When I got married 6.5 years ago, I didn’t know anything about photography.  Nada.  Zilch.  I thought a photographer was a photographer was a photographer.  I picked a guy who had shot a couple weddings at my church before, had some nice pictures online, and had a printed portfolio.  The only thing I knew I DIDN’T want is “selective color.” (Example: The bride is black and white, but her bouquet is in color.  Blech.)  He didn’t do selective color, so I figured he was my guy.  Looking back, I wish I had paid a bit more attention instead of just checking the box.  Sure, he got some good shots, but he also missed the mark on others.  He also didn’t have an assistant photographer, which I’ve since learned from reading is generally considered mandatory for many weddings.  I didn’t know that that was the norm.  There’s little doubt in mind that I would have chosen differently if I had been a more educated consumer.  (I wouldn’t choose a different groom though!  Definitely got that one right!)  Now, we can chalk my photographer choice up to my youth, but it doesn’t change the fact that maybe photographers need to help their potential clients understand who they are and what they do.  I’d like to do that today for you.

 

There are two main pricing categories that portrait photographers fall in from what I can tell.

Group 1: Photographers who charge a session fee (anywhere from $50-$250 or more) and then require you to buy pictures and/or a disc separately.

Group 2: Photographers who charge a flat rate that includes the session fee and a disc of images.

It was pretty easy for me to decide which group I wanted to be in once I realized how much Group 1 photographers were charging for their images ($40+ for a 4×6).  It pains me to think about showing a family 30 beautiful images and then telling them that they can only have the ones they pay for.  Seriously, who is going to spend $1200 for 30 4x6s?   Even if you just bought 10 photos, that’s $400 in addition to the session fee.  I understand that this is how many photographers earn their livelihood, but I just can’t do it. When I started out, I knew there had to be another way to provide my clients with their images and be reasonable.  After all, that is the kind of photographer I want to go to.

 

Another key thing I have to mention is that there are a couple different editing categories, too.

Group A: Photographers who fully edit all of the images they show to a client.

Group B: Photographers who do a couple things to quickly polish an image, but do not go over each with a fine-tooth comb.  Some photographers also include a couple free photo retouches (re: full edits) of your choice.

Normally, you get a 1A photographer or a 2B photographer.  Lean in close, here is where it gets good… I’m a  2A photographer.  It’s pretty unusual, too.  Let me spell it out for you.

• Every single image you get from me has been retouched.  Every one.  I know these are photos you are going to treasure.  You will make prints and maybe even have canvases done.  I’m not going to give you a photo if it’s not top-notch.
• I’m not going to show you the photos where someone’s eyes are accidentally closed, your child is picking his nose, or one of you has a weird expression.  It just doesn’t make sense to me.
• Newborn skin?  I do my best to clean up baby acne, redness, flaky skin, jagged fingernails, veins on eyelids, etc.
• I brighten everyone’s eyes, adjust the lighting, shadows, contrast, color, and other settings as necessary in order to present polished photos.
• One thing that I do shy away from (and have never done) is giving a client a “Photoshop diet”.  I’m happy to clear up a scar or a really annoying zit that just showed up, but I draw the line at changing your shape.  That’s just my opinion on the matter.

**Let me clarify: I’m not saying that a Group B photographer is bad since they may not edit to the extent I do.  Heavens no.  I’m just saying that if you are getting 100+ images, there is no way that they are all fully edited (unless it’s a wedding, perhaps).  I personally think more attention to detail is a good thing, so that’s what I strive for.  There are tons of good Group B photographers!

Let me show you some before and afters so you understand what I do.

Left, SOOC (straight out of camera, unedited).  Right photo is edited. (For anyone who knows their software, yes this is a screen from Lightroom.  I do the majority of my editing in that program, but not all of it.  I happen to like this compare screen, which is why I used it.)

 

The truth:

Let’s be blunt.  I know people like cheap photographers.  They are great for your Christmas cards, right?   I have raised my prices a little as we entered the new year.  Honestly, I didn’t realize how much time and effort I would be putting into each photo and each session, so I’ve adjusted to match that.  I wouldn’t have it any other way, though.  I hope you see something special in my pictures.  Something that you value.  Value is really the key– if you believe that a company is selling a quality product, you are willing to pay a bit more for it.  That might be for moisturizer, shoes, or a piece of furniture.  Put photography in this category.  That being said, hear me out– I don’t mean that the most expensive always means the best.  I’m certainly not saying that I’m the best, either.  There are a large number of talented photographers out there.  If you’ve ever read an issue of Consumer Reports, you’ll know that they feature “Best Buys,” which are quality, reliable products that they recommend at a good price.  I believe I’m a “Best Buy” portrait photographer.

I genuinely believe that I’m offering something fairly unique.  At least, that seems to be the case to me after I’ve scoured dozens of other photographers’ websites–  both local and from other areas.  I want you to have the best (careful editing on your best pictures) AND be reasonable.  My family doesn’t have a $500 or $1000 budget for photographs every year, and I’m assuming you may not either.  All this being said, I know you might be able to find someone who will do a session for a little bit less (maybe $50 less?) than me.  Is he/she doing full edits, though?  Is he/she putting in the time and effort that I do?  Maybe, maybe not.  All I ask is that you think about it.  Do a little research.  Find out what you’re getting for your money.  Be an educated consumer.