President's Letter
by Nash Baker

I'm sure everyone has a story to tell about the Great Flood of 2001 or at least knows someone affected by it. I came within an inch or two of being one of Allison's casualties, but I'm hearing some pretty amazing dramas from those who weren't so lucky.

Everyone I talk to complains about the cost of services--from tree trimming, to carpet cleaning, to sheet rock repair. For me, this point was driven home recently by the plumber. After 13 years of do-it-yourself repairs on my old house, I called a plumber to fix a leaky toilet. This was a simple job I should have done myself. After toiling all of 13 minutes, the plumber handed me a bill for $56 dollars.

Seemed high. I asked what his hourly rate was.

HIM: "We don't work by the hour. All our jobs are priced by The Book." He went on to explain that everything he does has a set value, which is accepted as an industry standard. What a concept, I thought.

ME: "You mean plumbers have pricing standards for every job they do?"

HIM: "That's right. It's all in The Book. It's a lot easier to estimate jobs and after doing this for fifteen years. I work faster than some, but that doesn't mean the job should be cheaper."

ME: "Are all plumbers working this way?"

HIM: "Everyone I know has changed to this pricing structure. There might be a small difference in rates, but people respond to service and quality. I have the experience and reputation of doing a good job."

ME: "I can see that, but at these rates you're more expensive than a lawyer."

HIM: "Yeah, well, next time you need your toilet fixed, call your lawyer."

ME: "Oh, I didn't mean that as an insult. It's just that I find your value pricing and standards are something my profession could learn from."

HIM: "Yeah? What do you do, mister?"

ME: "I'm a photographer." HIM:

"Yeah? Well, good luck with that."

Luck is right. But in a society with a tremendous need for visuals, we shouldn't have to roll the dice in order to earn fair value for our services. Maybe it's time photographers came together to protect our rights and establish our own industry standards.

In April, the ASMP announced a proposal for independent creators, "A Photographers and Illustrators Cooperative." If you didn't read the April Bulletin, there is more info at: http://www.asmp.org/information/general/coop/info.html

This isn't just food for future thought. It may mean the difference between controlling your own destiny and being the next casualty in the rising tides of change.

Nash Baker

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