I rarely ever ACTUALLY get asked this specific question. However this question is implied almost daily and its undertones swirl in the atmosphere around me like a toddler standing at my side poking my arm relentlessly for hours.
I even ask myself these words often.
I know that you see photographers in Facebook groups and on Craigslist who offer $25 session for 200 images. Everyone starts somewhere, and that is a good thing. I can pretty much guarantee you that you can find a photographer for this deal anywhere you look. And if that is your budget then that is who you should hire.
So why don't I just lower my prices to be more competitive?
Here's the short answer - My overhead is high, my time is limited, and I want to stay in business for years to come.
Here's the long answer - Photography is NOT a get-rich-quick profession. I'm guessing you know at least 5 photographers personally. And I'm guessing for most of them, photography is their second job. That is because a professional photographer's overhead is quite high. Photography equipment is very expensive. It's not a one-time purchase. it is an investment over the course of years. It's new updated equipment, programs and gear. It's studio space. It's continuing education. It's deadlines, weekends and evenings away from my family.
I started earning enough to start paying taxes in 2011, which is when I officially registered my business, and after that got insured. 2015 was the first year that I didn't claim a loss. FOUR YEARS of hours and hours and hours of hard work and ZERO profit. Just "Loss".
How defeating!
I'm not going to break down for you all of the overhead costs, insurance costs, employee costs or time consuming hours I spend on my clients. But I will share one of my personal stats: currently it takes me 1 hour to edit 3-5 images from your portrait session. It takes me about 50 HOURS to edit your Wedding Session.
Why does it take me this much time to edit? - I spend hours culling (reviewing and narrowing down) for the best images from your session. I don't use "Actions" which are preset adjustments that you can apply in bulk to your photographs. I carefully edit each image by hand from scratch.
I want my images to stand apart. I want them to be striking. To stun. I want them to be emotional. I want people to look at my work and know that it is mine.
I want to develop relationships with my clients. I want them to trust me. I want them to know that when they hire me they are purchasing not just a 1 hour session and 15 photos, but instead they are buying my works of art, my blood sweat and tears, my years of experience. and my fierce passion for providing them with images they will cherish for their entire lives.
I get it. Everyone has a budget. I too have a budget, and I weigh what is worth it and what is not.
My clients hire me year after year and refer their friends to me. I see the amazing things that they write about Rebecca Jane Photography on social media. I watch as they tear up when they receive their photos. They figure my photo session into their annual budget because they know the price is worth it!
What are photos worth to you?
Regardless of whether or not you choose Rebecca Jane Photography, every few years set aside money for a professional photo session with a photographer who understands light and posing, who has years of experience and passion for people and their relationships with each other.
Or...you can just pay someone $25 to push a button on nice camera.
