YOUR HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT.

i remember last spring a dear friend of mine, who isn’t a professional but one who loves photography, was talking to me about the irony that she–as a hobbyist who takes pictures everyday–has yet to update her several years-old family photo. our conversation led to finding good photographers, photo shoots, pricing and why “professionals” charge, what seemed to her to be, an insane amount of money for pictures that most people can take themselves as long as they were using a descent camera and photoshop. i mean, in the digital era, nowadays, anyone can be a good photographer…right? add a in a little miracle called PHOTOSHOP and WA-LA!–you have a nice picture that ANYONE can take…right? and what’s up with charging $$$$ for the copyright releases? and what about those $50 8×10 prints that i can turn around and get printed at wal-mart for $2???

after i calmly took a really deep breath, i explained why this is so–and why most PROFESSIONAL photographer’s pricing structure really are quite reasonable.

[...and i then i chewed her up and spit her out on the sidewalk.]

ha! just kidding!!

my answers did satisfy her questions (for the moment) but my mind frequently returns to that conversation last april because i don’t feel like i really showed her the light.

and that bugs.

and she isn’t the only one who has queried. since i’ve started charging for my work several years ago, i run into this subject ALL.THE.TIME.

and so to those people who have always wondered why REAL photographers charge what they do, i give you the following articles written by some fantastic photographers:

by marianne drenthe of marmalade photography

and

by erin farrell of erin farrell photography

your homework assignment is to READ THESE ARTICLES!! you will learn something new, i promise! and you will gain helpful and insightful information.

then go buy yourself an ice cream cone and dance in the sunset. or just feel better about the money you just invested in pictures–whichever one you prefer