I decided to look for an answer. I was reading the Martin McElligott Blog this morning about why Professional Photographers charge what they do and found it. The answer was in front of me the whole time.
The reason I haven’t sold anything yet is because of a lack of education. Many people think I just snap a photo and throw it up on my website with a price tag. They don’t realize what goes on “behind the scenes”.
I have rewritten and rearranged some of the reasons from Martins blog and listed them below in attempt to illustrate to my “fans” why I charge for my images.
1. I have the knowledge and the skill to make images look the best they can.
2. I don’t just snap a picture, I create an image . I understand positioning. I understand lighting. I understand placement. You’re not just paying for the ability to place a finger on the trigger and snap a picture. You’re paying for the experience it took to create the perfect image.
3. I spend hours producing one image. Time can include:
- Setting up for an event
- Drive time to and from an event
- Time for the actual photographing
- Processing the image
- Retouching the image
- Posting the images online
- Follow up work
4. I have professional equipment. I didn’t just pick up a point-and-shoot from Wally World and declare myself a photographer. I have spent thousands of dollars getting camera bodies, lenses, flash equipment , tripods, light stands, etc…
Maybe this post will help but if it doesn’t at least I got the issue out in the open.
Until next time ……………………….
