Additionally, the question was asked about a month ago, hence me referring to it as an old topic.

Perhaps an oldish topic, but can I also add to this – yes you definitely get out what you put in. I would definitely not be the photographer I am today if I had not joined various prof photographic associations. I’m a member of 5 and AIPP is just one of them. I passionately believe in helping each other, and I passionately believe in strength in numbers. While each year comes up and I too wonder if I can afford another year (20 or thereabouts now), I then ask myself if I can afford not to. I think its really important to not refer to AIPP as them or they, as it is clearly a situation of “WE”. AIPP decisions, are in the main, decisions made after a variety of democratic processes. A State Council is elected by the members, who then “represent” the wishes of their members, the State Council chooses a National Representative, and from those National Representatives (referred to as Policy and Planning Members BTW), the policy and direction of the AIPP is established. There are also day to day management issues that are made by the very few employees – and FWIW, its worth noting that AIPP is run by a very small team of employees (less then 6 if I’m not mistaken).

So every step AIPP takes is (in theory) a result of the decisions made from state councils (plus a few other committees – and I’m trying to keep this short, so I wont bore you all with them), national policy and planning committee, and the board of directors who are elected by that P&P Committee.

Sure we (AIPP) do things that I personally dont agree with, but I accept that the system in theory has worked and the step that has taken place is a result of a proper democtratic process.

Now in my time, I’ve volunteered to be on State Council, State President, P&P Committee, various other committees, National Board of Directors, and Vice National President. And while I’ve put a lot of time in I’ve certainly got a lot back.

How each person justifies the cost is a personal thing. Even if I was ignoring the list of benefits (which I have to say when listed are reasonably impressive and definitely pay a decent return on the annual outlay) – here have a read of this:

http://aipp.com.au/imis15/AIPP/What_We_Offer/AIPP_Membership/Membership_Benefits/AIPP/What_We_Offer/Membership_Benefits.aspx

Again I understand the issue of why people would choose not to renew their membership, and how many choose not to support what is the only effective lobbying group for professional photographers. But what it comes down to is, when its becoming harder and harder to justify prices, obtain clients, place a reasonable “Value” on what you enjoy doing to obtain a livable income, the real question is can you afford NOT to be a member ?

$450 is tax deductable expense – its the average deposit that most are talking about for one wedding or in some cases one portrait session.

The more people who join, the louder our voice becomes, the more We can achieve, the more We can benefit.

In a vein of constant challenges, I am finally announcing that I’m taking bookings for a limited number of weddings in 2012.

After a lengthy hiatus from weddings for too many years, I’ve now chosen to return to a genre of photography I’ve always seriously enjoyed.

I’m excited that within a very short time of quietly putting the word out there that I was taking bookings for 2012,that  I’ve already filled half the limited number of wedding bookings I have available.

I love photography.  And I love it with a passion.   And I love meeting people. When I began preparing my return to weddings, I have to admit to being a little cautious, as I dont do anything  unless I’m  prepared and informed; but as soon as began to meet my potential clients, I knew it was the right move.   And as soon as I shot my first wedding again for many years, I was convinced that this was a great move.

I’ve always believed its an honour to be selected to be someones wedding photographer.   My style is realism, documenting, unrushed, and relaxed.   The attached shot is from Mel & Danny’s wedding at Maleny Manor December 10th.

So if you want to book me in 2012, contact me as soon as possible :)

Mel & Danny's Wedding @ Maleny Manor 10th Dec 2011

http://www.f11magazine.com/site/current.html

From Canon’s own site

http://www.canon.com/news/2011/oct18e.html?WT.mc_id=C126149

:
“Currently, the company offers a broad product lineup that serves the needs of all levels of users, from entry-level enthusiasts to advanced amateurs and professionals. This lineup has further expanded with the addition of the new high-performance EOS-1D X, Canon’s new flagship digital SLR camera, scheduled to go on sale in late March 2012.”

Canon EOS 1D X Press Release

TOKYO, October 18, 2011—Canon Inc. and Canon Marketing Japan Inc. today announced the introduction in Japan of the new EOS-1D X digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera offering a high level of performance to satisfy the demands of professionals in such fields as sports photography, photojournalism and studio photography.

To date, Canon has developed its top-of-the-line digital SLR cameras through the 1Ds series, which delivers exceptionally high image quality, and the 1D series, which achieves superlative high-speed performance. Integrating the strengths of these two series, Canon’s new professional flagship model, the EOS-1D X, brings together the highest levels of image quality and speed performance.

The new Canon EOS-1D X incorporates a newly developed approximately 18.1-megapixel 35 mm full-frame CMOS sensor which, in addition to achieving an optimal sensor size and pixel count balance, effectively makes use of Canon’s proprietary semiconductor technologies to ensure low-noise performance. Featuring Dual DIGIC 5+, which comprises two new high-performance DIGIC 5+ image processors—each realizing approximately 17 times the processing power of DIGIC 4—the camera delivers exemplary image quality and speed performance, in addition to data processing power that has been greatly enhanced compared with the EOS-1D Mark IV, released in December 2009. Compared with the EOS-1D Mark IV’s sensitivity range of ISO100–12800, the EOS-1D X offers a range that has been expanded by two steps, to 100–51200,* for outstanding imaging results with reduced noise, even when shooting indoors and other dimly lit settings.

Combining a 100,000-pixel RGB metering sensor and DIGIC 4 processor, the Canon EOS-1D X’s new AE system, the EOS iSA (Intelligent Subject Analysis) System, is capable of determining not only brightness levels, but also a subject’s face and target color, making possible high-precision exposure control. The newly developed AF system incorporates an AF sensor with a total of 61 autofocus points for improved high-precision subject capture. The sensor includes 21 f/5.6 cross-type sensors, 20 f/4.0 cross-type sensors, and 5 f/2.8 dual cross-type sensors. Equipped with 20 f/4.0 AF points, the new camera offers the same level of precision as the EOS-1D Mark IV at f/2.8. Additionally, working in tandem with the new AE system, the camera’s EOS iTR AF (Intelligent Tracking and Recognition Auto Focus) function is capable of tracking a subject’s face or target color to maintain focus on a moving subject.

The Canon EOS-1D X’s new Dual DIGIC 5+ image processors make possible high-speed continuous shooting of up to approximately 12 frames per second with high-precision AE and AF performance. In the ultra-fast continuous shooting mode, the camera realizes a continuous shooting speed of up to approximately 14 frames per second (mirror remains raised during shooting, JPEG images only).

The Canon EOS-1D X delivers high reliability even in harsh shooting conditions. The rugged shutter unit boasts a lifespan of over 400,000 cycles while the camera’s exterior covers and operation panels employ a dust- and moisture-resistant design. Furthermore, the camera features a new dust-removing system incorporating two vibrating elements, a first for the EOS series, improving on the earlier cleaning system.

The new EOS-1D X comes equipped with a Gigabit-Ethernet connection that, when shooting in locations equipped with a wired LAN connection such as large sporting arenas, enables data to be transferred to editing desks quickly and reliably. Inheriting the same basic operating design as previous models, which focused on offering instantaneous operation, such aspects of the new camera as its button and control layout and GUI were reviewed and redesigned, with great attention given to operability when held vertically, during blind-touch operation, and when confirming images.

Featuring advanced video-capture capabilities, the Canon EOS-1D X’s upgraded imaging system and Dual DIGIC 5+ deliver greatly enhanced movie quality. In particular, the camera minimizes the occurrence of color artifacts and moiré, and enables the shooting of low-noise video even in dark conditions.

The Canon EOS-1D X will be available in Japan from late March 2012 at an open price. Canon has set initial production at 7,000 units per month.

Canon EOS-1D X

Full Frame
18.1MP
Dual DIGIC 5+ – 17 Times The Processing Power of DIGIC 4
ISO 100-51200 Native
100,000 Pixel RGB Metering Sensor
EOS iSA (Intelligent Subject Analysis)
61 Point AF
21 f/5.6 Cross Type Sensors
20 f/4 Cross Type Sensors
5 f/2.8 Dual Cross Type Sensors
EOS iTR AF (Intelligent Tracking & Recognition Auto Focus)
12 Frames Per Second
14 Frames Per Second JPG Only
400,000 Shot Rated Shutter
Ethernet Connection
March Availability

Well thats neat – managed to post what I first thought was a rumour and now its confirmed in a press release here in Australia:

http://www.canon.com.au/en-AU/About-Canon/News-Events/News-Press-Releases/Canons-new-EOS-1D-X-flagship-professional-DSLR-camera

Does this count as my first Longshots Scoop :) ?

I love getting in close.

I believe that there is so much of the soul that can be seen by isolating the eyes.

From a technical perspective.
They’re shot on a 5Dmk2, with a 100 lens.
200 ISO – 100 shutter speed – F13
Studio flash

Post processing – very very little – other than a B&W conversion with a tone adjustment, (and its probably worth pointing out that no sharpening was applied), and other than that they’re virtually straight out of camera.

I was asked this question five times last week, by five different people.  This time it was  “how much should I charge to do a five hour shoot”.

I tend to find myself being asked this question on a fairly regular basis, and it always comes down to the same basics.

My response:

Basically you have the age old problem of what to charge.  And there’s no easy fix.
The only real way of doing this is to sit down and do a proper business plan.

And thats to work out exactly what it costs you to be ready to work – ie costs.   All of them.  No skipping over the difficult stuff or ignoring the things that every real business has to deal with.   So start with  public liability insurance, office/studio rental, workcover insurance (there will be plenty of different insurance policies to take into account), telephones (both land line, and mobile), advertising, car costs (both general running costs, and leasing/purchase costs), car rego, council rates, water supply, gas, electricity, business insurance, equipment lease and or provision of computers, cameras, software, professional association membership;  and importantly wages and super.

Work out what your monthly outgoings are, divide that into weekly – take into account that you would like to not work 52 weeks every year.

And then start to work out how many working days a year there are, once you have removed various public holidays.

All of that is going to influence what you should charge.

You need to work out your costs, before you can work out what to charge.   And note that very few of those costs are going to wildly differ between your potential competitors – again ie petrol, cameras, insurance still costs roughly the same for everyone.

Once you have done that, its then a free market out there.   So you then need to work out what you are going to potentially be able to sell the maximum number of shooting days/hours per week.  Again bear in mind that not every hour can be sold as shooting time, as there will be a balance of pre and post production – and this doesnt mean just sitting behind a computer, but the “business stuff” – again ie quoting, accounts, generally chasing clients etc.

And just to give you some ideas, I work on the basis of shooting less than 100 days a year; and even then thats not likely in todays market.   And then I formulate what I would like to charge, and what is the least I can charge to make it worth my while working.    There are plenty of times when working on a job could be at a loss.  While that may at some points be smart business, it will be dumb business if every single job is done at a loss.

The large number of photographer who are working at a loss these days is increasing with the ease of cheap and easy to use dslrs.  The market is oversaturated with those who have no concept of what a business is, and as a result they dont stay long before they’re struggling to make ends meet.   Unfortunately for every single “photographer” who moves onto doing it for something other than being a “professional”, there are approximately ten replacement wannabes.  Prices have fallen through the floor as a result of unrealistic charging by those who simply look at their “neighbour” and half their charges in a suicidal effort to gain “work”.   It doesnt take them long to realise that they’ve launched themselves on a non sustainable journey.   As a consequence of that, the industry is constantly being devalued to the point where even those who have done their initial groundwork, have very little chance of making a business work on the sole income of just photography.

You’ll probably find its dead easy to produce some work for a friend of friend as a favour.  And it takes a little more skill to do it for a small charge.   But to do it for a fee which is not only going to cover all of your costs (and more – did I also include supporting your family, paying for a holiday, saving for a new tv etc – all of which any normal working person would ascertain to ?), will take a great deal of skill.   Especially when you are expected to produce a good product, for a reasonable charge which covers your costs and includes a real income; and additionally produce a business plan that includes personal development and investment in new gear.

I cant think of many industries at the moment where you’re expected and need to have a certain level of equipment and the amount offered can fall lower than $20 an hour – and thats before costs.

This isnt a new question, but its a common one – “how much do I charge ?”.  And the answer is whatever you want, and whatever the client is willing, able and prepared to pay.

“how much do I charge and stay in business ?”

Now thats the really tricky one.

But always turn it back on yourself and ask “what do I need to charge to stay in business and prosper ?”.

The people who’ve gone into this business and continue to succeed, are those who have succeeded in giving themselves the answer to the last question.

I hope that helps ? :)