For What It's Worth

The topic of “value” is an interesting one.

You often hear people saying things like “That’s not worth paying that much for!”, or “What a rip off!”, and depending on how you look at things, we all have different perceptions as to the “value” of any given subject matter.

There was a time when people really did pay attention to value and quality, but with the influx of mass consumerism and the “I want it now” culture (and yes I grew up as a part of that…..guilty as charged!), there seems to be less and less value placed on things, even down to us questioning our own worth in a world where every Tom, Dick and Harry has a university degree, worldly experience, and a smile like a Cheshire cat to charm the pants off even the most street savvy among us.

I thought long and hard about this issue when looking at my pricing for my photo shoots. There is so much competition out there with everyone seemingly trying to out price the next person, all the while not realizing that they are devaluing the product.

Photography, to me is an art form, and a very personal one at that.  When I get behind the lens, I bear my heart and soul to be exposed as an expression of who I am.  To me, that’s worth a hell of a lot.  But, then of course there is that side of me that conflicts, and as a consumer, I want to find the “best deal” I can get.

Things are different in this age we live in….there is no doubt about that.  It’s definitely a time to start thinking and doing things differently to stand out in the crowd!

I have come across a wonderful solution which I feel will really pave the way forward and become standard practice in many businesses in the future.  It’s already happening all around the world with people taking a deep breath and diving into new territory hoping for a positive result.

I see many, many benefits to paying what you think something is worth.  We live in a world where many of us are skilled in many different areas.  Pay what you think it’s worth is one way to do it, or to push the boundaries even further you can indulge in the practise of an energy exchange.

An energy exchange is simply another term for bartering.  You might have a product to offer to someone who has an equally enticing product that is useful to you, and so you exchange services in order to complete the karmic circle.  It’s a win/win situation!!

I have adopted this idea for the “Find Your Nektar” photo shoots as I am very passionate about pioneering this different approach to photography.  I want people to reconnect to their pure essence through my images and journey that I take them on.  It’s an indulgence, but one that is potentially life changing, and one that I feel is worth making available to everyone who wants to experience it.

I’m really looking forward to developing this side of my business, and what better way to get it out there than to make it accessible to more people, while still maintaining my own worth (time is precious), and contributing to positive change in the New World.

I really feel that the whole concept of value is linked back to us as individuals and who we are.  If we don’t value our services or time enough to stand strong in honoring what we’re worth, then what image is that projecting to people?  It’s a really hard concept to get your head around as you don’t want to take advantage of people, yet we all want to feel valued and honored with what we do and the services we provide.

We could probably learn a thing or two from our children.  They respect and honor VALUE in themselves.

There are no limitations when it comes to most kids, and it’s not until we domesticate them by placing limits and our own belief systems on them that they start to question value in anything.  And again, it’s down to perspective…..what’s valuable to one person….

may not mean a lot to someone else.  But there will always be someone else who shares the same ideals and sentiments that you do….

Like-minded people…

And that’s where the subject of value really comes to light.  Put yourself out there with your very best that you’ve got to offer, stand up to what you’re worth, and align yourself with the people that will honor that value.

I truly believe that the more we value ourselves, the more we project that value into all aspects of what we do, and in turn we allow others to do the same.  The more value we have, the more we open ourselves up to a new way of living and doing business.