The purpose of this post is really brought on by another photographer's post that I like to follow. Now I hope by talking about this I don't get people roused up but it is important for those not in the business to understand the costs of getting your photos professionally done. If you would like to see where I'm coming from and if I don't explain as well as I'd like please go see this page by Darbi G Photography. She nails it on the head and I really don't know if I can say it better. But I am going to try =).
So people always wonder why getting their photos taken costs soooo much! I knew I always did and sometimes I still am a little touchy about it. I don't like people to be forced to pay a ton just to get some good photos of themselves. I think that my prices are reasonable and even compared to a lot of photographers (trust me I've really looked) I am very reasonable. But there are still some people that cringe at the thought of paying $75 for a session alone and then paying another chunk just to get a cd of images or prints at that. Times are rough right now and I of all people know this all too well. And, yes you can always go to department store portrait studios and get off with paying no session fees with coupons and $4 a sheet of prints. I know this, I used to work for one! But after working with one of those unnamed studios I lost all hope in that photography could be easygoing, joyous, and just beautiful. Their print quality is ok, but how many times do you go into one of those studios with kids freaking out or crying. Then once they calm down you are all shoved into a little room with scary lighting and objects all over. Plus once you are done you have to sit around for hours picking out photos and being talked into packages you don't really need. I know all that all too well and that was what I hated the most about my job there. BUT it doesn't have to be like that. And that is where I come in! =)
Now back to your investment. So let me put this picture into your head right now. My base price right now is $75 for an hour or so worth of photos. Take about 25% off for taxes and we are down to $60. Then factor in the hours I spend on editing, blogging, facebooking, uploading, and collaborating with my clients. So lets say that puts us at 5-6 hours at the least. Which brings me down to about $10 and hour. On top of that though, there is the expensive equipment and programs that photographers have to have to do this job. Then there is advertising, the website fees, buying props, business materials, and everything else. After it is all said and done, I'm really not making much at all. So it is really pure fact that I do this out of joy.... and I really do! I love this job more than any job I have ever done and that hopefully shows through my work.
And then we get into releasing digital files. About 90% of my clients want a cd copy of all their files. A lot of photographers dont release all their files and when they do, it comes at a very high cost! I believe that you should have the right to do with what you want with your photos. After all this job is about you, the client! But look at it this way: it used be that photographers made their profits off of prints. Well as I said before majority of clients now want that digital file. So there goes the photographers profit. That is why a lot of photographers charge boocoo bucks for the release of digital files. But understandable right? This is how we provide for ourselves and family.
So hopefully that explains a little bit about why photography costs so much. It is truly an investment and something you will keep with you forever. A photo is a work of art that you show off for all to see. It is something to be proud of and hopefully something that makes you smile when you look at it. Thats my goal anyhow. =) So thanks for understanding and thanks to all my awesome clients I have and those that I have yet to shoot! I am truly blessed to do what I love and I thank YOU for that!
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