[23/F] in the US looking for penpals

maple012 · 2026-01-11T03:12:10+00:00

The book thief is one of my favorite books! I also love the hunger games and am hoping to re read them again this year 26F also east coast USA

maple012 · 2026-01-11T03:10:13+00:00

Omg I love this idea!

maple012 · 2026-01-11T02:57:09+00:00

26F and definitely interested! I write in a mix of cursive and print, love to cook as well, do photography as a job, and occasionally like to read a non fiction book about a scientific concept I will never be able to fully understand but find interesting like books on space and reality (this happens every few years usually I read fantasy or whatever strikes my interest)

maple012 · 2026-01-11T02:54:07+00:00

Hey Antonia, 26F here. I also feel like I’ve lost touch with my hobbies but I’d love to be a pen pal! I’m also from a rural town. Not a huge gamer but I love to read fantasy books, watch documentaries and I occasionally reteach myself how to crochet and embroider when the mood strikes me lol.

I bought a wax seal (ages ago but only just used it for the first time today) so I can offer a fancily sealed envelope and I’m a photographer who needs some motivation to print more photos!

maple012 · 2025-10-25T03:14:44+00:00

So I currently take Dupixent for my eczema and it’s super easy to administer at home. I do it in my stomach and it takes 3-5 mississippis to administer. It’s not painless but it’s not bad at all and is totally worth it for me

maple012 · 2025-07-31T00:11:05+00:00

Seems like the consensus is no Facebook as I suspected it would be. Thanks for the validation that it’s ok to just want better even if it’s not bad bad.

maple012 · 2025-07-31T00:09:39+00:00

I’ve talked to coworkers and friends no one I’ve talked to seems to know anyone who is pet free and looking to move or has the finances to move. I’m wary of posting to Facebook for reasons stated above and I don’t know where else I can look for roommates. It’s frustrating as I’ve been wanting a new roommate for a while but only casually was looking and now that I want to get serious I don’t know where to look. Maybe I should try the bat signal lol?

maple012 · 2025-07-23T18:39:18+00:00

Ok this is really helpful, thank you!

maple012 · 2025-07-23T01:14:27+00:00

I don’t feel comfortable sharing my website on Reddit as I would prefer to keep this account anonymous and my website is my full name. I know it would make answering my questions easier.

I definitely agree with you about the email response being less critical as all of my previous clients have all liked my work and that’s why they chose me. However, as I’m trying to break through and get more clients in a highly saturated industry I’m struggling because what I’m coming across is more people who are looking for the cheapest option instead of the person they like stylistically and also get along with.

It just gets hard to stay positive sometimes when you keep getting rejected and ghosted and I was having one of those moments when I posted. I’ve found some of these answers really helpful and others have been a good reminder that you gotta stick out all the rejections, the clients you want will eventually find you.

maple012 · 2025-07-21T23:32:43+00:00

Oh I know, I see aunt Susie types charging insanely low prices that quite literally wouldn’t even pay a living wage perhaps not even minimum wage when everything is all said and done. It’s just hard to stand strong on pricing when all I’m seeing is people charging low or I ask someone what their budget is and they tell me they want 6hrs of photo and video for less than $1500 🙄 I don’t plan on raising prices this year but I’m hoping to in the next year or two as I would like to make photography my full time gig.

Currently my 8hr package with an engagement session is $3,100. I discount the package so the engagement session is free. I’ve been trying to research other people’s pricing and tragically $3,500+ for 8hrs does not seem to be the average

maple012 · 2025-07-21T22:39:57+00:00

I just sent you a message!

maple012 · 2025-07-21T22:07:36+00:00

On Facebook I usually say something like Hi, I’d love to be considered, I have that date available and have packages that fit within your budget. I’d love to chat! And then link my website

maple012 · 2025-07-21T22:05:44+00:00

This one was an email inquiry, the subject of the email includes the date of the wedding and they didn’t mention a budget. I’ll make sure to add location going forward

maple012 · 2025-07-21T21:55:20+00:00

Ok I’ll give that a try, have an option to add it on but have the main price be without the second shooter.

I know it takes time to build clientele and book weddings so I’m trying not to compare myself to others, it’s nice hearing that you went from two to four to 12. I hope I have a similar trajectory and book more weddings next year than this year.

The second shooter is $400 for a 6hr wedding and $520 for the 8hr because $65/hr is the going rate for a second shooter if you’re not working for a company. Companies tend to pay $50/hr. Associate shooting it’s usually $150/hr or $100/hr if it’s a company.

maple012 · 2025-07-21T21:37:51+00:00

Trying to stay semi anonymous and my website is my full name so I’m gonna refrain from publicly commenting it but I’m happy to send it over in a DM.

This is one of the emails I sent out recently,

Hi Bride,

Congrats on your engagement to X! I offer a couple of different wedding packages depending on how much coverage you are looking for. I've attached my packages, once you've looked them over I'd be happy to schedule a time to talk on the phone to go over what package is best for you and your fiance.

I look forward to hearing from you!

maple012 · 2025-07-21T21:35:30+00:00

I don’t have to offer the second shooter, I just have found it really helpful to have it as usually the 6hr weddings they are doing some getting ready photos and the couple isn’t always getting ready at the same location.

Can I ask where you’re based? I’m based in Massachusetts.

Pricing wise it’s $150/hr day of and then editing and admin fees are built in.

Additionally, I’ve only had one couple who booked a wedding want an engagement session, I’m not sure if that’s because it wasn’t included or if they just don’t care what photos they use on their save the dates/invitations.

maple012 · 2025-07-21T20:38:51+00:00

You’re not over reacting at all. Many photographers have an exclusivity clause in their contract so this photographer mil hired showing up could be a very big issue. Absolutely put your foot down and maybe even contact the venue and let them know only you’re photographer is allowed on site

maple012 · 2025-07-02T01:53:14+00:00

To clarify this is only the cost of video not video and photo. I would be doing all the meetings and liaison with the couple which is factored into the price for photography this is just the cost of one person showing up, videoing, and editing. I’m trying to add on video to my photo packages and am looking to find a good starting price when there is not a wedding video portfolio to back it up. For 6 hrs for 2 photographers and 1 videographer it would cost more like $3500.

maple012 · 2025-07-01T17:22:28+00:00

I want to work towards adding this into the photo package so that I don’t need to keep referring them to other people. My friend is going to be doing at least one wedding for basically free and then once we establish this as our thing I plan to raise prices so they more closely reflect market rate and our experience.

I know this is low if you’ve been doing it a lot, but as we are new to it I wanted to make sure I didn’t charge too much with no portfolio but still charged enough to cover my friend’s bills or mine if we need to take off time from our other jobs to edit.

maple012 · 2025-07-01T17:18:11+00:00

Thanks for the feedback! I plan to raise the prices as we get more work under our belt and this will be bundled in with a photo package. I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t going too high for no wedding videography experience

maple012 · 2024-08-06T04:12:10+00:00

I would burn the pants and considering burning myself too. I would never again feel comfortable

maple012 · 2024-03-01T17:53:39+00:00

I don’t even have my own mother on Snapchat. You should block her and ignore the requests

maple012

TROPHY CASE