We have for many years used a “bonus” incentive system for wedding re-orders whereby the B&G get a bonus portrait from their wedding collection, sized according to the value of their order – this encourages them to show the proof images to their family & friends and to collect orders for us, effectively making them our salespeople! (Feedback from Natasha)

With respect:

I don't feel “threatened” by much of anything, when it comes to the photography business. I've been at this game much too long.

Neither should anyone else feel threatened.

No matter what anyone says, the fact is, that photography in general, has been devalued. You may or may not agree.

This is due, in great part, to the proliferation of, as you put it, “ordinary digital photographers.” It may sound strange, but I've yet to meet a photographer who thought his or her work was “ordinary”.

I'm happy that you've found a market for your work. However, it's meaningless to say some photographers have increased their prices when you don't quantify what the increase is. IE: from what to what? You also say they have lots of business, but you don't quantify what “lots of business” is.

Furthermore, they may or may not “always do well” and it may or may not have anything to do with “quality”. I've yet to meet a photographer who didn't think his or her work was anything but “quality.”

Here's some of my reality:

In the greater geographical area in which I live, real estate values have dropped approximately 40% over the past two years. There have been many foreclosures. Many white collar and blue collar jobs are gone. Major firms have closed their doors. There are ever more homeless on the streets. There are an increasing number of “for rent” signs in high-profile commercial districts, districts which formerly boasted close to 100% occupancy. There is over 10% unemployment nationally. This stuff is real. People who could afford me one or two years ago, no longer can. There is a smaller pool of clients who still can.

My point of all this is: what's the best strategy to survive in this environment? Ever since I started my career, my “best strategy” has been reality-based. The handful of times I strayed from that understanding, things didn't work as well as I expected.

Best of luck in your chosen profession.

Kind regards,
Paul

Paul Sanders
Paul Sanders PhotoBiographer ™
http://www.psweddings.com
http://www.paulsanders.com (cars)
1.888.323.7374
206.780.5152

This post was mentioned on Twitter by stephenbaugh: How much are your images worth? http://su.pr/1en8j3 #photographer…

Paul, you say:

Now, with a rudimentary knowledge of Photoshop or Lightroom, and an adequate digital camera, almost anyone can produce images which, to many clients, are “good enough.”

I agree, but I think the point of the article is that as Queensberry photographers we shouldn't be threatened by the mass of ordinary digital photographers flooding the market. I market to couples who aren't satisfied with “good enough”.

I know photographers who have increased their prices recently and are doing lots of business – it's a matter of quality – they will always do well.