Okay, I am tackling the dreaded question today…why do photographers charge so much, and what are you really paying for? I get asked this pretty often, especially from clients that aren’t familiar with the aspects of senior photography that we offer. I don’t mind when anyone asks this, although I know some photographers might get offended. That’s because I believe the question really lies in a lack of education about the process, not an intent to hurt my feelings! The bottom line is, senior photos are what some consider expensive but there are valid reasons for why I and so many other artists charge what we do. Here are just some of them:
-Senior photographers don’t get paid by the hour: When you break down the hours that a senior photographer works and the pay they receive, many are making less than minimum wage! That’s because we really NEVER stop working. I am always scouting locations, getting inspiration about outfits or poses, or editing. We don’t charge by the hour because so many things cannot be broken down to the minute, and so pricing by packages makes more sense!
-Senior photographers offer an unique experience: Each photographer offers more than just images, they offer what their experience is, and what they bring to the table for their seniors. For me, I offer generous shoot time, and allow time for location and outfit changes without taking it out of your shoot time! I take a lot of time getting to know my Seniors and what makes them unique to the world. It is very important to include things in their shoot that help define them. Like locations that mean something to them, not just a pretty place and including things that are important in their life right now. Another thing we offer is hand-edited, curated images…Your finished product is truly irreplaceable!
-Senior photos are something you usually only do once! Many seniors that we photograph don’t go on to have professional photos done again of just them until their wedding day! Because your senior year is one of the most special occasions to pamper yourself and have special portraits done, many people don’t repeat the process again for years. Although we do some college graduation portraits, not every grad chooses a separate college session. We also offer heirloom quality products, that you can enjoy for years to come.
-You’re paying for a professional: I have years of experience and am a veteran photographer for families, seniors, and more. I have been honing my craft for many years, and have tons of positive client reviews that speak for themselves! When you book a higher-end, elite photographer, you are paying for the confidence that nothing will go wrong with your session! You WILL feel confident that you are going to receive gorgeous, beautifully edited images that you truly love and feel good about. When you hire a shoot-and-burn artist who doesn’t know how to execute a session from start to finish, you may be left feeling frustrated and like your vision or needs were not heard. When people settle for a lesser experience, they often end up having to book with another photographer for a second session to get what they really want (which can cost even more money).
I love what I do, and getting to see my client’s eyes light up when they see their images is something I’ll never get tired of. If you are considering booking your session and are concerned about price, please reach out to me so I can share all that you receive when you choose us!
Leave a Reply