The Value of Photography

Hi, friends! Let's talk about that elephant in the room.

"Why is photography so expensive?!"

I'll admit, I have asked that same question. Before I knew anything at all about photography, I noticed my camera had a manual setting. I thought "Oh! This might be fun!". I set up my shot, turned some knobs and dials, and excitedly hit the button. To my dismay, however, when I looked at the back of my camera to see my masterpiece, all I saw was black.

Lately it seems anyone can take a good photo, right? Phones have better cameras year after year with continuous improvement. In the age of selfies, we have learned how to hide those areas of ourselves we want to hide while still achieving a new profile picture we're proud of.

If a picture is worth 1000 words, how many dollars is it worth?

Photography is so much more than pushing a button. I am not perfect, I still have tons to learn. But guys...I have done a LOT of learning. Hours and hours of sifting through online tutorials that were good or bad or strange or non-existent. I've invested in educational courses about shooting, editing, posing, and business. And if I'm being completely authentic, I can tell you that today as I sit here typing this blog I still feel like I'm where I started! But, the truth is, I am so far from where I started. While the progress may be slower than I like, I AM making progress and with each session I feel like I improve.

On the topic of investment, let's talk about equipment. You know those photos with the dreamy, creamy backgrounds? The ones where the subject absolutely POPS? While a lot of that has to do with ability, just as much of it has to do with equipment. I won't get into the boring details but I can tell you from experience, there is a world of difference between an entry level camera body and a high-end one. There is a light years' worth of difference between that lens that came with the entry level camera body and the prime 50mm 1.4 or 1.2f (in laymen's terms...the fancy lens all portrait photographers drool over). I don't want to ramble on and on but all I've discussed here is the camera and lens...there are straps, bags, flashes, lights, backdrops, props, reflectors...you get the idea. Oh, and don't forget software, websites, gallery hosts, and regular business costs like insurance, taxes, and an accountant.

What is one of the most valuable possessions each one of us has? Time. Our time is precious and priceless. Time is what we give our top priorities...faith, family, work, fun. Well, photographers value all those things too! While it may seem that your session begins and ends during that 1-2 hour time period you spend in front of the camera, that is certainly not the whole shebang. It takes time before the session to communicate with the client and work out details. It takes time before the session to scout out locations for those clients that need help finding a location. After the session, it takes time to go through all the photos and find the ones good enough to keep. It takes time to look at each photo and fix any problems or just give it that signature "style" each of us has. It takes time to create galleries, post to social media, and follow up with the client after delivery. It takes time to create an order of perfect prints or canvasses or books.

I could probably go on and on about this but I've already gone on too long! I haven't even scratched the surface because think about wedding photography! Probably the most expensive photography job is wedding photography. I'll not get into every single detail but if you're wondering why that photographer just quoted you thousands of dollars to document your once-in-a-lifetime day, think about TIME. If nothing else, consider the amount of time that goes into wedding photography. Your photographer is with you the entire day, from beginning to end, sometimes sun up to sun down. A lot of time they're more than a photographer, they're like a bridal assistant! And don't forget all the time leading up to and after the big day.

Each of us decides what is valuable. My perception of value may be completely different than yours. Maybe you love your cell phone photos and that's all you want...that's absolutely ok! If a photography experience is valuable to you:  An experience where you are valued and important, where the photographer serves you in every way he or she can and at the end...you're rewarded with priceless, gorgeous photos of you and your family that will last lifetime after lifetime...remember that it takes more than a push of a button. Remember how hard that photographer has worked to have the ability to capture your essence on camera and create beautiful works of art with you as the focus.

If you're a Starbucks fan, you more than likely don't ask why their coffee costs more than a McCafe. If you love designer shoes, you more than likely don't ask why they cost more than Walmart. These same principles apply to photography. If you desire valuable photos you will treasure forever, and your kids' kids will treasure forever, photos that show exactly how you love each other today so no one ever forgets, you're putting a price tag on an heirloom or family treasure.

From that perspective, I'd say you're getting a darn good deal!