This economy has us all questioning prices. Our bottom line seems to be getting thinner and thinner. We’re all looking for ways to cut costs. The influx and saturation in ‘photography services’ have everyone looking for someone who doesn’t cost ‘an arm and a leg’. This is also a relative question, what is expensive for one person may not be for the next. Many factors determine what you believe is expensive: income, beliefs, core values, and what you like and dislike.

Listen, I’m a photographer in New Richmond, WI and I have seen the varying price range of photographers offering a wide range of services. We each have different businesses and reasons why our prices are so different. Some have full-time jobs and photography is a side hustle for them. For others, they are stay-at-home-parents looking for a little spending cash. And then others are trying desperately to make this the full-time income that can support themselves.

It’s similar to when you go to buy a handbag.  There is a wide range of prices, quality levels, and attention to detail depending on your budget and desired shopping experience.  It’s the same with photography! Let me share some things to consider before you hire a photographer. 

Experienced professional or newbie photographer?

There’s nothing wrong with hiring a new photographer – but it’s important to understand that oftentimes lower prices are a result of the photographer being inexperienced or very high volume.

When it comes to hiring an experienced photographer – consider the time they’ve invested in mastering their craft. This doesn’t mean just clicking the shutter. It involves understanding lighting, posing, editing, and even human psychology to coax out those natural smiles or intimate moments.

With an experienced photographer, you’re usually paying more to get their expertise in posing, lighting, and making you feel comfortable and feel good about your experience. And you want to make sure they’ll get the desired images you want the first time and not miss precious moments. Asking your family to prep for a photography session is not something you necessarily want to do again within the same week.

How long it’ll take to get your photos

As I’m sure you know – most of the magic happens behind the scenes!

For every hour a photographer spends with you, they often spend multiple hours editing, selecting the best shots, retouching, and ensuring consistency. Now we are adapting to AI coming into our world which will help speed up turnaround times but we still have to teach AI how to edit the way we do by hand. AI is also not free and does go into the photographer’s overhead expenses.

The type of gear a professional photographer uses

Quality photography requires quality gear. Cameras, lenses, lights, props, and backup equipment are all significant investments. Moreover, regular maintenance and updates are crucial to ensure they function perfectly during a shoot.

For instance, I shoot with a Nikon D750. This is still considered top of the line for DSLR cameras, but the photography world is quickly evolving with newer cameras, better cameras being released all the time. When I am able to upgrade, that means I also need to upgrade lenses, SD cards, batteries, etc. If you have been in a photography session with me you know that I shoot with two cameras. This way your session is shorter and more efficient because I am not changing lenses and settings. 

Business Expenses and Insurance

Just like any other professional service provider, photographers have overhead costs: studio rent, website maintenance, marketing, insurance, and more. Everyone’s cost of doing business is different. So what they charge will ultimately be different as well. If a photographer wants to stay in business long-term, they’ll consider this when setting their prices along with what to pay themselves.

If you have noticed the high turnaround in photographers, it’s mostly due to this. They did not know how much it would cost to run a business (legally) and they did not price accordingly. Not only that, they were unable to pay themselves. This means that now they are working at a deficit. 

The Personalized Experience

Custom photography isn’t just about taking photos. It’s about creating a personalized experience for each client, understanding their vision, and bringing it to life. This requires pre-session consultations, scouting locations, and even wardrobe advice in some cases. 

I offer a ton of advice to my clients for prep to ensure they are best prepared for their sessions. I am on-call and available for any last-minute questions or changes. I tailor the shoot to their vision and I can assure you this is not as easy as it sounds.

The ability to have a photographer show up where you would like them to and adapt fairly quickly to the surroundings in order to get professional quality images means years of experience and classes. I have learned when to use strobes when needed to achieve the desired images. Your photographer should also know how to light all the subjects well and this can be troublesome when we are just walking into a location for the first time.

Continuing Education

To maintain professionalism and stay updated with the latest techniques, photographers often take workshops, and online courses, and attend seminars. This continuous learning ensures clients receive top-notch service.

I have taken numerous courses and masterminds to increase my knowledge of photography. One I am currently taking is Sandra Coan’s Certification Program. I am currently working towards becoming one of her certified photographers and have been for over a year. Most programs begin at $4500, not a small amount.

The Value of Timeless Memories

As you know, photos aren’t just pieces of paper or digital files. They are memories, frozen moments in time. And the value of capturing a fleeting moment, whether it’s the joy of a wedding or the innocence of a newborn, is truly priceless. The other side of this is storage. 

Seriously, digital storage is EXPENSIVE. These files take up so much space and we as photographers want to make sure we have backups of our backups. I let my clients know that I will store their images for up to a year after they make their purchase but not guarantee that promise after. I simply can’t afford the backups and space for that.

At the end of the day, when you’re hiring a custom photographer, you’re not just paying for images. You’re investing in expertise, experience, and the peace of mind that your memories are in the best hands.  Just like that handbag, quality matters. And trust me, years down the line when you’re flipping through your album or looking at that framed photo on the wall, you’ll be reminded of the worth of that investment!

If you would like to book your photography session, follow this link: book a photography session with Alabaster Photos.