I’ve never had anyone tell me to my face they were disappointed with how expensive my pricing is. My thoughts behind that is that I’ve never actually charged enough, so how could they be disappointed? In reality, I’ve never had expensive packages. Every session includes EVERY keeper photo and the rights to print freely. That alone is a great deal.
But today we live in a digital age where everyone has digital cameras and anyone can upload their photos to a local drug store website and pick them up a few hours later. I don’t always hear this, but I know people who aren’t photographers think it… “How in the world do photographers charge $25 for an 8×10 when they cost just $5.50 at the drug store?”
Well here’s why.
I’m just going to be super transparent here. Running a photography business, or any other small business, involves a lot more than you think. When it comes down to it, I’m not just charging you for the actual photographs. You’re also paying for my time and expertise, the education I’ve invested in, the expensive professional equipment it takes to capture the image in the first place, the professional computer equipment to ensure it is the best it can be, and the professional lab pricing that a professional photographer uses. On top of all of this, I need to make a profit.
I’ll start with showing you how much time is involved with just a simple package. (These numbers are why my husband would love it if I would stick to my set business hours).
For a basic 60-90 minute portrait session on location:
– 30-45 minutes of travel to and from the session
– 60-90 minutes of shooting
– 15 minutes of setup, preparation, preparing the client.
– 30 minutes to load the photos onto a computer & to back up the files on an external drive
– 15 minutes to cull through the session & choose the keepers
– 1-2 hours of Lightroom editing time including cropping, contrast, color, sharpening, and backing up the edited photographs
– 1 hour preparing images for sneak peeks & blogging the session
– 30 minutes uploading images to online gallery and prepping to share the gallery with the client
– 2 – 3 hours to communicate, answer questions, sending session questionnaires, receive their contract and payment, order their prints if necessary, receive and verify prints, package prints, schedule shipment and drop package off at UPS.
– 20 minutes recording mileage & expenses for tax purposes
Can you see where my husband gets frustrated with me? Two hours turns into three hours and so on. So keep in mind when you’re being charged $300 for a session, no photographer is actually making $150/hr. In fact, many times, when I write down the hours, costs, wear on equipment, income tax, monthly expenses, etc…I’m making slightly above minimum wage. WHAT! Crazy, but it’s true. This is one of the main reasons I’m trying to finish my degree. Even though I LOVE photography, I want to have a back up plan that would bring me steady monthly income that is above minimum wage. Just a piece of mind I will loving having.
Now for the expertise.
There’s a lot of things I don’t feel like I’m an expert in, but I also fully believe the images I create come from talent and ability, rather than just from the work of an expensive camera. Photography is a skill I’ve acquired over years of practice. It also took me take years to even somewhat get a hold on how to run a business. In addition to learning how to use the camera itself, I had to learn about all the other equipment that is involved and the money it takes to purchase these things, as well as numerous software programs used to edit and print photographs, run a website etc. Equipment eventually gets old and needs to be replaced. Insurance is needed in case something fails. Computers have to be replaced and upgraded to continue to provide the best images that are expected and deserved. It is a never-ending process and my anxiety is increasing as I keep talking about it. 😉
Oh, and I can’t forget that it is important to actually have to have people skills, be able to communicate, and make people comfortable in front of the camera. It took me a long time figure out how to be “bossy” and really show my clients what to do. Oh, and posing people to make them look their best in a photograph is a skill all by itself. Good posing is so very important for good photos. On top of all that, I have to make sure this isn’t a torturous process and clients are actually enjoying themselves!
Let’s get back to the bargain deal you’re getting when you receive all the files from your session.
I know people wonder what the actual files would really cost. If I charged you per file on the real value of it you’d go broke. Why? Well basically, when I give you a print release I have given up the possibility of creating any income from those images because you are free to print wherever you would like. In other words, you can print those files as many time you’d like and I will make no money off of that. I’m considered to be a “shoot & share” photographer, which I love because I know I would want to receive ALL the files I could get my hands on. In a nutshell, I have to make a living, so your session fees are priced higher than a regular sitting fee because well you’re hitting the jackpot.
With all of this being said, there has been a price jump for the 2016 year. In my opinion, this shows dedication to my clients as I continue the upkeep and building of my business in order to deliver the best images around. This is going to be a huge year for MRP! I’m so excited to begin shooting weddings on my own & marketing around the community! I will begin booking Texas sessions full time again this August and I couldn’t be MORE excited!! Love you guys!! If you read all the way through this – email me for a $20 discount code!! maddie@maddierayphoto.com
xoxoxo
