Why creativity costs

As an artists who spends plenty of time planning concepts, modifying the studio, buying gear, insurance, back up hard drives, consumables, props, clothes for models and customers, refreshments for the shoots, paying rent for a big and comfortable space, editing images, uploading images, printing, cleaning, driving to and from shoots, networking, etc. it amazes me how little value many people assign to our efforts as creative people.

Never fails the model wannabe who solicits your services and then wants YOU to pay her. Or the customer who paid for two hours of service and keeps asking for 'just a picture like the one in the magazine'. How about the customer who comes with a laundry list of 'small requests' to change things to their images?

I've never been good at people like that. Don't get me wrong, I love my job. But as I become more aware of the responsibilities, legalities and little details that can make or break my business, it's just hard to keep pleasing everybody. specially the people who want to harvest the fruit of our job as creative and also who want it for free.

How many doctors, mechanics, contractors or other professionals do you know who will work for free?
How many people will provide a service without pay? Do you ask your mechanic to also replace the brake pads, since he's already into it, without expecting to pay for it?

As consumers, we've become used to the bargain, the special, the freebie. We're killing the livelihood of those who love their art and provide us with a number of satisfaction, services, art.

Let's re-learn to appreciate the time and effort  a professional puts into the goods we purchased with 70% discount at groupon and at least thank them, recommend them, why not, even tip them.
That professional may not be there next time you want him/ her.
Sorry for the rant.
Adrian