Time is money!

[Jim Bryant]

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 if you will 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 minutes-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
* 1 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
* 2-3 hours time with client for ordering images
* 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 $2100 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. There is of course much more: including costs of running the business, taxes, studio rental/mortgage if the photographer has ownership of a dedicated studio, vehicular costs, costs of advertising/marketing, costs of sample pieces that the photographer will likely 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. According to several articles at the time, did you know that in February 2007 a rather well known discount department store that started in Arkansas closed down 500 of their portrait studios across the nation? The reason is simple, you cannot make money on 99¢ “professional” prints if you do not sell enough of them. Interestingly enough – those same studios that offer the loss leader packages often charge much much more for their a la carte pricing (as high as $40-50 for an 8×10). 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, having a good reputation often costs time on the photographer’s part. Their expertise comes at a cost, 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, 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, back up equipment is a necessity. The photographer who desires to be known as better/best/unparalelled 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.

Special thanks to Marianne Drenthe for the above article.

[Dennismc]

+1 Great read.

Jim have a question for you. Since the the chains, or larger stores as you mentioned work on volume, which how the price is lower, well one reason at least. They are spreading the cost out over a larger field.

As a custom photographer do you offer discounts on multiple prints of the same photo? Or groups of photos? Just wondering is all. Figure that could be one way to offset the mindset of the "I can get it here for this amount"

[Jim Bryant]

Originally Posted by Dennismc

+1 Great read.

Jim have a question for you. Since the the chains, or larger stores as you mentioned work on volume, which how the price is lower, well one reason at least. They are spreading the cost out over a larger field.

As a custom photographer do you offer discounts on multiple prints of the same photo? Or groups of photos? Just wondering is all. Figure that could be one way to offset the mindset of the "I can get it here for this amount"

The chain stores work on mass volume of customer traffic that comes in and out the door, low overhead and minimum wage employees.

I offer a 10% discount on orders order $100.00 (after taxes are applied).

[OsmosisStudios]

Now if only we can get this included into ever circular in the world, we'd be set.

[arsifferlen]

very true, osmosis. some people are so clueless as to what goes into that finished product. very frustrating. education is key here.

[Jim Bryant]

That's why I'm such a royal pain in the ass here and harp on that very subject daily every chance I get. Have folks learned, yea some, but not the vast majority, especially those with full-time jobs and look at photography as a way to pick up some spare change. Now, I ask, what would happened if they lost their full-time job and then have to rely on photography for a living? Some just don't want to learn until it's too late.

Good read and better than that bible lesson.

[Jim Bryant]

Originally Posted by maxharvard

Good read and better than that bible lesson.

Amy, my wife says, I'm a godless moron.

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

Amy, my wife says, I'm a godless moron.

I told my wife up front that I don't believe in god and if she tried to push it on me I'd leave her on the spot.

Never once has she said a word.

I respect her beliefs (albeit hers are wrong ) and she respects mine

[MOmilkman]

Now that is truly breaking it down. That is one good read. It's funny how many things you neglect to think about before jumping in head first. And it sheds some light on the costs invloved to us that would even cosider such a leap.
This article may have come along at just the right time for me.

Thanks for sharing Jim.