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Shame on me……

Tuesday, May 12, 2009 Posted in Random

A post without a photo :(

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, about whether to post on this subject. Since I was recently asked why I don’t sell 4×6’s by one client and questioned on my prices by another, I figured now was the time. The two subjects sort of go had in hand.  Here’s my explanation and also a link to a well written article.

Custom photography is a luxury, something to splurge on once in a while.  An engagement, birth of a baby, your child’s birthday, a special event or time in your life when you want more than snapshots! And more than what the “cookie-cutter” chain store can offer. I’m not saying there is anything wrong with these stores, they fill a great need, but if you want your session to be unique to you and your family you’ll want to hire a professional photographer.

Yes, custom photography costs more, but you get what you pay for.  Custom photographers hand edit each and every image. Some images are perfect for vivid bright colors while others just scream Black & White. We also do custom design and use professional labs. I think a perfect analogy is shopping. Don’t you just love Target and Walmart? I know I do! But sometimes, isn’t it fun to treat yourself to something from Nordstroms? 

Back to the 4×6 question. I guess my short answer would be, I consider 4×6 photos the perfect size for snapshots. Perfect for grabbing those shots of everyday activities. To me it just doesn’t make sense to hire a photographer to provide you with “snapshot” sized photos. 

Click HERE for a well written article that helps to explain the cost of Professional Photography.

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by Renee Whiting

32 comments

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May 12, 2009 - 12:07 pm Heather Georger - Renee~ This is a superb post. True, to the point and honest. I love it. Thanks for taking the time to write this.

May 12, 2009 - 12:15 pm Vicki - Well said, Renee!

May 12, 2009 - 12:16 pm Sharon Miller - I agree. Custom photography is art, and art deserves to be presented in a special way.

May 12, 2009 - 12:16 pm Stephanie D - I totally 100% agree with you, this is why I also do not offer 4x6 prints. Thank you for taking the time to write this out.

May 12, 2009 - 12:17 pm April - Renee what a brilliantly written statement!!!! I think this subject is not mentioned enough....... Also with regard the talent of the Artist, you are paying for the most priceless works of art!! Portraits of your family, and loved ones!!!!

May 12, 2009 - 12:19 pm Sue Ann - great post Renee!! We "do" photography because we love it. But we also love to eat, sleep under a (non-leaky) roof at night and put gas in our cars to go to our sessions. We want to provide our clients with great memories, but like you said, are services are priced they way they are because we put SO much time into these memories. Your prices are very reasonable and anyone in your area would be lucky to be able to use you as their professional photographer.

May 12, 2009 - 12:25 pm Mandi McDougall - Renee, you hit the nail on the head. Custom photography is just that; a luxury, something that is extraordinary. I've heard moms say that they can take perfectly fine pictures of their kids...my question back to them is who will capture them WITH their kids? Heck, I don't even have kids yet, but what we do is so important to me that I push my family to get gorgeous pictures taken on a regular basis...I want to capture us, as we are. Secondly, there are times I have to go back and ask myself....am I running a business, with insurance, taxes and other legal and financial responsibilities, or is this just an expensive hobby? You take some wonderful pictures, and you deserve to be paid appropriately for your time and talent.

May 12, 2009 - 12:32 pm Mel Chern - WOW, you've said everything I've been wanting to say in exactly the way I've meant to say it!!! Your images are gorgeous, you have a style and quality is uniquely yours and your worth every penny (and to tell you the honest truth you've under priced yourself!) Keep up the great work Renee, your providing a great service to your community and providing many many memories and heirlooms to each and every family you photograph.

May 12, 2009 - 12:32 pm Tiffany - Very well said! I can't agree more...I'm dumping my 4x6's soon and I expect that will cause some trouble. From what I can see, you're worth every penny!

May 12, 2009 - 12:36 pm Justin - Good professional photographers like Renee are artists. Their work is unique and personal. Their creations reflect years of training and expertise. To compare a custom photographer with a chain store is comparing apples to oranges. The expectations and investment should be different because the product is vastly different. It all comes down to quality.

May 12, 2009 - 12:42 pm Jess Richardson - Renee, you're exactly right! Photography is definitely one of the areas in which you get what you pay for. There's definitely a time and a place for both snapshots and cookie-cutter images from chain stores (hey, I've got both of them myself!). However, custom photography is a piece of ART that takes a lot of time and love on the part of the photographer, and will automatically cost more than mass-produced or lower quality images. It's always nice to treat yourself once in a while, and by choosing custom photography, that treat will last a lifetime :)

May 12, 2009 - 12:52 pm Evie Curley - So true, Renee. If someone wants 4x6's they can buy them from me but I have yet to sell any. I think most people recognize that 5x7's and enlargements are the way to go.

May 12, 2009 - 12:55 pm Sunny - Excellent post, Renee.

May 12, 2009 - 1:27 pm Christina Rainey - I could not agree more Renee! Us photographers work extremely hard and editing is a skill that takes years of practice. Clients should be willing to pay for your time & the talent that you've been blessed with! People tend to mistake kindness for blindness!

May 12, 2009 - 1:48 pm Kim Townsend - I stopped selling individual 4x6's years ago (now they come only in large packs). Photography IS a luxury and the prints are just as luxurious. 8x10 is the smallest size I offer and even IT is not wall worthy. Custom photography is so much more than just a snapshot to throw in a shoe box.

May 12, 2009 - 1:57 pm Britt Anderson - Well said Renee! Custom photography is worth the prices you pay...

May 12, 2009 - 3:36 pm Audra - I have never thought of it like this before. Thanks for educating me. You are a great photographer!

May 12, 2009 - 3:37 pm Jenny Jardine - Thank you!! This is so true Renee, thank you for writing it so well!

May 12, 2009 - 3:46 pm Amanda - Well said Renee!!! Couldn't have said it better myself. A lot of photographers are moving away from 4x6 photos to showcase their art for their clients, and you're a great artist my dear! Keep up the great work!

May 12, 2009 - 4:21 pm Laurie - Just as the others have said above, your words are so true! Thank you for articulating the same thoughts I have been having. Keep up your beautiful Art.

May 12, 2009 - 4:29 pm Petra - Amen sister..I too am going to follow suit shortly. :)

May 12, 2009 - 5:38 pm Patricia - As the old saying goes...you get what you pay for. Sometimes I wish they could walk a day in my shoes.

May 12, 2009 - 6:41 pm Carri Mullins - Well said Renee. So many people do not understand the hard work and thought that is put into creating beautiful custom photos. As more and more self proclaimed "photographers" pop up out there, people are beginning to take for granted the blood sweat and tears that the real pros put into their work. Photographer's clients are not just paying for the prints, they are paying for the artist's time, talent and attention to detail.

May 12, 2009 - 8:04 pm Gillian - Kudos to you for articulating that so well, Renee! There is a lot of work involved attaining the finished product!

May 12, 2009 - 8:21 pm Becky - Renee, you are so right! A 'snapshot' is best as a 4x6 - but, a custom photographer like yourself is selling a beautiful piece of art. I also do not sell 4x6 prints because I feel that they are not a true representation of my style or their children. Great post and I know your customers appreciate the time and talent that you pour into each family. Your images are beautiful and timeless.

May 13, 2009 - 4:38 am Cindy Conner - That's a BIG AMEN!

May 13, 2009 - 4:56 am Summer - Very well stated!! Custom photography is worth the investment for sure & I wish more people understood that!

May 13, 2009 - 6:20 am Kyla Branch - Worded so well. Your equipment,let alone your time is very valuable. You do beautiful work and it should be cherished by all who purchase it! Way to go Renee'.

May 13, 2009 - 8:34 am Mary - Very well written Renee!!! I totally agree!!!

May 13, 2009 - 10:23 am Sabra - Renee, as a customer I would purchase 4x6 prints at a premium only if I had a specific purpose or wanted a lot of different poses but didn't want larger prints. I definitely think your print costs are very reasonable for the excellent quality photography and the time you spend with the client!

May 17, 2009 - 10:19 am Jen Fata - great! Perfect and well written.

May 19, 2009 - 8:03 am Manuella - I totally concur with you Renee and in fact I've been debating wether or not to offer 4x6's and now you've convinced me even more that I should do away with them. I'm changing things up in July as far as prices go, and think this will be the first thing I change.

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