All photographers everywhere get asked to lower our price for showing off our work. Yall this does not pay the bills. Say your job is a custom service representative for a car insurance agency. And i bebop in and say "I did you pictures 2 months ago for FREE and they have been on your social media for 2 months, I need my policy for free these next 2 months." OR say your husband works in the oil field; "Hey I shot your wedding last year. I'm here for my FREE 100 gallons of fuel."
Would that work for you or your employer; what about for your husband? Just because we are our own employer does not mean we can do things for FREE all the time. It does not mean you can come in and say you want a lower price. Lots of us photographers do have requirements for doing free things or giving something for free. And when we are in the position we will or we PLAN IT OUT.
I know how much I need to make a month, quarterly, and yearly. I plan business and prices around that and more. Because as a business owner I still have taxes, subscription fees, prop replacement, buying new props, etc. On average 60% of what we charge goes to that misc we have to pay. That means if we are lucky then 40% is our bring home...if that!
So yall please quit saying "oh you'll get so many more bookings from my friends because they see my pictures", "can i do this for free", "can you do this session for a discount because your coming to my home", etc. It's just like a slap in the face for most photographers, for me it's like your stepping on my toes.
I'm all for trading, because that has been around before money. But that's service for service. I've been in photography well over 20 years, I've seen and heard soooooo much. And been asked to do even more with nothing. Sometimes not even thank you's were received. If I can host something for FREE, then it's because I've planned it out. If I offer a discount, then it's because I'm getting a discount too and want to pass on those savings. But again I've planned it out.
Also, it's ok if I'm not the photographer for you. It means your probably not the one for our business either. And that is ok too. However! I do love meeting and adding to our client family. And yes I do spoil them whenever I can.
So please remember you have value and so do I.