10 Reasons Professional Photographers Charge What They Do
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10. Professional photographers are in business, and as a business, need to make a profit. Because they make it their career, they dedicate themselves to becoming the best they can be, and share that knowledge with their clientele.
9. Professional photographers have to buy professional equipment. Nope, they don't just pick up a point-and-shoot from Wal-Mart and declare themselves a professional. They spend thousands upon thousands of dollars getting multiple camera bodies, the finest lenses, flash equipment for every situation, tripods, light stands, backdrops, props, carrying and storage cases. And then when you think you have it all - you need to get backups for everything to make sure you never miss an image.
8. Professional photographers continue their education, and learn as much as they can about the business. They join groups like Professional Photographers of America or the National Press Photographers Association. They attend seminars and training by some of the best names in the business. They concentrate on becoming the best they can be.
7. Professional photographers don't just snap a picture, they create a photograph. They understand positioning. They understand lighting. They understand placement. You're not just paying for the ability to place a finger on the trigger and snap a picture. You're paying for the years of experience it took to create the perfect image.
6. Professional photographers can spend hours producing one professional photograph. Time can include:
- creating the marketing
- answering emails and phone calls
- meeting with the client to talk about the event
- setting up for the event
- drive time to and from the event
- time for the actual photographing
- running to and from the lab
- meeting with the client for previews and decisions
- processing the image
- retouching the image
- mounting the image
- framing the image
- packaging the image
- dropping off final images
- production work
- follow up work
Add it all up, and you can see why one portrait session may include hours worth of work. It's impossible to stay in business if you only make a few pennies per client.
5. Professional photographers have to be more than photographers. They have to be CEOs and marketers, and bankers, and salespeople, and production workers, and janitors, and buyers, and negotiators, and networkers, and drivers, and organizers. And photographers. That's a lot of skills for one person to master.
4. Professional photographers will do it all. Want to get married at the top of a 14,000 foot high mountain, where the only way up is a 30 minute ski-lift ride? A professional photographer will be there. Want a portrait running through the waves on a Southern California beach? A professional photographer will be there.
3. Professional photographers aren't just order takers, they provide total customer service. Professionals photograph dozens or even hundreds of clients a year. They understand what looks good, how to put together albums, and how to group multiple photographs together. Their goal is to provide you with what you need and what's best for you - not just have you sign on the dotted line.
2. Professional photographers watch for the newest, most innovative, creative products available. They stay up to date on industry news, and find things that perfectly match their clients taste. They don't try and fit you into something you don't like - they find out what you want and search the world over for the perfect things. They are the professional.
1. Professional photographers have the knowledge and the skill to make you look the best you can be. I can buy a hammer for a few dollars at the hardware store. Yet I spent hundreds of dollars for a handyman to repair my deck. I can buy a needle and thread for a few dollars at the fabric store. Yet I spent over $100 on alterations at a local tailor. It's not about the tools; it's about the outcome.
Sure, anyone can buy a camera and take a picture. You can head down to your local discount store, wait several hours and have a minimum wage clerk place you on an X and snap a few pictures. But they can't get what a professional can get. They won't concentrate on expressions. They won't advise you on outfits and locations. They won't provide 110 percent customer service. You won't get a professional portrait.
Isn't it time to see a professional?
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Excellent Hub - Good Work. Keep it up.
This is totally eye-opening for me. Of course, I realized that professional photographers were just that: professionals. But setting it all out as to what goes into the trade and business is very helpful. I love photography, but just as an amateur (I cannot afford all the gadgets and extras necessary to take the truly professional-looking shots). One question: Are all the images in this Hub taken by you? I am curious. They are gorgeous. Nice work.
Well, professionals ARE professionals, right? They know what they're doing. I have some photos of my daughter from going on vacation (to the tropical island Hainan Island in China) from three years back. My wife and I brought our lousy little digital camera to snap a few shots here and there. And then, we had one day where my daughter had a whole photoshoot around the island with some professionals from a studio. Needless to say, it isn't too hard to sort out which photos we took and which photos they took.
Some people think photography is just snapping pictures, but it's so much more than that. Photography is an art.
Thanks for all your comments. Two of the three images are mine
Thanks for this. It is not only good for clients, but is a nice reminder or all of us.
Ryan - Lindbeck Photography
Beautiful work, Lori! I love taking photos and I wish I would win the lottery some day so I could justify splurging on extra equipment to improve the quality of my own shots. You set the case out nicely for photographers and clients alike. Thumbs up.
Pictures are first born in photographers mind. Even a fairly cheap equipment and a PRO might mean a breathtaking picture as a result of an IDEA while an amateur might get a total mess with a camera and lenses worth of 10 000 euros.Professional photographer has had a degree that was out of your list. Degree in photographic school makes one think even more visually adding the idea of a metaphor.This means that the image has not only right white balance but also something to think about and visual values.The more often amateurs take pictures and receive some euros only for "the job" the more wrong we go. People might start to think that everybody can take pictures, so why to pay a pro 500 euros when one can get some crap for 5 euros.Sorry for my bad english, I´m a fin.
The first reason is the one that stuck out with me. Great hub!
Nicely put! With digital cameras and photoshop becoming so popular among amatuers, it's easy to forget all the work and time professionals put into the photos we buy.
Alyice, http://alyiceedrich.com
Wow. Such awesome advice. I love your other site too and look forward to the Six Figure Photographer stuff to come!
what is the minimum wage of a professional phtographer these days?
Jen - that's a hard one to answer. Statistics show most photographers are part time earning under $20,000 per year. Yet I have a lot of friends making 6 and 7 figures every year with their photography. A lot of it comes down to what you're willing to put into it.
I though #4 was a bit weak (many amateurs would "be there" if they thought it would be "cool", but the rest are dead on.
Great hub. I'm a wedding photographer and I get asked so often why I charge so much. It's because this is a business. I can't even cover the cost of my equipment shooting weddings for $500, which is what people would like me to do. I'm sorry if it offends people that my work will cost them a few thousand, but if they want my quality and style, they'll have to pay that or I'll go out of business.
"I have a lot of friends making 6 and 7 figures every year with their photography."
Please tell (if you know) how some of your friends make 7 figures, i.e., over $1 million a year. I'd like to know.
Great piece, thank you!
I'm wondering what a good starting point per hour would be?
$150, $175, $200, $250 or $??? per hour with a minimum of two hours or more.
I greatly appreciate input. I'm in a rural agricultrual area, middle income and above...
I've been a photo enthusiast for many years, but wish to expand my Photography business on the side now.
I appreciate any and all input. Thank you....
Great article Lori. I wish my brides and other clients knew about it before scheduling an appointment with me.
Professional photographer in Sochi, then contact the "studio-sochi"
Tel: 8 (988) 2807270 Constantine
Website: http://studio-sochi.ru/
Amen! Great article Lori. I am writing a similar article for my website to try and educate my potential clients.
"9. Professional photographers have to buy professional equipment. Nope, they don't just pick up a point-and-shoot from Wal-Mart and declare themselves a professional."
A typo you may want to correct.
One 'small detail' you left out is the knowledge of Photoshop. No way one can say they are professional without intimately knowing this software (especially the latest version, CS5.)
I was corporate photographer for DuPont in the 1990's... what I would have given for Photoshop back then! Having this yet conceived software would have save a lot of embarrassment and grief! LOL.
Good Hub... most people have NO idea what goes into making a GOOD photo shoot.
Hi there, thank you all of being so informative and helpful period. I have been doing this for a year now and eager to turn it into a serious business because I LOVE IT...lol. I find myself working for hours on treatments and color corrections etc...and can not stop reading about it all.
Now in my 2nd year into this- I wish to make it a business and believe it or not, I don't have a clue as to what My Rates, Fees or Invoice should include etc.etc.
Any comments and feed back would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you. That was an eye opener for me. I consider myself an apprentice at this. I am learning. Thankfully, my husband's major in college was Fine Arts with his emphasis in Photography. So, I get a lot of tips from him. But since he did not make it his profession, he doesn't know the business side of things. I appreciate the honesty and cander of the post.
Good stuff,
Sam, did you ever write your article?
I am looking at doing the same as I seem to spend most of my time crafting emails to people explaining why I (or any real Professional) can't do their wedding for $400.
Good stuff,
Sam, did you ever write your article?
I am looking at doing the same as I seem to spend most of my time crafting emails to people explaining why I (or any real Professional) can't do their wedding for $400.
The arts be it photography, pottery, sculpture or paintings etc are always in my opinion under rated. People in general just do not understand the complete work and study involved in these areas. I'm pleased that here you have put across how artists and their work, should be viewed and valued. Well done.
Beautiful post.
I was going through the comments .... I would like to mention that there are still photographers that don't use Photoshop, and I'm proud to be one of them!
Gabriel
Finally... An article that explains the true blood- sweat- tears and TALENT that goes into a truly great shoot.
Fantastic post. Concise and true.
Well said!! and so true! Thank you Lori!!
Love this!!
Unfortunately, self proclaimed "photographers" are as common now, as owning a car and calling your self a driver. And everyone seems to know a "photographer". I have taken a different approach, knowing one day I will be too old to go shoot weddings and portraiture, I have been spending my spare time creating truly original images, some that have never been created before, by any artist of any medium. My art will be timeless and one day create residual income, while portrait photography ceases income once your finger stops clicking the shutter release. My work will be seen through 15 cities starting Aug 2010 from San Antonio, TX., to Washington, D.C.
My own personal artist statement..."I am an Artist. I view my camera as a window into an undying dimension, a glimpse into a silent place where nothing moves, yet can speak loudly enough to forever move you." Joseph B. Lopez
And for those "old skool" folk whom can't except change, and continue to think those of the digital era are less talented than the 35mm era, are crazy. All it means is that they are more patient and that is it!!! It does not mean they are more talented. Most old skool stuck in 35mm are too scared of digital. I have gone out of my way to prove my point in that area by creating truly unique one of a kind photographs with very minimal photoshop.
More so than anything else, great photography demands a steep price due to the fact that certain photographers can bend light and color in ways no one else can. Eduction should be at the forefront of every photographers mind. Great article, simply helps to explain to our clients the nature of the business. Thank you.
disagree... many of the things you list are "choices" you make. I try to become the best in my profession too... but I don't pass that cost to my clients to do so. There are a lot of photogrophy tools on the web now... so you're not just competing with other photogrophers now. DIY results don't look ~as~ different than professional results anymore.
Jay-
No.
Backup gear is not a "choice" - it's "mandatory".
Professional gear is not a "choice" - it's "mandatory".
Not passing on the costs to your client is "taking a loss" or "paying for it with your other profession".
Marketing is not optional, taxes are not optional, cards are not optional, gas and car are not optional.
:)
This totally gives me a whole lot of new ideas.thanks Lori.
this is my flickr.feel free to walk by.
I'm a professional photographer but I don't do weddings. I also worked in a professional printing lab and printed lots of weddings. I think most wedding photographers are worth what they charge and having seen some amateur disasters, people are stupid skimping on the photographer. That is the main record of what happened that day, don't ruin it.
Most people could fix their cars but they spend money letting a professional do it. The same should apply to photography. Anyone can use a camera and photoshop but not many people can do a good job and they deserve to get paid well for doing it.
Hi,
I agree with Israel but yes, your post is very good. Maybe we should forward it to all wedding couples out there :)
True dat!!
This is great!!!
It is so true! I am getting into photography. I see a lot of photographers whom charge what they charge. A lot of times, it is just an expensive hobby more than anything else. Love taking pictures! Thanks for the hub.
Informative hub which made me to reason with this photographers because i use to criticize them but now i have come to realize that this is their business from where the make ends meet.
Hi! Great article! Could I repost it on my blog with a link to your blog? Thanks! Jean
I am sure I am going to get slaughtered for saying this, but this article does not address the fact that photographers charge at least twice as much per hour for a wedding as they would for a location session. For example, a photographer charges $200 for a location session with lighting, and then that same photographer charges $2500 for 3 hours at a wedding just for digital photos, meaning this does not include an album or any kind of prints. That works out to $830 an hour. What is the difference between going somewhere and setting up lights and taking photos, and going to a wedding and setting up lights and taking photos that justifies charging 4 times as much per hour?
I have to say this was an excellent hub. Nicely written and the issues are well considered.
I would like to respond to JudesMama's question regarding rates for portrait sessions apposed to rates for a wedding and why they differ.
The reason wedding photography is far more expensive is completely justified. There are a number of reasons for this:
Firstly: a wedding happens ONCE! If a portrait session is bungled a rebooking can be arranged and the images can be recaptured. This is NOT the case for a wedding. This fact raises the stakes and increases the responsibility level for the photographer. A photographer who photographs a wedding has so much more to consider than the same photographer working on a portrait shoot. Slaughter me for saying that, but it's not like I'm just a wedding photographer having a dig at the portrait guys - I'm actually both! I am a fully accredited wedding and portrait professional photographer - I have experienced these comparisons time and time again.
A photographer covering a wedding captures so many more images per hour than one working on a portrait shoot. This also creates far more post production work by way of compiling, arranging and editing.
As well as that please consider that a portrait session is slower paced. Images can be set up, planned, scrutinized, adjusted etc. Apart from an hour or so for the post ceremony wedding portraits, a wedding photographer mostly shoots reportage on the fly and doesn't always have the luxury of being able to design the shots. This in itself requires far more energy and attention.
So to summarize:
Workloads are different - they're completely different jobs.
Responsibility of a photographer photographing a wedding is off the scale in comparison to that of a portrait photographer due to the fact that a wedding session can NOT be redone.
More images are captured per hour and more post production is required.
I could go on and on but I have already typed enough (sorry Lori). I hope this has helped you understand why wedding photographers charge more. There really are very good reasons for this.
Good post! This article should be forward to all couples on the world!
Great hub and extremely useful.Thanks for posting it.
Okay.. Sabrina Jenks is amarzing photography
Very Helpfull
@JudesMama Wedding is more work than a Photo Session. A wedding photographer is really a photojournalist.
Because morons will pay it.
Fantastic information and great hub for the photography industry, kudos! I'm definitely going to apply this to my blogsite:
www.zoomshots.net
Art is intuitive.
I'm sorry but anyone who is a professional has to invest time and money. I personally think this article is ridiculous. All prices are set by the person who is trying to make money. So to say that you are going to charge me $5000 and yes a photographer quoted me that price, for 5hrs is outrageous! This article is just trying to make those outrageous costs seem reasonable. Everyone knows that the wedding business is big money! Please
dorothy perry 3 years ago
This ideas expressed in this piece go to the heart of the skills and qualities that a professional exhibits in creating a finished photograph for their clients. Networking, education, and surrounding myself with mentors and role models inspire me to keep my skills up and standards high, and ensure my doors will still be open when my clients call me to photograph their most treasured occasions.