the cost of wedding photography.

I am the millionth photographer about to explain why photography

(weddings in particular) costs what it does,

but here it goes.

There are times when i criticize the hotel business, for example,

complaining that it costs $100 to sleep in a bed for a night.

But i am speaking from ignorance.

I have absolutely no idea what it takes to run a hotel.

Same is true for people speaking about photography.

When people diss the photography business,

chances are they are speaking

 from a lack of experience and knowledge.

Here i am today,

ready to explain just a tip of the iceberg.

First, i need equipment to take photos.

This includes at least two cameras, one as backup,

and many lenses and flashes.

Then i need a computer

with editing software like Photoshop and Lightroom (or both)

and photoshop actions.

This “simple” list with the cost of each is listed below:

(I have listed the equipment i have.

Each year as my business grows, i invest more into my business with equipment,

so equipment buying does not stop)

 I did not even mention the cost of running a business,
rent, insurance, taxes, photography classes and books, retirement,
and other equipment like memory cards,

external hard drives, light stands, studio backgrounds and props.

I have to have internet access

in order to communicate with my clients

about scheduling, wedding timelines, weather, back-up plans, the list goes on.

I also use the internet to update my blog at least 5 times a week.

I consider blogging a part of my job

because that is how my photos reach the entire world.

Each day, I spend 1-2 hours preparing a blog post.

The time it takes to travel to and from sessions has to be accounted for.

If i travel to 45 minutes to a session,

that is a 90 minute roundtrip drive.

That is 90 minutes extra i spent on the session on top of the time it takes to edit,
therefore a distance fee should be applied to some photo sessions.

The biggest consumption of my time is editing.

On average I spend about 6 hours a day
at my computer culling and editing photos.

There are easier ways to edit, like using Lightroom,

but i have finally gotten comfortable
with my Bridge and Photoshop workflow,

I am stubborn to change!
(update: I have finally converted to Lightroom and it has changed my life!!!)

Now lets configure in the cost to my chiropractor and yoga instructor

for my lower back issues haha!!!

There is so much more to say about this topic,

but i want to keep it short and simple.

All in all,

not just a hobby.

i’m a normal person with bills!
(we have to pay off that equipment bill in order to make a profit!)

When i start a family,

i will have to provide for them from my job,

like a normal person.

This is why photography costs what is does.

If you want it cheaper,

you could find someone who does it for their hobby,

 not their job.