''Why Does Newborn Photography Cost So Much?''
I am sure that some of you have noticed the price difference between a normal photo shoot and a newborn shoot.
Here I will explain the ins and outs of why us Newborn Photographers have to charge what we do.
Firstly I would just like to say that if you are paying anything under around £100 for a full session and images (without any offers or promotions) then the chances are your Photographer is either inexperienced or not running a legal business. Either of these would be very worrying as they are handling your precious baby that is just a few days old, so a good photographer is something that is well worth investing in.
So… here are some of the reasons why us Newborn Photographers charge what we do.
Training - Before starting my business, after and still to this day I invest in very decent (not so cheap) training. It is super important that I learn all I can.
Photography courses - Keeping up to date with my camera & equipment settings
Photoshop courses - Learning Photoshop so I can retouch each of your images to a high standard
Safety courses - Learning how to handle and pose babies safely
Marketing courses - Knowing how to market well to keep my business running
Equipment - When starting up my business just over a year ago I had to dip into my savings account to buy all of the things that I would need to get started… and by ‘dip’ I actually mean spending every penny that I had saved over the last 4 years. But this was essential to ensure that I had all of the things that I would need, like:
Cameras
Lenses
Lighting
Backdrops
Laptop
Editing software
Props & Accessories - A photo shoot would be very boring if I didn’t invest in good props, cute accessories and lots of different outfits & wraps for your little one. However styles can change overtime so I will constantly be buying new things for my business, and this will continue for as long as I am a photographer.
Flexibility - There are certain days that I keep free incase your baby arrives early or late. It is vital that I keep some time free to fit you in in these cases, which means I am not able to earn money elsewhere.
Your packaging - In order for me to present your beautiful images to you I need to spend out on cute little USB sticks, pretty boxes, and ribbon.
Marketing - To keep my business running behind the scenes I have to pay for an excellent website host, business cards, flyers, online advertisements and more.
Tax - We all have to pay the dreaded tax man, so we all know just how expensive this can be. This takes a huge chunk out of what I earn each year.
Other outgoings - There are lots of other costs that come with running a good photo session. Dog sitting fees for my fluffy best friend, heating to keep your little one warm, electricity for my lighting equipment, refreshments for my customers etc.
My Time - This is a big one as you can’t buy more time. When I am dedicating myself to my business I am using up valuable time of which I need to earn money from.
Marketing (8-10 hours a week)
Accounts/Book keeping (2 hours a month)
Admin (4 hours a week)
Cleaning the studio area (1 hour per session)
Planning your session (30 mins per session)
Setting up for the session (1.5 hours per session)
Shooting time (3 hours per session)
Packing up after the session (30 mins per session)
Editing (8-10 hours per session)
Preparing your packaging (20 mins per session)
Meeting with you to deliver the packaging
Each of the above amounts up to a lot of my time and money, sitting behind a computer working and missing out on family or sociable time. I wouldn’t have it any other way but this amazing hobby has now turned into a great business, in which I need to earn a living from so I am able to continue doing this for a very long time.
I urge anyone looking for a Newborn Photographer to consider all of the above when you are pricing Photographers in your area.
These days it seems like anyone and everyone calls themselves a Photographer, however it takes time, money and passion to give your customers quality and professionalism.
I will close this with a good motto ''Good work isn’t cheap and cheap work isn’t good''
Thank you for reading.
Annie x
Photo sessions covering Bagshot, Camberley, Frimley, Aldershot, Farnham, Farnborough, Bracknell, Egham, Windsor, Reading, Guildford and other surrounding areas.
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