3 Years Later..... Where are we now?

A little over 3 years ago I attempted to start a photography business. My goal was to keep my rates EXTREMELY low to be more affordable for people who could not necessarily afford a photographer. I felt that charging people to much was highway robbery. Having photos done is expensive. Between the photographer and the new outfits, it can get VERY expensive. I personally feel everyone deserves to have their memories preserved not just the well off.

Locally we have a lot of low income families and/or single parents. At one point I was one of those people. Both of them at once actually. Single low income mom, living in a horrendous apartment trying to attend school and work while raising two young boys through a messy divorce. I was lucky though because I had someone who loved me and my boys enough to put up a ridiculous amount of money, for a well known local photographer, to photograph us and have new family photos done to replace the ones with my ex husband. Had that not happened that point in time of my life where the three of us were growing and changing would have never been captured. They are still some of my favorites today.

I have now just transitioned to only photographing friends and family because well, after about 6 months i tried raising my prices by $20. I was originally only charging about $30 a session so i only brought it to $50. The only reason i did that was because i wanted to upgrade my equipment to give the people i was photographing better quality photos. I have a full time job so this was never going to be my full time job and was not my get rich quick scheme. Once I raised those prices, the sessions stopped. Here there are about 5 to 6 photographers to every family. No joke, if you post "i need a photographer" on social media a flood of people come in and well I am just not that type of person to beg. I also use an actual camera, and editing software. I have heard some of these photographers use their phones, which is ok i guess but i would rather use my camera.

I do this because it is my passion not because i wanted to make a quick couple of hundred bucks. I love the entire process. From the shoot, to the editing, to the clients loving how they look and feel in them. So for now i will continue working for donations or free because i love photography. Do some take advantage? Probably but i honestly do not care because i get to do what i love, in addition to my career. Most photographers would shun me. Some would probably get mad for my taking their business but like i said, I do this because i love it and want to continue to love it.

So here we are 3 years later, Still taking photos but refusing to beg in a world full of "photographers". If you like my work I am here, If you do not that is ok too. I just want to keep my hobby alive one memory at a time.