Hi all. I'm still very new to all this and am probably a long way from going pro.
Still, I have to agree w/a lot of what I read...............

Many creative people do tend to go easy on the fees.

I know that about 20 years ago, I went out as an independent consultant at a hospital. When I was working per hour, I was earning about $17/hour. Now, at the time, this was good money. I was VERY good at what I did too, and had been working at it for nearly 9 years at the time. So, when I went independant, my friend/ co-worker told me she would help me negotiate w/the hospital (I think she KNEW I would undervalue it). She called me up and after a few calls told me to hit them up w/$75 per analysis.
I laughed at her and told her she was nuts.
She reminded me about just how good I really was and how all the docs loved my work.
She said start a bit high so you know there will be "wiggle" room. Well, the hospital actually countered w/$60 per analysis .............each taking, on average, about an hour to complete. I was in shock!!! I couldn't BELIEVE that someone was willing to pay me that much. Now had it just been me, I probably would have just asked for the same amount I was earning per hour. Silly me!

Anyway............hate to be long winded, but I saw a parallel here. I think maybe sometimes we think others will not think it is worth it. But then again, there will always be some who will.

I think we also have to remember that in an artistic field such as this, we are creating custom, one of a kind, pieces of art. This has to really be stressed in this "wally-world" cheap goods society. I think if someone is comparing a custom piece of art to a box of 200 cheepo Xmas cards, let's say, then perhaps the problem is in the overall perception of what is truly being offered by the custom designer. I think it's the proverbial apples and oranges problem.

I think my docs and patients were glad they got ME and not the cheepo box o'cards. LOL!!!

I certainly hope that made sense.
Anyway.........thanks for all the chat on this topic. I will come back to this list if I ever get to the point of being lucky enough to earn money doing this!

Cheers,
Stacy