I started out shooting simply because I loved it. Over time, the demand increased, so I started charging to decrease said demand. I continued raising prices to continue decreasing demand until I found a comfortable equilibrium. That is still how I manage my pricing structure. Now, I recognize that this doesn't answer your question. It only serves as back story.

When I began shooting we didn't need the additional income (which is good, because I'm pretty sure I LOST money on my first few weddings- hello wedding, bridals, engagements, disk and album for $300). Over time, we've weathered a lot of financial storms as a family and there have been times when we were very grateful for the additional income (the "oh my gosh, this is a miracle" kind of gratitude). Right now, with Richie in the Executive MBA program at Thunderbird, a highly competitive (and thus expensive) program, we're most definitely finding ourselves in a position where we are very thankful for my ability to contribute financially.

ALL THAT SAID- photography for me is mostly about real LOVE and CONNECTION. I'm looking for this love and connection both between my clients (as a couple, family etc) and between my clients and myself! I'm FAR FAR FAR FAR FAR FAR FAR FAR FAR FAR FAR FAR (times infinity) more concerned with finding the RIGHT clients than I am with making a strong profit. And I hope this will always be the case. When my clients and I really resonate with each other, it shows in the art we collaborate to create.

But to directly answer your question, would I continue charging if I didn't need the money? Yes. I would.

Clients paying fair market value for services is important across the board.

I'll illustrate:

1. INDUSTRY WIDE: If everyone gave away their work, the industry would crash. We've seen some of that hit in recent years with the vast influx of new photographers charging next to nothing and providing the MOON on a silver platter (once guilty as charged, see above). This has turned around and really hurt business for many photographers who DO NEED the income to put food on the table. I think the industry has a responsibility to charge for services to protect the community as a whole.

2. BETTER FINISHED PRODUCT/WORKING RELATIONSHIP: People have a higher respect and regard for things they are required to purchase. I have found that the higher my prices have gotten, the more my clients have valued my art and ME as an artist (not to say that people should charge heinous amounts for their art-yet in the same breath that's ALL RELATIVE, right, and who are we to say at which point a price should be considered "heinous"?). When clients pay for the services I provide, they find themselves more comfortable clearly communicating with me their expectations and desires. Likewise, I work with all my soul to clearly manage their expectations within the framework of the services I know I can provide for them. Furthermore, I feel the responsibility to be within complete integrity and clearly divulge if they are asking me to provide something that I am not totally confident in my ability to provide. This equates to a real, functional working relationship. A total WIN/WIN. Together we are more collaborative and thus the finished product shows a real glimpse into BOTH of our souls. (Do I maintain that the only way to achieve this is through money? Obviously not. But there is something about feeling DEEPLY valued that brings out the best in a person. My clients show me that they value me by paying me fairly, and I turn around and show them how much I value their business and their support by giving them my ALL. The results from these kind of client/photographer relationships scream "case in point.")

3. SIMPLE SUPPLY AND DEMAND: As I mentioned in brief above, my price point controls my schedule. I am first and foremost a woman, wife and mother. Setting my prices at an acceptable level for me to still have the lifestyle I desire (TIME and money to do things that enrich my life and the lives of those around me), is a very important factor for my overall joy and success as a human being. That matters. A lot.

Final statement: I know that there are situations in which charity is in order. I love organizations like Help Portrait and Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep for this very reason. There are always circumstances in which services should be provided from a heart of charity, simply because it is the right thing to do.

well my opinion of ilford 3200 in 220 is kind of like my opinion of unicorns and leprechauns. it sounds so amazing, its just too bad they DON'T EXIST.

ilford 3200 is only available in 35mm and 120.

and to expose for it properly i'd use the zone system. expose for shadows, develop for highlights.

it does not matter what you set your iso to on your camera if you are shooting in M mode. you could set it to iso 4 and as long as you put in the correct shutter speed/f-stop for 400iso film, you are good to go.

however, if you are shooting in P/A/or the flower/mountain/person mode on your camera, you're screwed. P does not stand for professional. and A does not stand for awesome. no way. no how.

maybe a pez dispenser on the camera flash hot shoe.

to me, i just like kids being kids. interacting more than cheesing.

They are beautiful.

I realise I do come across as a bit snappy sometimes and for that I apologise. I do however think there's a lot of arrogance on the other side too. I have answered over 2200 questions here on Formspring regarding pretty much everything about my photography. I do this for free without expecting anything back. Still people won't bother with checking the questions I've already answered, sometimes the questions have been answered six questions before. I have taken hours and hours of my time to do this, to give something back because I want to share as much as I can. Still people don't want to check the already answered questions because it takes time to click the "more answers from Jonas Peterson" button. Takes time? Really?

I find that arrogant.

in my bag.

I've never owned a 340 so like you should too I'll have to google it.

People, google before you ask, or ask Jeeves.

Her amazingness is just getting more grown out!

oh you know...

http://tinyurl.com/3ztyzsd

Yes I can. Start by shooting all the time and don't worry about style or if you're doing it right or wrong. Not yet, anyway. Just shoot like crazy and figure out what kinds of things you like to photograph. Also, look at the giants of photography and don't spend time looking at people that are mediocre. On the sidebar of my blog is a list of photographers that would do you good to know. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. So, shoot like crazy and look at really good photography. That's a place to start. There's more, of course, but that's a start. People starting out think good photography has to look a certain way. Check out the photography of Nan Goldin. You might ask - call that fine art? Look at Matt Mahurin or Jim Goldberg or Ralph Eugene Meatyard. There's so many possibilities with photography. You don't have to take pictures of red barns if you don't want to.

dslr + A mode + kit lens + pirated version of cs5 + some kubota/TR actions.

oh, and a bowtie seems to help

#psthephotosofyoufromFINDMemphisaremakingyousomekindoflegend

#crapforgotlensflare

good question!

i'm not going to get up here or anywhere and tell you why it is "special". i'll let everyone else who got it, tell you :)

http://tinyurl.com/3hw73tn

if that does not answer your question, you could always try asking jeeves, though I can't stand behind the results you'll get :).

and if that does not work, well, you can find out why it is "special" for yourself by getting one here:

http://thefindguide.com

and if you enter the coupon code "ALOHA" you'll even get it at the "special" price of $99 :)

#SPECIAL!

Yes I have my own studio as of last November. Does a "pro" photog need a studio? No Freakin way. I met my first client face to face in about a year a couple weeks ago at my studio/lab/film clubhouse. If I did not have that space I would have met at my house or their place. But if someone told you you need a studio to be pro they are full of crap. There are definite pros as now my business is not in my home and I have a place to meet clients if needed. Ive basically created a place that is mine and a lot of my friends and fellow photogs hang out/work there. Im in the process of installing a working shower, kitchen, 15x20 shooting area. And there a ton of pros tacked on those things alone. Film is not dead ut will be held at my studio now. As far as Cons would obviously be the overhead, upkeep. Its not cheap to furnish let alone gut and build from the ground up. Its almost like owning and using 2 homes. My lease is super cheap for the amount of space i have ($575 for 1800 sq ft). And at that price i could not pass it up. Run your numbers and if you can swing it or it is VIABLE for you to rent/lease then go for it but know this, having or not having is not what is going to deem you a professional photog. Does me owning/leasing a studio make me a pro? No way. What makes me a "pro"/overrated dude is my body of work. No one can say you are pro except you and your body of work.

Cool, isn't it?

Yeah. Good.

Usually I don't convince people once we have an opportunity to do a side by side comparison! :) Plus we love you forever and ever.

Dont use the star method, use IN or OUT and be ruthless. That's how I do it.

It doesn't bother me much, all I can do is focus on my business and make the most of my situation. Worrying about things I can't control is energy wasted.