But Why Are Photographers SOOOOO Expensive?

Well, when you break it down, we really aren't. There are a lot of pre and post production efforts that go into every session. To break it down read the following article...

Why are Professional Photographers so expensive?In this digital age where everyone has digital cameras, scanners and home "photo printers", when people upload their photos to a local drug store website and pick them up a few hours later, we hear this all the time - How in the world do Professional Photographers charge $55 for an 8x10 when they cost just $1.50 at the drug store? Here's why.Simply put, you're not just paying for the actual photograph, you're paying for time and expertise. First, let's look at the actual time involved. If you don't read this entire page, at least read this first part.For a two hour portrait session:- one hour of travel to and from the session- two hours of shooting- 30 minutes of setup, preparation, talking to the client etc.- 30 minutes to load the photos onto a computer (2 - 4 Gb of data)- 30 minutes to back up the files on an external drive- 3 - 4 hours of Photoshop time including cropping, contrast, color, sharpening, saving a copy for print and a copy for the internet and backing up the edited photographs- 2 - 3 hours to talk to the client, answer questions, receive their order and payment, order their prints, receive and verify prints, package prints, schedule shipment and drop package off at Fed Ex.- For local customers, we also print a set of all of their photos, and meet them at our studio to review the photos and place their order. Meeting and travel time averages 2 hours.You can see how one two hour session easily turns into more than ten hours of work from start to finish. So when you see a Photographer charging a $200 session fee for a two hour photo shoot, you are not paying them $100 / hour.For an eight hour wedding:- I won't bore you with the details, but an eight hour wedding typically amounts to at least two to three full 40 hour work weeks worth of time. Again, if they are charging you $4,000 for an eight hour wedding, you are not paying them $500 / hour.Now for the expertise.Shooting professional photography is a skill, acquired through years of experience. Even though a quality camera now costs under $2,000 taking professional portraits involves much more than a nice camera.Most Professional Photographers take years to go from buying their first decent camera to making money with their photography. In addition to learning how to use the camera itself, there is a mountain of other equipment involved, as well as numerous software programs used to edit and print photographs, run a website etc.And let's not forget that you actually have to have people skills, be able to communicate, make people comfortable in front of the camera - and posing people to make them look their best in a photograph is a skill all by itself.Think of it this way - the next time you pay $X to get your hair done, a pair of scissors only costs $1.50. But you gladly pay a lot more to hire a Professional.What about the cheap studios at the mall? Please don't compare us to the chain store studios. But if you must, consider all of the time and work that we put into our photographs, compared to what they do. Good luck getting a two hour photo shoot at a chain store. Not to mention they won't come to the beach! And of course, look at our work compared to theirs. You get what you pay for.The truth is, most of the mall and chain store studios lose money. In fact, in 2007 Wal-Mart closed 500 of their portrait studios because of the financial drain they were putting on the company. What the chain stores bet on is that you'll come in for some quick and cheap photos, and while you're there, you'll also spend $200 on other things. They don't have to make money, they are just there to get you in the door.ConclusionWe hope that those who have taken the time to read this page will have a better understanding of why professional photographs cost so much more than the ones that you get from your local drug store.Thank you for taking the time to read this.Shawn, Pamela & Gavin RichterCaught on Film Photographycopied here from : http://www.caughtonfilmphoto.com/costofphotography.html

Wedding & Event Photography

I still have a few spots open for the spring...through April! If you are still in need of a photographer contact me so we can get together, look at some sample weddings and talk about what you need! If you book one of my open Spring Dates you will receive $250 off any package if you mention this blog posting and subscribe to my blog!!

XOXOXO

Kimberly

The Red Wall Gala Was Wonderful!

All in all the gala was a raging success. Money was raised for the intra-operative MRI machine for the Dell Children's hospital. The event was hosted by Judy Maggio of the Austin CBS/KVUE 42 news affiliate. Central Texas Chevy Dealers offered up a brand new SUV for auction and there was even an evening with Asleep at the Wheel offered up!!!!

A great band called Grupo Fantasma played while everyone enjoyed the casino! I had an incredible time, met some incredible people, and got some amazing shots!! Michael and Susan Dell were even there!! It was exciting!

Day of the Fuzzy Pink Chair

It was really just entirely to gorgeous of a day NOT to spend some of it outside! Haley and I piled the fuzzy pink chair (the one that SHE spotted and had to have--who am I to say no?) into her little red wagon and went down to the field. She ran, picked up rocks and thought I was crazy for bringing her chair. But, as you can tell, she came around and had fun playing on it! At one point a Helicopter flew over head and she is actually making the sign for helicopter (2nd image from the top)!

I had fun with these photos. They are cross-processed with an industrial texture overlay. It's a bit out of my norm but I love it none the less! Enjoy!

Why YOU should subscribe to my blog!

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XOXOX
Kimberly

Red Wall Gala

I am so excited! Just found out that I will be photographing the Red Wall Gala! A fundraiser event for the Dell Children's Medical Center. It will be held at the Austin Convention Center on Saturday, January 19, 2008!

I'll post some photos after the event! Also, I urge anyone that can to donate to this AMAZING hospital just for the little people in our lives!

http://www.childrensaustin.org/

Favorite of 2007

This has to be my favorite photo from 2007! Haley had just rolled her Taxi Scooter from her Auntie Tammy into the flower garden! She is very particular about things being in there place and just looked and pointed yelling "Uh Oh!"

Welcome!

Yes, I've finally done it! I have sucuumb to the world of blogging! Periodically I will post photos from my sessions and general info about my photography endeavours!

Enjoy!