The Price of Fine Art

Recently I was asked what I would charge to do some portraits by a friend who recommended me to a client of hers. I went through the details of what she would receive and then quoted her my three most economical prices. She declined my services saying that it was too expensive. I tilted my head in disbelief with the look of "WHAT?"

I have always kept my pricing for portrait photography more than reasonable as I started the art because I love it, not to get rich. However, I still have to make a living at it and pay my bills like everyone else. More and more throughout the years, having your photos done has become a luxury that many are not willing to submit to. I believe that a good friend of mine put it in the best way that I have ever heard, "Everyone with a cell phone camera or a point and shoot think they are professional photographers".

My cell phone has a camera, a rather good one I have to admit. I use it regularly to capture my children doing different activities that I would not pay someone to do. However, when it comes to have beautiful, family photos, I refuse to let just anyone handle my photography. Call it what you will, but being a photographer myself, I understand that a good photographer will capture your family in such a way that it is completely natural and still a "PORTRAIT".

I am ranting a little here because I think that photographers are completely taken for granted and too many people feel that they are not significant. Like good music, photography changes. Sometimes we find ourselves in a rut, stuck in the old familiar ways. Maybe that isn't such a bad thing, maybe it is.

After being told that my services were too expensive, I had to take a deep breath, say "I'm sorry" and move on. People do not realize that our time does not stop once the photos are taken. They do not realize the travel time, equipment up keep, insurance, printing fees, post editing time and anything else that I may have forgotten, goes into their photos.

Too expensive? Ok, good luck on your search.