business love/like stuff

I need to change my business model.
I upped my prices last fall but also included a shorter session. I've only done one full session this season, and it was booked before I offered the shorter sessions. So I'm editing less per session but am frustrated b/c I have more good shots that I'm not letting the clients see b/c they don't want to upgrade.

I'm considering not offering the digital files. Right now I barely sell prints. My business model wasn't set up to sell prints. It was set up to make all of the money up front w/ no hidden costs so families could budget for me. But of course they need to do something w/ the images! And I don't just mean putting them on Facebook.

I'm not doing my clients a service giving them the files and ending our relationship there. I do have mostly repeat clients, so it doesn't really end, but they need help with what to do with the files. I should help them put them on their walls or make books or unique gifts. Some do awesme things on their own like scrapbook ages that I couldn't do, but they DO buy quality prints from me for the scrap books. I should not give away the files like they're cheap. Turning the negatives into the digital files takes a million hours away from things like this personal blog. This year, I have done only 1 full session (with last year's price), 1 full that I only charged $200 (b/c they said it would only be 6 pictures and I figured it would be up to 10), 5 short sessions, 3 head shots, and 8 for free. Most of those free ones were for my own  kids or just up to 3 pics, but still.

We just paid taxes and saw how much overhead I have in black and white. I'm not spending anything before I have the $.

Here are my options:

1) quit photography
I don't think I would be able to breath though. I couldn't quit on the booked year I already have. I could probably find coverage for some, but any time I've tried to refer away, the clients don't want it. They want me only. Or I end up redoing it after their not-so-me photographer.

2) charge more for the same packages I have
I can't really do that for this year even though I say that prices are subject to change. I tell clients that once they book, they lock in the price. I guess I could contact clients and ask for the deposit and give them a due date when my prices will change. Prices can still change 'til I get a deposit. And how much should it go up?!

3) stop including digital files
I know I would need a separate ordering session. And with a minimum purchase I could throw in a fancy phone app or a phone friendly and social media friendly gallery that would satiate the facebook need. This is the way to go to make this a real business, but it takes double the time for me b/c after editing and gallery making, I would be married to the clients (whom I love so that's not a problem) but I would need to hold their hands in how to order and what to order and why and explain how awesome my products are. I couldn't do it after hours, I would need an additional evening or Saturday probably to go over to their houses. Then I'd need to make, order, package, and deliver them. But this is just a part time side job, not my career. Being a wife if my career. I already had to stop making my dental part time job my full time career. Back when I stopped working 5 days a week and more recently when I was doing a ton from home. So do I do this and quit my dental job? No way right now, no WAY. But each week I find myself wishing that I could find coverage for a full 8 hour day so I could go to bed on time and start my to-do list at 8am instead of 10pm. But my patients love me there too and it's a huge mess to clean up at work when I mess with my 2 days/wk system. So I get a babysitter for a Wednesday for a couple of hours so I can get work done (for ffp or for the house) and I feel completely guilty for not being able to be a mom on my only one day/wk where I get to have nothing planned but being a mommy to my own kids.
And I would need new software to be able to help the clients visualize wall groupings, and how to narrow down pictures to their favorite versions. And I would need a laptop at least to take to their house. And I would need sample products. I already need some other items as it is and although I've been crazy busy, I don't have much to show for it. This is the year that I want to profit. I can visualize it all if only I had the time and $. I want to rock it!
Or do I?

4) Book more sessions
Not an option. I couldn't provide quality anything. It would be like my Portrait Innovations pics I guess, no light in the eyes, no zits removed, dark images, background stuff showing, poor crops, awkward poses being good enough, whatever. I couldn't put my name to that. I'd just be a mess. Not an option. I decline over 50% of the requests now. But I still can't say no sometimes. I like what I do! And I love making people happy!

Picking blueberries with my babies

On some happy notes, we went to the zoo this morning then I and 5 kids played in our pool this afternoon!