My apologies…it seems I’ve been absent from the blog again.  I do have a good excuse this time though!  I’ve just returned from a week of sessions and a wedding shoot in Kansas.  Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t quite as sunshiney as it has been here in Texas, so a few sessions were rained out.  I did manage to shoot one adorable family, a beautiful wedding, and two up and coming 2010 seniors…stay tuned for sneak peeks!  I also spent some quality time with family and friends, which was much needed. 

I will be planning a photo session trip to the Ft. Lewis, Washington area in September and another photo session trip to Kansas in October.  I already have 4-5 sessions lined up for Kansas, so if you are interested in booking something for either of these locations, please let me know ASAP.  Also, if you haven’t already, please “like” my Facebook fan page to get the latest updates and promotions!

Kelly Holder Photography

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I’m busy editing Sunday’s fun family session and wanted to share a great article with you while a take a quick break from blogging.  Really, this is rather eye opening–even to me–and I’m so glad Marianne Drenthe has created the Professional Child Photographer Consumer Guide web site so photographers can share this information with others.  Here’s a great article from her web site on why custom photography costs more.

Digital technology is brilliant.  The digital revolution has brought amazing flexibility and amazing amounts of control for the photographer, the hobbyist, the professional, the amateur.  With flexibility comes a price though.  Camera equipment is still considerably more expensive when you factor in its’ lifespan, the need for additional resources for processing those images, the time it takes to get a usable image and the effort that goes into all of this.

Even though you pay $1.99 for a print at your local drugstore and paying for film is pretty much a thing of the past (although you still pay for memory)  you may be wondering why you may pay upwards of $40, 50, 70, 90 for a custom photography print. Some photographers hear this statement every once in awhile:

“How in the world can you charge $60 for an 8×10 if it costs me less than $2 to print at the local drug store?”

The answer is multifaceted and has a lot to do with the time, aforementioned equipment costs, artistic vision and reputation of the photographer, expertise and the usual costs of running a legitimate business.

TIME of the CUSTOM PHOTOGRAPHER:

Approaching it from a time standpoint, for instance let’s imagine if you will that you have hired a photographer who has work that you love and that is travelling an hour to your on location session.  TIme break down:

• session prep time (30 mins – 1 hour, includes equipment and back up equipment checks + vehicle checks)
• one hour travel time TO session
• 15-30 minutes prep time at client’s home
• 90 minutes-2 hours with client photographing subject
• one hour travel time FROM session
• 30-45 minutes uploading time from digital cards from camera to computer
• 30-45 minutes time spent backing up the original images
• 2-5 hours editing time to present you with a diverse gallery of edited images
• 1 hour prep time getting ready for ordering
• 2-3 hours time with client for ordering images
• 1 hour sorting through and checking order
• 30 minutes-1 hour prep time for delivery
• 30 minutes-1 hour getting order shipped
• any additional phone time or time needed for add on ordering, shipment issues, quality issues

As you can see, average client time for a session ranges from just under 13 hours to 19 hours dependent on the photographer’s level of service.  This is time dedicated only to your session.  When the photographer charges $150-$300 for the photo shoot you are not just paying for the two hours of session time, you are paying the photographer for 12-19 hours complete time for your session.

COSTS of the CUSTOM PHOTOGRAPHER:

Regarding equipment costs, a good quality professional camera with a selection of good optical quality lenses and digital storage mediums and computer set up can run from $10,000-$30,000 costs dependent on the photographer.  Even though you can purchase a really good quality digital SLR for about $2100 there are still other costs related to photography.  A good lens for portrait photography can run up $900 to $2500.  A dependable computer system with software loaded for business and creative usage can run $2500 to $8000 dependent on the photographer.  

Then come lab costs for specialty products.  A good photographer knows the lab is integral to their success.  Photography labs dedicated to the professional photographer  often cost more and offer a range of products that allows the custom photographer to continually offer new, innovative products for you, the discerning client.

Discussion other costs of running a photography business could take awhile so we’ll skip the intricate details.  There is of course much more: including costs of running the business, taxes, studio rental/mortgage if the photographer has ownership of a dedicated studio, vehicular costs, costs of advertising/marketing, costs of sample pieces that the photographer will likely bring to your session, etc.

APPLES to ORANGES:

Often times clients will mention to their photographer that X studio in the mall/department store only charges $25 for an 8×10 or they may mention other things related to discount photography chains.  The fact is those discount chains make their money on volume, not on customized 1:1 service.  According to several articles at the time, did you know that in February 2007 a rather well known discount department store that started in Arkansas closed down 500 of their portrait studios across the nation?  The reason is simple, you cannot make money on 99¢ “professional” prints if you do not sell enough of them.  Interestingly enough – those same studios that offer the loss leader packages often charge much much more for their a la carte pricing (as high as $40-50 for an 8×10).  The whole reason the big department stores began offering portrait studios in the first place was to get you, the savvy consumer, in through their door so that you could spend more money with them in other departments.  Your “PORTRAITS” are considered the true “loss leader”.

Going to a chain studio, as a consumer, you don’t have the benefit of 1:1 attention for 2 hours at your home where your child is allowed to explore, play and be comfortable in their home environment, nor do you get the experience that many custom photographers are known for or the lovely captures of natural expressions.  You simply get a bare bones, “SAY CHEESE” experience.  Keep this in mind when selecting a photographer.

REPUTATION/EXPERTISE of the PHOTOGRAPHER:

Being in demand, being well known for quality work, having a good reputation often costs time on the photographer’s part.  Their expertise comes at a cost, their time learning their craft and learning the intricacies of lighting and the commitment put forth on their end to create a persona about their business that oozes professionalism.  A great number of photographers go a very long time from the time that they purchase their first good camera to making money at the business of photography.  Many photographers, when first starting out, rush in thinking that the business will be easily profitable in no time, how expensive could it be to get a camera and use it to create their dream?  They often neglect to factor in the cost of business, the cost of equipment, software, back ups, etc..

Being of sound reputation, a better professional photographer knows that they must always reinvest in their business to create the reputation of being top notch.  To create good work good equipment, reliable equipment, back up equipment is a necessity.  The photographer who desires to be known as better/best/unparalelled reputation-wise knows that the most important thing they can do for their business is reliability and dependability.  This is how reputations get built.  Good work often is a wonderful side product of building that good reputation.

I hope this (lengthy) article helps shed some light on WHY a custom photographer is a better choice for your family’s memories.  The photographs that are produced as a result of the professionalism and dedication that your photographer has will be cherished for a lifetime (or more) and great thought and consideration should be placed into hiring who is right for your family’s most precious investment.

Here are two other great articles:

What is Custom Photography?

Why Choose Custom Photography?

So, I’ve wanted to start this post a hundred times.  I know I’ve sorely neglected my blog…and that fact hasn’t been lost on me.  I’ve thought about it every day–wondered if anyone missed me.  My daily blog stats have gone from the hundreds to the twenties which does make me a bit sad, but to be completely honest…I’ve just been enjoying my life.

This fall was beyond crazy…up to six shoots a week, daily editing, blogging, emails, late nights, and hours upon hours sitting at my computer.  My personal life was non-existent and my family was all but ignored.  My mental well being suffered–but I didn’t even know it at the time.  The move to Texas forced me to close down the business and start all over–in every aspect of my life.  I needed to reconnect with my husband, be a real mom to my boys, make new friends, start seeing and valuing the important things in life. 

Not that the business I’ve built from the ground up isn’t important.  It’s my labor of love,  my artistic expression, my true passion.  It’s just what I do and what I love, and it truly fills my heart to make others happy with something I’ve envisioned and produced.  But when I look back to October and November of 2009, the business was a thief.  It stole my passion, my family, my life. 

I’m in such a better place now.  I’ve literally backed away from the computer, the blog, and even the camera.  I bought a little point & shoot camera and have tried to focus on capturing our everyday life–not worrying about getting the perfect photo or the editing I could do to make them better.  Just capturing life as it is.  It’s been freeing.

With all that said, spring is upon us, I’ve had a refreshing break, and now I really am passionate about my photography again.  I know…it probably sounded like I was giving it all up, huh?  No way.  I love this job.  I love my clients.  I love making people happy.  I just need to remember to make myself happy along the way. 

So, look for some upcoming blog promotions and help me get Kelly Holder Photography out there to my new Texas friends!!  Feel free to subscribe to the blog (up at the top) and even become a Facebook Fan!

In the meantime, here’s what my crazy family has been up to since moving to Texas:  grizzly man beard shaving, 5 year old soccer, a Texas snow day, new friends, cave exploring, hot tubbing, a trip to San Antonio, and trampoline jumping. 

I hope you enjoy watching  it as much as I have living it.   And feel free to leave me some comment love so I know someone is still out there tuning in to my sad little neglected blog. 

In honor of it being the FIFTH day of February and then sun coming out after FIVE straight days of rain, I’m offering a weekend blog promotion. 

If you email me this weekend (ending at FIVE p.m. on Sunday, February 7th) to book a spring photo session in Texas, I’ll give you FIFTY big ones off the normal session fee.  Act fast!

Just one pic of my little soccer star, taking down the competition any way he can!