Why is Photography Costly

   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