My phone often rings with customers asking about my session fee and pricing. My session fee is $125.00 per hour. While some may find this expensive, professionals in my industry will say I do not charge enough. In every session I always work with an assistant. My assistant shows up before the session, to help prepare the studio, stays during the session and cleans up after the session. Most of the time, my assistant works three hours for a one hour session. For me also, prep time, session time and clean up time is the same. However, there is more for me, as I have to edit and prepare images for viewing which adds about two hours more of my time. So we can prepare any where from 8-10 hours on one session! And Yes, we clean the studio completely after ever session so it is left beautiful for our next guest.
I used to not have session fees. The first year or two I was in business. I would have folks schedule and not show up. After being stood up multiple times -I decided to value my time and charge for it. I was learning to be a better business person. That was about fourteen years ago. Charging a session fee insures I can pay myself and my assistant. I also bought myself a rocking bench, so if customers were late, I could rock and be happy. Happiness is very important.
I value my customers a lot. I want to provide affordable photography. How do I tell potential clients on the phone, I have a beautiful studio. I own quality photographic equipment. I have indoor and outdoor facilities. I have wheel chair access. I prepare, deliver, and care about every aspect of my business. And I work hard on every part of it, to prepare for YOUR VISIT. If Marcus Lemmonis was a photographer I would be him.
Are other photographers more expensive than me? Yes, some are. Are other photographers less expensive than me? Many are.
In our industry-from seeing many of you post your pictures from photographers on facebook, I see many out of focus, over propped, missed shots where body parts are missing, (it’s sad). I could say you get what you pay for, but sometimes you pay more. If they are expensive you may have just paid someone who likes to make money more than you needed, and if you paid less, you may have paid for bad work that should not have been charged to begin with. The world of photography is unregulated and like a storm in the middle of the ocean, it’s hard to navigate.
So as you consider spending your hard earned money on photography. I ask you to consider this. I have spent my career learning, growing and being mentored in photography. I have a Master’s Degree from the Professional Photographers of America. I am PPA Certified, and understand ISO, shutter speed and aperture. I am someone who wants you to spend your hard earned dollars on photography that touches your soul and is photographed correctly. But, mostly, I want to pass you in the grocery store, look you in the eye and smile, and genuinely ask how you are. Because repeat business means a lot to me, and integrity starts at home.
And that session fee…….is worth it.
