sliding scale sessions
Here at Tangled Trails Media, we’re all about inclusivity and accessibility. I want to be a part of all kinds of love stories, but unfortunately professional photography isn’t accessible to everyone.
In an effort to remain accessible to more clients, I now offer a waitlist for one hour sessions priced along a sliding scale. I draw names off of this list as time allows - I’ll do more of these in the slow winter months and fewer in the summer and fall during peak wedding season, but I’m hoping to average one per month.
where am I on the scale?-
left of the scale - $200
You might qualify if…
you stress about paying for basic needs and don’t always meet them
paying for non-essential services (hair, nails, eating out) puts severe stress on your finances
you have very little expendable income
-
middle of the scale - $300
You might qualify if…
you sometimes stress about paying for basic needs, but usually can meet them
paying for non-essential services (hair, nails, eating out) puts minor or moderate stress on your finances
you have some expendable income
-
right of the scale - $400
You should pay standard pricing if…
you comfortably meet your basic needs
paying for non-essential services (hair, nails, eating out) does not cause significant stress on your finances
you have expendable income
hmmm… I’m still not sure if I qualify…Please take the time to consider deeply if paying for my services in full would cause significant financial hardship for you. My availability for discounted sessions is extremely limited, so those interested usually have to wait several months for a session with me. To honor the hours of work I pour into every session, and to be fair to others on my waitlist, please be honest with yourself about whether you can afford my full rates.
I’m not going to quiz you or ask for “proof,” so I just ask that you be thoughtful in your self-evaluation.
consider paying standard pricing if you:
Have high earning power due to education, gender/racial/able-bodied privilege
Reliably meet your basic needs with little or no stress
Have expendable income or access to family resources
Travel recreationally
Are able to pay for other services (nails, hair, restaurant meals) at full price
Own the home you live in, or rent a high-end property
Own your own vehicle
Have investments, inheritance, or retirement accounts
consider paying sliding scale pricing if you:
Experience discrimination because of systemic oppression
Often worry about meeting your basic needs
Have little or no expendable income
Experience housing instability or rent lower-end properties
Are unemployed or working part-time involuntarily due to disability or caretaking responsibilities
Have additional expenses due to immigration status
Experience financial stress if you take time off work
NEW:
Sliding scale tier reserved only for Black and/or Indigenous people
If all of the “left of the tier” qualifications apply to you and you are Black and/or Indigenous, I can offer you a more flexible payment plan. I recognize the systemic inequality that faces the most marginalized parts of our population, and I want my services to remain accessible to those groups despite that. When you fill out your interest form, let me know and we can work out the details over email after you’re selected off of my waitlist.
Again, I’m not going to quiz you or ask for proof. Just do the right thing.
next steps!
You fill out the contact form or shoot me an email with the word “sliding scale” and your estimated budget.
I add you to my waitlist and let you know when your name is drawn. I do drawings on the last day of every month.
When it’s your turn, we pick a date (these have to be scheduled the same month they are drawn).
Once it’s official, you’ll gain access to a unique portal with all your contract and invoicing information, a detailed intake questionnaire, customized style guide, and a scheduler link for video calls to support you leading up to your session.