Millionaire Challenge

Karmacat

Heavens, yes, a whole year since then That's big Please be kind to yourself during these days, LL.

Your other news, about your dad's house, is great! I've decided I'm focussing on decluttering at weekends, so it's off to a website called crazy about magazines, to see if they want any of my back copies of SFX magazine decluttering *and* money

lessonlearned

I sold a pile of formula 1 racing magazines from the 60's. They belonged to,FIL bless him .......they fetched around £80.

If you've got any old vogue magazines they are worth a small fortune.......Good Housekeeping is another title fetching good prices, specially anything to do with original "vintage style"

Yes I'm taking it very gently at the moment. Yesterday I mooched round the chazza shops, didn't buy anything. today ive been pottering in the garden. Currently reclining in my zero gravity deck chair in the garden, it's fab - it really helps stretch the muscles supporting the spine and releases the pressure off my lower back. I shall definitely treat myself to a proper posh zero gravity lounge chair when I move into my own pad.

Got a nice supper planned, courtesy of M&S bargains. Dim sum and assorted chinese style bits and bobs whilst watching a DVD and necking a glass of cider.

I'm such a cheap date.......:rotfl:

Broken_Biscuits

Not logged on for a couple of weeks and so just catching up. Sorry to hear a few of you have had some troubles.

I spent a week on holiday, just in the UK but spent most of it on the beach building sand castles and trying to stop the tide coming in.

After living in my house for a 18 months now decided to get my first bit of work done. She's 110 years old and so has a few bits needed in most rooms. We had sliding French doors that looked very dated and also because metal and old wood were generating a bit of damp along with a draft as not completely airtight. Spent about £800 on new plastic set complete with cat flap. Looks very smart but the cats havnt worked the flap put fully yet.

The day after I transferred my money for the doors, my oven blew up and my phone smashed! So I'm a few hundred quid down more than expected when I get round to replacing them! To be honest I've quite enjoyed not being contactable without a phone... So may not rush to replace it.

With the extra expenditures due, I started to check where it's coming from. Then thought may as well do a full count up.

So I'm at £109,660 net worth. I've recently been keeping records at December pay day. I know traditionally people do a count up at the end of the tax year, but I like 15th dec. it means I dont think about what I'm spending at all over Christmas and New Years because the counts already done. Allows me to relax and be more generous should I choose.

Anyway, dec 2013 I was at 68k. Dec 2014 I was at 82.5k. So to be looking at 28k increase this year is amazing. Double last year and more than my salary!

Kayalana99

Thinking of you today LL hope you are taking it easy.

I just wanted to update on my weekend whilst the little ones are asleep. I've not said anything before as a couple months back I posted saying I wasn't going to pick up a camera and jump into wedding photography but when I got married in June we hired a semi-professional photographer and the whole day I was just thinking to myself 'I wish I had a camera in my hand' as she was just missing all these moments and skills wise I felt ready and the only way I was going to gain experience in this area was by starting.

So yes this weekend I did my first wedding, it was a nightmare but at the same time I did the best I possibly could with what I had to work with, the couple weren't overly bothered about the photography side of things (or really the whole wedding to be brutal) and despite asking a zillion questions a lot of things happened that I wasn't expecting...the groom was their in the morning, also met her outside the registry office and the bride was just with the guests on arrival so by the time she walked down the aisle their was no moment etc.

On getting to the group shots I was told not to bother by the Bride and we could do them later, I tried to explain everyone is together now and she might not get this chance again but she said it would but of course it never did.

I got some decent shots altogether, the only thing I'm gutted about is I missed the first kiss purely because the guy put his head round to kiss her (not just a tilt actually round) and given I was put in the corner by the registry office even if I had of been expecting it I still would of missed it. The only solution would of been to have a second shooter at the back of the room but it would of been impractical for me to be squeezing past the bride to then shoot up the aisle (and I'm sure I wouldn't be allowed to do that anyway)

As above I had purchased the new camera for back up equipment but I'm so glad I did I wouldn't of managed without it...without getting technical the camera was better suited for low light and as I don't have off camera flash I wouldn't of managed with just my old one.

+ I did this wedding for free, so it was good experience and the Bride should be happy overall as I feel whilst their was a lot of problems I still got some really decent shots.

Sunday I had the birthday party and that went really well, I went in with all these ideas but they just had a lot of natural shots and messed about in front of the camera which is fine by me makes my job easier lol.

...the real test will be Friday now as I have another wedding but this time a small but lovely venue. I did charge them £70 but I basically said if you want me to do it then they would have to cover my expenses..childcare and travel whilst I'm confident it should be fine I think after Saturday I may step back a bit and just concentrate on location shoots and building myself up doing the odd event/family shoot lol.

Karmacat

Congratulations, Kaya! That sounds like you did really, really well.

LL - yes, what Kaya said, thinking of you.

I've been doing the bloggy thing today, as well as keeping up with my actual paid work, and really enjoying it

lessonlearned

Good morning Everyone

Biscuits - great news on the increase in net worth.. That's a terrific achievement and good that you are still managing to have holidays and outings. It's so important to,still have a life even if we are trying to become millionaires and tycoons....Not so good about the phone and oven.

My dishwasher is not looking too healtny, and of course it's just out of the guarantee:mad: hey ho.

Kay - sounds like you are starting to get your foot in the door, although your first wedding couple sound like a right pair of fools.....

I think wedding photographers need an extra skill set. In addition to their expertise, creativity and technical know how they also need to develop really good people handling skills. Sometimes you really need to be very firm with clients or they will walk all over you.

I found this out when I used to take clients on trips to buy overseas property. I was a bit tImid at first and rather too keen and too eager to please. I let the first few get away with murder. Then I toughened up and set boundaries - not only did I make my life easier I also got more sales.

My late husband had a Mantra, the more you charge for your services the more respect your client will,have for you. There really is such a thing as selling yourself short. . Don't undercharge and don't let the client take over. they need to listen to you, you are the expert, they need to let you do your best for them.

If not they won't get the best from you, they will be disappointed and they will badmouth you and damage your reputation.

Don't sell yourself cheap. Add value. Tbh I think you are wasting your time and effort chasing the bottom end of the market, go for clients who appreciate quality and the excellent service you will be offering. Be careful not to look "desperate" or needy. Your image or business persona should be professional and quietly confident.
You need to develop an air of gravitas and authority.

Good service doesn't come cheap.........As for childcare costs, travel expenses, you should build these into your fee and not charge a small fee and then ask the client to pay "extra" for your costs.

Look at it from the clients point of view, your childcare costs are not their problem.

So instead of £70 - which by the way is far too low for your valuable time and expertise, charge a more realistic rate, enough to cover your costs and allow some profits.

If you are not charging for your services then realistically you are not running a business, you are indulging in a hobby. I'm sorry if that's sounds harsh but you need to be much firmer with them. that first wedding couple sounded like a nightmare.

Do you really want to have to deal with people like that......One of the big pluses of being self employed is that you can pick and chose who you work with and who you work for.

Leave the obnoxious t X X ts to someone else - sorry for the language but there is really no other word for people like that.you don't need "clients" like that.

Karma - sounds like you are enjoying yourself. Good for you.

Well the dreaded anniversary of my husband's death came and went. It wasn't so bad. The sky didn't fall in and the world kept turning. I had a quiet day, kept myself to myself and then in the evenjng close family and friends went out for a meal and raised a glass in his honour.

To mark the occasion I did something that some might find inappropriate but which I know my husband would be thrilled with. I booked myself a holiday and not just any old holiday. A very naughty but hopefully very exciting 33 night cruise around the Caribean. I could sense my husband's presence as I booked it, urging me to do it and egging me on.......he would have been tickled pink.

Busy day today, clearing the rubbish from the cottage and a couple of tip runs. Chazza shop are taking the large items tomorrow, then I'll give it a clean and then hopefully my work is done. Phew. What a marathon that turned out to be.......

then perhaps I can get on with my own affairs. :rotfl:

I need to pay for that holiday.:rotfl:

Kayalana99

You are right in more or less everything you are saying, but the problem is I have to start at the bottom to get to the top. I was offering my services for free to get an experience and a portfolio, whilst my couple were a nightmare I'm so glad I did it as the experience is worth more then any ££ they could of given and whilst I would rather work with people who value photography, right now I needed a basic wedding to get my foot in door experience and portfolio wise, I doubt all but one will be in my portfolio for years to come (I got the most gorgeous picture of a flower girl putting her shoes on, you'd really need to see it.) but for now it's something to show people that I have done a wedding and hopefully some feedback to pass on.

As for the £70, I was advertising as a free wedding photographer but the day they wanted me was not ideal and I would need childcare, so I asked for £70 basically for expenses as it was short notice.

The problem right now is whilst I have the technical skills and a slightly creative side, I don't have the expertise or experience to back it up and the only way forward is to do a few free weddings..then start moving to the £200 price day rate and then up and up as I go, I'm hoping if I do 1 wedding every 2 months or so (perhaps more over summer) by the time I am wanting to do this full time professionally I be in the £800-£1200 price bracket.

I'm going to take my time with it, the Friday one slipped in (as above) but my next one is 5th September which is also another free wedding but the Friday one turned out to be my wildest dreams as the clients are stunning and a stunning venue. They seem pretty laid back about it (well the Bride does)

I've got another enquiry for a June wedding next year which I priced at £150, I did originally say £200 but I went down to £150 as I was happy at this time to get my first proper booking and I know they do value photography side but they just can't afford to be spending a fortune.

One thing I do need to start putting my foot down with is photoshop, everyone assumes these days that everything can be done with PS but whilst it can, it is very time consuming. My Friday bride her daughter has chicken pox and she said if they are bad can I edit them out ...which I can and I saw the look in her eyes so I agreed, end day I DO care that she is happy with her wedding photos but what I've just agreed to is adding 5-6 hours onto my editing time (depending how many daughter pics they are but knowing me they will be loads lol) ...I suppose I would look at charging extra but right now it's experience and portfolio rather then ££ I do enjoy what I am doing also which is a real bonus! (I did actually enjoy Sat to a point despite the Bride not wanting to co-operate and a part in the evening where I was bored as nothing to do, I'm still glad I did it)

LL - Extra note, what is the point of piling money in the bank if we don't enjoy it? I'm all for being frugal, but isn't being frugal (unless you are struggling) pointless unless you are going to spend it on bigger and better things?

Oh!!! And on another side note my 'amazing app idea' has been done. Saw the advert for it last night, gutted but I think deep down I never would of got round to it. People might say I'm crazy but I told my friend about it over facebook and I just don't believe anyone else could of thought of this idea, what are the chances someone has my idea in the space of a few months? I'm not saying it's her, but I know facebook chats are monitored...maybe I am being overly paranoid but it just seems to much of a coincidence...

lessonlearned

Oh dear Kay - I do,hope you don't think I was criticising - far from it. I think you are doing extremely well. Your planned progression sounds good, yes you do need a portfolio and a few practice sessions are a great idea.

My DS2 is just like you, creative and bursting with ideas, but when he was younger his people skills werent really up to scratch. However since being in full time work for over 5 years now he has really come on leaps and bounds, he understands how to build up good customer relations and make contacts.

Whenever ive seen him in action ive been seriously impressed, I notice that he has customers specifically ask for him to help,them with their large purchases. It makes me quite cross really because he brings in thousands a week for the shop but they don't pay commission or bonuses. The sooner he can afford to go SE the better.

Sorry to hear someone has pipped you to the post on the app idea. Shows you it was a good one.

You've obviously got lots of ideas and creativity. You'll hit the big one of that im sure. You've got determination, energy and will power. I have every confidence in you.

As for whether anyone pinched your idea, well I guess you'll never know.

My DS2 came unstuck with Facebook once. I do think we need to be careful with it. There are plenty of rogues out there, picking up all sorts of information from what people post. I think it's a snoopers dream come true tbh and never post anything on there which is remotely personal.

I agree being frugal for frugals sake isn't much fun, there's no,point wearing a hair shirt if you don't have to.:D

Karmacat

Kaya, I love the sound of what you're doing with the photography - and putting your charges into a steep curve upwards once you've got experience and confidence, as you've planned, is great.

As for the app - you could still do it! There are lots of apps that do almost the same thing. Just don't talk about it to anyone else, it's still possible if you can devote the time to it.

I've spent *all* day, almost, faffing about with a new Page on my blog - you wouldn't know it, because the single solitary post on there right now has all of 200 words, plus a link to my kindle book :rotfl: Id 've realised I was trying to cram too much in, which is a huge fault of mine, so I stopped it right away I realised

tinktay84

hi everyone,


LL - I cant imagine how Monday was for you but great to see some posts on here from yesterday in your usual upbeat and helpful manner.


We are now the proud owners of 4 chickens..set us back a fair bit to get them set up but we are getting eggs already and the kids have a new 'job' looking after them which has helped my daughter no end with focusing on things rather than skitting about and then throwing tantrums.


I have put into my spreadsheet all my bookings and price I will get for each, then put which bill I will pay with half of the amount..thus leaving half for fuel, materials, shopping etc.
By December I should be down to just my 2 loans which is a massive achievement.
Monday coming marks exactly a year since my life started imploding...and almost 2 years since I had to call time on my marriage.
I cant believe how much better my life is already!


If I can do it anyone can!


This time next year rodders....