Photography takes more than just buying an expensive camera and
setting it to auto and clicking away. Ansel Adams said "The single most
important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind
it." So true the camera does not make the photograph the photographer
does. Shooting professional photography is a skill acquired through years of experience. Professional photographers are professionals. No different than a mechanic, dentist, doctor, or electrician.
We photographers have to know our lighting,
framing, composition, shutter speed, aperture, iso, and much more. After
we are done shooting the work goes on. We have to keep our business
running while providing a product and make a living.
That is where our prices come in, many people ask why is professional
photography so costly. I will explain...in short the cost of shooting a
wedding, cost of providing a product, cost of running a business, cost
of tax and profit I too have to pay the taxman, and cost of
living because I am trying to make a living.
What I
make pays for :props, backdrops, backdrop stands, lighting equipment,
software, printer, laptop, marketing, wireless triggers, boxes,
packaging, external data storage, mileage, and gas on my auto, office
supplies, product samples,accounting fees, and that is not all.
What is left over after the taxman gets his share and expenses are
paid, compensates me for the time I spend editing, shooting, preparing
galleries, cleaning/maintaining/ carrying equipment, searching for new
props, answering emails/phone calls, driving, designing cards, and so
much more. So are your memories worth it?
Happy Shooting :)
April
