Do you have retail space or studio?
No. I do all my commissioned work on location. I rent a studio space if need be. I also feel strongly about photographing my subjects in an environment where they are most comfortable and familiar with. Not only are my subjects more relaxed, the images are always unique.
Do you bring backdrops and props if we want a studio-like portrait?
Yes. During our first consultation, we’ll discuss your preferences and the location where the images will be displayed. This will help us determine suitable backdrops. As for props, I can supply a few but I prefer to use yours. Again, more unique and my teddy bears can’t compete with the plush, worn out super soft teddies and blankets your children cherish.
Why do you call you pricing section “investment”?
There are many reasons, but there’s one that stands out: I strongly believe that the images I create are works of art and that they gain value over time. Your not just purchasing a widget for your home. They are images that can be passed on from generation to generation. In my opinion, the unique photographs you will acquire will be some of the most important heirlooms your family will possess. Hence my business tag line “Life. Treasured.”
Do you provide us with digital files?
Yes, I sometimes include them with certain minimum purchases or charge à la carte. I clearly understand why some people think they need the digital files, even if it’s just going to be stored on a hard drive somewhere. I always explain to my clients that there is one key problem: digital files are like diamonds in the rough. They need to be optimized for best reproduction. They also need to be tagged or they will simply get lost with the thousands of other mobile phone files uploaded to some folder in the virtual “cloud”.
Why do your fees seem so high?
As a small business, I must include the costs we incur to run day-to-day operations on a full-time basis. Costs such as expensive equipment, manufacturing expenses, marketing, continuing education and most importantly, my time (i.e. salary). I’ve calculated that my team and I spend a minimum of 15 hours (on average) per client between the time of the introduction to the delivery of products. If you try to compare my services to a retail chain photo studio, it’s true that I can’t always compete with their prices. On the flip side, they can’t compete with the image value, the quality, the selection of poses and the overall service experience of a boutique studio like mine.
Why do you charge so much for your prints when I can go the pharmacy or some “big box” retailer to get them for pennies?
In addition to the reply directly above, we put considerable effort, skill and time into each print we deliver. Each image is optimized for best color reproduction, sharpness and we almost always apply our own unique styling which only professional labs can reproduce accurately. Not only have we spent years building relationships with these labs, they have the same high standards as we do and reproduce our images on true archival paper so your investment is going to last, not fade away.
Some people say “digital photography is much cheaper than analog film photography”. Is this a myth?
Yes, I strongly believe that it is a myth and a misconception. I can assure you that the camera equipment, computer equipment, hard drives, backup hard drives and the post-production work needed to deliver high quality images and then archive them (+a long list of other related expenses) makes digital photography more expensive than analog (film).