I know before I started my own photography business I really had NO CLUE what all went on behind the scenes of making great photos. I honestly thought the photographer just took great photos, went home, put them on a cd or however they chose to share them, and that was it....Simple as Pie and easy money right??!!! WRONG!!!! (unless you go to JCPenney or Sears)!
I just wanted to share exactly what goes in to your photography session when you hire me just so you know you really are getting a GREAT deal. First of all, I realize that I do not have any formal training in photography and everything I produce is all from self teachings; therefore I feel as though I have to keep my cost down because of my lack of formal education in this field (trust me I would love to have formal education but as a full time grad student, I don't have the time for any more schooling right now).
When you hire me I spend time through emails or phone calls trying to find out all I can about you. I want to know who I'm going to meet and work with, what you like, what you want out of your session, and the more I know the better I can relate and produce a product that I think you will enjoy. I then spend at least an hour the night before charging my cameras, making sure all equipment is working and packed, I gather all usable props, load my truck, and make sure I am prepared. The morning of your shoot, I usually get up super early to make sure I did everything I needed to the night before, get myself ready, swing through a drive through for a coffee and food so I can be alert and ready. I then head to your place or location of choice and meet my new "friends." I spend at least 1-3 hours with you taking the best pictures I can possibly capture in hopes of catching some once in a life time moments for you. I then pack up my belongings and head home. At the end of your shoot I have already invested 2-6+hrs of work. (not including travel time)
I then come home and at the first opportunity (in between my time with my husband and 2 babies...and maybe some school work), I then load all of your pictures onto my computer, go through and fully edit each picture individually, backup all photos, transfer photos to an online secure website for your viewing and sharing. I then try to send a few sneak peeks to you just so you know I am truly working on your session, I then blog about my session with you and your family, burn a cd for you, and print out a printing rights form as well. Your cd and printing rights then get packaged up and I take them to the post office (kids in tow) to mail out your special session in hopes that you enjoy your photos. All in all, editing to packaging can take anywhere from 3-6+hours.
Therefore your session that you have spent being photographed for 1-3hrs max gets approximately 5-14hrs of my devoted time.
I write this so you can see what really goes into your photo sessions and to let you know that even though the formal training is not there...you certainly have my devotion and time. I invest myself 110% to each session I do. Despite having really low rates to get my name out there and broaden my experiences...I really do treasure each family I get to meet and work with. So the next time you hire a photographer (not just me) realize that what they price you ends up getting divided by 5-14+hours. Photographers really do not make great money for the time they put in to their work. Being a photographer is another field where you do it for the love of it.
I know I do it for the love because to me this is a huge passion and dream. I absolutely love capturing precious moments for people to hold and remember for a lifetime!!! Time never stops but with pictures you can look back on a special moment forever. I am here to capture and freeze those moments in time for you!
I hope you enjoy your time with me or whomever you may chose to photograph your special days!!!
