The hidden industry.

Good morning. Today's post is going to be a little update on how I am feeling about photography and the 'industry' I am in at the moment. Since my hectic trip to London in March I have been focusing on my university work. Now I have handed everything in for my first year and am impatiently awaiting my results, I am planning to start doing some shoots again. I am finding it hard to find models, locations and designers which is something I have never struggled with. But it seems I have exhausted the circle of creatives I have been interested in for the past two years. Models I dreamt of working with create an internet presence which makes me reluctant to want to work with them. People say things and of course I take them with a pinch of salt, but it seems everyone wants 'one up' on someone else, when the only reason I do what I do is for fun, not for competition. I have always been happy to work for trade if the work benefits me and I have always understood it from a models point of view also. However, there seems to be an increasing amount of 'amateurs' asking for up to £60 an hour, after THEY approach ME. My rates have been £40 an hour up until now, but I always do deals and cater to peoples needs. My makeovers are the most popular package and I will continue to keep them as they are, however after being informed by a 'business man' who strongly believes in my talent that I should up my rates, I have highly considered it. My problem is I do not own a studio, which of course limits who wants to work with me. Location shoots don't seem so popular at the moment. I also live on the East Coast of England - way out of the way. I am of course happy to travel and hire studios but that would mean I would definatly have to up my rates. What do you think? I need some good advice. Jordane x