Why Your Photographer Charges Their Prices
It might occasionally be a little surprise how much professional photographer charges for images and print items. And this holds true whether or not you’ve ever collaborated with a photographer. Given the vast range of rates for photography, it might be difficult to understand why one photographer may charge $300 for 100 images while another may want $3000 for only one.
Then why the difference? Shouldn’t the value of all photos be the same? Why do certain prices seem to be so high while others seem so low?
Understanding what is what in the world of photography may be quite a mystery. The lack of standards is the issue. There is no standard pricing to help beginning photographers. There is no accreditation to ensure a specific level of work. Additionally, there is no obvious source of information for clients asking for family photographs taken by professionals.
Photography isn’t easy
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The biggest misunderstanding is this one. As a customer, you are witnessing the photographer pressing a button to take the photo. It only takes a split second. So, how difficult can it really be? It happens in a split second! Why on earth is the photographer demanding such a high price for only a split second of their work?
The procedure does get trickier as photographers develop and learn. The time they spend editing the pictures starts to increase. Some people (like me) completely hand-retouch each portrait in Photoshop. Additionally, taking images develops into a process. Prior planning includes styling and outfit preparation. To improve the appearance of those portraits, posing must be learnt and used. And as the photographer gains experience, they begin to perform more of the job for you, such as deleting more of those throw-away photos that just don’t look good, checking that the colors are accurate, and learning the principles and guidelines for effective composition in photography.
Photography is a business
A HUGE price gap exists between someone who operates a legitimate photography business and someone who does photography as a hobby. Also, engaging a hobbyist to take family photos is very acceptable! Just go ahead!
You most likely have a relative, friend, or uncle who owns a high-end camera and is more than willing to snap a few shots for you in exchange for a few hundred dollars, if anything at all. That’s fantastic, too! However, it’s not the same as owning a photography business, where your income comes only from taking pictures.
Quality of final product by the photographer
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Right, purchasing prints directly from the photographer ensures higher quality? Similar to consumer photo products, professional photo products come in a wide range of prices and quality. Some photographers test out numerous product lines from numerous manufacturers for YEARS before deciding which ones best suit their preferences and standards.
However, heirloom-quality products are frequently only offered by specialized businesses who take as much pride in them as we do in photographs. It’s very simple to go to one of the standard professional photo labs and start offering prints, frames, albums, and anything under the sun to clients. And it takes time (and a lot of money) to find those businesses.
Not every photographer is same
Anyone with a camera must be able to take excellent photos, right? Simply point and click. The entire process is handled by the camera.
I wish it were that simple. Hey, maybe the day will come when our cameras actually do all the job for us. But as of right now, the ONLY factor that will distinguish a spectacular photo from a passable one is the photographer’s talent. Simply put, some photographers produce work that is no more impressive than your iPhone photos, while others produce breathtaking images that take years to complete.
The main issue is that most individuals are unable to distinguish between the two.
That’s okay, too. When looking through photographers, if practically every single one appears to be same in terms of talent and image quality, you can employ anyone with confidence and be pleased with the outcome. However, if you can see right away who has put in the time and effort to hone their trade, you’ll know there is a difference—and that difference typically translates into a higher final cost.
Photography is time consuming
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Photographers don’t just sit around taking pictures. The entire procedure involves invisible steps.
Pre-production:
This takes into account the time the photographer needs to set up. Equipment like backgrounds and lights may be involved. It might involve staging, which involves setting up scenes, selecting locations, etc.
The photographer must make time for this during the day. This could take thirty minutes or longer, depending on how difficult the photo shoot is.
Post-production:
The photographer doesn’t just upload the pictures to your internet album after the photo shoot is over. Editing has to be done.
Experience of the photographer
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Experience plays a significant role in establishing photographic pricing.
A more seasoned individual will bill more than a more inexperienced one. Experience costs more than just hours spent in front of the camera.
An experienced photographer will have more knowledge of lighting, posing, directing, and editing. They are knowledgeable in areas where someone with less expertise is still learning.
Beginners:
Amateurs are another name for beginners. They might bill $25 to $75 for an hour, or $25 to $50 for a photograph. (This looks to be an entry-level rate.)
These folks are likely to be hobbyists, newcomers, or not really serious about turning photography into a full-time career.
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Why your photographer charges their price
Want to hire a professional photographer, see:
How to choose a professional photographer
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