ran a red light and t-boned her fiancé and he was killed. Like Sue, after such a tragic event, my friend attempted to get a refund and make changes to her contract. The photog was hard nosed and said no. The money was needed to help pay for funeral expenses. and again, like Sue, she was referred to her contract where it stated numerous times, no funds of any kind at any time. But was willing to make concessions to provide her with in studio credits in the future. Needless to say, they ended up in court and she got cleaned his camera really good in damages! Now, read this. Ohio Revised Code 1345.03 Unconscionable consumer sales acts or practices, including but not limited to, (A)(B)(2)(5) Whether the supplier required the consumer to enter into a consumer transaction on terms the supplier knew were substantially one-sided in favor of the supplier; (6) Whether the supplier knowingly made a misleading statement of opinion on which the consumer was likely to rely to the consumer's detriment;" (Reread and swap Photographer for Supplier) Now if you are one of those photogs who is doing TF and doing the same by giving the model a mere 5-25 images and turning around to use those images to market your business, make calendars, sell to stock companies, submit to magazines, etc. while you give them your pics, edited your way, then you are engaging in a deceptive and one-side business transaction! "You do not have to take anything away from anyone. You do not have to drive sharp bargains. You do not have to cheat, or to take advantage. You do not need to let any man work for you for less than he earns." (No TF - Pay them!) - Wallace D Wattles, The Science of Getting Rich" Chpt. 5 u are to become a creator, not a competitor; you are going to get what you want, but in such a way that when you get it every other man will have more than he has now. " Wallace D Wattles - The Science of Getting Rich
Totally unrealistic where I live. If you try to charge $450 for an image or print here in WV you would be run out of town thru laughter. WV is a world all in itself and nearly the poorest state in the country. You cannot charge those prices here, guaranteed.
This is not the average income, I can personally tell you that. Photography does bring income, but just like everything else, the more you put in, the more you take out.
Not where I live. 3 studios went out of business last year here in Charleston, WV. Very economically challenged. Any photographer who charges that much would not last a month here.
For those reading the above comment I will break it down for you... 8 hrs a day x 5 days a week is 40 hrs. x 52 weeks in a year is 2080 hours available by standard. $500 x 2080 hrs = $1,040,000 annually. Charles Rollins in WV is right! I live and operate in Ohio which a a bit better off. However, I would suggest reviewing data from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics... (www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes274021.htm#st) Per that data, the low end is $9.33 an hour or $19,400 annually. At the median (50% or most people) it is $15.62 or $32,490 and on the high end, $36.09 or $75,080 annually, which is more realistic. One thing Sue does not elaborate on in any of her videos I have seen is how does she arrive at her $500 an hour. Without that info, I would be cautious! Like Charles stated, depending on where you live and operate will sharply dictate what you can charge.
The person is marketing to the wrong clients. Some people really don't have money, and they just can't buy expensive portraits Someone with a low income and a family should not spend a lot of money on portraits.. Change where you're advertising. Advertise to upper middle class income and above.
Let's look at a few things Sue Stated... She "THINKS" she is worth $500 an hour. Add $100 for a makeup artist and studio rental and she is at $600 and wants you to do a package for at minimum of $1200 or $1600 but she upsells to get like $3200. In her example she said she would charge that lady $900 and she gets roughly 40 images with two (2) looks which are just a bunch of expressions. Listening to Sue that is a fair equal deal. But how educated are her clients on what I'm exposing in the comment and my one below, where I listed and costed out a lot of gears and expenses to come to roughly $106 an hour. If you go Sue's approach, is that a fair deal? In her eyes? But view the video at 43:41 mark where she explains this and Russ, poor guy just smile and says nothing! Why? I think her was thinking damn that is a rip off! How about just tell clients my cost is $300 and I'm making $300 but I need you to also give me an extra $1000, just because! So, even though you have a signed contract, if nickel and dime your clients like Dallas, Tx., based wedding photog, Andrea Polito. Read "If You Don’t Nickel and Dime Your Clients, You Won’t Have to Sue When They Complain About You Online " - "A wedding photographer won a million-dollar claim from her clients. It probably should never have gotten this far." (abovethelaw.com/2017/08/if-you-dont-nickel-and-dime-your-clients-you-wont-have-to-sue-when-they-complaint-about-you-online/?rf=1) Let me explain how this works... so far this video has been viewed 95602 times, which is great for Sue and Creative Live. However, the majority of you are taking this advice and you approach a business like mine hoping to secure a contract to shoot out garments. If I look, the most of you do not have a business registration with the state you live and operate in as well as if I check with the state's Dept. of Taxation, you most likely you are not paying taxes on your photography income, which is tax evasion. Further as someone asked about doing corporate headshots, Sue stated she would charge $500 an hour, she gets final choice and final say so, blah, blah, blah. We I get is on average about 30 photographers a month who has some scheme, plan or way to improve my fashion business with their photography. So for a 4 hour shoot, Sue would charge me $2000 minimum, plus expenses, post editing and I don't even get to see the images and she makes the final picks that would be used to market our fashions. Is that good? Hell No! Not only do we do it in house for a faction of that cost, we give the photog(s) a new SD card and when it is full or at the end of the shoot, it comes back to us and WE make the final choice! This is what you should do with your clients. It is more of a value when you show them, and they may have different likes than you. For example, go to Joe Buissink's website and look at his port! He has a shot of a bride and groom slightly out of focus and when you see it, you'll see why it is such an awesome amazing shot! If it was Sue, the client(s) or me would never see that shot! It totally captures the moment and the emotions. Like Joe, you then tell your client(s) what you are going to do editing wise, which Sue said will take 2-5 mins so that is not much, but you're being personal with your clients showing them what you are doing is worth the cost you are charging them! I shot at another friend's wedding and gave my friends a CD of all the images I took FREE as a wedding present. That sparked them asking and insisting to see the hired photog's images which there was a few that were just like Joe's that were slightly fuzzy and of the bride’s granny slapping her hubby in the face with a piece of cake later in the reception. This photog considered it an outtake and my friends actually had the photog enhance the photo and clean it up as best he could and then had him print an 8 x10 which is on their wall and just so damn awesome as well as adorable! There are also two sister I know who do weddings and there are always booked 2-3 years out because of their packages. Their highest is $3500 or $3600 but they do the whole 9 yards like Sue and everyone else, but they offer 100 edited image and you get ALL the images. plus, your album and assortment. But despite they have their standard packages, they show their clients they care and give more in service value than they get in cash value that they take. Plus, as Sue and other's point out it is nearly all word of mouth... the bridesmaid then use them, there are the family portraits, the senior shots and you name it. Lastly, if you really listen to Sue in her Creative Live videos, you will hear her deviously talk about the Law of Attraction, which is not a bad thing. However, let me talk a play out of her playbook. The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D Wattles Chpt 6 How Riches Come to You.... Sue needs to read this like a million times! "WHEN I say that you do not have to drive sharp bargains, I do not mean that you do not have to drive any bargains at all, or that you are above the necessity for having any dealings with your fellow men. I mean that you will not need to deal with them unfairly; you do not have to get something for nothing, but can give to every man more than you take from him." "You cannot give every man more in cash market value than you take from him, but you can give him more in use value than the cash value of the thing you take from him. The paper, ink, and other material in this book may not be worth the money you pay for it; but if the ideas suggested by it bring you thousands of dollars, you have not been wronged by those who sold it to you; they have given you a great use value for a small cash value." Listen closely to what Sue preaches in this video and right here is what she is doing in her business in my eyes! "Let us suppose that I own a picture by one of the great artists, which, in any civilized community, is worth thousands of dollars. I take it to Baffin Bay, and by "salesmanship" induce an Eskimo to give a bundle of furs worth $500 for it. I have really wronged him, for he has no use for the picture; it has no use value to him; it will not add to his life. But suppose I give him a gun worth $50 for his furs; then he has made a good bargain. He has use for the gun; it will get him many more furs and much food; it will add to his life in every way; it will make him rich." "When you rise from the competitive to the creative plane, you can scan your business transactions very strictly, and if you are selling any man anything which does not add more to his life than the thing, he give you in exchange, you can afford to stop it. You do not have to beat anybody in business. And if you are in a business which does beat people, get out of it at once. Give every man more in use value than you take from him in cash value; then you are adding to the life of the world by every business transaction." Plain and simple by Sue's own words in this video, her "thinking" she is worth $500 an hour, selling ignorant people photography who don't know any better and gives them as she said 40 images, for two looks... merely a bunch of expressions as little use value compared to the high cash value she is taking from them. Again in my eyes, it is noting more than price gouging and profiteering! Back in 2002 I bought a failed swimwear business that two photographers did the same thing only a bit worse. What it done was caused a woman who was a single mother trying to supplement her income for her kids and hopefully pass on some to them when they got older, to go bankrupt losing everything. She used retirement money to start it! Thankfully it only took me one time working with these con artists to see what they were really doing. It ended up in court and I even countered sued them and won as well as getting their case thrown out. The money I made from it was given directly to the former owner... every penny! Is that something Sue would do? Based on my take watching this video, hell no! It has been 15 yrs and we are still going strong and growing because we turn away some 225-250 photogs who have been educated by photogs like Sue. Read my comment below, work the numbers, read the Science of Getting RIch, learn from John Geengo about photography, Learn posing from Bambi Cantrell and watch Joe Buissink's B&H video Back to the Basics and see what real photography! Learn from him! Do that and you will be well on your way to success!
Sue can do it so can I. I am believer in the power of my own capabilities.
I stumbled onto this video 9 years later and understand the pricing and marketing from other fields I have been in and my retirement small businesses, 4 of them, includes photography and mostly do stage actors, 90% of my clients are film or stage actors, and 80% of them are females from 6 to 80 yo with most in the 20-35 age range. The problem is stage actors are low income clients where we live. I moved from California in 2000 to a large Eastern European city with hundreds of drama, ballet, opera, and film studio theaters and the most difficult part of serving that niche is pricing. And not they need short videos because I have a strong following of casting directors and their prospects.
Back in the US my primary business was owning one of the most successful recording studios in the 1973-1990 era with 197 gold and platinum albums in that era.
I have a small studio 50x37x12h with decent light and natural light and skylights, with home designed and built strobes.
My problem is not being active in social media and never have posted on IG where all the actors live, posting a dozen times a day.
Most of my clients come from attenting one our twice monthly actor master classes where we host 20-60 actors who want to make the transition from stage to film. I do basic head shots and short video of 1-2 pages of dialog as part of the class for each. That leads to a lot of requests for private sessions. Delivery is a question. Now I put edited files on a personal DropBox folder for them since their use of them is for on-line submissions. CDs and DVDs are not used anymore. How do people distribute images now? Actors are very price sensitive but due to the age, I get a lot of requests for weddings, which I only do for close friends, because here weddings are very long and only 30 minutes of the 23 hour day is predicable or planned. Formal weddings back in the US were short and planned.
With the advent of low cost gear and everyone having a phone, a whole generation has evolved to accept "filtered" images generated by the dozens daily so the value of good images has dropped so those fewer and fewer people who appreciate well done studio of location images are targeted by an ever expanding number of people calling themselves photographers. I would like to deliver a stylish physical portfolio but the only markets that seems to care are corporate headshots and boudoir so maybe moving more into boudoir would be a direction still valued. I have done a lot of those sessions usually for free for friends.
I laughed SOOOOOO hard when she said, "dramatic pause"!!!!! Love you, Sue🌹
It's absolutely incredible how you take the time to explain step by step the breakdown procedure of going from shoot to completing (and managing) a folio - Start to finish.. I haven't seen any other pro photographer take his/her time to explain it the way you do! Awesome work and thanks for the powerful words of encouragement - YOU are without a doubt, a MASTER of your craft.
Very informative, thank you for doing this Q&A, I have been a business coach for over a decade and you just hit the nail on the head with how you answered these people with the blocks. The money game is a small game that small people play, just doing what you love to do and the money will come. I love how you say you just have to get out of your own way. Thank You!
Sue, I am really liking this! I am sooo encouraged. Thank you!!!
Kathy Robinson your hot
Thank you, truly an inspiration. Helps build confidence and knowledge.
Watching this 11 years later, this is a great video. Did sue do the critique of Morgan? Would love to see it
This is pure gold. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽And yes I agree. I have never liked having clients going thru the raw files and choosing what I should edit. It looks very unprofessional to me.
This appears to have be deleted so I will repost! Here is my challenge to Sue Bryce who says in this video multiple times "I think I'm worth $500 an hour." Below is a list of a good majority of my photography equipment and expense. Note, on most expenses, 15% was added to cover depreciated items and allow purchase or upgrades in the future. I have include my math for anyone's review and also note that not every item will be utilized every day or on every shoot. However it is incorporated into the total cost per hour price at the very bottom which is $168.28, which is a difference of $331.72 for this example. Everything and I mean everything in my business is costed out to the penny on an hourly basis and I am at just roughly $240 an hour. This mean if you work 8 hrs a day, 5 day a week is 40 hrs a week times 52 weeks is 2080. If you were to have 2080 billable hrs. the $168,28 would produce revenue to cover each item below in the figures. So to Sue here is your challenge. Produce a video showing your expenses and how you arrived at your $500 or greedy 2 shoots a week at $3500 or 104 sessions annually to produce $364,000 annually as you state in another pricing video. This is nothing short of promoting price gouging and profiteering and to think I heard to state you charge your first client $9700 for a portrait shoot? I clearly do not see the value in your packages or work to command your so-called $500 an hour! We clear saw and witnessed Russ just smile and remain silent at the 43:41 mark where you explain price gouging and profiteering... I mean profit margins. The video has be view now some 95641 times which means you just promoted to that many people how to engage in photography price gouging and profiteering, which we turn down on average some 250 photogs annually who want to shoot my fashions and have some scheme with wild pricing such as yours. This is why I am writing a book to likely be titled, How to Find, Hire and Deal With Photographers to Keep From Getting Ripped Off. Make a video and show us your detailed numbers!
Bodies Batteries & Grips
Nikon D5 - $6,496.95 x 15% = 974.54 + $6496.95 = $7471.49 / 2080 = $3.59 an hour.
MK-D5000 Battery Grip - $67.96
x 15% = $10.19 + $67.96 = $78.15 / 2080 = $0.04 an hour.
Nikon D850 - $3,296.95 x 15% = $494.54 + $3,296.95 = $3,791.49 / 2080 = $1.82 an hour.
Nikon D800 - $2,999.95 x 15% = $449.99 + $2,999.95 = $3,449.94 / 2080 = $1.66 an hour.
MB-D18 Multi Battery Grip for Nikon D850 - $67.96 x 15% = $10.19 + $67.96 = $78.15 / 2080 = $0.04 an hour.
Nikon D750 - $1,396.95 x 15% = $209.54 + $1,396.95 = $1,606.49 / 2080 = $0.77 an hour.
MB-D16 Multi Battery Grip for Nikon D750 - $59.46 x 15% = $8.92 + $59.46 = $68.38 / 2080 = $0.03 an hour.
Nikon D7200 - $996.95 x 15% = $149.54 + $996.95 = $1,146.49 / 2080 = $0.55 an hour.
Nikon D7100 - $996.95 x 15% = $149.54 + $996.95 = $1,146.49 / 2080 = $0.55 an hour.
Neewer MB-D15 Battery Grip Replacement for Nikon D7100 - $29.99
x 15% = $4.50 + $29.99
=$34.49 / 2080 = $0.02 an hour.
EN-EL15a Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery - $54.95 x 6 = $329.70
x 15% = $49.50 + $329.70 = $379.20 / 2080 = $0.18 an hour.
NIKON MH-67P Battery Charger - $49.99 x 3
= $149.97
x 15% = $22.50 + $149.97 = $172.47 / 2080 = $0.08 an hour.
Lenses
Nikon / NIKKOR - 24MM F/1.8G AF-S ED - $749.95 x 15% = $112.49 + $749.95 = $862.44 / 2080 = $0.41 an hour
.
Nikon / NIKKOR - 35mm F/1.4G AF-S - $1,696.95 x 15% = $254.54 + $1,696.95 = $1,951.49 / 2080 = $0.93 an hour
.
Nikon / NIKKOR - 50mm F/1.8G AF-S - $216.95 x 15% = $32.54 + $216.95 = $249.49 / 2080 = $0.11 an hour
.
Nikon / NIKKOR - 85mm F/1.4G AF-S - $1,549.00 x 15% = $232.35 + $1,549.00 = $1,781.35 / 2080 = $0.86 an hour
.
Nikon / NIKKOR - 24-70mm F/2.8G AF-S - $1,449.00 x 15% = $217.35 + $1,449.00 = $1,666.35 / 2080 = $0.80 an hour
.
Nikon / NIKKOR - 70-200mm F/2.8G AF-S ED VR II - $2,496.95 x 15% = $374.54 + $2,496.95 = $2,871.49 / 2080 = $1.38 an hour
.
Tamron SP 70-200MM F/2.8G Di VC G2 - $1,199.00 x 15% = $179.85 + $1,199.00 = $1,378.85 / 2080 = $0.66
an hour.
Speed Lights
Nikon SB 910 Speedlight Flash - TTL - 34m - $724.00 x 6
= $4344.00 x 15% = $651.60 + $4344.00 = $4995.60 / 2080 = $2.40 an hour.
Strobes
PROFOTO B1X TO-GO KIT - $2,095.00 x 6 = $12570.00 x 15% = $1885.50 + $12570.00 = $14455.50 / 2080 = $6.95 an hour
.
Reflectors
Neewer 43-inch/5-in-1 Multi-Disc Reflector -$19.99 x 15% = $3.00 + $19.99 = $22.99 / 2080 = $0.01 an hour
.
Associates
Model - 4 hr shoot @ $100 an hour = $400 x 35 (shoots per year) = $14000.00 x 15% = $2100.00 + 14000.00 = $16100.00 / 2080 = $7.74 an hour
.
MUA - 1 hr per shoot @ $100. 00 an hour x 35 (shoots per year) = $3500.00 x 15% = $525.00 + $3500.00 = $4025.00 / 2080 = $1.93 an hour
.
Photographers - $150,000.00 annually gross / 2080 = $72.11 an hour
.
Retirement - $2000.00 x 12 = $24,000.00 (annually) / 2080 = $11.53 an hour.
Insurance - auto - $150.00 x 12 = $1800.00 / 2080 = $0.86 an hour
insurance - medical - $300.00 x 12 = $3600.00 / 2080 = $1.73 an hour
Studio & Equipment
Rent - $1200 x 12 = $14,400.00 x 15% = $2160.00 + $14400.00 = $16560.00 / 2080 = $7.96 an hour.
Insurance - $150.00 x 12 = $1800.00 / 2080 = $0.86 an hour
Utilities (average variable monthly expense)
Water & Sewer $55.00 x 12 = $660.00 x 15% = $99.00 + 660.00 = $759.00 / 2080 = $0.36 an hour.
Electric $150.00 x 12 = $1800.00 x 15% = $270.00 + 1800.00 = $2070.00 / 2080 = $0.99 an hour.
Natural Gas $75.00 x 12 = $900.00 x 15% = $135.00 + $900.00 = $1035.00 / 2080 = $0.50 an hour.
Phone - $150.00 x 12 = $1800.00 x 15% = $270.00 + 1800.00 = $2070.00 / 2080 = $0.99 an hour.
Cable - $80.00 x 12 = $960.00 x 15% = $144.00 + $960.00 = $1104.00 / 2080 = $0.53 an hour.
Trash - 50.00 x 12 = $600.00 x 15% = $90.00 + $600.00 = $690.00 / 2080 = $0.33 an hour
Computer & Equipment - $2000 x 2 = $4000 x 15% = $600.00 +$4000.00 = $4600.00 = $2.21 an hour.
Adobe CC - $9.99 x 12 = $119.88 x 15% = $17.98 + $119.88 = $137.86 / 2080 = $ an hour.
Sub Total Overhead listed above $134.57 an hour
Profit - 25% x $134.57 = $33.64 + $134.64 = $168.28
dude, you have too much stuff
also you are just either damping or doing a poor job. Or both.
edit: ok, I've looked up your site. Yeah, I think your prices are a tad too high... Probably to offset the price of all the gear you bought, right?
Many thanks Sue for sharing your experience with us. Your thoughts and marketing model and target market has been very much inspiring. The fact that beginners like me always start with basic equipment makes you think twice before going further...your videos have helped me a lot to starting believing. Thank you again.
The Photography Nanny!!
I just love her spirit. FANTASTIC video
This is a great Class for beginners and experienced photographers- Sue is authentic and speaks from the heart on all aspects of photography and business. If you are just getting started or need to move to the next level I recommend picking this up over at Creative Live! She is an amazing and giving photographer!
Tammy
#28dayswithsuebryce
28 Days With Sue Bryce: Q&A on Equipment, Pricing, and Inspiration
SUE BRYCE GENIUS great and inspirational photographer....
I would love her opinion on posting prices on your website.
Awesome and thanks...she is incredibly outstanding....
just love your confidence!
Bryce thank you very much. One question. When you are showing the final product to your clients? After you got paid and the package done? How they agree to pay for something they never saw? Or on the day you're shooting you're showing them ? I'm really confused. I hope my words make sens. Thank you
I love your videos. I am a photographer in AUstin Texas. I am looking for people that can edit my work. Who do you use?
Do you use a 3rd party company that keeps track of payments, and notifies you if a payment fails for a month? How do you keep track of all these payments?
I don’t understand why dump down, ? can someone please explain .
Love your work Sue and listening to ya. Can I ask what did you charge when you first started? I can't imagine its was 500 a hour. I am just starting out and opened a studio (gulp). I have the studio cheap so thats good. I live on a small island called Tenerife and people here will not spend that kinda money. It is so different from city life or a country like Oz or UK were people are primed more to spend and earn more on average than what they do here. My studio is based around Boudior so I am very confused about my pricing, its in the back of my mind all the time. If you can give me your thoughts please. cheers
I've just become a Sue Bryce fan. I'm also a Jerry Ghionis fan. ;)
Be also mine. Pleeeease!
You are truly amazing ! ~
What do your clients pay on day of shoot
So did she ever share her portfolio with Sue? What was Sue's feedback? *super curious*
Sue, Jerry, Karl and others are top on their area... i don´t think they charge too much, unfortunately not everybody can pay that. I work in a 10,000 px town.
I have to add a bit more to my comment below and I'm this comes not just from a photographer, but a client perspective!
There are tons of photogs like Sue all over the web and on UA-cam who are telling new photogs to check around your local area for what you are looking to shoot, check prices and raise them. Hell you are an artist for God's sake so you deserve to make $5000 an hour and who cares if the client can pay for it or not! That is dangerous, and I will tell you why! I'm not here to harp on photography although from what I see out there, there are a ton of average photogs who don't even understand the fundamentals or simple stuff like the rule of 3rd, let alone have interesting images. Most I scratch my head trying to figure out what you all are trying to convey. With that being said, I again do fashion photography and I would highly recommend checking out and watching Bambi Cantrell's video on posing. When it comes to wedding and just all-around excelling photography and art, check out Master Photographer Joe Buissink and his B&H video, Back to the Basics. Learning the fundamentals and your camera, I highly recommend John Greengo as he is the bomb when it comes to this stuff! Notice I didn't mention Sue.
The first thing is, if you are looking to make money in photography, go to your State's Secretary of State, and do a name search. Find a name that matches what you do. Check and see if it is available and if so, to a trade name registration. which will be less than $100 and normally is good for 5 years. Next, you want to check your consumer laws for your state and this is again something you would think a a so-called professional photog charging $500 an hour would tell you. be cautious of a la carte pricing and here is why. In Ohio as well as other states, the law reads as such - Ohio Administrative Code 109:4-3-05 (D)(12) Repairs or Services “Fail to provide the consumer with a written itemized list of repairs performed or services rendered, including a list of parts or materials and a statement of whether they are used, remanufactured, or rebuilt, if not new, and the cost thereof to the consumer, the amount charged for labor, and the identity of the individual performing the repair or service;” I'm sure there might be some armchair photographer attorney who will say "That does not apply to us photographers." Keep thinking that and I would love to have a date with you in court! Reread the above prohibition of law and strike out repair(s) and use photographer and/or photography in place of service.
Next, Sue promotes she takes a 10% deposit. Okay, go for it and do that! But if in Ohio you better read and comply with this... Ohio Administrative Code 109:4-3-07 Deposits. "It shall be a deceptive act or practice in connection with a consumer transaction for a supplier to accept a deposit unless the following conditions are met: A through E of this section." This means you need to comply with A-E which includes things like what is your refund policy and how long do clients have, etc. You must have a policy, show your clients before you accept any deposit(s). So, make sure you check your local state requirements and law on that first!
Next is your contract and I don't care what you have in it or if I signed it! Two things you need in it is a Contingency and a Change Order clause. Why is this important? Sue gave the example of a couple who split up and she ended up only giving the female client images of just her. Did Sue' reduce or adjust the price? Sue did not clearly state. She did mention that she does not refund any deposit(s). Is she compliant with her state's provisions on deposits? We don't know. The point is there WILL be times when things happen beyond yours or your client’s control and you or they need to make changes. DO SO and do it happily! If you need to give back a deposit or refund a client fully or partially, DO IT! For example. a number of years ago a friend of mine was getting married and they did the engagement with a photog and had most of their wedding package paid for. On the way to the wedding someone ran a red light and t-boned her fiancé and he was killed. Like Sue, after such a tragic event, my friend attempted to get a refund and make changes to her contract. The photog was hard nosed and said no. The money was needed to help pay for funeral expenses. and again, like Sue, she was referred to her contract where it stated numerous times, no funds of any kind at any time. But was willing to make concessions to provide her with in studio credits in the future. Needless to say, they ended up in court and she got cleaned his camera really good in damages! Now, read this. Ohio Revised Code 1345.03 Unconscionable consumer sales acts or practices, including but not limited to, (A)(B)(2)(5) Whether the supplier required the consumer to enter into a consumer transaction on terms the supplier knew were substantially one-sided in favor of the supplier; (6) Whether the supplier knowingly made a misleading statement of opinion on which the consumer was likely to rely to the consumer's detriment;"
(Reread and swap Photographer for Supplier)
Now if you are one of those photogs who is doing TF and doing the same by giving the model a mere 5-25 images and turning around to use those images to market your business, make calendars, sell to stock companies, submit to magazines, etc. while you give them your pics, edited your way, then you are engaging in a deceptive and one-side business transaction!
"You do not have to take anything away from anyone.
You do not have to drive sharp bargains.
You do not have to cheat, or to take advantage. You do not need to let any man work for you for less than he earns." (No TF - Pay them!)
- Wallace D Wattles, The Science of Getting Rich" Chpt. 5
u are to become a creator, not a competitor; you are going to get what you want, but in such a way that when you get it every other man will have more than he has now.
" Wallace D Wattles - The Science of Getting Rich
Totally unrealistic where I live. If you try to charge $450 for an image or print here in WV you would be run out of town thru laughter. WV is a world all in itself and nearly the poorest state in the country. You cannot charge those prices here, guaranteed.
Are you a full time Photographer? What are your rates? What area of Photography do you specialize in?
Jenni reviera teaches photography
$500 an hour? for a standard 2000 hour work year, that's 1 million? Is that an average income for all the photographers out there?
This is not the average income, I can personally tell you that. Photography does bring income, but just like everything else, the more you put in, the more you take out.
Not where I live. 3 studios went out of business last year here in Charleston, WV. Very economically challenged. Any photographer who charges that much would not last a month here.
For those reading the above comment I will break it down for you... 8 hrs a day x 5 days a week is 40 hrs. x 52 weeks in a year is 2080 hours available by standard. $500 x 2080 hrs = $1,040,000 annually. Charles Rollins in WV is right! I live and operate in Ohio which a a bit better off. However, I would suggest reviewing data from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics... (www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes274021.htm#st) Per that data, the low end is $9.33 an hour or $19,400 annually. At the median (50% or most people) it is $15.62 or $32,490 and on the high end, $36.09 or $75,080 annually, which is more realistic.
One thing Sue does not elaborate on in any of her videos I have seen is how does she arrive at her $500 an hour. Without that info, I would be cautious! Like Charles stated, depending on where you live and operate will sharply dictate what you can charge.
@@danagrey3534 Dana, just get good. Your images are thrash, ffs. Don't get upset that you are making that kind of money for the bad of a photos.
The person is marketing to the wrong clients. Some people really don't have money, and they just can't buy expensive portraits Someone with a low income and a family should not spend a lot of money on portraits.. Change where you're advertising. Advertise to upper middle class income and above.
In 2019 = Photography is dying industry
*Ouch*
Dramatic pause......... lol!
Let's look at a few things Sue Stated... She "THINKS" she is worth $500 an hour. Add $100 for a makeup artist and studio rental and she is at $600 and wants you to do a package for at minimum of $1200 or $1600 but she upsells to get like $3200. In her example she said she would charge that lady $900 and she gets roughly 40 images with two (2) looks which are just a bunch of expressions. Listening to Sue that is a fair equal deal. But how educated are her clients on what I'm exposing in the comment and my one below, where I listed and costed out a lot of gears and expenses to come to roughly $106 an hour. If you go Sue's approach, is that a fair deal? In her eyes? But view the video at 43:41 mark where she explains this and Russ, poor guy just smile and says nothing! Why? I think her was thinking damn that is a rip off! How about just tell clients my cost is $300 and I'm making $300 but I need you to also give me an extra $1000, just because! So, even though you have a signed contract, if nickel and dime your clients like Dallas, Tx., based wedding photog, Andrea Polito. Read "If You Don’t Nickel and Dime Your Clients, You Won’t Have to Sue When They Complain About You Online " - "A wedding photographer won a million-dollar claim from her clients. It probably should never have gotten this far." (abovethelaw.com/2017/08/if-you-dont-nickel-and-dime-your-clients-you-wont-have-to-sue-when-they-complaint-about-you-online/?rf=1)
Let me explain how this works... so far this video has been viewed 95602 times, which is great for Sue and Creative Live. However, the majority of you are taking this advice and you approach a business like mine hoping to secure a contract to shoot out garments. If I look, the most of you do not have a business registration with the state you live and operate in as well as if I check with the state's Dept. of Taxation, you most likely you are not paying taxes on your photography income, which is tax evasion. Further as someone asked about doing corporate headshots, Sue stated she would charge $500 an hour, she gets final choice and final say so, blah, blah, blah. We I get is on average about 30 photographers a month who has some scheme, plan or way to improve my fashion business with their photography. So for a 4 hour shoot, Sue would charge me $2000 minimum, plus expenses, post editing and I don't even get to see the images and she makes the final picks that would be used to market our fashions. Is that good? Hell No! Not only do we do it in house for a faction of that cost, we give the photog(s) a new SD card and when it is full or at the end of the shoot, it comes back to us and WE make the final choice! This is what you should do with your clients. It is more of a value when you show them, and they may have different likes than you. For example, go to Joe Buissink's website and look at his port! He has a shot of a bride and groom slightly out of focus and when you see it, you'll see why it is such an awesome amazing shot! If it was Sue, the client(s) or me would never see that shot! It totally captures the moment and the emotions. Like Joe, you then tell your client(s) what you are going to do editing wise, which Sue said will take 2-5 mins so that is not much, but you're being personal with your clients showing them what you are doing is worth the cost you are charging them!
I shot at another friend's wedding and gave my friends a CD of all the images I took FREE as a wedding present. That sparked them asking and insisting to see the hired photog's images which there was a few that were just like Joe's that were slightly fuzzy and of the bride’s granny slapping her hubby in the face with a piece of cake later in the reception. This photog considered it an outtake and my friends actually had the photog enhance the photo and clean it up as best he could and then had him print an 8 x10 which is on their wall and just so damn awesome as well as adorable! There are also two sister I know who do weddings and there are always booked 2-3 years out because of their packages. Their highest is $3500 or $3600 but they do the whole 9 yards like Sue and everyone else, but they offer 100 edited image and you get ALL the images. plus, your album and assortment. But despite they have their standard packages, they show their clients they care and give more in service value than they get in cash value that they take. Plus, as Sue and other's point out it is nearly all word of mouth... the bridesmaid then use them, there are the family portraits, the senior shots and you name it.
Lastly, if you really listen to Sue in her Creative Live videos, you will hear her deviously talk about the Law of Attraction, which is not a bad thing. However, let me talk a play out of her playbook. The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D Wattles Chpt 6 How Riches Come to You.... Sue needs to read this like a million times!
"WHEN I say that you do not have to drive sharp bargains, I do not mean that you do not have to drive any bargains at all, or that you are above the necessity for having any dealings with your fellow men. I mean that you will not need to deal with them unfairly; you do not have to get something for nothing, but can give to every man more than you take from him."
"You cannot give every man more in cash market value than you take from him, but you can give him more in use value than the cash value of the thing you take from him. The paper, ink, and other material in this book may not be worth the money you pay for it; but if the ideas suggested by it bring you thousands of dollars, you have not been wronged by those who sold it to you; they have given you a great use value for a small cash value."
Listen closely to what Sue preaches in this video and right here is what she is doing in her business in my eyes!
"Let us suppose that I own a picture by one of the great artists, which, in any civilized community, is worth thousands of dollars. I take it to Baffin Bay, and by "salesmanship" induce an Eskimo to give a bundle of furs worth $500 for it. I have really wronged him, for he has no use for the picture; it has no use value to him; it will not add to his life. But suppose I give him a gun worth $50 for his furs; then he has made a good bargain. He has use for the gun; it will get him many more furs and much food; it will add to his life in every way; it will make him rich."
"When you rise from the competitive to the creative plane, you can scan your business transactions very strictly, and if you are selling any man anything which does not add more to his life than the thing, he give you in exchange, you can afford to stop it. You do not have to beat anybody in business. And if you are in a business which does beat people, get out of it at once.
Give every man more in use value than you take from him in cash value; then you are adding to the life of the world by every business transaction."
Plain and simple by Sue's own words in this video, her "thinking" she is worth $500 an hour, selling ignorant people photography who don't know any better and gives them as she said 40 images, for two looks... merely a bunch of expressions as little use value compared to the high cash value she is taking from them. Again in my eyes, it is noting more than price gouging and profiteering! Back in 2002 I bought a failed swimwear business that two photographers did the same thing only a bit worse. What it done was caused a woman who was a single mother trying to supplement her income for her kids and hopefully pass on some to them when they got older, to go bankrupt losing everything. She used retirement money to start it! Thankfully it only took me one time working with these con artists to see what they were really doing. It ended up in court and I even countered sued them and won as well as getting their case thrown out. The money I made from it was given directly to the former owner... every penny! Is that something Sue would do? Based on my take watching this video, hell no! It has been 15 yrs and we are still going strong and growing because we turn away some 225-250 photogs who have been educated by photogs like Sue. Read my comment below, work the numbers, read the Science of Getting RIch, learn from John Geengo about photography, Learn posing from Bambi Cantrell and watch Joe Buissink's B&H video Back to the Basics and see what real photography! Learn from him! Do that and you will be well on your way to success!