The scary part: Laying it out there.

Pricing.There. I said it. Insert, big, melodramatic sigh here. This, undoubtedly, is the hardest part of my job. Going from my portfolio building price to charging enough to sustain my business and help support my family has been 100% the most stressful part of this process. Really. It's kept me up nights. So many questions: Where do i start? Should I try to beat everyone else? Will i drive away customers? Is it enough? Is it too much? And most importantly...Am I worth it? I would guess most of you have noticed my pricing changing, appearing, disappearing, and now reappearing on my website and blog. I apologize for that. That was my inexperience and fear running my brain. I saw sooo many big time photographers saying this phrase (and absolutely NO offense to those that do this, if it works for you) "Contact me for prices." Hm. Was that the way to do it? That way, yey! I get to meet and talk to people about my sessions, right? Well, now I'm not so sure. You know, I had forgotten the most important part of customer service, which I feel, is something I strive to keep top notch. I had forgotten to put myself in your shoes. What would I be thinking if I happened upon my business and wanted more information about a session? Honestly, the whole "Contact me.." bit would leave me feeling led into a sales pitch. Now let me stress to you, I am NOT a sales person. I cringe at the thought of marketing myself, although its necessary in my line of work- I have GOT to get out there. But marketing is one thing, sales pitching is another. I'm the kind of consumer who likes all my information (or as much as possible) upfront. I like to know what I'm getting into. Call it the control freak in me, who knows. But I figure if that's what I would want, why am I not treating you guys with the same respect? Not fair. So, I'm re listing ALL of my prices, right out there for you to see, and judge and either say, "Hey, I can swing that" or "Is she NUTS?!?" Am I the cheapest? No. I'm not going to try to be. Am I the most expensive? Heck no. Could I afford me? Yes. What I do believe, with all of my heart, and I have to, to charge at all, is that I *am* worth it. I am. You may go to someone cheaper, yes, but I am going to let my attention to detail during your sessions, the fact that most times, i have dedicated my entire day to you (no lines, no clients before or after you-- you are my priority that day),there's no hurried post processing, I treat your photos as if they were my own, and my customer service speak for itself. If I am constantly questioning myself then that means you should to. And I want my clients to always have every confidence that I can and will to everything within my power to deliver images they will cherish. Being an artist (eeek! did I just call myself an artist???) Is a scary business sometimes. not only are you putting your vision out there for others to judge, you're putting what you think your vision is worth out there for others to judge. But as much as you have to trust me to deliver, I have to trust you guys...to... well...trust me. :) So here goes. Thanks for letting me get this off my chest. If you have made it all the way to the end of this schpeel, I consider you a friend. :) Love, Erin