“Why Are Your Prices Going Up?”

A lot of my clients have been questioning why my prices are suddenly going up and why photography services in general are so expensive. I thought I would take a minute to break this down.

Since I was young I have always loved photography. My first experience with a camera was when I was around seven or eight years old and my grandmother allowed me to use her polaroid camera. I was immediately blown away by the magic I had created and to make a short story even shorter, I’ve never stopped seeing the magic in photography since.

Photography was just a hobby before I started offering portrait sessions back in 2015 as a “side hustle”. I was a new mother and I was trying to find a way to continue being a stay at home mom and also make my own money. My sons father and I officially went our separate ways just months before my son turned a year old, which led me to a greater need for financial stability.

Ironically, I didn’t immediately think to myself “I’m going to become a portrait photographer and start making money”. I actually decided to list my camera gear online in hopes of making some quick cash to support some immediate needs. My sister asked me if I would take some photos of her before I got rid of my camera and I agreed. She loved the photos and so did I. We shared them on social media and before I knew it, people were asking me to do their photos too. Needless to say- I kept the camera and I’ve been an ever-growing professional photographer since.

Photography is an investment though! It is very expensive to own proper equipment and it is even more expensive if you choose to make it your profession. It is NOT as simple as just owning a camera and it IS my job and the way that I make money to support myself and my family.

Here is a breakdown of the things I pay for in order to deliver the quality images you will receive

Camera, Lenses, Batteries

Computer

Memory Cards

Editing Software

Portfolio Website

Unique Domain Name

Online Gallery/ digital gallery / client proofing

Business cards

Content builder

Travel

props

backdrops

wear and tear (on EVERYTHING)

Insurance

Now, not every photographer uses the same equipment, platforms, software and workflow. These are just the main expenses I personally pay to keep my business up and running.

The two things you are paying for that are even more valuable for YOU are:

My TIME

My TALENT

You might be thinking to yourself “sessions are only one hour long!!” and that’s true- or typically true anyway. But my job doesn’t start OR end with your session. My job begins long before you and I even make contact and my job doesn’t end until I have delivered your gallery and/or your physical products.

The process of editing can be very time consuming. I do my best to complete each album as quickly and efficiently as possible, but in order to deliver quality albums, it does require time. It also requires electricity, WIFI and the use of software, storage, and all the other things I mentioned above as well.

Like everything else, my prices increase when the cost of living increases. Like you, I need to keep up with my bills! And as we are all familiar- many bills exist.

Food

Shelter

Car Maintenance

Gas

Vet Bills

Clothing

Hygiene

Electrictiy

Medical bills

Phone

Wifi

Credit cards

etc.

No, this does not mean that it is YOUR job to pay MY bills. That would be ridiculous. But I do need to make sure that I am being paid adequately by each client, the same that anyone else would expect to be paid. You pay a lump sum for a session but you are not simply paying for the one physical hour we spend together- the amount you are paying me covers ALL the hours of travel, shooting & editing that I put into your individual session.

In any business, there are sometimes requirements for upgrades. For example; my camera which I have been using for nearly a decade finally maxed out and is no longer with me (may it R.I.P). This means I’ve had to upgrade… which equals more $$. That doesn’t necessarily mean I am raising my prices again, but it does mean I need to make more money to compensate.

The last thing I can think to include here is a very important one! The cost of EDUCATION is not cheap! If you know, you know. I pay a mentor by the month to help me continue to grow in my business, so I can continue offering the best services and best final products to all my clients. I spent several hours each week investing in myself and my business through learning. While it is amazing to learn and thrive- and it most certainly benefits You and I both- it is one more very expensive tab!

I want to end this by stating how much I do appreciate my clients! As you can see, it takes quite a bit to run a business and pay all of my bills. This wouldn’t be possible without you and the amazing support and love you have for AG Photography and to say I am grateful is SUCH an understatement!! This is why I do try to go above and beyond for you all- especially my repeat clients by offering discounts and locked in prices!

Now that you have a better understanding of why photography services are so expensive, I hope you are able to have a greater appreciation for your own photographer (be it me or someone else). We love what we do, but we love it so much more when or clients GET IT too:).

So much love to you all! <3

AG