Why does Professional Photography cost so much?

It does not!!!!

Over the past 20 years the cost of purchasing a professionally shot image or album has hardly increased at all, while inflation and average wages over the same period has risen exponentially.

The overheads for professional photographers has also increased exponentially.  Look at some of these costs which any self employed photographer has to pay:

• Office Studio Rent
• Telephone – fax / pager / mobile
• Advertising-Promotion -ads/ printing / mailings / web sites – design + hosting / mailing lists
• Equipment-computers/ cameras
• Training
• Subscriptions / insurance – business, equipment, employee liability, public liability, professional indemnity
• Healthcare
• Professional Services – legal / accounting
• Utilities
• Repair
• Car Expenses
• Office Supplies
• Photography Supplies -non-billable (film tests, samples, expendables)
• Postage / Shipping
• Office person / Payroll expense
• Retirement Account
• Tax / VAT
• Time (Photoshoot 1hr, First Edit 2hr, Preview 1 hr, finishing 3 hrs)

But it does not stop there, we are constantly under pressure on pricing – why?

Firstly customers have the disposable income to spend money on high end Camera’s on the assumption that the better the camera the better the picture taken – unfortunately (or fortunately) the quality of the image is not proportional to the price of the camera.  It is a mix of Training, Talent, Craft and finally equipment)

Secondly, there is always someone out there offering a lower price.  This is a fact but the costs of running a photographic business are the same.  So the question has to be asked.

What are they cutting out to offer the low prices?

Things that should worry you:

Insurance,

Training,

Professional Membership

Image Quality

Tax Avoidance.

Next time you see advertised a £35 photo shoot of 1 hour complete with a package of images of your choice please ask why the photographer is working for less than the minimum wage? (1hr shoot can equal 7hrs work) £5 per hour and that is before any overheads are accounted for.

When all the above is said;

The Choice is yours.

Ian Bonthrone

fotologic
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December 29, 2010 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: Baby Photography, Bump photography, Bump to baby, Cost of Photography, Event Photographer, Event Photography, fotologic, fotologic - Social & Event Photography by local professionals, Free Information, Glamour Photographer, Home Photographer, How much to pay, Ian Bonthrone, Les Petits, Location Photographer, Model portfolio, Nude Photographer, Party Photographer, Party Photography, Party plan photo shoots, Pet Photographer, Photographer, Photography, Photography overheads, Photography prices, Photography Stuff, Portrait Photographer, Portrait Photography, Pregnancy photography, Seniors Photography | Leave a comment