Hello friends!

Before I get into too much detail, I first want to apologize for my sporadic in and out attendance here...I try to get on when I can, but life certainly has it's way of taking over. I still respond to each and every comment, which is very much enjoyed and appreciated! As for thanking on every ....I have had to hold back on that, although each and every one certainly means a lot too. So please know you are all very special to me and I appreciate your friendships very much!

OK...On to my situation..... (All dollar amounts are US currency)

A couple days ago I was approached by a lady who runs the local high school beauty pageant. She is looking for a new photographer for the girls come the 2009-2010 school year. Apparently the last photographer did not deliver what he promised and she is tired of his "empty promises." OK, great for me right!? I was very excited. So when asked, "We dont have a budget so we try to keep the expenses down. What type of money will you need to do this type of event?" I quickly put together a price for her. $250 a girl was my price (Normally I get paid between $300-$350 for my photoshoots) So I figured I would drop it a bit... What's included with that price?

~Headshots of each individual girl (Formal and informal dress with a variety of poses)
~Unlimited amount of shots
~A personnel CD for each girl (full resolution photos)
~Electronic Images provided to the Pageant Director for slide shows and prints
~And of course my time and creative talent

I thought this was fair...but then last night I got this as a response...

"Our budget for the photo shoot has been about $500 total. We were able to take the pictures of all 14 girls in about 2 hours."


WHAT!?! Are you kidding me??? Needless to say I have not answered her back, although my immediate response was to ask if that was a joke!

Which leads me to my dilemma....
I live in a town of only 14,800 people. It is a VERY small tight-nit community and word of mouth spreads fast and furious (For example, I know who the photographer she was referring to is without her giving me the name)
Since I do not have a website or business cards, all of my jobs have been by "word of mouth." So this is what I have been contemplating and need some advice on....

~Do I not take the job and have it land in the hands of someone else here in town?
~Do I take the job at $500 and hope that it will bring me more work and recognition?


I have also though of dropping what I am offering and limit the shots to 5-10 shots a girl, no personnel cds for the girls and very little processing if any (which will be VERY hard for me).... I am also thinking about counter offering the price with something just a little bit higher...I mean $500 is only 1/5 the price of what my equipment costs!

Trying to find a price for my Services has certainly not been an easy ride and something I have struggled with since I was first asked "How much would you charge for Family Photos." I have researched many photographers sites looking at what they charge for certain services and have kind of been able to base my services close to theirs....but there always seems to be SOMETHING!!!

So if anyone has ANY suggestions I would love to hear what you have to say...or what you would charge. Do you think the $250 a head was too much??? Thank you so very much for your comments in advance I look forward to your brilliant ideas and advice.... THANKS!!

Aimee