We are a business like any other. We have administrative costs and behind-the-scenes costs that someone who is investing in a family session does not see. All the client sees is the fun part of what photographers do.

Photography is an investment

I’ve never had anyone tell me to my face they were disappointed with how expensive my pricing is. My thoughts behind that are that I’ve never actually charged enough, so how could they be disappointed?

But today we live in a digital age where everyone has digital cameras and anyone can upload their photos to a local drug store website and pick them up a few hours later. That is not how I run my business. I am a photographer and specialize in helping families and individuals see the value of professional prints and framing for their homes. I don’t always hear this, but I know people who aren’t photographers think it… “How in the world do photographers charge $97 for an 8×10 when they cost just $5.50 at the drug store?”

Well here’s why.

I’m just going to be super transparent here. Running a photography business, or any other small business involves a lot more than you think. When it comes down to it, I’m not just charging you for the actual photographs. You’re also paying for my time and expertise, the education I’ve invested in, the expensive professional equipment it takes to capture the image in the first place, the professional computer equipment to ensure it is the best it can be, and the professional lab pricing that a professional photographer uses. On top of all of this, I need to make a profit.

Example of a cost breakdown

For a basic 60-90 minute family session- one location:

– 30-45 minutes of travel to and from the session

– 60-90 minutes of shooting

– 30 minutes of setup, preparation, preparing the client.

– 40 minutes to load the photos onto a computer & to back up the files on an external drive

– 15 minutes to cull through the session & choose the keepers

– 1-2 hours of Lightroom editing time including cropping, contrast, color, sharpening, and backing up the edited photographs

– 1-hour preparing images for sneak peeks & blogging the session

– 30 minutes uploading images to an online gallery and prepping to share the gallery with the client

– 2 – 3 hours to communicate, answer questions, sending session questionnaires, receive their contract and payment, order their prints if necessary, receive and verify prints, package prints, schedule shipment, and possibly drop the package off at UPS.

– 20 minutes recording mileage & expenses for tax purposes

Photography is more than an investment it is making memories and capturing those moments that will last a lifetime.

Want more information, please contact me: kelsey@kelseycharmayne.com