While I am still hearing from many photographers that they are slow, slow, slow, I am now hearing more and more saying that they are getting work again. Most of these photographers had experienced some sort of lull, but the phones are starting to ring again.
Now, of course in this climate when the phone rings that may not mean a great (money) project immediately. Clients are going fishing a bit and if they have the luxury of time, they will likely try to bait you so as to get cheaper rates. You can’t get angry at them for that–it’s good business to ask for a lower rate (good for them, that is). You need to remember that they are going to try, but don’t let them scare or bully you into dropping your rates. You don’t have to go cheap to get work… even today.
This is where it gets hard. Taking a pass on a project because the numbers are not right is really hard at the end of a lull. It’s easy to get excited that the phone is ringing at all and it is even easier to get sucked into “I must make something, anything, now!” mentality. Don’t go there. Don’t let the fear cause you to make bad business decisions.
Things are starting to turn, hang in there and keep your head about you. If you have been marketing to the right targets, those who want you for your vision, they’ll be willing to work with you at your price. Sure, the bottom-feeders will go for the bait, but most bottom-feeders do not make great creative work.
That’s where the difference lies–make great work and you can take a pass on the bait.
I think that at times such as this, if you are armed with your Cost of Doing Business for the (day and the week) it will be easier to see that taking a low-budget job is more of a liability than anything.
And the big problem is that when you accept the lower price, the lower price becomes the price.
What about when you have bills to pay, and no money to pay for them?
I think the smart *photographers* went back to (law) school, to find a career with a ROI 😉