I’ve debated this post for quite some time. I go back and forth with its helpfulness to potential clients, but I err on the side of caution with sounding ungrateful. I wear my heart on my sleeve for those that know me – so here goes. I love being a photographer, and I mean, I really LOVE it. It’s something I am passionate about and I really pour my soul in to my business. I have since the start. But it’s not the most profitable business, as most photographers would tell you. The problem with all this awesome technology is that it makes people think that it should be free or cheap. That I press that little button on the computer and load them right up to your finished gallery. People don’t quite get what it takes, and I didn’t either….when I started.
I want people to value the art of photography and value the time it takes to create images that are worthy of hanging on your walls and being part of your heirloom forever. It’s not only an art, but it takes countless hours to do custom photography. I know this list in not all inclusive, but it was a start….
Preparing for a session, gear checks, props | 90+ minutes
Booking, questions, emails & Contracts | 1 hour
Location Scouting, set-up indoors | 1 hour
Shooting Session & Travel | 90 minutes -3 hours
Image Transfer and backups | 1 hour
Culling, editing, image preparation | 5-8+ hours
Blog, FB, Website Proofing Gallery uploads | 1 hour
Designing and order prep | 2+ hours depending on needs
Ordering images | 1 Hour
Delivery of images & Packaging | 1 hour
Total Time for average session = 20+ hours
That’s a lot of time… I will say it again, that’s a LOT of time per session. For many clients, they think “I paid her $100 for a session fee, she’s making a lot before I even order”…. Well that $100 session fee pays me about $5 hour, BEFORE taxes, BEFORE expenses. To spare you any more reading and details… there is even more time in continuing education, marketing, actually caring about the client and what they are in to or their session…. There is sooo much more time than this. The overhead is killer in any business, and photography is no exception.
Interesting Fact: Wal-Mart charges $200 for their disk…. on top of their session fee… and Sears.. $300, on top of their session fee. And you know what? That is no editing, get in people as fast as you can, shoot in 15 minutes, upload and order right there, no edits, no creative design, no thought in to the family or their hobbies, nothing.
For all of us self-employed photographers out there, it’s a lot to keep up with everything and just cover overhead. And, this is with NO studio.
Camera body | $2500 (just for one – no backup)
Lens’ | $3500 (on the low end)
Continuing Education | $1-2k a year
Packaging for products | $20 per order
Website and Hosting | $25 a month
Props | $2500+ a year
Insurance | $25 month
External Flashes’ | $500 each
Lighting Equipment | $1500
Computer | $2000 (plus a laptop if you meet with clients remotely)
Software | $1500
Marketing & Promotion | $750 a year+
=approx. $17,000 a year!!
The list could go on, but it’s really not the point. As you can see, at about 17k a year, your overhead for each session is crazy. JUST to cover expenses and break even (not including time), I’d have to take 170 sessions, at $100, to break even. That’s 14 a month, and 280+ hours a month, or over 70 hours a week. It’s not possible, not even a little.
This industry has changed so much over the past few years, and so many people are sadly leaving. Talented, awesome, gifted people. It consumes your life… and the money isn’t great, and not everyone appreciates custom photography.. but so many LOVE what they do and keep going. But photography is an investment, and I hope that you choose a professional to capture those memories. It takes a lot to create images that last and tell your story….
