Why Wedding Photo's Prices Are Wack?

"I’m extremely insulted by your craigslist post... "

This part at the end should have been left out. Especially considering the announcement (made on a marketing website) that the purpose was to help educate people about a "common misconception". It was also too long and whiny. Persuasive arguments, of this nature, should be concise and appealing to the reader.

...you charge what the market will bear for the product you provide.

The thing I never understood about that statement is how does one go about finding that out with accurate results. I mean there's no auctioning for the lowest bidder for such a market just as it is for the real estate market which uses appraisers (who can be bought off).

The only way to determine a fair price is to compare apples to apples and call around for pricing of equivalent wedding photo packages from other competitors, but you really never find out their costs which could be through special deals or agreements with suppliers unknown.

Can you tell why I don't make money with my photographs?

"The thing I never understood about that statement is how does one go about finding that out with accurate results."

Tim, the perception of value is altered once an intangible is infused into a product or service; this is when apples are no longer apples.

and appealing to the reader.

Amidst all the I this and I that, there was scant mention of any value to the client. Merely that photos are longer lasting than other things. While people may identify with running a business and being able to earn an income, if it is the whole theme as seen here, the emotive response is often going to be that the photographer chose the wrong business to be in. Customers first instinct is about what value there is to them whether price, quality, experience or whatever. Win them over on that and then, the background stuff will be more appreciated.

This whole publically viewable letter runs a high risk of alienating prospective customers. Unhappy venting to the customer base is not a good thing.

The photographer's careful response is largely wasted, because clients/prospects do not care what the photographer needs to make to survive. They only care what it costs them to get what they want. I hope the photographer felt better after having vented, but as to actually educating the writer?--nope.

As for the writer, her comment about finding a "decently priced, exceptional, amazingly talented, fun photographer" tells me she is totally unrealistic to begin with. Anyone that thinks the cream of the crop in any profession will charge peanuts is dreaming.

I enjoyed reading the link. We live in a society where people know the price of everything but the value of nothing.

Wow, truly tl;dr

I agree with John, although the argument in general was valid, it seems like she took it too personally for some reason.

I thought Nikki, the photographer, should know of the discussion here so I contacted her with a welcome to join in if so desired. After all, photo.net is a great mutual resource for those who participate.