What's Your Worth? -- Phoenix, AZ Photographer

{ The Tale of the Skinny & Fat Piggy }

Is your piggy bank starting to look a little too thin?

Do you need more green to feed it and to fatten it up again?

When photographers are starting out in business, they often make a similar mistake:

They let their little piggy go hungry.

Very hungry.

But what they don't realize is that that piggy bank becomes the bacon off of which they and their family eats and it's important to set a price that is not only fair to clients, but to his or herself as well.

It is important for a photographer and a client to:

Value time.

Value effort.

Value what is being invested into. 

When I first started photographing as a business, I was charging $50.00 per session. It seemed like a good thing at the time because I was new and thought, "Awesome, I'm making money!"

But was I really?

After spending a few months in the business, I realized just how many costs go into making photography a business--and there are many hidden costs that really add up. I want to highlight them here for both the photographer and the client.

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{ These are just the bare bone essentials of what goes into a photo shoot } :

There's the cost of gas to drive to the location and back.

The taxes that are paid on 4 different levels

{ here in AZ it's city, county, state and federal on product and services }.

There's the 1-2 hours out on site to take the photos.

The 2-4 hours at home hand editing each photo from the session.

The time it takes to upload and process an order at a lab.

The shipping of the photos from the lab to photographer.

The shipping of the photos from photographer to clients.

The cost of the product themselves.

The cost of packaging.

The cost of credit card processing.

The cost of posting the photos online in a proofing gallery.

The cost of electricity to run the computer to make all that magic happen.

I'm not including the other costs--maintenance of gear, maintenance of car, licensing, business cards, etc.

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As a photographer, you have to take these things in mind as you set your prices for your clients.

As a client, you have to take these things in mind as you search for a photographer.

Photographers, are you being fair to yourself and your work? Do you value it?

Clients, are you being fair to your photographer and their work? Do you value it?

I wouldn't expect a person to work and not get paid.

Would you?

Some of you photographers, why are you working for free and not charging enough to cover your costs? Why are you not charging your worth as an artist?

Some of you clients, why are you expecting to get something for near nothing?

Why is that?

We wouldn't expect to get a diamond for a cubic zirconia price, right? So those of you photographers who are exploding with talent, why are you pricing yourself as a cubic when you're really a diamond?

Do you want to work with a client that doesn't value your work at the level that it's at?

Could it be that you're setting your prices lower than they should be because you're afraid that you won't find people who will value your work?

People pay for what they value.

Listen: Price isn't the issue. The perception of value is.

Some people value one thing over another.

My goodness, have you seen the rise in fights that are happening over a pair of sneakers out right now? People are fighting over shoes! Shoes! Enough to call in riot police! People buy what they value.

I'll give you another example.

DISNEYLAND.

Disneyland is expensive.

I know.

I used to work there.

What is the breakdown of the bare bones of a trip?

1 adult ticket is $80.00 for a 1 day, 1 Park ticket.

There's the cost of parking.

The cost of meals throughout the day.

Drinks throughout the day.

The cost of a locker.

The cost to get to the Park { gas or airline }.

If you're from out of town, the cost of a hotel or motel.

Not including souveniers, it's pretty pricey...

But people pay it.

Why?

It's hot in the summer. Lines are endless. Crowds are pushy.

Because of memories.

There is value in going to Disneyland.

People are willing to pay for the magic that Disney creates for them.

I used to be a part of making that magic and I know how very special that can be for a person or a family.

People pay for it, because memories are valuable.

You could go to the local carnival.

It's cheaper.

But the experience is not the same by far.

I guarantee you're not going to get the same experience that you will at Disney!

The same thing is true of a professional photographer.

A client could go to a local store or mall store and get their photos done.

But you get what you pay for.

It's like eating a cake without the frosting.

You can't expect to price yourself the same, because you're not the same. 

Clients shouldn't expect to get you at the same discounted price because as a professional, you invest more into their photos than they'll ever be able to get at a local store or mall studio.

A professional photographer is valuable because he or she is capturing memories in a professional way.

A photographer creates and captures memories.

In their best light.

In the most artistic way possible.

It's funny how people view pricing sometimes.

I wouldn't expect to walk into Neiman Marcus and ask for something at Kmart prices.

I would probably be laughed out of the store for even asking such a thing.

Each place is priced differently for a different crowd of shoppers. Some can afford one price. Some can afford more. Some can afford less. We each shop at the level that's most comfortable to us.

Just like with shopping, there are photographers at several different price ranges for a variety of different clients at different price ranges.

If you're priced fairly and someone can't afford you, you don't have to feel bad and change to fit their budget and expectations.

You set your prices fairly and the right clients that value your work and can afford your price range will be the ones to hire you.  

Skinny piggy, fat piggy....

What's in your wallet?

It all depends on the value you and others see in your work.



{ Beba Couture -- Stylized Fairytale Princess Photo Shoots } -- Phoenix, AZ Photographer

Do YOU See Yourself As a Princess?

Working out details for stocking dresses for Beba Couture { stylized fairytale shoots } when it launches this year. I know that it's going to be a hit for the little girls. But I want to do princess shoots of teenaged girls and women too. But I'm curious to know if women would be interested in something like that. If you're a teenager or a woman, would a princess shoot appeal to you? The costumes I'm looking at are similar to this one on my Pinterest board: http://pinterest.com/pin/5488830765400310/ I'm looking for feedback from everyone and would love to hear back from you so I know which age group to focus on. Thanks! : )!! ♥ ♥ ♥

{ Happy New Year! } -- Mesa / Phoenix Photographer

{ Beba Couture } -- Mesa, AZ Fairytale Princess Photographer

{ Beba Couture }

Video: http://animoto.com/play/BclAa06QUE9MmjjZqlvyJQ

A special video preview of Beba Couture that will be launched soon!

Beba Couture will specialize in stylized fairytale shoots. The heart behind it is that I want every girl and woman to see herself as the beautiful person she was created to be. From young to old, I want her to know how unique and special she is

Once Upon a Time, There Was a Princess..........

and that Princess is YOU.

{ New Year, New You -- How To Achieve Your Goals This Year } -- Mesa, AZ Photographer

{ New Year, New You }

How To Achieve Your Goals This Year

In less than a week, we will be in a new year.

2012

Doesn't it seem like it was just turning the millenium with year 2000?

It sure feels that way to me sometimes! It feel like time passes quicker than we can blink.

I've made some good New Year's resolutions in the past that I've been able to keep:

Be more positive.

Open a photography business.

"LIVE" and "BE", not just "DO".

I've also made resolutions that seem to go strong the first week or two and then fizzle into oblivion by the end of January:

Lose weight. { Ha! }

Get more sleep. { Ha! }

Treat myself to a home manicure every week. { Ha! }

Okay, so some things don't totally go as planned. Sometimes we start off with all the motivation in the world....but what is the secret to actually achieving those goals? What makes such a big task possible?

My secret from last year is to:

Write. It. Down.

It sounds simple enough and like it wouldn't really make any difference, but oh, it DOES.

I was able to achieve 75%-80% more last year from my goal list--things I once only dreamed about doing--because I wrote those things down. I typed them into my phone and added to the list throughout the year. It committed me to doing them because I actually SAW them throughout the year.

It challenged me and reminded me that New Year's was coming around again at the end of this year and I didn't want to celebrate another year passed as unfruitful.

What are your goals for this coming year?

When 2012 ends, what will you say you've accomplished that you've always wanted to do?

It seems daunting at first, when you think of it as the "Big Goal." But when you slice and divide that Big Goal into tinier, Smaller Goals....then suddenly it becomes easier to achieve what you'd like to do, because you take it one step at a time.

For example, last year, I knew my "Big Goal" was to get started as a photography business. I had that broken down into smaller goals like:

-Buy business cards

-Open a website

-Get business Trademark

-Get EIN

-Open blog

-Network like a crazy person

-Do (x) amount of shoots per month

-Earn (x) amount of $$$ per month

-Quit full time job { gulp } and move into part time job

-Etc.

Did I achieve every goal?

No.

There are still some that I'm going to aim for again in 2012 such as purchasing new camera gear. But did I get things done that needed to get done to push me closer towards that goal?

Yes.

And that forward motion is what's important.

Are you moving yourself closer towards your Big Goal?

Are you taking those smaller steps towards achieving what you'd like to do?

Here's a way to break down your Big Goal:

1. Define what your Big Goal is and label that as the goal for the year.

2. Then, break down what could be done each month to reach that Big Goal.

3. Then, take those monthly goals and break them down even further into weekly goals.

4. You guessed it. Break those weekly goals down into daily goals.

5. Think I'm crazy? Break those daily goals down into hourly goals or minute goals.

Remember, every little step you take towards accomplishing your Big Goal and your dreams can launch you that much closer to it. I typed my Big Goal into my phone, as well as all the little things that needed to be done to achieve it. I set it up under my "Tasks" folder and checked them off as I went. You can do this on your phone too or use good old fashioned pen and paper. The key is to write things down somewhere you can see it often.

And at the end of 2012, if you keep taking those smaller steps towards it, you'll find yourself feeling refreshed and in awe that you accomplished so much more than you ever thought possible....all because you did what you could and bloomed where you were planted.

Take it from this level to the next...and the next...and the next...and the next...

And never give up!

I can't wait to hear all about what you're going to achieve in 2012!

: )

Why Should I Pay for a Professional Photographer When I Can Go to Walmart or JC Penney? -- AZ Photographer

{ Walmart vs. The Professional }

My friend Beth of Lizzie Bee Photography and I were discussing this very question tonight. I've been asked it by others a lot and want to answer it. Why should people pay more for a professional when they can just go to the mall or a local chain and get lots more for a lot less?


Here's confession time. I actually used to work at a mall photo shop a long time ago and know first hand that they don't always necessarily have the same experience as a professional photographer has. I will be honest--I was hired back then when I had zero experience. I had some raw talent, but had never shot before. That's not to say that the pictures are going to come out horrible, but they might not be to the same caliber as a professional's are.


The key is where people place their value on things. We all value something different in life. Some people value their home and are regularly buying things to spruce up their home. Others value their cars and you can always see them out on a weekend detailing the finest detail of their cars. Others value fine dining or are wine conneseurs....others, book or music lovers, jewelry lovers or technology gurus. We all have something that we lean more to than other things. We are hobbyists and all unique in what we love.


My value is on photography. It's what I'm passionate about. I would and still do sit for hours pouring over old photo albums of my grandparents, aunts and uncles who have passed away. At Christmastime, I want to pull out the albums and pour over old Christmas memories and how different things are now than they were back then. I want to see how much I've changed, my loved ones have changed, how life is segemented out and stored in each photo.


Because I value photography so deeply, my argument is for it's value. I wouldn't take my car to a mechanic or to someone who had never worked on a car before, even if they had some natural talent at it. I pay for the experience and level of expertise accordingly. Yet a lot of people will not place value on their memories and are okay with just okay. But do we underestimate the true value of photography and our photos? When a fire happens, the first thing that people usually grab after their family and pets is their photos. Why? They're just pieces of paper with images on them, right? Well, maybe to some. But for those that value them, they are like little time capsules that hold the treasures to the past. The are like little stepping stones that built the life of the holder. They are memories--cherished ones.


Well, what about the difference of cost? People often ask me, "Why should I go to you and not to JC Penny or Walmart? Because really, it's true--they're right. You can get so much more materially at mall or local places than you can with a professional photographer.


You get more materially, but less substantially.


You'll be getting a photographer with less experience and a product that's not quite as high in caliber. I make sure to hand touch and hand edit every one of my photos. I bring artistic touches to them. You're not going to get that with Wal Mart, JCPenny, Sears, Picture People or Portrait Innovations. Clients pay for the art that goes into a professional's work and not just the photos--the pieces of paper with images--themselves. They pay for the hours that go into making sure that photos are beautiful and capture your family in an artistic way. That's where your price comes from. And for those that value that artistic representation of them and their loved ones--those are the ones that hire me as a photographer.


I feel confident in charging my clients what I do because I believe in the price itself--I know the time that is invested into each one to make sure that they are artistic and lovely and I know the value I'm giving my clients in memories of their loved ones. The second a person passes away, the value of the photos I took multiply 100 fold.


We value memories so much--why *not* invest into them? ♥


I believe in their power and for those of you who value the preciousness of memories, I know that you do too.

{ Black Friday Special -- 1 Day Only! } -- Arizona Photographer

Starting tomorrow at 12:00am, I will be offering a Black Friday photography special!

Limited to 12 11 10 9 sessions only!

 { The Details }

What Do I Get?

You will receive a 1 hour photo session and a CD-R of 35 edited high resolution

digital images for only

$100.00 + tax!

This is a savings of over $250.00 off of normal pricing!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday savings to you!

When Must I Purchase By?

Photo session must be purchased between 12:00am and 11:59pm

on Friday, November 25th, 2011.

How Can I Purchase?

Only Paypal payments and mail-in check payments will be accepted.

Paypal payments must be submitted before 11:59pm on November 25th.

Check payments must have the envelope postmarked on November 25th.

Envelopes not postmarked on November 25th will be returned.

Purchase is non-refundable.

Please send an email to me { Alicia } at alicia@BebaPhotography.com and let me

know that you would like to purchase a photo session.

I will send you an invoice.

When Will Photo Sessions Be Good For?

Photo sessions will be good for the month of December 2011 and January 2012 only.

When you submit payment, I will reserve a spot on my calendar for the month of December or January.

Can I Purchase Additional Products?

You receive 35 edited high resolution images on a CD-R, but you

may also purchase additional

 products { prints, slideshows, canvases, etc. } at regular price separately.

Who Is This Black Friday Special Open To?

Anyone in the Phoenix Metropolitan area. This includes:

EAST VALLEY:

Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Queen Creek, Apache Junction

NORTH VALLEY:

Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Glendale, N. Phoenix, Anthem, Cave Creek, Fountain Hills

WEST VALLEY:

Avondale, Goodyear, Buckeye, Surprise, Phoenix, Peoria, Litchfield Park, Tolleson, El Mirage

Any questions, please email me!

Happy Black Friday Shopping!!!

Thankful -- Mesa, AZ Photographer

{ Thankful }

Um, I think that Roscoe is taking his begging habit a little too far....

But this is by no means a way to poke fun at those who truly are struggling. In fact, I have a heart for those who are struggling and I'd love to bring awareness to it, using irony to bring light to something that is truly a serious situation.

Thank you for letting me share my heart. <3

Something really impacted me. Last year, as I was exiting a freeway in Phoenix, I saw a man carrying a sign like this and something in me completely broke me at the very core of who I was. I had never seen a man look so...hungry before. His very eyes were so hungry--I could see it that he was struggling and hungry and they still haunt me today thinking about him. I had nothing on me. No money, no nothing to give to him and so I had to drive past. I remember crying in brokeness that day because I wished that I could do more.

I sometimes feel like the weight of the world will crush me when I think about how many people are struggling and how I wish we could help everyone. I wish there was enough to share and give and that everyone had the wonderful opportunity to live so freely without having to wonder where their next meal is coming from.

It's true, we cannot help everyone...the thought kills me, but it's true. The world will always have the poor. But while we can't help everyone, we CAN help some and it to them, it matters. As Thanksgiving approaches and we're reminded of how blessed and fortunate we are, I wanted to encourage others to find a special way to make someone's day and if you feel led to it, give back a portion of what you've been given.

Maybe you can pay for the meal of the person behind you in the drive through line.

....or smile and talk with the clerk at the store that's working so feverishly on Black Friday.

.......or let someone have that coveted parking spot or hold open the door for someone.

Maybe you can give a gift card to a local fast food restaurant to the person standing by the entrance of the supermarket asking for food, or drop in some coins as the Salvation Army rings their bells.

There are so many ways that we can touch other people's lives--big ways, small ways....and small things done in a big way. : ) So many ways to fill empty bellies and empty hearts. Both need filling.

It's amazing how much better that Turkey tastes when you have already had your belly filled with the kindness you extend towards strangers.

What can you do this year? Be creative.

Holidays have a way of bringing out the best in people and bonding us together in brotherhood and sisterhood and looking out for each other's best.
Make this one a great one!

Happy { early } Thanksgiving!

{ Only 3 More Weeks! Sign Up Today! } -- Mesa, AZ Photographer

{ Only 3 Weeks Left To Register! }

If you haven't registered already, make sure you do soon! Only 50 total spots available { less now }!

If you've ever wanted to get better at taking pictures and know what it takes to turn a passion for photography into a new business, then you don't want to miss this!

Email or call me { Alicia } to sign up :

Email: alicia@BebaPhotography.com    /    Phone: 480-399-3030

{ Sales 101 -- The Unconventional Approach To Sales } -- Mesa, AZ Photographer

{ The Unconventional Salesperson }

Photo courtesy of Beth Obermeyer of Lizzie Bee Photography / www.lizziebeephotography.com

This is me.

Beba.
(pronounced "Bee-Buh")

I'm probably the most backwards person when it comes to sales.

I am not a pushy salesperson.

It is not the most important thing for me to make sales.

Yet, I still stay in business and do make sales.

Why is that?

I think that it's a shift of focus that's totally unconventional from what traditional salespeople will tell you. Here's what I think makes the difference:

I'm more interested in making a connection than I am in closing a sale. I'm more interested in investing an experience and friendship into that person than I am in getting something back from them.

Scary thought as a salesperson, right?

Not really.

The truth is that people will be walk away happier because they will have been invested in and they will have products that they love and won't have buyer's remorse for being pushed into a sale.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm a business woman, so I still set minimums on my packages that clients sign contracts for......They know ahead of time what they're going to be paying for when they hire me as their photographer, so there are no questions......but I don't push for more once they meet their minimum.

Wait!

Shouldn't I be? Shouldn't I be trying to "sell" them?

In my opinion, no.

Of course I want sales--I'm in business. But for me, it's more important for me to make a genuine connection with that person. My end goal is different. I want my clients to walk away with an experience--a happy memory--and not just pictures. I want there to be an incredible memory of, "We had so much fun that day!" rather than "That girl was such a pushy salesperson--I bought a ton of extra stuff that I didn't want."

Do my clients end up buying extra photos? In almost every case, yes. But not because I pushed them. After they meet their minimum, I leave it up to them to decide what they want.

Is it counter cultural?

You betcha.

But is it more satisfying and fulfilling as a business person?

YES.

I cannot tell you how wonderful it feels to know that you've made someone's day brighter or the thought that you've just made a new friend with someone who was a stranger just a week ago.

Many of my clients have now become my dear friends.

For me, that's the best "sell" in the world--it costs nothing and gives the greatest return.

Sales are momentary, but creating friendships and lasting memories are priceless.

So, go out there and sell....but make sure that you're investing more into the lives of people who are giving their business back to you. : )

{ More Sales 101 tips at my upcoming 1 Day Workshop for those of you who are interested }
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{ Love Me } -- Mesa, AZ Photographer

{ Love Me }

As a photographer, your heart wants to scream out to others:

"Please love my work!"

"Please like my Facebook page and read my blog!"

"Please choose me!"

"Please find joy in viewing my work!"

There's something so wonderful about sharing your heart and gift with the world and having people respond back in a positive way. I know it blesses each of us as photographers and as artists.

But is it just me or is it sometimes easy to get too focused on whether or not people like your work and not stay focused on your love and passion for what you do?

I'm talking to you other photographers out there.

And I'm talking to myself, too.

Right now, I'm enjoying the busy season--I'm booking a lot of sessions.

But there are times { when it's not busy season } that it's tempting for me to question my work when people aren't responding as much as they are right now.

I know that I am not alone.

I've heard other photographers say, "I'm not as good enough, so I'm quitting."

Wait! Throw on the brakes! What?!

I realized long ago, that I love this dream too much to let it go, no matter how I feel. Emotions come and go, but passion lives on.

Even though I sometimes get in that funky rut, I fight it off with a vengeance because I know that validation should always come from experiencing joy in what I do and not from the outside. Sure, it's great to have people love my work--it feels amazing when people find joy in what I do. I'm sure that you feel the same way too. You delight when people love what you're pouring out from your heart, through your camera and into your pictures.

But even when the crowd is gone and the band has gone home....can you still hear the sweet chords of music playing from your camera? Can you still hear the song from inside stirring your heart to want to capture the world in all it's beauty and to capture the magic in and between people?

I sure hope you do.

I do.

It keeps me moving forward during these easy times that I'm experiencing right now and it keeps me moving forward during the hard times too.

Stand on that empty stage and sing the song you were meant to sing.

Stand and sing even if no one is listening....

...because in time, they will.

And in the meantime, you'll be doing what you love the most.

Hope this encourages those of you who are feeling discouraged tonight.

I believe in you and am applauding you.