Do you have retail space or studio?
We do not. We do all our commissioned work on location. We rent a studio space if need be. We like to pass on the savings to you. We also feel strongly about photographing our subjects in an environment where they are most comfortable and familiar with. Not only are the subjects more relaxed, the images are more unique.
Do you bring backdrops and props if we want a studio-like portrait?
Yes. In our first consultation, we’ll discuss your preferences and the location where the images will be displayed. This will help determine suitable backdrops. As for props, we have some but we prefer to use yours. Our teddy bears can’t compete with the plush, worn out super soft teddies of your children.
Why do you call you pricing section “investment”?
There are many reasons, but there’s one that stands out: We strongly believe that the artwork we create are in fact an investment and that it will gain value over time. Especially for your loved ones as the images are passed on from generation to generation. In our opinion, the unique photographs you will acquire will be some of the most important heirlooms your family will possess. Hence our tag line “Life. Treasured.”
Do you provide us with digital files?
Yes, we package them with certain minimum purchases or we charge à la carte.
Why do your fees seem so high?
As a small business, we must include the costs we incur to run our day-to-day operations on a full-time basis. Costs such as expensive equipment, manufacturing expenses, marketing, continuing education and most importantly, our time (i.e. salary). We’ve calculated that we 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 us to a retail chain photo studio, it’s true we can’t always compete with their prices. On the flip side, they can’t compete with the image quality, the selection, overall service experience of a boutique studio like ours.
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, we strongly believe that it is a myth and a misconception. We can assure you that the camera equipment, computer equipment, hard drives we use to create the images and to keep your images safe (+a long list of other related expenses) make digital photography more expensive than analog (film).