You have been following me for a while now and maybe are wondering why in the heck my prices so high. Why would someone pay THAT MUCH towards a session or a wedding? 🤔 There’s a reason for everything and I’m going to explain why my prices are so high compared to most.

When I first started out I shot sessions for free! In fact, my subjects didn’t even talk…I was taking photos of lily flowers in my mom’s landscape. When I got my first LIVE subject. (my little cousin Maddie…when SHE WAS A YEAR OLD and now she’s 19!) I WAS THRILLED! I couldn’t believe I had my first “model!” 😍 

I started out very basic, learning on a film camera and taking photos of still objects. Then, I soon started asking people if they wanted their family photos done. That turned into taking photos of friends when they graduated high school. Then when I was a freshman at Ohio State, I got my first wedding…I think I charged $500! 

I look back at those images and the only thing I can say to myself is, “WOW, have I improved!” You CANNOT (hear me out all young & just starting out photographers!) learn overnight. It takes time, energy and a drive to achieve what you want. If you want to be good and thrive in photography, then do your research, take some education classes (THERE’S A TON of photography educators out there!!) and set your mind to it. 👏🏼

The 3 E’s To Raising Your Prices

I was taught (thank you Katelyn James for being an AMAZING educator to me) you raise your prices based on the 3 E’s:

1. Education. The more you put into this area, the more you are going to get out of it. Like anything in life, right? If you take photography courses and do not apply them to your shooting and or your business, do you think anything will change? Probably not! The more you gain and APPLY what you learn, the bigger YOUR VALUE is going to be. 

I have taken five education classes, from a photographer by the name of Katelyn James. I love her style of education and the content she provides. There are a TON of photographer educators out there, so do your research before you buy. What truly do you want to learn? I’m in my ninth year of business and I’m STILL learning. I love discovering new things when it comes to photography and owning my own business.

2. Equipment. If you have the drive to learn then you are going to have the drive to upgrade equipment…in time!! That’s exactly what I did. I learned on my mom’s film camera back in 2009! When she got her first digital camera, I had to basically learn a new camera. Later on, when I was a senior in college, I bought my very first camera. Did I go out and buy ALL the lenses I could? Absolutely not! I bought one lens and that was it. It was OVER YEARS that I slowly added to my collection. A new camera body, lenses, and accessories are all fun, but you do not need it all to start out. Trust me!
   
   
3. Experience. The more you are behind the camera, the more value you will have. As you get familiar with subjects (let’s say people in this case), you will learn the in’s and out’s. You will learn not everyone can do the same pose. People have different heights, different body types and above all…some are way more comfortable in front of the camera. You will come across some that don’t know how to pose, but it’s YOUR job to make them comfortable. The more photo sessions you take, the more experience you will get. During that experience (now matter how long it takes you!), you are going to learn what you love to shoot and your photography niche. And that is GREAT because you DON’T have to DO IT ALL! Experience doesn’t happen overnight – it takes time and patience.

I’ve been in this business for nine years (and hope to do so for many more), and I know my prices are high. However with my experience, the equipment and the education I have learned, I believe my value is worth it. There is so much more added value beyond my camera. As I have said before, this job is more than JUST a job for me. It’s a passion and my livelihood that helps me support my family. ❤️

I would love to be your photographer, whether it’s for a family session or your wedding day! Reach out to me via my contact page to schedule a date! 💜