Back in the day – I used to think it would be so cool to have a friend who was a good hairdresser so that I could get blow-outs for a discount. Or maybe a friend who was a masseuse..(a boyfriend that is -that would be a little weird if it was a girl friend of mine).. anyway – you get my point. Now that I have a business it has been a little bit of a dilemma for me. Do I give friends and family discounts? Should I feel bad about charging them. When I started – I swore I would be the cheap photographer for everyone because I believed everyone deserved great photos of their kids. This was before I knew photoshop, before I knew how expensive good glass was ( back when I just called them lenses), before I knew how much time it would keep me from my kids …my family…my life. So here is what I came up with – and I kinda love it. Yes there are benefits – mainly b.c I carry a camera with me at all times – any photos that I post to facebook that was taken during my time off..whether it is a birthday, a school event or just hanging out with our kids. They belong to my friends…it was taken not because I was working .. but because I was inspired….(Now that doesn’t mean you throw a party and you ask if I am bringing my camera) – Sometimes when I am off – I just don’t want to take photos – I need a break from my camera. Also – if I have a stylized shoot where I need a model – I will first look to my friends children. But if a shoot is booked – and I have to take time from my family and scout out locations… then I have to charge them what I would charge a client. So yes there are perks and benefits – but no discounts unfortunately – mama has some bills to pay. Apparently as my husband like to say… I am still in the RED.. .not quite sure what he means by that though- maybe I should google it????
Here are some photos from a playdate that I had with a dear friend Lisa – We have known each other for 15 + years and despite our weekly phone calls we haven’t seen each other in a few years. I loved seeing her and meeting her beautiful children.
