pull up a chair. let's chat: custom photography.

Client: I love your work, fantastic! But why does custom photography cost so much?

Here is some information that may help you as the client understand what custom photography truly entails. Hope many this insight helpful!

We are living in a digital revolution. Cameras are readily accessible and seem to becoming increasingly more affordable for anyone. Photographers, the hobbyist, the professional, the amateur all benefit from this ability to manipulate pixels. Yet this accessibilty and flexibility comes with a price! Factor in the lifespan of a camera, image processing software, the time and effort required to not only take an image properly, but create photographic art.

We all know that you can go to the local Walmart and pay a $1.99 for a print (or whatever other amount they are charging) – and as a client you may be wondering why you are paying much more for an 8x10 print from your photographer? As photographers we hear this from time to time...

To answer this, let's take into account the bigger 'picture' (no pun intended here, I promise!) Let's take into account not only the time it takes to meet with you as a client, but also the time, equipment/software costs, artistic vision, reputation of the professional photographer. Let's not forget to mention also the usual costs of running a legitimate business (insurance, equipment backup, equipment maintenance costs, and of course, the dollars needed each year to pay business taxes..)

Let's discuss:The cost of TIME

Let's first talk about time. You have hired an amazing photographer, who takes photographs you love and envision for yourself. You have chosen a location you would like your photographs to be taken and this photographer is traveling an hour to your destination to photograph your session. Here is an example of a time break down:

* session prep time (30 mins – 1 hour, includes equipment and back up equipment checks, vehicle checks) If it is a wedding session, I start camera and equipment checks 1-2 days prior. No last minute stuff going on!
* one hour travel time TO session
* 15-30 minutes prep time at client’s home
* 90 minutes-2 hours with client photographing subject
* one hour travel time FROM session
* 30-45 minutes uploading time from digital cards from camera to computer
* 30-45 minutes time spent backing up the original images
* 2-5 hours editing time to present you with a diverse gallery of beautifully, edited images
* 1 hour prep time getting ready for ordering
* 2-3 hours time with client (even if this is via email or telephone, for ordering images)
* 1 hour sorting through and checking order
* 30 minutes-1 hour prep time for delivery
* 30 minutes-1 hour getting order shipped (trip to postal outlet)
* any additional phone time or time needed for add on ordering, shipment issues, quality issues

In this example, the time spent per client can range from just under 13 hours to 19 hours – dependent on the photographer’s level of service. This is time dedicated only to ONE session. When the photographer charges $150-$300 for the photo shoot (aka SESSION FEE) you are not just paying for the two hours of session time, you are paying the photographer for 12-19 hours complete time for your session.

Let's talk: the cost of CAMERA GEAR/EQUIPMENT/MAINTENANCE/SOFTWARE.

Even though you can purchase a really good quality digital SLR for about $2000-$3000 (and a professional photographer has at least two) there are still other costs related to photography. A good lens for portrait photography can run from $900 to $2500. Generally, we have several. We have several memory cards, we have backup equipment and storage. A dependable computer system with software loaded for business and creative usage can run $2500 to $8000 dependent on the photographer.

Let's talk: the cost of QUALITY PRINTS.

A good photography lab is essential to a photographer's success. Time and again, clients will grab a disc with all of their beautifully edited, top notch images on them and take them to a budget lab - will not mention names here, but I think we all know what kind I am referring to. You've paid for a session fee, looked your best, you were directed by a photographer who knew the best way/angle to take your photographs. And you are now placing the 'filet mignon' into a doggie dish. We as photographers know that presentation is key here. And if you are seeking quality (we believe this is why you hired a professional photographer to begin with), then work with the labs your photographer also suggests. Yes it may cost more, but isn't quality what you were after to begin with?

Let's talk: the costs of running a photography business.

If we started getting into all the details about this part, we can be here a long time. So to cut to the chase: taxes, studio rental/mortgage if the photographer has ownership of a dedicated studio, vehicular costs, costs of advertising/marketing, costs of sample pieces that the photographer will likely bring to your session, props, insurance...

APPLES to ORANGES to BANANAS:

Many clients try to compare a professional photographer to the local department store/mall studio chain. These 'chain studios' charge a whopping $9.99 per sheet. So here is the fact - these discount chains make their money on volume, not on customized 1:1 service. If you like your photographs to look like the customer before you, and the one before that, a discount chain is the right place to have that. If you are looking for 'personality' in a photograph, a story to tell and remember, this is a job for a portrait journalist aka. professional photographer. (As a sidenote here, these same discount studios who offer 99cent deals will charge much more for their a la carte pricing, or you can pay $9.99 and get 20 photos - of the exact same pose). The whole reason the big department stores began offering portrait services in the first place was to get you, the savvy consumer, in through their door so that you could spend more money with them in other departments. Your “PORTRAITS” are considered the “loss leader”.

A portrait journalist will capture natural expression, not the 'just say cheese' ones. Children are free to explore, play and interact. Actually, we encourage it.

REPUTATION/EXPERTISE of the PHOTOGRAPHER:

Being well known for quality work and being in demand takes time and skill. We photographers are constant learners, attending workshops, classes, one on one mentoring sessions. These cost time, money and sacrifice. We are taking time out of our already busy schedule to improve our skills in our craft. A great number of photographers go a very long time from the time that they purchase their first good camera to making money at the business of photography.

We know that one of the most important ways to keep our clients satisfied in our work is by producing quality images, by being dependable, reliable and approachable. It is a skill to make one feel comfortable getting photographed. We deal with a variety of 'subjects' from very young to very old to newly wed, to four-legged and furry. Most importantly, we are passionate about what we do. I think it would be rare to find a passionate department store studio 'camera-clicker', don't you?

I hope this helps many of you understand our work as professional photographers and why custom photography is the better choice. We are in the business of creating photographs that will be cherished now and for generations to come.