Big News...

I have big news to announce... But not QUITE yet! Several things actually ::grin:: All will be revealed very soon, I promise.

This cutie was an early Christmas gift- a new kitty adopted us! I've claimed her as mine and named her Gigi- she loves love and is super sweet!

Why are Professional Photographers so expensive?

(This article has been very well received by the photography community, and is now referred to by countless Photography websites, blogs and forums (such as LDPT, ILP and DWF)around the world).

By: Shawn, Pamela & Gavin Richter

In this digital age where everyone has digital cameras, scanners and home "photo printers", when people upload their photos to a local drug store website and pick them up a few hours later, we hear this all the time - How in the world do Professional Photographers charge $55 for an 8x10 when they cost just $1.50 at the drug store?

Here's why.

Simply put, you're not just paying for the actual photograph, you're paying for time and expertise. First, let's look at the actual time involved. If you don't read this entire page, at least read this first part.

For a two hour portrait session:

- one hour of travel to and from the session
- two hours of shooting
- 30 minutes of setup, preparation, talking to the client etc.
- 30 minutes to load the photos onto a computer (2 - 4 Gb of data)
- 30 minutes to back up the files on an external drive
- 3 - 4 hours of Photoshop time including cropping, contrast, color, sharpening, saving a copy for print and a copy for the internet and backing up the edited photographs
- 2 - 3 hours to talk to the client, answer questions, receive their order and payment, order their prints, receive and verify prints, package prints, schedule shipment and drop package off at Fed Ex.
- For local customers, we also print a set of all of their photos, and meet them at our studio to review the photos and place their order. Meeting and travel time averages 2 hours.

You can see how one two hour session easily turns into more than ten hours of work from start to finish. So when you see a Photographer charging a $200 session fee for a two hour photo shoot, you are not paying them $100 / hour.

For an eight hour wedding:

- I won't bore you with the details, but an eight hour wedding typically amounts to at least two to three full 40 hour work weeks worth of time. Again, if they are charging you $4,000 for an eight hour wedding, you are not paying them $500 / hour.

Now for the expertise.

Shooting professional photography is a skill, acquired through years of experience. Even though a quality camera now costs under $2,000 taking professional portraits involves much more than a nice camera.

Most Professional Photographers take years to go from buying their first decent camera to making money with their photography. In addition to learning how to use the camera itself, there is a mountain of other equipment involved, as well as numerous software programs used to edit and print photographs, run a website etc.

And let's not forget that you actually have to have people skills, be able to communicate, make people comfortable in front of the camera - and posing people to make them look their best in a photograph is a skill all by itself.

Think of it this way - the next time you pay $X to get your hair done, a pair of scissors only costs $1.50. But you gladly pay a lot more to hire a Professional.

What about the cheap studios at the mall?

Please don't compare us to the chain store studios. But if you must, consider all of the time and work that we put into our photographs, compared to what they do. Good luck getting a two hour photo shoot at a chain store. Not to mention they won't come to the beach! And of course, look at our work compared to theirs. You get what you pay for.

The truth is, most of the mall and chain store studios lose money. In fact, in 2007 Wal-Mart closed 500 of their portrait studios because of the financial drain they were putting on the company. What the chain stores bet on is that you'll come in for some quick and cheap photos, and while you're there, you'll also spend $200 on other things. They don't have to make money, they are just there to get you in the door.

Conclusion

I hope that those who have taken the time to read this page will have a better understanding of why professional photographs cost so much more than the ones that you get from your local drug store.

Glamorous

Maggie and I finished up her final senior model photoshoot with a fab piano! I love the glamorous 1940s feel of these.

We Heart STL!

...and Forest Park, and shopping, and Ted Drewes! Of course we made time for Photos ;-D Thanks to my lovely sissy for taking a few of me and JPO (I've decided I like being behind the camera rather than in front of it!)

Paige GHS Senior '09

It's always an adventure- Imagine my surprise when Paige whipped out her water shoes for a quick dip in the creek! I LOVE when seniors are willing to get their hands dirty (or in this case, wet!) Thanks Paige!

"Sweet Caroline..."

"...Ba Ba Ba!" Sorry, I couldn't help pulling out some Neil Diamond!
We had fun running around Springfield and looking for the perfect tree in Washington Park- thanks for putting up with me girls!

La La La La Elmo's Song!

Every time I talk to Casey she has a new story about her favorite horse Elmo! I finally got to meet and attempt to photograph him (he was not ready for his close up). Lots of love KCP!

Emmy Theatre Headshots

I think most people can attest- I get SO excited about pictures and can't wait to get them into Photoshop and up on my blog!
Here are a few of my favorites from today- we had such yummy light and great locations in the little town of Fulton (not to mention a pretty cute model!) Thanks Emmy!

More of My Favorite Redhead!

I love fall and fall colors and of course- fall FASHION! Loving the purple and yellow!



A very important question:

Jerrie and Rick

Jerrie and Rick had the most beautiful wedding- everyone was bawling buckets within the first 5 minutes of the ceremony! The love that they have for one another is so incredible- you can see it in every single photo!

GASP!

Is anyone out there?! If so, I love comments- don't be shy!
A beautiful wedding- just got home 20 minutes ago but... I couldn't help myself, I had to get one of my favorites posted (Rachel saw this as a thumbnail on my camera and GASPED "This is beautiful!") I have to agree!
More to come!

Earth Goddess

Have I mentioned that I have the prettiest clients!? Maggie was so fabulous and willing to do whatever necessary to get the shot (getting friendly with a spider wasn't beyond her!) I'm seeing a Disney princess/ earth goddess in these-

Maggie Rochester Senior '09

Check out these eyes! WOW! We had fun scoping out downtown this afternoon (special thanks to Free Sky Studios for the use of their funky couch!) This girl can pull off any style- from 40's glam to hippie chick!