As a mom who used to take my own kids to big franchise studios for portraits, I remember how I used to balk at the prices. “One hundred fifty dollars for pictures of one kid that took ten minutes to pose?! You have to be kidding me!”
Imagine my shock when I entered the world of custom portraiture and wedding photography, with no studios–just a camera and maybe some lighting equipment. I couldn’t believe that one or two people with a camera and maybe a light stand or two were charging me hundreds of dollars for portraits, and that my friends were paying thousands of dollars for their wedding coverage! When I decided to go into business for myself, I just knew I could change all that and provide high level service at “always-the-lowest-prices” rates.
Wow. Did my point of view ever change when I saw exactly how much money, time, and effort go into the making of quality photographs. After all, it is not merely a picture on photo paper that you are purchasing. I realize that it’s difficult to get past this when Costco offers $.17 4×6 prints and your average professional’s rates can range anywhere from $7-$80 for the same size.
The process of pricing is based on not only the raw materials required (which meet much higher standards than those of department stores), but also payment to the photographer for services rendered. This payment covers a number of things besides the base salary of the photographer: startup costs, equipment costs, insurance, website fees, professional organization fees, marketing & advertising, and continuing education costs.
Not only that, but a professional photographer strives to build a lasting relationship with their clients so that they can continue to provide their services over a lifetime. There is no room for “Wham, Bam, Thank-You-Ma’am” in this business structure like there is for larger chains of photo studios. We listen to your wants and needs, and we ensure that you end up with a product that, at the very minimum, meets your expectations. After all, when the cake is eaten and the wedding dress is hanging in a closet, what other tangible items are left to remind you of your special day?
Simply put, you are not paying for a piece of paper, but the time and talent used to make your image better. A true professional will spend the necessary time to make things right. Sometimes every edit is done by hand and sometimes it’s a combination of plug-ins, actions and software. You’re all beautiful anyway, but sometimes we need a little something to show us at our best. Of course you need to start with a good image in the first place, and that can’t be faked by any amount of digital editing.
Just like your time is worth something in your chosen career, so is that of your photographer. I hope this helps you to see that we’re not trying to take you for as much money as we can. We want to serve you and give you the best that you can get to cherish your memories, and we want our business to stay alive long enough so that we can do that.
