I am a BMW...

Not a Ford....or a used Ford at that.

It becomes frustrating when I'm told that the standard for a product or service in my industry is a certain price in my area.  That's great.  I'm sure the BMW is a standard price in my area so every can afford one.  No, I'm pretty sure that is wrong, but I could be wrong, maybe BMW runs specials and gives away free keys every now and then.

No, I'm sure I'm right.  A BMW isn't something you go out and buy on a whim, you are probably going to keep it, drive it , enjoy it and you do love the luxury of the experience as much as the car.

My photography business is like that BMW.  It's a luxury.  It's priced to be a luxury because it comes with exceptional customer service.  A high end quality product that is either #1) made locally or #2) if  I can't get it locally, made in Ohio or #3) if made in Ohio just isn't possible, it's made in the USA.  I care about every single item that leaves my studio.  And there are times that I am just not happy with the product when it comes in the door, (you never knew this until now) but there have been times I have an item re-made...at my expense, just to meet my own quality control standards.   Believe me, the chain store studio that is not in business to be a portrait studio is going to give you all kinds of grief to do this with their printed where ever product.

Sad thing is, I'm not priced at luxury.  I'm priced to for middle income.  I'm priced so that even I can afford me. And even that is, I'm told by one phone call after another, too high.  And no, I don't run specials...I'm not Walmart.  This also means I am at best a mid priced SUV, not exactly a luxury.

I've already posted the difference between a paid hobby and a business to make a living.  It's just so frustrating, I spent hours figuring what it costs me to run a business, figuring every single penny that leaves my home as a family and how much at a bare minimum I have to make to feed my children and keep them in a house.  And I'm told it's too much.   But, I'm not going there again.

My biggest complaint comes when people find out where I'm located.  I'm in the tip of Miami County.  It's beautiful here.  You can see forever.  I'm surrounded by lakes, preserves, parks, ponds and rivers, all within 10 to 15 miles.  Small communities with beautiful landscapes.  I'm 20-25 miles from the next biggest town any direction.  I'm perfectly located!  But, if you disagree, I'm happy to drive to you.  I have to charge for this.  It's not figured in my regular pricing.  I drive an SUV because I have a big family and big equipment if I'm bringing the studio to you....they like gas-the SUV, my kids like food.  I love my SUV.  So, I have to charge a travel fee to pack it all up and bring exceptional customer service to you.  Take it or leave it.  Sadly, I'm finding most leave it.  They want cheap, they want "good enough"  am I wrong?  Then prove it.

If you want a luxury, I'm going to deliver.  If you want so so, I'm happy to refer you to some good photographers who are willing to give you a cd of images and happily send you on your way.  They are good photographers, you will like the images, you will probably go back.  I hope those CD's open in 17 years when you decide you'd like a few prints for the graduation party.