07/10/2026
LONG POST: 🫣I hate that I even have to make this post, but after seeing several comments about photographers "overcharging" or people looking for photographers with reasonable pricing. I feel it's important to explain why professional photographers charge what we do.
Where Your Session Investment Goes
Many people see a 15-30 minute session and wonder why photography costs what it does. Your investment covers far more than the time spent taking photos.
Example Breakdown for a Professional Photography Session:
📧 Client communication, scheduling, and planning
🚗 Travel to and from location
📸 15–30 minute photography session
💻 5–10+ hours of culling, editing, and professionally retouching your gallery
☁️ Online gallery creation, file storage, and digital delivery
Professional Equipment Investment:
📷 Professional camera body: $2,000–$6,500+ each ( I have 2)
🔍 Professional lenses: $800–$3,000+ each ( 6 lenses)
💾 High-speed memory cards and hard drives: $50–$300+ each (photographers carry multiple cards for backup)
💻 Editing computer: $1,500–$4,000+
💡 Lighting equipment, batteries, flashes, tripods, camera bags, and accessories: Thousands of dollars over time
Business Expenses Include:
Editing software subscriptions
Website hosting and online gallery services
Business insurance
Marketing and advertising
Taxes and business licensing
Continuing education and workshops
Equipment maintenance, repairs, and replacements
Although your session lasts only 15–30 minutes, a session often represents 7–10+ hours of work from start to finish.
Photography is so much more than pressing a shutter button. It reflects years of learning, practice, investment, and dedication to consistently creating beautiful images while providing a professional experience for every client.
I value the time, care, and expertise I bring to every session, and I believe my pricing should reflect that. There is so much that happens behind the scenes that clients don't always see the planning, preparation, equipment investment, editing, education, and years spent perfecting this craft.
If my services are not within your budget, that's completely okay. I understand that every person has different needs and priorities when choosing a photographer. What I ask is that experienced photographers are not criticized or labeled as "overpriced" simply because we charge professional rates.
Many photographers have spent years building their skills and investing in their businesses, and the reality is that many of us are still charging less than our time, experience, and dedication are truly worth.
I take pride in the work I create and the experience I provide, and I will always continue to value the years of dedication that have gone into becoming the photographer I am today.
Thank you for supporting my small business and trusting me with your memories.