Aaron Riveroll | Photographer

One of the questions I get asked most by photographers just starting out and even some models starting out is, how much should I charge?

The fact of the matter is even though photography and modeling is fun, it is still work. A lot of people don’t understand this concept… a job can be fun, but it is still a job. Step in my shoes for just one day and you’ll see just how much work it can be. Don’t get me wrong, hanging around beautiful people all day is enjoyable…but if you’re serious about what you’re doing, then it can be hard work. And people should be paid for hard work.

So the question still remains, “how much should I charge?” The basic answer is that it varies from job to job and a lot of factors come into play. The one constant between everybody is time: how much is your time worth? When you begin to start throwing other variables into the equation, is where it gets interesting. Several factors such as the various products you provide as well as how much skill and experience you have compared to others in your field are all factors in determining how much you should charge.

I stumbled upon this video on the F-stoppers website and thought they did an excellent job at breaking down the various factors in calculating your rate. I also like how it can be applied not only to photographers, but to anybody trying to figure out their rates… including models, for that matter.

Spend a few minutes and check out this video. If you want to get some basics on the business of photography, you’ll be glad you did.

• F-Stoppers.com | A Photographer’s Guide To Pricing Your Work And Services

Something caught my eye while reading an interview over at Nick Onken’s blog with Katie Noble, the photo editor at the Improper Bostonian.

When Nick asked, “What advice do you have for photographers getting into the game?” one of the responses Katie gave was,

“It’s also really important to have friends who’re in the visual business. Since photography is an individual field (you don’t meet other photographers on a shoot), I think it can help with technical questions, borrowing/sharing gear and making connections with potential clients. And it’s also nice to grab a beer with someone who you admire or can understand your situation.”

I’ve found this to be so true…and it’s one of my sneaky ways of learning new tricks. :)

In all seriousness, a lot of photographers are rockstars…we are ego-driven…and with that territory, comes ridiculous attitudes and notions that we are “the shit.” Sometimes, that’s true…but can’t we all be the shit? Why yes, I think we can.

Which is why I try and surround myself with people like this: people that are obviously creative and good at what they do, but without the ego.

Over the past several months, I’ve worked with several talented photographers. It’s rare, but undeniably fun, to get a couple rockstar photographers together…a few gorgeous models together…and just have fun taking pictures. No assignments. No egos. No deadlines. Just good old-fashioned picture taking madness.

What’s cool about it, for starters, is the networking. We all know people…and it’s always good to know more people who are like-minded and creative.

Secondly, the friendly competition pushes us to be better. Rather than going into a shoot ready to do the same old thing, the competitive nature pushes us to try new things…

And on the other end, to learn new things. No matter what level we happen to be at, we all do things differently. There have been instances where my assistants have taught me something new. We’ll be packing up equipment or decompressing at the end of the shoot and talking about photography and they’ll bring up something I had never thought of before. We all bring something new and fresh to the table…and you’d be surprised what you can learn from just shooting the shizzle with another creative photographer.

I encourage collaborations on projects with photographer friends…someone you know and trust, and someone you admire. Make some pretty pictures and learn some new things. If you’re an ego-driven photographer…get over yourself. Just kidding…sort of. But seriously, it’s cool to have friends in the biz who you can shoot ideas off of, borrow gear from, share critiques with, and get advice from. You can never have too many talented friends.

So Brian and I met for Chicken McNuggets yesterday…and we got to dish about a lot of things, including some business related to our company. One of the high points of our talk was our conversation about SEO, or Search Engine Optimization and making sure we can find our company web site on the internet. More importantly, we want to make sure others can find us on the web as well. After all, we won’t make money if people can’t find us or know we exist. :)

Brian posted this little ditty on his blog yesterday…

And then I found this very interesting little video for photographers and how important SEO is for their web sites and their business.

There are a lot of key points in that video that people don’t realize or understand…and a lot of misconceptions as to what makes a web site work to its full potential. Definitely interesting to check out.

So as of late, as much as I hate to admit it, I’ve been REALLY bad at keeping track of stuff. We’re talking keeping on top of projects, remembering to email people back, forgetting meetings and even photo shoots. I’m glad that in those instances, the other parties forgot too or needed to reschedule. But had they not forgotten, I would have looked like a major ass. I’m not gonna lie. And that’s so not like me. I usually have it together. So I’ve decided that I’m going to be using my calendar more religiously. I just hooked up my Google Cal with my iPhone via Google Sync…so now any changes I make on my phone are reflected immediately in Google Cal and everything is synced over-the-air.

To keep on top of my to-dos, I’m going to start using my Remember The Milk account again. I stopped because I was being horrible at getting things done and didn’t want to deal with stupid lists…which is funny because I do love lists oh so very much. There is now an iPhone app for RTM…so no more web interface. It’s an actual app. All you need is a RTM pro account and seriously, if you love lists, why wouldn’t you have a pro account?? But I seriously got back into it just a little bit ago…cleaned everything out…added my new tasks to the list. And now my lists are longer than ever. LOL. But I felt so productive today, so I’m sure il blaze through these lists in no time. :)

I gotta keep it together…and with things being so crazy and hectic these days, I can’t afford not to be organized. :)

I also have a little notebook I carry around for jotting down ideas for shoots and other stuff, convos, etc. So valuable to have something you can write stuff down in. Pen and paper…who would have known?!

Anyway, I’m tired. It’s been a long, productive day. Looking forward to a great shoot today with Jackie, one of Crystal’s friends she met at the Playboy photo shoot in Miami, and then In and Out afterwards. ;)

More later!!

I think the mark of a great anything is the aspirations to be greater. I mean, who stops just when the going get good? If you climb mountains, you have this drive and desire to climb higher mountains. I think that great people who settle aren’t really all that great…and that’s why when I achieve goals, I make it a point to become better…it’s really a never-ending journey. And I’m alright with that.

I also think that some of my heros, photographically speaking, make me want to be better. So I thought I would list a few of my photo-idols, if you will. Maybe you can see a little of their inspiration in my work? And then maybe I suck so much that you can’t. But nevertheless, here they are…in no particular order…

The first, would have to be a long-time favorite of mine. Fred Egan has been the epitome of who I’d like to become as a wedding photographer. The hugest thing for me, aside from his technique, is the way he captures personalities. When he gets couples together, the photos he takes make you feel like you know them. Bright colors, open and airy, contrasty and outside-the-box…Fred hits his mark everytime. He’s also a music lover, which I can definitely get behind. Check out his blog too…

The second, whom I found through Fred, is a commercial/lifestyle photographer named Nick Onken. Again, Nick captures priceless moments with a very open and light technique. The ability to take photos with very little equipment and a good eye is rare these days…but he definitely is the definition of a lifestyle photographer.

It takes a lot of patience and a great and talented eye to capture the beauty of children and newborns. I have done only one shoot with a 1-year old and let me tell you…you thought 20-something models were difficult to work with! (just kidding…I love you all!!). But jeez, kids are so…unpredictable. I don’t know how Anne Geddes does it. But Anne isn’t really the one on the list…even though her work is phenomenal, so I guess she’s sort of on the list…

The photographer I am speaking of is a gal by the name of Molly Hilton. I actually stumbled onto her work by accident…but she’s local shooter at that. Gotta rep SD, baby! Her work is seriously amazing…so I recommend you check it out. She captures the beauty and innocence of children and it’s really pretty cool.

In another realm, a few photographers who I really admire technically are glamour photographers. Totally different look, different equipment, different technique and mindset…but still a very polished look. Johnny Crosslin’s lighting techniques, warm tones, and superb composition really yield amazing results…and it doesn’t hurt that his models are stunningly beautiful.

Chad Martel from Florida also has some amazing models…and his outside-the-box composition style and flair makes his photos eye-catching and unforgettable.

Justin Price, another glamour photographer…effing kicks booty. His shots absolutely rock…and I am continually amazed with every shot he takes.

On the commercial side of things, I highly respect the work of photographer Jeremy Cowart. He’s been shooting musicians, celebrities, and other notables with a really unique style and flair. His work is totally unreal…sort of along the lines of Dave Hill, who is also another amazing commercial photographer. Check him out as well.

Anyway, there you have it. I will probably be adding to this list down the road…but know that these guys rock.

Well, it seems like the market is forcing lenders to continue making cuts…

WaMu announced yesterday that they are closing their Wholesale lending division…which definitely affects a few of my friends who stuck around after they gave me the axe…but I also read they are closing all of their home loan centers, which affects some of the Loan Consultants…some of the people I used to work with. A few of them are real jerks…but it still sucks for them.

From the SD Union-Trib…

And I thought this article from the Seattle Times was interesting…not because it was insightful by any means, but they actually quoted a loan consultant saying, “I know we’ve had it rough, but I was worried about getting production up. I guess this industry doesn’t have any security.”

That is probably the STUPIDEST thing I have ever heard. Anyone who as worked a day in the lending industry knows there is never security.

What a moron.

Anyway, I’m just glad they kicked me out when they did.

I’m a ridiculously good looking, nice guy/photographer. Like Napoleon, I’ve got all kinds of skills. Numb-chuck skills. Bo staff skills. Computer hacking skills. Mortgage processing skills.

I’ve just spent the last 2 hours pimping myself out to every corporate monster that exists. The “W” is shutting our center down, which means I need a job.

So I ask again. Wanna hire me?

I don’t want to say making French fries is beneath me…but since I do have a college degree, I think I’m more qualified and willing to eat the French fries. (so I applied to Jack in the Box. :) )

I have some time…so if anyone knows of places that are hiring, send them my way. My resume is polished and ready. My suit is pressed. I’m not sad I’m losing my job…I’m mostly sad that I won’t be working with my friends here for very much longer. They are a cool group of people. I think we’re all sad, really.

And who wants to do work today? Not me…I’m ready for lunch in a big way.

Happy hump day.

It’s rough out there…I’m not going to lie…

• Forbes – Countrywide Breaks Into The Piggy Bank

So those of us that work in the corporate world know the drill: the cut-throat, dog-eat-dog environment can be draining on a person’s mind, body, and soul. The stress. The anxiety. There are ways to make money, but at what cost? What’s the point if you aren’t happy? If money can’t buy you love, it certainly can’t buy you happiness.

Sometimes. :)

But your happiness at work is ultimately dependent on one person: you. So when I saw these 10 steps to be happier at work pop up on my Gmail Reader bar, I took a look…and thought I would share…

• Top 10 Ways to Be Happy at Work

On the flip side, there are times when you can’t make it work. In the words of Kenny Rogers, you gotta know when to hold them…and know when to fold them. Here are the top ten reasons why you should quit your job. Lord knows I’ve experienced some of these at one point or another…

• Top Ten Reasons to Quit Your Job

Sort of.

Read the article…