Creating my business,
my dream and my lifelong happiness has been such a struggle for me since we
moved back to California. It’s never easier for anyone who works in my field,
manages a home, raising a child with special needs and a husband who serves our
country. But it all comes with great stride and only the strong can do it!
That’s what I keep telling myself at least. I once started out
doing portraits to fit the everyday military family’s pockets. When I was
growing I had this deal {$25.00 thirty minute session w/5 images on a disc with
print release. All other images $5.00 per image to add to the disc} that’s
where I started! My husband created my flyers, he made copies of them and my
good friend Yessica & her husband spread word {bless their loving hearts}
to others about my work. That’s how I started and continue to grow. Word of
mouth! I had no website; I had no real knowledge of what I was doing other than
creating what I saw as ART in my eyes.
So do I get mad at
those who may take possible clients away, NO I don’t; I’ll admit I become
disappointed in myself. I can’t and I won’t lower my prices, because they are
already low enough. I say they are low because I found a happy middle, I am
mother who has to care for her children, I have bills to pay, I have gas to put
in my gas tank to travel and I have a business to maintain in order for you to
have a disc, a print
release, contracts, business cards, web gallery and professional prints. I love
my job, but I don’t love all the paper work that goes with it, not one bit. But
as a real business I need to, in order to pay taxes and make sure I am not on a
property without permission and I can show proof I am doing things legally. So
to sum this up, my good friend Sara sent me this information that I once read
way back but didn’t think twice about until now. This is why my prices are what
they are and I will be taking bits and pieces of these two very amazing women
who broke it down for many of us to understand.
By Amy her blog and
her business “A Boring Photo”
Now I am taking the pieces that apply to me because this is what I do and
there are things I do not do because I try to make it fit your pocket and there
are things I make no money on!!!!
TIME
of the CUSTOM PHOTOGRAPHER:
Approaching
it from a time standpoint, for instance let’s imagine if you will that you have
hired a photographer who has work that you love and that is travelling an hour
to your on location session. Time break down:
*
session prep time (30 mins – 1 hour, includes equipment and back up equipment
checks + vehicle checks)* one hour travel time TO session
* 15-30 minutes prep time at client’s home or location
* 90 minutes-2 hours with client photographing subject
* one hour travel time FROM session
* 30-45 minutes uploading time from digital cards from camera to computer
* 30-45 minutes time spent backing up the original images
* 2-5 hours editing time to present you with a diverse gallery of edited images
* 1 hour prep time getting ready for ordering
* 2-3 hours’ time with client for ordering images
* 1 hour sorting through and checking order
* 30 minutes-1 hour prep time for delivery
* 30 minutes-1 hour getting order shipped
* any additional phone time, emailing, texting, Facebooking or time needed for add on ordering, shipment issues, quality issues
As you can see, average client time
for a session ranges from just under 13 hours to 19 hours dependent on the
photographer’s level of service. This is time dedicated only to your session.
When the photographer charges $150-$300 for the photo shoot you are not just
paying for the two hours of session time, you are paying the photographer for
12-19 hours complete time for your session.
COSTS
of the CUSTOM PHOTOGRAPHER:
Regarding equipment costs, a good
quality professional camera with a selection of good optical quality lenses and
digital storage mediums and computer set up can run from $10,000-$30,000 costs
dependent on the photographer. Even though you can purchase a really good
quality digital SLR for about $2100 there are still other costs related to
photography. A good lens for portrait photography can run up $900 to $2500. A
dependable computer system with software loaded for business and creative usage
can run $2500 to $8000 dependent on the photographer.
We have lab costs for specialty
products. A good photographer knows the lab is integral to their success.
Photography labs dedicated to the professional photographer often cost more and
offer a range of products that allows the custom photographer to continually
offer new, innovative products for you, the discerning client.
Discussion other costs of running a
photography business could take a while so we’ll skip the intricate details.
There is of course much more: including costs of running the business, taxes,
studio rental/mortgage if the photographer has ownership of a dedicated studio,
vehicular costs, costs of advertising/marketing, costs of sample pieces that
the photographer will likely bring to your session, etc. I have an accounting degree & when I put my numbers together I still don't make much on my prices I have set. I tried to find a balance that fits everyone's pocket to be very Honest! Not just military families, but all families!
Believe
it or not folks, I put that much time into each of my clients! Not only that I
have my own family I have to care for, a son who is Autistic is a handful and
being a single mom when my husband has his job to do. Running my daughter to
soccer practice and making sure I take care of my own special needs as well. So yes, it does hurt me when I get passed off
because I’m considered too much. We are an American family struggle with not
wanting to spend too much on photos but photos are memories to last a lifetime.
If I want great work than I hire the best, if I can afford to pay nearly $400
for family portraits than I don’t think my costs are nearly costly. I just want
the best for my memories!
Last
I don’t want to bargain with clients, because it hurts my business and I find
myself actually paying out of pocket for things I shouldn’t. There are things I
do pay out of my pocket, but from the kindness of my heart. I love my passion, if I could do it for free I would, but I can't! God gave me a heart to give when I can. There is a saying I have been hearing a lot from ALL my
fellow photog’s friends “You get what you pay for! And if they are not happy
Jess, than quality never crossed their mind and if it was too much, they could have
asked you directly if there was a way to help them out. They didn’t take the time
to ask or to see what your amazing heart has in store for them.” And I thank
you all who have been so amazing with making me smile with your encouraging
praises. So this is all about me and how I feel this is not to be against
anyone. I love seeing photographers grow into their work; the only way is to
really do that by practicing. I know the market is huge out there and I am
slowly falling into the market of clients that God wants me to have and this
battle will always be there. For all the new photographer's remember just because you’re
cheaper than your fellow photographer, does not mean business. Business is repeat clients and not working for
nothing. We all deserve to have a rainy day cushion in our bank accounts.
XOXOXO
Jessica
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