Why Your Photographer is Charging That Price: What you’re paying for when you hire a professional ph

When you start shopping around for a professional photographer the prices can sometimes seem quite daunting. What very few consumers realize though is that there is a lot more to photographing your family than just clicking a button at the right time.

So what are you paying for when hiring a professional photographer?

Time is money. Just like any other professional, a photographer needs to put in the hours to get the job done. This includes the consultation, traveling to and from the location, shooting the photos, editing and processing the orders. You’d be surprised at how long it takes to get the end result that is finally delivered to you. Once they shoot the photos, it’s not as simple as downloading the images and delivering them to you. They have to process the files, convert it to the correct file type as well as make sizing and color adjustments to make each image pop. If your photographer is also creating a book or album for you, they need to spend time designing it too. Some photographers put forth a lot of effort for the reveal or ordering session where you might watch a video of your images, see print proofs, and sometimes pre-designed mock ups of artwork.
Equipment and Software is expensive. Even though this is a small part of why photographers charge the prices they do, it’s important to remember that quality equipment and professional software plays an important role in being able to produce the photos that they do. Professional equipment and software not only allows for the production of high quality images, it also gives photographers the ability to work in areas with less than lighting ideal conditions.
They have spent years acquiring a very specific skill. Photography, like any other profession, requires experience and specific skills. From knowing what lighting and camera settings to use, to knowing how to pose people and help them feel comfortable in front of the camera. Great photographers don’t rush the editing process either, it takes time to produce the desired result and turn your photo into a work of art that you’ll proudly want to display in your home. Professional photographers have invested a great deal of time and money into honing their skill set.
It’s still a business. A professional photographer is still running a business, which means they will more than likely have overhead costs such as rental fees for their studio, the upkeep of equipment, advertising and marketing campaigns etc. Photographers also need to budget for professional association fees, equipment and liability insurance and fees for courses that will allow them to stay ahead by continuously honing their craft.