Experienced vs. New: Pros and Cons of hiring the high-end photographer 

Did you have a little sticker shock the first time you got a quote from a photographer?

You’re not alone!

Listen, I’m a photographer and I definitely remember saying, “I’m sorry – how much?” the first time I wanted to book a custom photography experience.

If you’re anything like me, you like to pay a little extra for the finer things in life – but it’s important to understand what and why you’re paying for those things.

It’s like when you go to buy a handbag.

There are a wide range of prices, quality levels and attention to detail depending on your budget and the experience you want.

It’s the same with photography! Let me share some things to consider before you hire a photographer. 

1. Experienced professional or newbie?

There’s nothing wrong with hiring a new photographer – but it’s important to understand that oftentimes lower prices are a result of the photographer being inexperiences or very high volume.

When it comes to hiring an experience photographer – consider the time they’ve invested in mastering their craft. This doesn’t mean just clicking the shutter. It involves understanding lighting, posing, editing, and even human psychology to coax out those natural smiles or intimate moments.

With an experienced photographer, you’re usually paying more to get their expertise in making you feel comfortable and feel good about your experience.

Maternity is a perfect example of why experience is important. I often get clients who come in and talk about a previous maternity session where they didn’t like their images. I always ask WHAT they didn’t like – this is an important question for me, not to speak badly about the other photographer but to get to the root of my clients insecurities. Often times, what they don’t like about themselves could have been fixed by having proper knowledge of how to pose for each body type, what angles & lighting to use to flatter the client,…

2. How long it’ll take to get your photos

As I’m sure you know – most of the magic happens behind the scenes!

For every hour a photographer spends with you, they often spend multiple hours editing, selecting the best shots, retouching, and ensuring consistency. Contrary to popular belief, Photoshop is not just a filter you apply. It takes years to learn how to use it properly to achieve the final image exactly how you want it to be.

Studio sessions pose their own set of editing problems since I have to edit out all the background distractions such as light stands, paper cut offs,… Newborns tend to have not so great looking skin, so they require some skilled work to make it look right without looking like plastic.

3. The type of gear a professional uses 

Quality photography requires quality gear. Cameras, lenses, lights, props, and backup equipment are all significant investments. Moreover, regular maintenance and updates are crucial to ensure they function perfectly during a shoot.

Newborn photography has a whole other set of items we need to create the beautiful images you see on my website. Backdrops, newborn safe props, outfits, hairbands and bonnets,… All these items need to be routinely switched out to provide variety to clients and quickly add up

4. Business Expenses and Insurance

Just like any other professional service provider, photographers have overhead costs: studio rent, website maintenance, marketing, insurance, and more. 

One expense I find many of my clients don’t ever think about is the monthly cost of things like Photoshop, studio management software and online gallery hosting – these 3 items alone cost just under $200 a month!

And let’s not forget our favorite… Taxes! did you know about 1/3 of what business owners make goes straight to different tax streams on county, state and federal levels.

5. The Personalized Experience

Custom photography isn’t just about taking photos. It’s about creating a personalized experience for each client, understanding their vision, and bringing it to life. This requires pre-session consultations, scouting locations, and even wardrobe advice in some cases.

Sometimes, my clients have specific visions they want to achieve for their session which involves sourcing special props, purchasing digital items to enhance their images or sometimes, buying a specific designer gown! Custom photography isnt a JC Penny experience – I want your images to be unique to you and your vision!

6. Licensing and Continuing Education

To maintain professionalism and stay updated with the latest techniques, photographers often take workshops, online courses, and attend seminars. This continuous learning ensures clients receive top-notch service.

While posed newborn photography is not a regulated industry, it’s definitely not a genre you can just wing. Proper training on how to pose those precious tiny ones is SUPER important – incorrect positioning can have serious complications to your babies health.

This is why taking hands on training with leading mentors in the field is something all serious newborn photographers do – I’ve been doing this 12 years and still attend online workshops to brush up on my skills.

7. The Value of Timeless Memories

As you know, photos aren’t just pieces of paper or digital files. They are memories, frozen moments in time. And the value of capturing a fleeting moment, whether it’s the joy of a wedding or the innocence of a newborn, is truly priceless.

My job is more than just snapping pictures. I create heirlooms that will be passed down. I am the time keeper to a small window in time for my clients and their loved ones.

8. Tailored Products and Presentation

Lastly, a significant part of the cost goes into producing quality prints, albums, and framed images. These aren’t your typical drugstore prints; they’re meant to last for generations without fading.

I search out labs that are unique and stand behind their products. I offer a lifetime replacement guarantee on all the products that come from my studio because I believe in the craftsmanship of the vendors that I use.

At the end of the day, when you’re hiring a custom photographer, you’re not just paying for images. You’re investing in expertise, experience, and the peace of mind that your memories are in the best hands. 

Just like that handbag, quality matters. And trust me, years down the line when you’re flipping through your album or looking at that framed photo on the wall, you’ll be reminded of the worth of that investment!

Curious about the end results of all this hard work and dedication? Take a look around my website to see my work in Maternity, Newborn and much more

Or maybe you’re ready to learn more about booking a personalized photography package with me? Let’s chat! Schedule a no-obligation discovery call with me, and let’s explore how we can bring your vision to life.