This is the question, this is it. Many people ask this question, and those who don't probably still wonder. I decided it was time to touch base with those reading my blog about this very popular subject. So here goes...
It is probably pretty easy to underestimate all the work a professional photographer does in order to deliver the wedding photos you always dreamed of. It may seem that we have the best job in the world because we only have to work one day a week and only a few hours in that day - and we get paid "insane" amounts of money for those few hours. The truth couldn't be further from the truth.
I remember when I first decided I wanted to be a wedding photographer.
I thought, "Wow. I will only work one day a week and make more money than I would at a normal job. It will be great and I will have tons of fun doing it. I wonder why more people don't do this for a living?"
I have to sort of giggle at that now.
Lessons I have learned and things you should know about us:
1. Running a business is costly.
The reality is that those of us who are actually professionals (meaning those who do this as our only means of income) are running a business. We are running a legitimate business, and the cost of running a business is high. Running a business is high in responsibility, as well as high in expense. There are many reasons why professional wedding photographers are priced so high, but this is one of the main reasons. There are expenses that no one may think of when I show up with my camera to shoot those pictures of you getting ready, or when I snap that shot of the first kiss. I must, for example, pay for several types of insurance to protect myself from accidents involving people or my equipment. Some wedding venues even require that a photographer carry insurance in order to shoot there. I must carry this insurance whether I am booked up or struggling through a slow time. Another cost not often thought of is the cost of wages and salaries. I often have a second photographer along with me at weddings and ofcourse I must pay them. I also have an accountant and a CPA who make sure I am keeping out of trouble with the IRS...yikes. I must pay for the website that you look at to view my photos, and I have to pay for marketing materials and advertising. I won't go into specifics on cost, but trust me, I had a freak out when I first priced brochures from a printing shop. There are other expenses like office supplies and utility costs at my office. Those who have a studio must ofcourse pay rent for that location as well. I could go on....but I won't. The cost alone of running a business is high, and that's not even talking about the time and responsibility that goes with that.
2. My Equipment
I don't just show up carrying a point-and-shoot camera and say "cheese". I must carry atleast two professional camera bodies (costing an average of $3000, yep I said "three thousand dollars"), several different professional lenses (also quite costly), professional flash units (yep, these cost some bucks too), and several other little expensive details you don't notice on your special day. Ofcourse, it isn't your job to worry about all these things - it's mine. It's part of what you are paying me for. At my office you will also find a serious computer (I call mine my jet engine), a monitor and tons of software that I use to organize and edit your precious memories. Again, I must keep insurance on all of these things and repair or replace items when they are broken or outdated.
3. My Education
I certainly didn't become a photographer overnight, and I didn't wake up one morning and decide to start shooting weddings all by myself. I had to learn and practice my trade until I was experienced and talented enough to take on this kind of responsibility. I went to school for what I do at a considerable cost, so I have Student Loans to pay off. I have worked for free or almost free in the past, and I have constantly continued my education. I pay for seminars and workshops every year in order to stay on the cutting edge of my profession. I have paid my dues, so to speak, and that's why I can charge a fair price for my services.
A fair price??!! You show up, work only a few hours, and get paid $500 an hour!! That's a fair price??
This brings me to my final point.
4. My Time. There's more to it than you think.
You may think that I show up, snap some photos, and walk away with tons of cash. It's just not so - I wish it was, but it just isn't. I work many hours on your photos. There are many more hours involved in the final product than anyone (other than other photographers) really understands. On average, a professional photographer will spend anywhere between 2 to 4 hours editing photos for every hour spent shooting those photos. If I take an average of 2000 images at your wedding and spend 8 hours (and the average is 10 hours) shooting those images, then my editing time can be well over 30 hours. Of course, I have to figure in the time spent on Engagement Sessions, Bridal Sessions and general admin. Plus, figure in the time I spend on consultations (whether I book the wedding or not) and viewing sessions. I put in more than a full week's work on almost all the weddings I shoot, if not more. When you think about the cost of the total wedding package and the amount of hours I spend on the wedding, it seems a bit more reasonable. Hopefully?
Ultimately, when you pay for a Wedding Photography Package, you really are getting a package deal. There is a lot going into every wedding when a professional photographer is providing their services. Now, don't get me wrong. I am certainly not complaining. In fact, I absolutely adore my profession and wouldn't change it for anything!! And I really mean that. I get to see "Happily Ever After" every weekend and I get to deliver the tangile copy of those memories to every happy couple. No, I am certainly not looking for sympathy here. I LOVE my job. I am only hoping that this will help you when deciding who should be your photographer and how much you should invest. There is a very simple rule to remember when making any decision regarding your wedding photography: "You get what you pay for".
Those of us running a serious business have many expenses in order to grow those businesses, and if a photographer is offering "professional" services at extremely low prices, they are probably not operating a serious business and are probably not really professionals. When you inquire with photographers about their services, ask them about the points I mentioned in this article. A professional should be able to answer your questions with confidence. If they aren't able to answer these questions, if they aren't carrying professional equipment (with back ups), if they can't tell you much about their education, etc...Ask yourself if it is worth saving a little money to risk your precious memories. This day will never be recreated. It will forever remain in your heart, and if you make a good decision about your photographer, you will have fantastic photos to cherish for the rest of your life. If you decide to go with a budget photographer, you risk a great disappointment with the final product. We get paid to carry this responsibility. We get paid to ensure you that you will get the great photos you deserve. We get paid to deliver your precious memories. We are professionals and we get paid to be professionals.
Helpful Hint: If you aren't sure what the average cost of wedding photography is in your area, inquire from several photographers who's photography you enjoy. Get their quotes, combine with the quality of their portfolios, and the answers to the questions above to decide what you think you should be paying for a quality photographer in your area. You may be surprised who you can find within your budget, and how doing this will help you to make the best choice for you and your special day.
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