Hi everyone!  I wanted to the opportunity to talk about what it is I do as the photographer you’ve hired and why I charge the prices I do.

When you hire me as your photographer, I am, simply put, someone with experience.  While I have not been “professionally trained” via college (yes I went to college, and even earned a few degrees, but not in photography), and do not consider myself in the same league as famous professional photographers like Annie Leibovitz or Ansel Adams, I can turn out a darn good photo.  I’ve even won a few awards in the past few years so I assume I must be doing something right. I have been behind a camera now for about 8 years, and with each year, I’ve gained more knowledge and skills.  

Here’s what goes into creating a great photo or portrait:

-Travel to the photo shoot

-Set up the photo shoot, talk to clients, etc

-Shoot the photos

-Travel home from the session

-Load images into computer

-Spend 2-6 hours editing the photographs with professional software and programs (cropping, color correction, blemish and facial retouching) and adding any extra creative techniques that make the photographs...well...CREATIVE!

-Spend time uploading the finished photos to my website

-Notify you that your photos are uploaded

-Answer any questions you may have

Other things included in the cost of creating a good photo or portrait include : Camera and appropriate lenses, memory cards, lighting equipment, backdrops, props, etc.

So...you can see how a one-hour photo session easily turns into an eight hour day or more from start to finish.  

When people ask me why I don’t give away image files on computer disks so that people can order their own prints from whatever photos lab they choose the reason is this:  I spend the same amount of time editing a photograph to look it’s best from my home computer.  The image I create is specifically edited and calibrated to the professional photo lab I use.  Wal-Mart and Walgreens’s prints don’t compare to the pro labs.  No disrespect if you like Wal-Mart’s and Walgreen's friendly photo centers and staff and prints...I do not.  Also...the images I create are worth more in value than the cost of the paper they’re printed on.  It isn’t the cost of the paper that determines what my prices are.  It’s the whole creative process.

And if that still doesn’t make sense...think of it this way.

A pair of scissors costs $1.50 at a store should you choose to cut your own hair...though chances are, you’re going to hire a professional hair stylist/barber to cut your hair.  “Nough said.  :-)