Dear PPA Member,

Lemonade stands--does that phrase bring back memories? They are often the first entrepreneurial adventure for many a kid. On a hot day, you could make a quick buck or two (or more than that if you were lucky!) and then head out to the corner store to grab an ice cream cup. You didn't have to worry about pricing for profit. Or expenses. Or factoring in your labor costs. (How much do you charge for stirring way too much sugar into a pitcher of weak lemon water?)

But you're not running a lemonade stand anymore. You're running a photography business. If you want to be successful, you've got to be profitable. This week's Vital Signs will have you dropping your wooden spoon and picking up a calculator, so you can afford more than ice cream at the end of the day.

Cheers!
Christel Aprigliano
Director of Member Value & Experience

P.S. We've got a new Extreme Deal from ImageQuix: PPA members get one year of Unlimited Uploads with ImageQuix for only $99 when they sign up by September 9 (a $249 savings).

Dear PPA Member,

What price do you place on the value of your work?

You could get all philosophical and say that your work is, like the Mastercard ad, "priceless." But when it comes to having your clients pay you for the services you provide, you have to have a price in mind. After all, those new camera bodies and lenses don't grow on trees. (If you do have one of those trees, I'd keep that a secret.)

Whether you're an established commercial photographer or are looking to branch out into commercial work, this week's Vital Signs covers the considerations needed for effective commercial pricing. Even if you're not a commercial photographer, don't miss the information on valuing usage rights, something all photographers need to understand.

Cheers,
Christel Aprigliano
Director of Member Value & Experience

P.S. Remember last week's Vital Signs introduction, where I compared my sea monkey experience to testing the waters with a new vendor? Well, Scott Kurkian, PPA's CFO, was so moved by my admission that I was given this.