I’d like to take a few moments to explain why my prices are higher than what you might find in many high street and on-line stores. By booking a photo session with me; you’re not just paying for a few prints on a piece of paper but you’re purchasing a custom made service which includes the whole photography experience from my time and expertise, to a bespoke session and custom designed products just for you. Unlike some high street shops, to me you are not just a client. It’s not a matter of getting you in, photographed and out the door as quick as possible. I want you to come away from your photo session with images that you will treasure for years to come and be proud to show your friends and family. I strive to ensure you are completely satisfied with every aspect of your session experience, from the initial booking enquiry, to planning your bespoke session, enjoying the actual shoot to receiving your final products. This is one of the main reasons why I only schedule one photo session a day and also why I don’t put a time limit on any of my sessions. I understand that some people don’t initially feel comfortable in front of the camera; children especially can feel cautious in unfamiliar surroundings. I believe it’s important to feel relaxed and enjoy your experience as this will show through in your images. If that means us sitting around together, having a chat and a cup of tea then that’s what we’ll do.
I have been asked why I charge for a photo session when taking a few photos doesn’t cost me anything. Running a photography business and delivering a quality service doesn’t just involve clicking away on a camera a few times; there’s so many things that go on behind the scenes that need to be taking into consideration and that all contributes to running a successful business. To begin with; technology is constantly changing and evolving and I need to keep up! This includes ensuring I have up to date working equipment which will assist me in delivering the best product and service to my clients. This includes regularly updating my lenses, lighting, backdrops, accessories and props, software and computers. It’s also not as simple as taking a few pictures and printing them out; a lot more goes into producing the final product. I have participated in training courses to enhance my skills and knowledge and I am forever researching new techniques and ideas. When I’m not physically taking photos at a session I spend a large majority of my time completing other tasks such as editing images, ordering products, helping clients choose which product and budget best suits them, setting up the studio, answering calls and e-mail inquiries, designing bespoke products and keeping an up to date website. To mention but a few!
As you can see there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes. Contrary to popular belief the cost of a photo session is not necessarily all profit. I run a home studio so I pay for the usual costs such as electricity and heating but I also pay taxes and I pay for insurance so that if anything did go wrong then both my clients and I would be fully covered.
Photography is just like any other service; you’re not just paying for the product but you’re purchasing the skills required to deliver that product to the highest quality. When you spend £100 on a haircut, do you consider that the scissors used to cut your hair probably only cost £2? Or when you pay £15 to have your car cleaned do you consider the only tools being used is some soap and water? Probably not, and that’s because you’re paying for the whole service, not just the item. Photography is much the same.
I appreciate that it can appear more expensive to choose a custom photographer over a high street chain. However by choosing a custom photographer, you are choosing a high quality bespoke service which will be tailored to your specific requirements. You aren’t paying for the paper your image is printed on; you’re paying for the artwork that’s been created especially for you. The final product isn’t just about buying a picture printed on a piece of paper; it’s about capturing your precious forever memories so that you can treasure and show your friends and family for years to come.
There are many photographs to choose from which doesn’t make your decision on who to book with any easier. All photographers will offer different products and different prices which vary for a number of reasons such as where they are located and their skill level. There’s so much to take into consideration that it can all become a little overwhelming. Take a minute to make enquiries with a few photographers in your area to see if they suit your needs. If they have a website or Facebook page have a look at their example images, do you like their style of photography? Also consider your price range; you shouldn’t book a photographer solely based on what they charge but it’s practical to get an idea of what a session might cost. Decide how much you’d like to spend and what you’d like to get for your money. If one photographer is more expensive than another, are they worth the extra cost? Photographers are always happy to talk to you so it’s worthwhile to send an enquiry e-mail, give them a call or book a meeting to discuss your needs. This will help to give an indication on if their service would suit you and it is also a way for you to be able to see if the photographer is someone you’d feel comfortable in front of, awkwardness does show through in photos so it’s important the photographer puts you at ease.
Take your time to carefully decide which photographer you’d like to entrust with capturing your forever memories and if you think you’d like me as your photographer then I’d be delighted to hear from you.
