Why Custom Photography costs so much

 

Digital technology is brilliant. The digital revolution has brought amazing flexibility and amazing amounts of control for the photographer, the hobbyist, the professional, the amateur. With flexibility comes a price though. Camera equipment is still considerably more expensive when you factor in its’ lifespan, the need for additional resources for processing those images, the time it takes to get a usable image and the effort that goes into all of this. Even though you pay $1.99 for a print at your local drugstore and paying for film is pretty much a thing of the past (although you still pay for memory) you may be wondering why you may pay upwards of $40, 50, 70, 90 for a custom photography print. Some photographers hear this statement every once in awhile:

“How in the world can you charge $60 for an 8×10 if it costs me less than $2 to print at the local drug store?”

The answer is multifaceted and has a lot to do with the time, aforementioned equipment costs, artistic vision and reputation of the photographer, expertise and the usual costs of running a legitimate business.

TIME of the CUSTOM PHOTOGRAPHER: Approaching it from a time standpoint, for instance let’s imagine that you have hired a photographer who has work that you love and that is traveling 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

• 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

• 1 hour designing specialty items for client

• 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 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 $1000 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. Then come 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 awhile so we’ll skip the intricate details of running the business, taxes, vehicular costs, costs of advertising/marketing, costs of sample pieces that the photographer may bring to your session, etc.

APPLES to ORANGES: Often times clients will mention to their photographer that X studio in the mall/department store only charges $25 for an 8×10 or they may mention other things related to discount photography chains. The fact is those discount chains make their money on volume, not on customized 1:1 service. The whole reason the big department stores began offering portrait studios in the first place was to get you, the savvy consumer, in through their door so that you could spend more money with them in other departments. Your “PORTRAITS” are considered the true “loss leader”. Going to a chain studio, as a consumer, you don’t have the benefit of 1:1 attention for 2 hours at your home where your child is allowed to explore, play and be comfortable in their home environment, nor do you get the experience that many custom photographers are known for or the lovely captures of natural expressions. You simply get a bare bones, “SAY CHEESE” experience. Keep this in mind when selecting a photographer.

REPUTATION/EXPERTISE of the PHOTOGRAPHER: Being in demand, being well known for quality work, and having a good reputation often costs time on the photographer’s part. Their expertise comes at a cost, including their time learning their craft and learning the intricacies of lighting, and the commitment put forth on their end to create a persona about their business that oozes professionalism. A great number of photographers go a very long time from the time that they purchase their first good camera to making money at the business of photography. Many photographers, when first starting out, rush in thinking that the business will be easily profitable in no time… after all, how expensive could it be to get a camera and use it to create their dream? They often neglect to factor in the cost of business, the cost of equipment, software, back ups, etc.. Being of sound reputation, a better professional photographer knows that they must always reinvest in their business to create the reputation of being top notch. To create good work, good equipment, reliable equipment, and back up equipment is a necessity. The photographer who desires to be known as better/best/unparalleled reputation-wise knows that the most important thing they can do for their business is reliability and dependability. This is how reputations get built. Good work often is a wonderful side product of building that good reputation. I hope this (lengthy) article helps shed some light on WHY a custom photographer is a better choice for your family’s memories. The photographs that are produced as a result of the professionalism and dedication that your photographer has will be cherished for a lifetime (or more) and great thought and consideration should be placed into hiring who is right for your family’s most precious investment.

text courtesy of Marianne Drenthe (http://www.professionalchildphotographer.com/information/)

Copyright Protection

One of the dilemmas a photographer finds herself in is, unscupulous people who try to circumvent the professional priced photographic prints that she produces. The person who scoffs at the prices of prints are not taking into consideration that we have  expenses that go above and beyond the print itself. To understand this better read 

10 Reasons Professional Photographers Charge What They Do

There’s advertising costs, office expenses, taxes, equipment costs and repairs (which are much more often for photographers who take their precious cameras out onto the beach.)

This past year I found a solution to the problem of someone who thinks they can order prints, scan them or have them copied at walmart, then complain about the prints and want their money back.

A method of processing photosensitive materials in which one or more chemical compounds are at least partially retained after processing. The chemical compounds are unique to a particular process used by a copyright owner. The absence of the unique compounds in a processed material thus indicates that the processing has been without the authorisation of the copyright owner. Additionally, if a photographic image is scanned or goes through a copying process, the watermark becomes visible under a special light designed to work with the specific emulsion used by each photographer. This process makes it possible for a Professional Photographer to know if her work has been illegally copied.

Give the gift of memories!

Gift Certificates now available

So how many of you are ready for the upcoming holidays?  If you need a great gift idea, give the gift of a portrait session and prints from Shelley Chamberlin Photography! Know a new mom-to-be having a baby shower? Be the hit of the party when you surprise her with a newborn photography session.

What about the weddings you’ve got on your social calendar? Give them something they’ll be really grateful for . . . a gift certificate to use towards their wedding photos! Be unique, be fresh, be creative… be a part of the bride’s first family heirloom. Gift certificates may be used toward the purchase of prints, wedding albums, and gallery wrapped canvases. Help them decorate their new home with beautiful images from their day.

I’ve had requests for these so I’m very proud to be offering them. There are two types of certificates available so you can customize your gift for the recipient. One geared towards engagements/weddings and another aimed at family/children/newborn photography.  Each one comes in a nice envelope with ribbon enclosure. All you have to do is hand it to the recipient, no wrapping involved!

Just in time for the Holidays!! New Greeting Card Designs!

In the past I have only offered the 5×7 Flat Greeting Cards, but starting in the 2009 Holiday Season I am now able to offer a variety of card styles.  You can order a folded card that shows a photo on the front and your holiday message on the inside, or you may choose to include a photo or multiple photos on the inside of your card. Also available for the first time are Accordion cards that allow you to select either 6 or 10 images depending on the style and size you choose. The Tri-Fold card allows you to use up to 6 images from your portrait session. For a sampling of the designs available see the gallery below. We can also custom design a card for you for a small design fee. These Premium cards are available in sets of 25 only. Call our office  for more information or to order your holiday cards!

New for the Holiday Season! Accordion Photo Books!

Just in time for the holidays!  For clients who purchase over $800 in portrait prints and other products from their photography session, you will receive this adorable Custom Designed 3×3 accordion album with your choice of cover color and photos. It’s the perfect size to fit into your purse or keep on your desk. take it with you to all of those Holiday parties and show off the beautiful photos of your children.  We are currently booking Family Holiday Sessions, so give us a call today to book your session. 

Cheryl+Josh married in Corolla on 09-09-09

After several days of cloudy rainy weather, the skies cleared the morning of September 9, 2009 for the sunrise ceremony of Cheryl and Josh. The day dawned to shine down on the happy couple as they exchanged vows in front of family and friends, as a stiff breeze buffeted the bride’s gown and tresses.

After a few posed shots of the couple watching the sunrise and the bridal party, the lot of us headed to the morning reception at the Good Egg Restaurant in Corolla. After a delicious breakfast the couple cut their cake and the best man brought the entire restaurant to attention (easy enough for this Marine) and gave a rowsing toast that included best wishes to the couple as they head to Hawaii in a few weeks (the bride is also an active duty Marine).

Cheryl and Josh had made arrangements with me for a trash the dress session for the following day, over breakfast we decided to go for it and do it after breakfast today. That decision was fortuitous as the next day was rainy and cool, not at all a good day for camera equipment to be dragged onto the beach!

So it was back to the beach for some shots with their two dogs Arizona and Rochambeau. Rochambeau practically dragged Josh the entire way to the beach and when he caught sight of the ocean darn near dragged Josh into the surf before we could get some posed shots. I was laughing so hard I could barely stand! After we finished with the dogs we drove to the Whalehead Club to get some nice portraits then back to the beach to trash the dress. I have to say it is my all time favorite trash the dress session! We got fun shots as well as some romantic and yes, even some sexy shots worthy of the cover of a romance novel!

Congratulations Cheryl and Josh! I wish you both a long and happy life together!

September brings cooler weather and less JUNK on the beach!

One of the Outer Banks Beautiful Beaches

The first day of September here on the Outer Banks consisted of cool breezes and signs that life is beginning, just beginning, mind you, to slow back down to it’s comfortable off-season pace. School is back in session in many areas of the country resulting in fewer families visiting the Outer Banks. September and October are optimum months for couples with no children and couples with children no longer living at home, to visit the OBX and enjoy the beaches, the cooler more seasonable weather and the shorter waits at the restaurants.

I for one will not miss the mass of debris on the beach on a daily basis. As I may have mentioned in previous postings, one of my pet peeves is people who leave their beach gear (canopies, umbrellas, chairs, toys, kayaks, tents, coolers, towels, etc) on the beach at the end of the day when they have gone back to their cottage or rental for the evening. There are a number of reasons that this bugs me not the least of which is that it makes it difficult for me as a portrait photographer to take advantage of the many beautiful views of the ocean and sand dunes without all of that crap being in the way! It is simply an eyesore, oh yeah and by the way it’s illegal in many towns along the Outer Banks to leave this stuff on the beach at the end of the day and or when you are finished with it. It will only take you another few minutes to take it down and take it home with you.  If you leave it there it can be stolen, washed away by high tide, vandalized, and legally confiscated by town officials.

Just like you, many people come to the Outer Banks because of the beautiful beaches and vistas. Every time I walk up to the beach and see all of that stuff it makes my heart sink.  So come on people pick up after yourselves, this isn’t your backyard.

Kaylyn’s Senior Portrait Session on Currituck’s Outer Banks

Kaylyn is a lovely 17 year old from Northern Virginia, who came to me to have her Senior Portraits done. We had it scheduled for last Monday (August 10th) and it was HOT! It has been a very rainy and seasonably cool summer, but that day (of course) was a scorcher, actual temp was 96 and with the heat index it was 102. But she was a trooper, and with her mom and dad and Aunt Cathy tagging along, we sought some shade to get started.

We were at the Whalehead Club in Corolla and started out in the shade of an ancient tree next to the wooden bridge. First she and I climbed under the bridge into the supports and once we batted away the spider webs and looked around to make sure there were no creepy crawlies to surprise us while our attention was diverted, we got some great images. Then I had Kaylyn lean back on the tree by the bridge and snapped off about a dozen images of her there. We spent about an hour in various settings at the Whalehead Club, on the gazebo, on the pier, on the bridge, then we headed over to the beach to get some shots of her in the dunes and the surf.

I think she looks a bit like Country singer Patty Loveless in some of the photos, I had a great time and I think despite the heat that she did too.

Dinner and Dolphins on the Outer Banks

Dinner on the beach

This past weekend I got a phone call from George Marion,  a sweet man who was planning to celebrate his 13th anniversary with a dinner on the beach. He wanted to have a Profressional Photographer there to document the evening in pictures and create a one of a kind album for him to give his wife Anita, the love of his life! Whether it would really be able to take place was the big question all weekend.  The weather report was calling for a 30% chance of thunderstorms, and since we had been having nightly thunderstorms it seemed likely that the night would be a washout. But Monday morning he called me and said it was on. “God won’t let it rain,” he said. He was right, not only did it not rain, it was a beautiful evening, cooler temperatures than a normal August evening, perfectly comfortable tempertures for a couple in tuxedo and evening gown. The Hilton Garden Inn set up a linen covered table on the beach next to the Kitty Hawk Pier. David, their private waiter, brought them each of the courses of their meal and saw to their every need. Then in the middle of dinner,  I saw Anita point out to sea. Unbelievably, as if on cue by George, there was a pod of dolphins. There were probably about 12. or perhaps 13 of them. They were making their way northward. Then suddenly one of the dolphins leapt into the air, and I captured it on film (so to speak, I use digital), then a moment later two dolphins leapt into the air in opposite directions from each other, back to back. And, yes, I captured that too. It was MAGICAL!  George and Anita were celebrating their 13th Wedding Anniversary, but 13 did not turn out to be an unlucky number for them.

Click on an image below to see a larger picture.

Outer Banks 2009 Trash the Dress Essay Contest

For the 2009 season, Shelley Chamberlin Photography will be running a Trash The Dress Essay Contest.  I will put the essays on my blog to be voted on by my readers. The winner gets a Free Trash the Dress Session on the Outer Banks for themselves or to give away to a friend.

The session will start out as a Fashion Photo Shoot and then get more and more into the Trashing the dress phase. Your dress won’t necessarily be ruined, if you just get it wet it can be cleaned. If you do not have a dress to wear for the session, or are not willing to wear your own dress, I have a selection of about 12 wedding dresses in assorted sizes that you can select from. The session includes a hair stylist and makeup artist to help you to look your very best!

To enter contest: Write a short essay telling why you would like to be photographed in a “Trash the Dress Session”, how messy or wet are you willing to get?  How brave are you?? Do you want to include your, husband, fiance, boyfriend, pet, friend, teddy bear, etc? Be creative!

In the email tell me your name, address and phone number so I can contact you. this personal information will not be placed on the blog with your essay. The winner will be selected based on the number of comments that they receive. Applicants and winner must be 18 years of age to enter and must sign a model release form so the photos from the session can be used on the blog and for marketing purposes. Prints from the session will be available for sale to the winner and the winner’s family. The value of this portrait session is $750. The winner will not have to pay a fee for the Trash the Dress session. The date of the session will be at the discretion of the photographer, Shelley Chamberlin. Photos of the session will be put on the blog within one week of the session. The winner will be announced one week after the deadline for essay submissions.

Email your essay to obxshelley@gmail.com, title the email “Trash the Dress Essay Contest”. The deadline for submissions is September 30, 2009