Is SmugMug the answer???

TKHerman

Quick background:
I have a "side" photography business that has become a second job over the last 3+ years. I currently have my own online proofs area on my web site (www.level3photography.com). My clients currently either call or email their orders and we print/cut/collect payment/deliver the final product to our clients.

Goal:
To streamline the order fulfillment process.

Question/Problem:
I truly believe that SmugMug will do what I am looking for... However, here's my problem -- since SmugMug also caters to the consumer side and anyway can sign up and see that a (for example) 4x6 print is $0.19 (or whatever it is) and then see that I'm charging $5.00 for the same 4x6 print I'm not sure if I like that... Yes, I understand that they're paying for my photos and not necessarily for the "print". But, while I have gone to (when in a pinch for example) WalMart and printed some 5x7's I certainly don't advertise that I printed the pics at WalMart.

Again, I fully understand that people are paying for my images but I still like the idea that the perception is that I have some "professional only" resource for printing that they don't have access to...

I hope this makes sense. This is really the only thing that's making me question if I should use SmugMug or not. For example, I have come across www.exposuremanager.com also. While I haven't even logged in to their service to see what they have to offer I have a different feeling b/c it's something that the "average" person most likely hasn't heard of...

So, what are your thoughts?

Thanks in advance for your insight!

TKH

DavidTO

If you can find someone who doesn't know that 4x6 prints cost $.19 or less at most places for processing only, I'll give you a dollar.

And yes, they're paying for YOUR shots, not THEIR shots. And you're not working for free.

DJ-S1

I think you have a confidence problem. Smugmug does everything you want it to, but you wonder why people would pay you for taking their picture...that has nothing to do with how you fulfill your orders.

If they could take the picture you took, then they could go ahead and print it for 19 cents. Since they don't have the skill and equipment to create that image, they came to you. They have to pay for that, and they know it. They already pay you for your work.

You obviously have talent. Just find your confidence - it's in there somewhere.

My 2 cents - good luck!

bham

TKHerman wrote:

Quick background:
I have a "side" photography business that has become a second job over the last 3+ years. I currently have my own online proofs area on my web site (www.level3photography.com). My clients currently either call or email their orders and we print/cut/collect payment/deliver the final product to our clients.

Goal:
To streamline the order fulfillment process.

Question/Problem:
I truly believe that SmugMug will do what I am looking for... However, here's my problem -- since SmugMug also caters to the consumer side and anyway can sign up and see that a (for example) 4x6 print is $0.19 (or whatever it is) and then see that I'm charging $5.00 for the same 4x6 print I'm not sure if I like that... Yes, I understand that they're paying for my photos and not necessarily for the "print". But, while I have gone to (when in a pinch for example) WalMart and printed some 5x7's I certainly don't advertise that I printed the pics at WalMart.

Again, I fully understand that people are paying for my images but I still like the idea that the perception is that I have some "professional only" resource for printing that they don't have access to...

I hope this makes sense. This is really the only thing that's making me question if I should use SmugMug or not. For example, I have come across www.exposuremanager.com also. While I haven't even logged in to their service to see what they have to offer I have a different feeling b/c it's something that the "average" person most likely hasn't heard of...

So, what are your thoughts?

Thanks in advance for your insight!

TKH

You ever gone to a bar/restaurant and got a 12oz coke in a cup with ice for $2. You know it didn't cost them maybe .10. Same thing. The few customers that are this way I doubt are buying anything from you currently, they are too cheap and sit at home, read books from the library.

TKHerman

Thanks for the replies -- I completely agree with all of you. Perhaps I just needed to hear it!

And, yes, I pay $2 for a $0.50 Coke and sometimes even another $2 if there are no free refills! Next time I'm bringing my own Coke... hahahahahaha!

Seriously thought -- thanks for the replies!

TK

wmstumme

bham wrote:

...they are too cheap and sit at home, read books from the library.

What a perfect line!! Sure reminded me of a couple of people I've met.