What Does a Quick Photo Shoot Entail?

My previous blog post was about a quick photo shoot I did for a friend. I know this friend appreciates all the time and effort I put into her photos so this post is definitely not directed toward her nor is it about her. This post is simply a quick explanation to help people understand why the cost of a good photographer seems so high. Plus, my health has forced another "down" day for me today so, while I am recovering, I have time to write here.

After my "quick" photo shoot the other night and posting about it, I thought this would be a good time to make the connection to real costs associated with a photography business using that quick headshot photo shoot as an example. 

So, let's first look at just a simple "quick" photo shoot for a single headshot. This type of shoot is probably one of the quickest so this would be at the low end of the professional photographer's pricing scale.

Don't confuse "quickest" with easiest and requiring no planning, no experience, nor professional quality gear. All photography requires these things, and much more. Also, don't confuse "low end of the pricing scale" to low end photography... a single headshot is simply at the least expensive end of any photographer's chart of prices. 

I'll use our headshot photo shoot from the other night as an example...

- Researching, studying, drawing up a plan for this particular project... 2-4 hours

- Making room for a makeshift studio... clearing an area, setting up

   enough electrical outlets/cords, blocking stray light from windows, 

   ensuring no mixed lighting, etc...  1-3 hours

- Setting up the makeshift studio for a simple headshot...  1-3 hours

- Shooting with subject... 1 hour

- Man-hours for an assistant...  6 hours

- Post-processing time (digital darkroom)...  4-6 hours

Total Man-hours...  15 - 23 man-hours

So the first thing worth mentioning here is that what everybody thinks is a quick headshot shoot actually required an average of around 19 man-hours! Okay... show of hands... how many of you honestly realized that a quick one hour shoot really requires approximately 19 man-hours?

Using this simple, quick example above, if we figure an average wage of only $20/hour... that puts the cost at an average of almost $400 to make it worth the photographer's time and effort yet that still does not take into account the money the photographer spent on equipment and education nor does it take into account typical business overhead and the cost of effective training. 

An easy model...  a sleeping toddler is easy to pose exactly
the way you need them...  and you can easily put the
 light right where you need it!  Well...  usually!

If I were a professional photographer doing this as a career, we would also need to account for all the professional equipment such as cameras, lenses, batteries, power cords, adapters, memory/file storage, filters, tripods, lights, backgrounds, lightstands, light modifiers, travel cases, bags, computers, office equipment, software, transportation costs (if applicable), etc... These costs break down into equipment initial cost, equipment wear and tear, continuing education to master equipment and photography (ie, new gear and new techniques), value of experience and uniqueness of end product, administrative fees, taxes (including sales, income and all wage taxes), insurance (liability, medical, life), retirement plan, wages, profit for the business itself and any other little expenses.

Additionally, if the photographer has a physical studio, then rent (or mortgage), property taxes, heat, electricity, insurance, telephone, building maintenance, building preventative maintenance, and cleaning costs must be added too.

If we are talking about event photography, especially wedding photography, costs are even higher because there are usually more locations to move all that equipment to and from constantly in the course of a single day, more people, more poses, much longer shooting times, much more demanding shooting conditions, and moments that must never be missed by a photographer. The photographer must know all the rules and traditions of all religious ceremonies and places of worship. Shooting events and weddings requires an abundance of effective training, effective experience, energy, professionalism, attention to detail, management experience and trained manpower, all of which costs money. 

I should add that weddings require much better equipment as well as backup equipment (in case of equipment failure during the wedding shoot) which puts equipment expenses into a whole different financial bracket. Also, the more photos there are, the more time that is needed for post-processing. For example, a wedding oftentimes requires a solid week or more of digital darkroom work (post-processing).

I feel the need to point out all of this because I hear far too many people complain about the cost of professional photography. Professional-level photography is not just showing up with a camera and shooting a few "quick" photos. It is a complicated business which combines art, photographic knowledge, professionalism, social skills and business skills. There are many expenses and a lot of time and effort goes into even the quickest of shoots which unfortunately, more often than not, will never be completely understood by the customer who only thinks about showing up on time, dressing appropriately, trying to smile naturally into the camera and that we only shot photos for an hour.

Don't insult your photographer when prices are discussed. Photography work is not simply pointing a cellphone at yourself or your friend (ie, a goofy 'snapshot' for Facebook). Ask what you are getting for that shocking price and look closely at the photographer's portfolio. If the photographer's portfolio indicates this photographer can meet all your needs and expectations while bringing a professional team and experience to your project... this will cost you just like any other professional project.

Hopefully this brief explanation will help some people understand a little more... 

In closing, I want to repeat what I wrote at the top of this post...  My previous blog post was about a quick photo shoot I did for a friend. I know this friend appreciates all the time and effort I put into her photos so this post is definitely not directed toward her nor is it about her.