How Much Does Photographer Cost?
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How Many Photos Should We Get?
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What's An Unplugged Wedding?
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How Much Does Photographer Cost? • How Many Photos Should We Get? • What's An Unplugged Wedding? •
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the most frequently asked questions; however, if there is something I didn’t discuss please feel free to reach out to me with your specific questions.
What Is Most Important When Choosing A Professional Photographer?
When it comes to capturing life’s most precious moments, choosing the right photographer is of utmost importance. With countless options available and varying styles, picking the perfect match can be a daunting task. But I’m going to share an insider secret with you to make it much easier. There are two crucial characteristics when choosing a photographer - personality and personal connection.
Not only should your photographer have a great personality, but you must be able to form a personal connection with them. Are they easy to talk to? Do they listen to what you say? Can you imagine being friends with them? If so, these are all great signs! If you connect with your photographer it can and will significantly enhance your experience. You will feel much more comfortable being in front of their camera. Trust and chemistry between you and your photographer can transform a mere photoshoot into a memorable collaboration.
Assuming you have a great connection with them, you will also want to consider other important aspects - their photography and editing style, their technical expertise, their experience, their communication style, and, of course, their professionalism and reliability.
How Much Should A Photographer Cost?
If you’re like most people hiring a photographer, you will underestimate the cost - on average - by 40-50%!
Hiring a photographer is a luxury. It’s not a commodity like buying a cup of coffee or getting gas for our vehicles. We don’t technically need to hire a professional photographer. But if we value life’s special moments on any level, professional photos are the perfect way to create a lifetime of memories.
When you hire a photographer, you aren’t buying photographs. You are buying their experience, expertise, personality, and creativity.
The cost of hiring a skilled photographer is influenced by several factors:
Experience and Expertise - A photographers experience and skill level will significantly impact the cost. Those photographers producing work of a higher quality will charge higher fees due to the added value they bring to the table.
Time and Effort - The complexity of the assignment plays a crucial role in determining the price. Events requiring extensive planning, travel, unique technical requirements, or specialized equipment will typically result in higher rates. Of course, the duration of the actual project, the time required in post-production and any additional services required will contribute to the final price.
Equipment and Resources - Professional photographers invest heavily in high-quality equipment, lenses, lighting, software and other resources. The investment in professional equipment provides a professional with greater consistency, reliability, and creativity. Consequently, a photographer includes compensation for the cost and maintenance of their equipment.
Deliverables - The types and quantities of deliverables you require also impacts the cost of hiring a photographer. If you need prints, albums, digital files, etc., these customizations will come with extra charges.
Lastly, photography rates can vary significantly depending on numerous other factors; such as location, market demand, specialization, cost of living, etc. Here are some general guidelines when it comes to pricing, but bear in mind, high-end photographers often charge much higher rates than shown below:
Portraiture (senior portraits, families, maternity, newborn, headshots, etc.) - $150 - $700
Wedding Photography - $2,000 - $6,000
Event Photography - $150 - $300 per hour of coverage
In summary, the cost of hiring a professional photographer depends on various elements. In most cases, you get what you pay for. In my 11 years of being a professional photographer, one of the most common regrets people have in regards to photography, is not investing more money. When you find yourself being romanced by cheap photography prices, remember this famous quote:
“The Bitterness Of Poor Quality Remains Long After The Sweetness Of Low Price Is Forgotten.”
~ Benjamin Franklin
Is Photography Style Important?
The short and sweet answer is yes. And no. Let me explain.
If you turn to Google for advice on photography style, you will be provided with essentially unlimited resources. All of them will speak to the importance of knowing which photography style you like best, and choosing a photographer with that style. Unfortunately, this is some of the worst advice you could be given. Right now, you’re probably thinking - Jeff, I love you more than a bucket full of kittens, but what’s wrong with this advice??
Just because a photographer “defines” themselves as having a style you like, it doesn’t mean you will love or even like their photographs. You could literally ask a 1,000 photographers - all with the exact same style to photograph the exact same scene - and you will get 1,000 completely different images. But how can this be?
Because every photographer experiences the world in their own way. This is based on how they were raised and life experiences. Every photographer has their own creative vision - how they compose their photos, how they do or don’t use lighting, how they pose their subjects, how they apply post-production effects, etc.
I challenge you to Google “photography styles.” From the results on page 1, I want you to choose 3 websites and read what they have to say about photography style. I guarantee the information you find on all 3 sites will be different. The first site will define and discuss 6 photography styles. The second will discuss 12 and the third will discuss 4. Of course, these numbers will vary, but you see my point.
If photography style, as presented in these resources, is of great consequence to your photos, then why is there such a lack of consistency?
Let us assume for a moment there are a total of 15 photography styles. Shouldn’t every website define and discuss all 15? What if you only went to the website with 4 styles? Would you really know which style best fits your vision? What else might you be missing?
This approach to photography style is way too subjective.
When considering photographers and their photography style, I want you to review their photos and ask yourself these questions:
Overall, do their photographs make you feel good?
How do the people in their photos look? Do they look happy, natural, relaxed, or scared to death?
How is the posing? Does it look natural or do they look like robots?
How do their skin tones look? Do they look natural or like an oompa loompa from Charlie and the Chocolate factory? Has their skin been smoothed to the point they look like a mannequin?
How does the photographer appear to use lighting in their photos? Is it difficult to tell whether they used lighting or not? Do the people have flash burns on their face because the flash was way too high?
How are the overall colors in the images? Do they look natural or does it look like something out of a sci-fi movie?
As you read these tips, hopefully you got a few laughs from it. I joke, but I’m serious. Asking yourself these questions and evaluating a photographer’s images using this objective approach will greatly simplify photography style.
Learn More About My Photography Style!
Do We Get The Digital Files & Will You Give Us The Unedited Images?
Yes, I provide you with the digital files as part of the cost. The digital files I provide come in two formats:
High-Resolution - the high resolution images are a true high-resolution image at 300 ppi. Many photographers claim to give you high-res images, but they are 240 ppi. This is not a true high-resolution image and it will produce a lower quality print. 300 ppi is the industry standard and creates beautifully sharp prints.
Web Resolution - all of the high-resolution images are also provided in a “web resolution.” This allows you to share your images across your favorite social media platforms. The compression I apply to the images will ensure faster upload times and a beautiful visual appearance.
What about the “unedited or RAW” images? Unfortunately, I cannot provide the unedited or RAW photos. As with any professional photographer, my Signature Production is part of the creative process and part of my Signature brand. It’s imperative the images I deliver accurately reflect my style and my brand.
Additionally, the final images delivered to you may not be edited or altered in anyway.
How Many Photos Do We Get From Our Session?
One of the most common questions from clients is regarding the number of photos they will receive. I take great pride in delivering a comprehensive collection of high-quality images that truly capture your session.
The number of photos you receive depends on several factors; such as duration of the photo session, the type of event, and the location. While I always strive to deliver as many photos as possible, I do believe in quality over quantity to ensure your images exceed your expectations.
Below is the number of professionally edited photos I deliver, on average.
Weddings - 50-75 images per hour of coverage
Portrait Sessions - 25-50 images; however, this can vary greatly based on location and your goals for the session. The type of session will also have a significant impact. A newborn portrait session will likely yield fare less images due to the nature of newborn babies.
Following your session, I carefully select and edit the usable images. Photos with closed eyes, unflattering facial expressions, or those that don’t meet my stringent quality standards will be discarded from the final images. This allows me to curate a collection of images that are worthy of the Magnolia Photography brand and provide you with a comprehensive visual narrative.
It’s important to note that my primary focus is delivering exceptional photographs you will treasure for years to come. Rest assured, Magnolia Photography is passionate about capturing the essence of your moments in way that is unique, artistic, and personal. Ultimately, it’s the quality and meaningfulness of the images that matters most.
How Should I Dress For My Photo Session?
The attire you choose for your photo session can have a significant impact on the overall quality of your images. It’s important to choose attire that doesn’t detract from the photos, but serves to enhance them. Here are some tips for selecting the perfect attire:
Comfortable and Confident - Your attire should provide comfort and make you feel confident. “Comfortable” does not mean sweatpants or anything resembling that family. These are professional photos and your attire should reflect that.
Avoid Restrictive Clothing - Most photo sessions require you to be fairly mobile. If your attire is restrictive, it could cause you to become uncomfortable and irritable. This is definitely the wrong frame of mind for a photo session.
Consider Color - Avoid choosing an outfit that’s all one color, such as all white or all black. All one color will cause your images to appear flat and we want photos with depth, texture, and dimension. Avoid neon and fluorescent colors. These colors will create color casts on skin and hair, and it’s nearly impossible to fix in post-production. If your photos include 2 or more people, avoid everyone being "matchy-matchy.” Avoid the typical shot in which everyone is wearing white shirts and blue jeans. This will also lead to your images lacking depth, texture and dimension. Wear complimenting colors to ensure visually aesthetic images.
Accessories - A great way to add color to your photos is through your accessories, especially if you’re attire includes more neutral tones. Earrings, watches, scarves, shoes, bracelets, etc. are all great ways to add depth, texture, and dimension.
Clothes To Avoid - Avoid wearing attire that have large logos, bold or distracting patterns, stripes, reflective surfaces, clothes that look worn, clothes that are very loose, and clothes that are very tight.
Avoid Trendy - It might be tempting to select attire that’s popular today, but 5 or 10 years from now, you will look back at your photos and think, “What in the world was I thinking wearing that?” When it comes to photos, go classic!!
Same Level of “Dressyness” - This is one tip I give to every couple when it’s time for their engagement session. And it’s by far one of the biggest mistakes couples make with their attire. Your attire must be on the same level of dressyness; otherwise, your images will lack a cohesive feel. Your outfits should compliment one another. They should promote the overall look and feel you’re going for.
Don’t Forget The Location - Another common mistake I see people make is not choosing location appropriate attire. If your session is focused around a barn, you probably don’t want to wear a suit. Conversely, if you’re having your session in an urban area, a suit just might be the ideal option.
Is “AI” (Artificial Intelligence) Good For My Photography?
As technology continues to evolve, AI has become an increasingly prominent tool in various industries. In the realm of photography, AI has both positive and negative implications. While AI offers many creative advantages, it also presents challenges that may negatively affect the photography industry.
I see AI having some positive impacts on post-production or editing. Many of the features in photo editing software have existed since the birth of photography, but the execution was cumbersome and time consuming. AI is now improving these features and dramatically increasing the speed, and accuracy in which they’re performed.
However, AI may also impact post-production in negative ways. AI’s automated features may cause a lack of originality, leading to a homogenization of photography styles, as many photographers will utilize the same algorithms and presets. This could severely undermine the uniqueness and person touch that photographers bring to their work.
Many photographers may rely so heavily on AI algorithms that it will hinder their willingness to experiment and learn new techniques. The depth of one’s skills and creativity may be compromised by this reliance. We can’t ignore that AI algorithms are not infallible. They have technical limitations and they may struggle with complex scenes, artistic interpretations, or unique lighting conditions that require a photographer’s intuition and experience to capture effectively. AI may also struggle with subjective decisions, such as artistic compositions and storytelling.
One of the biggest concerns I see as a photographer with AI is fraudulent photographers. During the time I have been a professional photographer, I have seen issues of fraud growing at alarming rates. Especially when it comes to wedding photography. With the availability of equipment and the convenience of social media, anyone and everyone can promote themselves as a “professional photographer.” The news is filled with horror stories of wedding couples being scammed by their photographer. They paid the photographer thousands of dollars and the photographer didn’t show on the wedding day or they disappeared after the wedding day, and never delivered a single photo. Couples wedding dreams are shattered by this catastrophic behavior.
These fraudulent photographers steal photographs from real photographers, and create a counterfeit portfolio. AI is now going to make this process much easier and faster for the frauds. They can simply go to an AI website and type in the exact photos they want to include in their portfolio. Within a few seconds, AI will give them the photo to download. I predict a significant rise in photography scams over the next few years until measures are put in place to identify AI created images.