There are times when I criticize the hotel business, for example,
complaining that it costs $100 to sleep in a bed for 8 hours,
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 complain about the cost of professional photography,
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
about the business of photography.
First, a photographer needs equipment to be able to take photos.
And that equipment is NOT cheap!!
This includes at least two cameras, multiple lenses, and flashes.
Then, a digital photographer needs a souped-up computer
with a LOT of storage space ($$), RAM ($$),
and editing software to edit the photos.
This is an average professional photographer’s list of equipment:
That’s roughly $16,000 invested, only on equipment so far,
I haven’t included the cost of running a business yet!
Every month we have costs like any other small business:
LIABILITY AND EQUIPMENT INSURANCE
WEBSITE DOMAIN AND HOSTING
BLOG DOMAIN AND HOSTING
EMPLOYEE/ASSISTANT FEES
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
ONLINE GALLERY HOSTING
CONTINUING EDUCATION
SOFTWARE UPGRADES
INTERNET
ADVERTISING (MAGAZINES, WEDDING BLOGS, BRIDAL SHOWS)
STUDIO RENT, PROPS, BACKDROPS, LIGHT STANDS, FURNITURE
A MILLION EXTERNAL HARD DRIVES
A TRILLION MEMORY CARDS
PERSONALIZED PACKAGING
LICENSED MUSIC
HEALTH INSURANCE
Lastly, but certainly the most important,
when you invest in professional photography,
you are not only hiring a person with fabulous equipment,
you are hiring a person that has years of experience and knowledge
in their field of work.
You are hiring a person that deeply understands
the ART OF LIGHT,
the Art of Posing (couples, babies, 50 people, 10 people),
and the Art of Anticipating Great Moments.
TIME AND EXPERIENCE
are the only ways to master Light, Posing, and Anticipating Moments.
All in all,
photography is my full-time career,
not just a hobby.
I am a normal business and artist with bills!
(and 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 career,
like a normal person would.
If you want to put wedding photography on the back burner
during your planning process,
that is completely your choice.
Everyone has their own priorities.
But after the whole hoopla and celebration,
when your belly is no longer full from that steak meal
and your dress is hanging in that dark basement for the next 50 years,
and you are staring at a poorly lit, direct sun, squinting eyes, awkwardly-posed portrait,
please come back and comment on this blog post….
