"Why is photography so expensive?"

I'm often asked why photography costs so much money. Indirectly, when people don't book with me, but also directly when people say, "that's too much, you're too expensive" or "my friend has a nice camera and she's much cheaper".

I was that friend once! I had just gotten a camera and a nice new lens and thought I was in business. $50 for 100 photos, all on a disc all day, FOR EVERYONE. I was the faux-tographer that real photographers hate. Actually, in the beginning, I didn't even have my own camera. I was just a girl with a borrowed camera, a love of photography, every other weekend free and a free photo editing software called instagram. (gasp)

Fast forward 3 years. Now I get it. And now I hear all the time how expensive I am, or photography is in general. It still feels strange to say that "I am a professional photographer".... but I am. The countless hours I have spent in front of my computer editing your memories with the latest and greatest editing software say I am. THOUSANDS of hours I have put in to carefully planning every session I do, from outfits to location to guiding you and your family into poses that flatter you and look natural, while making sure you're having fun say that I am. The continuing education that I've done to make sure I'm handling your most precious newborns in the safest manner, the blogs I've read, the tutorials I've watched. The- I'm ashamed to even try to add up the amount of dollars spent- money that has gone into buying props. I mean, ask my husband... those things are taking over the house. So much so that now I have bought a studio to have everything in one place and organized in a way that makes it easy for mommas to pick out the things they want for their session. These things say I am a REAL photographer and I haven't even picked up my camera yet. Cameras. Lenses... Plural. Because when you are a professional, you have to have a backup. What if I was shooting your wedding and I dropped my lens or my camera just stopped working??! It happens. I see it all the time. People get sued. I have insurance, business cards, a website, a tax ID number, a business license... a loan for my studio.... I'm like.. legit! :) I am a professional photographer.

I believe everyone should have amazing photos of their babies/kids/family. I believe I am the one who should take them for you. If you have been with me from the beginning of my journey, you have seen my prices go up. I also believe you have seen the quality of my work go up. My hope would be that next time you look at my website, or any photographer's site, and think "WOW! $_____ for ___________??!?!" that you would think about all the things you don't see. It's a labor of love. I love what I do and "would" (and have) done it for free, but I also love to eat :)

Have a great weekend!

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