Okay, so I’ll admit it, there was a time when I’ve thought “She charges WHAT for a photo-shoot.” Bad… bad Kayleigh,
But that was before I really understood photography and trying to make it in this crazy busy business. And writing about it… for one of my first blog posts, yeah I’ve obviously lost it…
What sparked this idea? Let’s just say I have a “friend” at another base trying to find a photographer to take some pictures for her at another base. It’s not coming easy. Prices are considerably higher than they were while she and her husband were stationed in Guam.
Considering there seems to be a photographer in every other house in base housing, us photographers here in Guam really have to be competitive. Maybe by lowering prices, offering prints, and or mini sessions we all do what we can so we can be fair and try and get the best values for our clients. Most of us are friends as well, we try and help each other out rather than be cut throat so our businesses are more successful.
These are many of the reasons why a $500 photo shoot seems kind of ludicrous here, but in the states, that may actually be a fair price. The average shoot price here is low, and I hope this doesn’t offend anyone but I’m kind of baffled by it. You may disagree with me and that’s absolutely fine by me, but I’m surprised with some of the photographers on this island that are definitely low balling their talent, myself included.
So how do you do it? How do Photographers determine how to price their shoots? I don’t know. (Ha-ha gotcha!) All I know is what I take in to consideration when I set my prices.
I’ll admit it now, but when I first started I was afraid to set a price for my photography. It brought on enough anxiety for me to second guess if I really wanted to advertise and charge for photographs at all. But then I realized, I’ve invested too much time, money, and effort to run away and be a coward about it. I put on my big girl britches and jumped in.
BUT before you bad mouth a photographer for what you think is charging too much, take these things into consideration.
Ultimately it’s up to YOU how much you want to spend on your photos. Just be sure to check out different photographers and their portfolios. Every photographer has a different style and their portfolios should be the ultimate deciding factor for hiring them, not the price.
I advise everyone to look at portfolios before booking their photographer as well
But that was before I really understood photography and trying to make it in this crazy busy business. And writing about it… for one of my first blog posts, yeah I’ve obviously lost it…
What sparked this idea? Let’s just say I have a “friend” at another base trying to find a photographer to take some pictures for her at another base. It’s not coming easy. Prices are considerably higher than they were while she and her husband were stationed in Guam.
Considering there seems to be a photographer in every other house in base housing, us photographers here in Guam really have to be competitive. Maybe by lowering prices, offering prints, and or mini sessions we all do what we can so we can be fair and try and get the best values for our clients. Most of us are friends as well, we try and help each other out rather than be cut throat so our businesses are more successful.
These are many of the reasons why a $500 photo shoot seems kind of ludicrous here, but in the states, that may actually be a fair price. The average shoot price here is low, and I hope this doesn’t offend anyone but I’m kind of baffled by it. You may disagree with me and that’s absolutely fine by me, but I’m surprised with some of the photographers on this island that are definitely low balling their talent, myself included.
So how do you do it? How do Photographers determine how to price their shoots? I don’t know. (Ha-ha gotcha!) All I know is what I take in to consideration when I set my prices.
I’ll admit it now, but when I first started I was afraid to set a price for my photography. It brought on enough anxiety for me to second guess if I really wanted to advertise and charge for photographs at all. But then I realized, I’ve invested too much time, money, and effort to run away and be a coward about it. I put on my big girl britches and jumped in.
BUT before you bad mouth a photographer for what you think is charging too much, take these things into consideration.
- · Equipment… it isn’t cheap. The camera body is expensive but then you add the allure of lenses and ring lights and filters (OH MY)! Buying PROPS can be expensive (ESPECIALLY on Guam!) If a photographer has a studio they have to buy backgrounds, lighting, fast flashes, etc. This list could literally go on and on and on…
- · Training! This is one some people never seem to think about. College as we all know isn’t cheap and even if the photographer hasn’t completed college classes there are many other seminars and web tutorials (that they have paid out of pocket for) that is in fact TRAINING.
- · Editing software, I don’t really want to get too in depth with this one, just know that the free Picasso editing software… is crap (no offense). Some photographers have up to 3 different editing programs that they use to edit EVERY PHOTO that you pay for.
- · TIME! TIME! TIME! Photo shoots take time! EDITING takes THE MOST TIME! Consider this PLEASE PLEASE if you take away anything from this blog post PLEASE MAKE IT BE THIS!
- · I’m sure that there are more reasons that could be added onto this list… maybe I’ll cover them later
Ultimately it’s up to YOU how much you want to spend on your photos. Just be sure to check out different photographers and their portfolios. Every photographer has a different style and their portfolios should be the ultimate deciding factor for hiring them, not the price.
I advise everyone to look at portfolios before booking their photographer as well