It is a daily struggle to work in an area that is saturated with photographers that “know” everyone and have cheap prices. I am hoping through this blog to educate clients about photography and what they should be looking for in a photographer and why not all photographers are equal, and paying a “bargain” price for a photographer might leave you heartbroken with your images! This being my first blog post (Ok, so it’s not my first one anymore, I just never finished it… so let’s try again) I really just want to introduce my blog and myself a little. I am Becky Gronquist owner of Angelic Productions Photography and Becky G Photographie, as a portrait photographer I specialize in “New Life” photography. You may be asking “What is New Life Photography and why would I want you instead of someone who does it all??” Well New Life photography is Maternity, Birth, Newborn, Breastfeeding, and Postpartum photography. I want the whole experience of a new life entering the world to be special, and give you memories that you will love for a life time! This is one of the most precious times of your life and capturing it in photographs that you can share is so important. I am a mom of 3 kids and love sharing my photos with my kids and telling them stories from when they were small, and I think all parents should be able to share these memories. over time I will share my journey and educate why it is important to find the right photographer for you. www.facebook.com/angelicproductionsphotography
I am going to start with sharing how not all photographers are created equal. This is not an attempt to bash any other photographers, but to explain that not all photographers are created equal.
Every year hundreds of thousands of people open up photography businesses because Christmas, taxes, birthdays and other events yield gifts of fancy cameras or enough money to purchase a fancy new camera. Great! So excited for these well meaning people with their new cameras and high hopes, most though have no idea how to use these new fancy cameras, and don’t take the time to learn how to use their cameras, they open up a “business” while shooting only on auto (really a big no no for a professional photographer, because then it is the camera doing all the work and not the photographer) They also do not know the first thing about running a business and think that they are just going to make quick money and get to pocket all the money they are making… they charge crazy low prices and give you all of your images on a disk. If you choose one of these start-up photographers that is fine, but do not expect your images to look like those professional images that you have been drooling over from the more expensive photographers. Just a fact. Often these start-up photographers close within the first year because they burn out, or realize that it’s not for them, or go broke because they were not charging enough…. it happens, a lot.
As we move up the chain we have lots of other types of photographers, there will always be the budget photographers, the ones who no matter how great they are they don’t charge very much because they don’t know their worth, don’t understand pricing, or how to run a business, or just don’t feel that they can charge more, they usually only offer you a CD of your images, and shoot anything and everything (this can be one of the biggest pitfalls for quality)
you then have your mid range photographer, they usually have spent some time learning how to use their camera on something other than auto, they may have taken a few classes or workshops, and have a bit more of an understanding of how to run a business. Their prices will be higher, and they will offer more options when it comes to products. These photographers generally have pretty good photos and sometimes have started limiting what they will shoot to things that they like, but if the price is right they may still shoot anything…
The High end photographers are the ones that you think are out of your budget (but if you really like their images don’t be afraid to ask them about a payment plan, often times they are willing to work with their clients, but expect to have your session paid in full before the photographer will photograph you) They will know how to run a business, pay taxes, be registered with the county and state, have a tax ID#, contracts that need to be signed and usually have been in business for more than a year or two (it takes a while to work up to being a high end photographer) The offer more products, and usually have packages (they almost NEVER offer JUST the digital files of their images, and will NEVER EVER give you the “RAW” or unedited version of your images so don’t ask…) They will have spent a great deal of time honing their skills and craft. They will have taken years studying light, their camera, and posing. They will have a specialty, they won’t shoot everything…. they will have taken the time to perfect the area of photography that they love the most…. not every one likes to shoot newborns and a professional knows that they are not the best person for your newborn shoot, I personally don’t do weddings or seniors I do new life photography as I mentioned above, and I have spent the most time honing my skills with Newborns. Many of these high end photographers also have degrees in art, or even photography. They have earned the price that they charge (another post I will talk about the cost of actually running a business) But these are the photographers that you have been drooling over, they are the ones with the dreamy images of you, your family, or whoever you are having photographed… They are creating art for you home and your life, because your memories are an investment.
I totally get that not everyone can afford the High end photographer for every shoot that they have when it comes to photos of you or your family, but you should at least once a year spend the money, these are your memories and you want them to last you a lifetime.
When you choose a photographer you get what you pay for, so choose who you want, spend what you feel you can, but don’t expect the photographer who gives you a 2 hour shoot for $50 with all the images on a CD to give you the same quality and experience that the photographer who charges $300+ just for the 1 hour session and does not include any wall art or digital images.
~~GO, DO, BE INSPIRED
