There are a lot of factors that contribute to the cost of an item. Many people want a good deal, but that is different than getting something cheap. Shopping for a photographer is beyond a simple price point. We have all bought something at one point or another in our lives that was cheaply made, and sooner or later we regret our purchase. The reason for the regret is the fact that we wasted money. When we shop, what we really want is a good product for the price we pay. In photography, as in other things, you get a level of quality relating directly to how much you pay. That does not mean there are not people out there who charge too much for what they do. You can go read our blog about How to Pick a Photographer to learn what to look for in a photographer, but this article is about why it costs so darn much. This will also give an understanding of why hiring a friend with a camera isn’t always the best thing to do.
Education
Anyone can take a picture, a pro makes a picture. The major difference is in the education behind the camera. While computers are capable of fast calculations, one still cannot write a novel on its own. Modern cameras make the work of being a photographer easier, but it still takes a lot of skill to use it effectively. A professional will invest in the education needed to perfect his or her craft. As we all know, education is not cheap. None of us would ask a professional who spent thousands of dollars on education to do their job for free.
Equipment
It is the person behind the camera who really makes the image happen. Professional photographers spend thousands of dollars on the equipment they need to get the best shots. While a good photographer can take a regular camera and get good shot, the higher end equipment allows them more control and versatility. A single lens can cost $2,000 or more, and a pro will likely have 4-7 lenses in their kit, plus the camera bodies to put them on. If you have purchased a dSLR and you want to take better pictures, one thing to invest in are better lenses.
Experience
Each time a photographer pushes the shutter button, he learns something new. Sometimes those things are subtle, like turning the head a half inch more to create a better look or predicting when a laugh will happen and raising the camera up just before. Experience is directly related to time behind the camera, and while a price tag cannot be placed directly on that time, it does affect the price and quality of the work produced.
Expenditures
Most photographers are self employed, and one of the biggest differences between the self employed and those working for a company is taxes. Most people pay income tax and social security, but small businesses pay a lot more. An employer pays half of an employee’s social security, but self employed business owners pay double. Then there are corporate taxes and income taxes on top of that. This means that unless the photographer you hired is breaking the law, a large percentage of the money you pay them goes to the government. Moreover, a good photographer will not just take your picture and hand you a disc, but will spend time editing those images so you look your best. When paying for a sitting fee, the cost will likely cover the additional time needed to edit those photos, the computers to process the images, travel time, and a host of other costs.
So next time you hear a friend say they have a camera and will take pictures for you, ask to see a portfolio. You can read our blog post about choosing a photographer to learn to distinguish good photography from poor. It would also be good to consider what the cost of redoing the session is if you are unhappy with the product. While the initial cost may seem minimal, your time is also valuable and needs to be added to the cost of retaking photos. With all of these things in consideration, thousands of dollars for wedding photography or even a portrait session is actually a great price.
We hope you liked this article and ask that you please take the time to share it with your friends.