Good morning Peeps!!!!

I haven’t posted a fresh blog in quite some time! I’m really not a writer of any sort and to find motivation to write something I really need to find something that gets me fired up. That being said, I want this blog to be informational for anyone that reads it. Somewhat of an FYI or PSA! I have a habit of writing the way I think or speak and let me just say: I DO NOT want this blog to come across as a rant or vent intentionally, but . . . It might slip into that a little here and there, especially when there is frustration to back something up. I would like to think that most people will understand where I’m coming from, because I always try to put myself in someone else’s shoes when I question the answer they gave me and I don’t like it. So, now! Let’s get to it.

This is a hard topic! It’s one that we try not to talk about a lot amongst anyone other than other photographers, and even then it’s kind of something we don’t share. Why? Because in our industry it’s considered unprofessional to bitch about the fact that people charge too much or too little. It’s unprofessional to “whine” when people are requesting prices that if you did the math are ending up causing us to cut into our own bank account to shoot for that client. There are photographers that charge so little they are literally paying to shoot for their client! To each their own. I tell myself that every time. But at some point it HAS to be said that those people are hurting all the other photographers around them. As photographers we should not have to defend ourselves or our pricing to anyone. And I have tried exceptionally hard to just stay in my own lane, which is why I will write this blog once and move on.

PRICING! First, I need everyone to know that this is a sensitive topic for both photographers, current clients, and future clients. And I also need everyone to know that I’m not writing anything in here about any person in specific or pointing fingers. This blog is a culmination of the last 12 years of learning that I need to charge what I know I need to make my business successful, so that I can continue to do the job I love.

I want this to be informational so that current and future clients understand what we put into our business for YOU! You see, the most important part of this whole process is not the pricing, it’s not me, it’s not the session or the product. Yes, those are all things that matter obviously. But what matters most to ME is that my clients LOVE what I offer them and are exceptionally happy with the outcome and the experience of their session, as well as their images.

It’s very frustrating to see photographers posting how affordable they are. This industry is not regulated and there are people that don’t pay their taxes, pick up a camera and everyone is a photographer. YES, everyone starts somewhere. But at the same time, this is not a joke or a mom job for some of us. SORRY, that is where the “rant/vent” slipped a little.

I DO understand that my prices might not be in someone’s budget. And that’s fine. I am not offended if you tell me I charge too much. I very much appreciate when people let me know that they need someone priced a little lower. I try to recommend my photographer friends that might be able to help them.

I want to help people understand that we put our heart and soul into every session that we complete! And I want to help people see WHY we charge what we do. I am going to write this blog specifically from a newborn photographer’s perspective because peeps, those sessions are not easy. All genres of photography have their challenges but for me personally these are the hardest physically and the most rewarding. I mean seriously, who wouldn’t want to be around brand new babies all the time?

Why?

When you first message me and inquire about a newborn session I respond to your inquiry with a detailed PDF that lists all the session styles I offer. The first couple of pages offer an introduction of me and some info about how to book your session. I take payment in full unless you specifically message me and we work out a payment plan if there is enough time to spread the payments out before your desired date. Some photographers will take a deposit/retainer. I take payment in full. Everyone runs their business the way they want to.

Prices are non-negotiable. That is in that info paragraph. You see, I structure my pricing around my cost of doing business. That means that I don’t charge a crazy high price because I want to rip you off and get rich. I charge what I need to in order to make enough of a profit to help support my family. And seriously, do you question your Scentsy consultant if they have set prices in a catalog? Do you go to your hair stylist and try to bargain what she/he is charging? Do you walk into Walmart and ask the sales associate if you can get a discount like you’re at a flea market?

Here’s what your money goes to when you complete your invoice:

• Taxes (at least 30% of your payment)
• Fees for the company that lets you use your card to pay
• Insurance
• The assistant I have to hire to spot me so that your baby is safe.
• A portion of the utilities in my house because my studio is in my home (I run a space heater to keep your little nice an toasty for an hour before you arrive and throughout the entire session)
• At the end of last year I had to buy a new camera because though my current one at that time was still working, I’m pretty sure it was at the tail end of functioning to do what I needed it to. I got my new Canon DSLR 5D Mark IV on sale for $2700 (just the camera body). I’ve wanted that camera since the day it came onto the market but I believe it was originally $3500 give or take.
• I upgraded my lighting system last year and the umbrella and light stand as well to make sure your images have perfect lighting! That combined price was about $1300.
• I am constantly swapping and adding props for the studio so that I can change up my sets for clients
• I added updated wall art to the studio so that you guys can see what my work looks like printed on large displays. Not only does it look beautiful, but it offers the quality of my work so you can be assured that the images will in no way be pixelated when you print big. And I always encourage clients to print and print big.
• MY TIME ~ guys, all that stuff up there doesn’t even include the time I spend communicating with you, shooting with you, editing, and I’m telling you: we don’t get time off. I am constantly checking emails and messages. At dinner with my family, on vacation, while shopping for groceries, soooooo very bad but while driving! I want to make sure all of your questions are answered.
• My sessions are all inclusive that means you also get the digital images. Usually at least 20-40, most times more.

I didn’t list all that so that people feel bad. I just want you to understand that I am not trying to rip you off. I love what I do. And I am grateful for the opportunity to work with every single person I have a chance to work with and meet. But, I VALUE what I do and my art as well. After all the things I’ve listed above very little profit is left for me to go out and just spend. Why? Because I am a workaholic and invest all that money back into my business.

I use it to pay for the workshops to better my craft. Or more props, lol! Ok, no one needs to know or care about what I spend my money on. LOl!!!

Now, let me tell you a little bit about my newborn sessions. The session I charge the most for in my line up is the “Baby and Us” session. This session costs $675 plus tax. After we’ve booked I send out a newborn session prep guide. It helps you to get ready for your shoot day. It helps to prep the baby, choose what you and the family might want to wear. What NOT to wear. It includes my location and phone number as well.

I block off a 2-3 hour session slot. Sometimes it takes less time and sometimes . . . yes! It takes more time. We spend a couple of hours in a room that is about 85 -90 degrees capturing the sweetest images of your brand new little in between feedings and soothing breaks. We work on baby time. What baby wants, baby gets! I always try to hire an assistant to spot your little for safety, but sometimes I can’t mesh schedules with one of the peeps I believe are qualified. In that case, mom or dad get a crash course in helping me since SAFETY is the number one most important thing. We start with the bean bag poses if baby is ready and move on to the prop poses. Family and sibling shots are last in my workflow.

Once your session is complete, the next phase is the editing. Usually I get your sneak peeks up that same day and I give myself about two to three weeks for gallery turn around. But to be honest, I try to get them back closer to two weeks after your session.

So, all that being said! I’m not trying to come across as better than anyone. Believe me I have so much more to learn when it comes to this business and craft. I just needed to put this out there because I don’t want my current clients and anyone that is going to work with me in the future to think I charge what I do to rip into your pocket book. Everyone’s pricing is different. It’s a very personal process to get pricing set for a business.

I don’t mean to hate on anyone, I just want people to understand that I value what I do and my time is important to me and to my family. And unfortunately we have to put a price on that time. If you were going through all those things that I listed for you up there, would you do it for $200? And, I’m telling you, there are people out there that charge even less because they want to make things “affordable.”

Well, I like to think that affordable can be many different ways. And I do offer payment plans and am willing to work with clients. That means they get the quality of care, service, and products they deserve and I earn what I’ve worked to create for them.

Thank you soooooo much for listening to something that probably should have been kept to myself. But, it needed to be said! I swear, the next blog will be something much more fun! After all . . . it does feel like spring outside. Maybe we’ll get lucky and actually have a spring this year! 🙂