May’s Clicks for Charity pick is the Brave Will Foundation. For those of you who have been following the blog for a while, you’ll remember that Will was a beautiful baby boy I photographed in February 09. Although Will lost his battle with cancer, his parents and a wonderful group of people have gone on to create a foundation in his honor. In their own words…

“The mission of the Brave Will Foundation is to provide services and support for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families until a cure can be found. The foundation strives to take a family-centered approach to all aspects of palliative care and ensure that the needs of the child and his/her family are being met throughout all stages of care.”

Thanks so much for helping us support some really worthy causes throughout our community! And speaking of booking, keep in mind this time of your, the calendar typically books out 4 weeks for weekday sessions and up to 8-10 weeks for weekend sessions. If you are looking for a summer session (and understandably so… such a great time of year for it!) don’t delay!

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In this day and age, many clients look for the ability to purchase digital images (the digital version of a film negative) from their photographer. I believe that owning the digital images from your session is a wonderful thing; first and foremost, for archiving your images for the future, and secondly, for printing small gifts for family and friends. This is why I offer them to my clients.

However, I firmly believe that a professional photographer is just that… an artist, not just a finger that clicks the shutter. The work any artist is meant to be displayed to its fullest capacity. With that being said, I feel it is infinitely important that my clients enjoy their images in the form of fine art, archival portraits and albums. When you purchase a print through a professional photographer, it will be color corrected and processed to perfection. It will also be finished, with a protective coating and backing substrate. Albums are created from top quality papers and bindings, and will provide a wonderful format for viewing your images for a lifetime (albums are also a great alternative to large wall portraits, for those with limited space or who don’t desire to go that route). These products are pieces of art to be enjoyed for years, and are truly the best way to enjoy the products of your session.

Digital images have their place, and are a great addition to any portrait session… however, is important to keep in mind that when purchasing digital images, you are assuming the responsibility for the outcome of the finished product. Please be sure that if you go this route, you are willing to take the steps to ensure that your images are printed correctly (i.e. using a high quality lab instead of a drugstore). Also, do keep in mind that like the hundreds of snapshots you have taken yourself, professional digital images often end up sitting dormant on a hard drive or disk. Will you take the time to print and enjoy your images, or do you prefer to take a more full service approach? Every client is different, so it is important to think about whether or not digital images are the right option for you.

Digital images are not inexpensive (and any photographer who sells them for next to nothing is doing a disservice not only to themselves, but to the photographic community as a whole… not to mention, this is rarely a sustainable business model). When a photographer sells them, they are selling their art and vision. They are also selling the ability for the client to reproduce the images countless times and retain all of the images from their session, which is invaluable.

When purchasing digital images, the copyright (ownership) of the images that you purchase stays with Ashley Brown. This means that while you can freely use them for personal use, you cannot use/sell them for any commercial purposes or contests. Since each image is a unique piece of art that has been digitally mastered by Ashley, it is important that the files are not altered. Your digital images will be sent to you electronically via a very simple process. An account will also be created for you at Ashley’s consumer lab of choice. While not required, it ishighly recommended that you go this route for creating your prints. Please note that while we are happy to give recommendations (an in-depth printing guide will be provided to you), we cannot guarantee the quality of prints that are not created by our lab, nor can we provide ongoing technical support.

Keeping all of this in mind, most clients choose to go with a hybrid of both professional prints, products and digital images from their session. Both formats allow you to enjoy the beautiful images from your session in the format that is right for your family.

To make life easier on my clients, ABP offers a custom framing services with Morningside Gallery in Latham. I totally understand that when your beautiful prints arrive, you want to get them right up on the wall. That’s why the framing service is always available. Not only is it convenient, but Morningside does an AMAZING job.

See for yourself! Here are some of the beauties that I picked up at their store yesterday. DISCLAIMER: A product photographer I am not, so please ignore the wonky color!

A stunning, custom triptych in pewter…

A modern, yet clean and classic, 10×10 in white…

And an 8×10 in gorgeous cherry. Notice that there isn’t any glass? All of our prints 8×10 and larger are sprayed with a protective coating, which gives clients the contemporary option of displaying without glass…

I offer 4 standard frame colors for my clients, but Morningside has an incredible selection of other frames that fit every decor… shabby chic, modern, traditional, colors, etc. etc.! My mind is overwhelmed with possibility every time I set foot in the store…

Plus, owners Patrice and Paul are the nicest, most knowledgeable framers you’ll ever meet. And funny store… after I had teamed up with them, I found out that they are the aunt and uncle of my soon to be brother-in-law! It’s a small world indeed.

Don’t forget to ask about framing at your next session!

Did you know about our super popular “growing plan”? It is absolutely incredible to watch how much a baby will change from his or her birth to their first birthday, and even more precious to capture it on “film”. Many of our newborn clients opt to prepurchase the “growing plan” to assure that during the busy first year, these important milestones will be captured. The plan offers a fantastic value and includes 3 full sessions and 1 mini session.

Missed the newborn stage? No problem. We prorate the “growing plan” all the time. In the digital age, photographers are so fly by night. Many of my clients have expressed how nice it is to know that they’ll be able to use the same photographer to document their child’s growth. The relationship that I forge with my clients and their children is truly the BEST part of my job! 

It was a bit too cold and rainy for this past Sunday’s portrait party, which was a huge disappointment. Luckily we set a raindate for this Sunday and I have a feeling we are going to have a warm and perfect day. I’ll be meeting a bunch of new families and can’t wait to do so.

In the meantime, for your reading pleasure, another great article from Marianne Drenthe and the Consumer’s Guide for Custom Photography. Enjoy!Digital technology is brilliant.  The digital revolution has brought amazing flexibility and amazing amounts of control for the photographer, the hobbyist, the professional, the amateur.  With flexibility comes a price though.  Camera equipment is still considerably more expensive when you factor in its’ lifespan, the need for additional resources for processing those images, the time it takes to get a usable image and the effort that goes into all of this.

Even though you pay $1.99 for a print at your local drugstore and paying for film is pretty much a thing of the past (although you still pay for memory)  you may be wondering why you may pay upwards of $40, 50, 70, 90 for a custom photography print. Some photographers hear this statement every once in awhile:

“How in the world can you charge $60 for an 8×10 if it costs me less than $2 to print at the local drug store?”

The answer is multifaceted and has a lot to do with the time, aforementioned equipment costs, artistic vision and reputation of the photographer, expertise and the usual costs of running a legitimate business.

TIME of the CUSTOM PHOTOGRAPHER:

Approaching it from a time standpoint, for instance let’s imagine if you will that you have hired a photographer who has work that you love and that is travelling an hour to your on location session.  TIme break down:

• session prep time (30 mins – 1 hour, includes equipment and back up equipment checks + vehicle checks)
• one hour travel time TO session
• 15-30 minutes prep time at client’s home
• 90 minutes-2 hours with client photographing subject
• one hour travel time FROM session
• 30-45 minutes uploading time from digital cards from camera to computer
• 30-45 minutes time spent backing up the original images
• 2-5 hours editing time to present you with a diverse gallery of edited images
• 1 hour prep time getting ready for ordering
• 2-3 hours time with client for ordering images
• 1 hour sorting through and checking order
• 30 minutes-1 hour prep time for delivery
• 30 minutes-1 hour getting order shipped
• any additional phone time or time needed for add on ordering, shipment issues, quality issues

As you can see, average client time for a session ranges from just under 13 hours to 19 hours dependent on the photographer’s level of service.  This is time dedicated only to your session.  When the photographer charges $150-$300 for the photo shoot you are not just paying for the two hours of session time, you are paying the photographer for 12-19 hours complete time for your session.

COSTS of the CUSTOM PHOTOGRAPHER:

Regarding equipment costs, a good quality professional camera with a selection of good optical quality lenses and digital storage mediums and computer set up can run from $10,000-$30,000 costs dependent on the photographer.  Even though you can purchase a really good quality digital SLR for about $2100 there are still other costs related to photography.  A good lens for portrait photography can run up $900 to $2500.  A dependable computer system with software loaded for business and creative usage can run $2500 to $8000 dependent on the photographer.  

Then come lab costs for specialty products.  A good photographer knows the lab is integral to their success.  Photography labs dedicated to the professional photographer  often cost more and offer a range of products that allows the custom photographer to continually offer new, innovative products for you, the discerning client.

Discussion other costs of running a photography business could take awhile so we’ll skip the intricate details.  There is of course much more: including costs of running the business, taxes, studio rental/mortgage if the photographer has ownership of a dedicated studio, vehicular costs, costs of advertising/marketing, costs of sample pieces that the photographer will likely bring to your session, etc.

APPLES to ORANGES:

Often times clients will mention to their photographer that X studio in the mall/department store only charges $25 for an 8×10 or they may mention other things related to discount photography chains.  The fact is those discount chains make their money on volume, not on customized 1:1 service.  According to several articles at the time, did you know that in February 2007 a rather well known discount department store that started in Arkansas closed down 500 of their portrait studios across the nation?  The reason is simple, you cannot make money on 99¢ “professional” prints if you do not sell enough of them.  Interestingly enough – those same studios that offer the loss leader packages often charge much much more for their a la carte pricing (as high as $40-50 for an 8×10).  The whole reason the big department stores began offering portrait studios in the first place was to get you, the savvy consumer, in through their door so that you could spend more money with them in other departments.  Your “PORTRAITS” are considered the true “loss leader”.

Going to a chain studio, as a consumer, you don’t have the benefit of 1:1 attention for 2 hours at your home where your child is allowed to explore, play and be comfortable in their home environment, nor do you get the experience that many custom photographers are known for or the lovely captures of natural expressions.  You simply get a bare bones, “SAY CHEESE” experience.  Keep this in mind when selecting a photographer.

REPUTATION/EXPERTISE of the PHOTOGRAPHER:

Being in demand, being well known for quality work, having a good reputation often costs time on the photographer’s part.  Their expertise comes at a cost, their time learning their craft and learning the intricacies of lighting and the commitment put forth on their end to create a persona about their business that oozes professionalism.  A great number of photographers go a very long time from the time that they purchase their first good camera to making money at the business of photography.  Many photographers, when first starting out, rush in thinking that the business will be easily profitable in no time, how expensive could it be to get a camera and use it to create their dream?  They often neglect to factor in the cost of business, the cost of equipment, software, back ups, etc..

Being of sound reputation, a better professional photographer knows that they must always reinvest in their business to create the reputation of being top notch.  To create good work good equipment, reliable equipment, back up equipment is a necessity.  The photographer who desires to be known as better/best/unparalelled reputation-wise knows that the most important thing they can do for their business is reliability and dependability.  This is how reputations get built.  Good work often is a wonderful side product of building that good reputation.

I hope this (lengthy) article helps shed some light on WHY a custom photographer is a better choice for your family’s memories.  The photographs that are produced as a result of the professionalism and dedication that your photographer has will be cherished for a lifetime (or more) and great thought and consideration should be placed into hiring who is right for your family’s most precious investment.

content is inspired by discussions with other photographers, my own personal experiences as well as a well an outline based on an article by San Diego Photographers Caught On Film Photography

Why Choose Custom Photography?

Custom photography is more of a luxury than your entry level cookie cutter chain experience.  Custom photography truly is not for everyone, it requires a level of commitment, investment in time  and money, forethought and planning on the part of the subject/client and requires a larger time commitment for the photographer as well.

Clients who enjoy taking a more active role in the creation of their families’ memories have the desire to have portrait art that is truly personalized.  These more discerning clients have been known to budget and allot time for a custom photography session.  Many clients opt for it to be a once a year special experience, some opt to have custom photography sessions done to record their child’s stages in life.  Having said this, it is clear that custom photography is not in everyone’s budget,  it is something that most families save for to splurge on from time to time to memorialize their children as they really are  (not posed and primped in the cookie cutter studio setting). 

There is a great deal of time involved in creating high end custom photography sessions for a client.  The luxury of great service, better choices and a supberb end product.  The result of all this are heirloom quality images.  The time invested at the session is only a small portion of time involved in this process.

Custom photography has been likened to purchasing a fine vehicle.  To get to point B from A let’s face it, even a bus ride would suffice.  If you want to luxuriate in a finely appointed vehicle, customizing your own experience by listening to smooth jazz while sitting in a climate controlled setting adjusted purely for your comfort in a body hugging leather interior, perhaps that Lexus you so desire is your cup of tea.  Custom photography is much the same cup of tea.  It is the Lexus of the photography world.  It is where the intangibles make the experience truly wonderful and the images themselves make the investment of money and time truly worthwhile.   

Custom photography can be broken down into even more levels.  There are on location, studio, mixed studio/on location, specialty location and destination type photographers.  The beauty of custom photography is in the choices and in the luxury of thoses options.  The customized service level you are sure to experience will be amazing.  The knowledge that your final images are the result of someone caring about those moments so much that they take extra time ensuring that the artwork you receive is good enough to stand by with their name on it.  That level of quality and commitment  is all but lost in the age of “mass produced,” “mass marketed,” corporate “everyone is a number”.  Custom photography is based on being unique to you.  How great an experience would be,  to be able to sit back and allow a photographer to do this highly custom work for images that you will most likely cherish for a lifetime?

Keep in mind more than anything that the Lexus will never appreciate in value the way your portraits will.  The portrait art you become invested in from your custom photographer will no doubt increase in value and become more priceless as the years pass.

Marianne Drenthe

www.professionalchildphotographer.com