13/11/2020
I have unashamedly nicked this because it doesn't just apply to photography......
"A customer asked me how much it cost to take some photos....
I answered him: £250
He said: So expensive for this job?
I asked: How much do you think it would cost you?
He answers me: £20 maximum... It’s only an hour taking some photos? !"
- For £20 I invite you to do it yourself.
- But.... I don't know how to.
- For £20 I'll teach you how to. So besides saving, you'll get the knowledge for the next time you want
- It seemed right to him and he agreed.
- But to get started: you need tools: A camera, two lenses, software, memory card, etc...
- But a camera like that is over £1000 I don't have all this equipment and I can't buy all of these for one job.
- Well then for another £150 more I'll rent my stuff to you so you can do it.
- Okay, he says.
- Okay! Tuesday I'm waiting for you to start doing this work
- But I can't on Tuesday I only have time today.
- I'm sorry, but I'm only available Tuesday to teach you and lend you my stuff. Other days are busy with other customers.
- Okay! That means I'm going to have to sacrifice my Tuesday, give up my tasks.
- I forgot. To do your job yourself, you also have to pay for the nonproductive factors.
- That is? What is this?"
- Software sub, vat, insurance, fuel etc.
And don’t forget the client changes what they want, can we move this, can we change direction, now youve shot for four hours not one.
And don’t forget, you go home and process/edit, email, we transfer, all takes a similar time to editing, so there’s another day spent.
- Oh no!... But to accomplish these tasks, I'm going to spend more money and waste a lot of time!..
- You know, I've been thinking. You better get the job done. I'd rather pay you the £250. If I had to, it wouldn't be perfect and it would cost me a lot more.
When you pay for a job, especially handcrafted, you pay not only for the material used, but also:
- Knowledge
- Experience
- Study
- Tools
- Services
- Time to go
- punctuality
- Accountability
- Professionalism
- Accuracy
- Guaranteed
- Patents
- Sacrifices
- Safety and security
- Payment of tax obligations
No one can dictate other people's work by judging prices. Only by knowing all the elements necessary for the production of a certain work can you estimate the actual cost".
I did not write this dialogue, but am sharing it to support all craftsmen and entrepreneurs.
