Welcome to the second article of this multi-part series on the basics of photography.Today we are going to expand on what we discussed in the first article.
Camera Controls
The Aperture and the Shutter
Today’s DSLR cameras have more bells and whistles than a Mercedes Benz.What it all boils down to is the shutter and aperture.These two items control what the final image will look like. Let’s start with an overview of what they are and what effect they have on each other. We talked about how aperture and shutter speed effect the exposure of an image, but there is more to these items.As you can imagine, these features can be manipulated depending on what you are looking for in your final image.
At its most basic level, the shutter controls motion, this can be the motion of an athlete running for a touchdown, or the motion of the camera as you wobble back and forth.Aperture controls how much of the image will be in focus.This is called “depth of field”.I am sure you have all seen a great portrait where the person is in focus but everything around them is blurry or out of focus.This is controlled by the aperture.The lower the aperture, or bigger hole (remember from the first article), the lower the depth of field will be.A can explain these by two different types of photographers we have.For our youth sports photographers, if we are taking a picture of a football team we would want a large depth of field so everyone is in focus.This would need to be f-11 or higher for a large football team.If our school photographers are taking a close-up of a child and they want the subject to “pop” out of the picture, they would want a low depth of field, like f-2.8 if they are really looking to blur the background.
Balancing the two
In the sample above, our wedding photographer wanted a low depth of field, so she would have set the aperture to a lower number.However, she needs to adjust the shutter speed accordingly while taking the following into consideration;
Ensure the proper exposure.
Make sure to freeze movement within the scene.
Make sure there is no camera motion visible in the image.
Now, let’s say one of our youth sports photographers is shooting action photography.In order to freeze the action, we need a fast shutter speed. When selecting the aperture, we need to take the following into consideration;
Ensure the proper exposure.
Make sure we have the right depth of field.
Before we move on to aperture, let’s take a look at how shutter speeds can negatively impact your images.After all, we all want to be considered the best photographers, right?
Camera Motion
Like I mentioned earlier, there are two different types of motion we are trying to control with shutter speed, subject motion and camera motion
Motion blurs the image. Camera motion will affect the entire image while subject motion only affects what is actually moving.
Before we look at how to choose shutter speeds we will address what is a common cause of ruined photographs.
Camera Motion
Unless you are a photographer in San Diego here in earthquake country who just so happens to be taking a shot during an earthquake, most camera motion is due to hand holding your camera while shooting. No matter how steady you think you hold your camera, everyone falls victim to camera motion, everyone!Use shutter speed to combat camera motion to freeze that movement..
A good rule of thumb is to make sure to keep your shutter speed above 1/60 if you are hand holding your camera.If you are using a longer lens or a heavier lens, then bump it up to 1/125 or 1/250.
There are also lenses with Image Stabilization that help combat camera motion as well, but they are going to be on the expensive side.
In my next article I will get into what is, in my opinion, the fun part of photography, composition.Make sure to check back to this site soon to see the next installment!
Welcome to the first part of this multi-part series on the basics of photography.I will introduce these concepts in separate articles so each part can be studied separately.
Since the invention of the camera there has been debate on whether photography science or art.The reality is, it is a mixture of both.It takes what I like to call, the “photographer’s eye” to be a really good professional photographer. That being said, when you see the complex nature of today’s digital cameras, that part is definitely science.
Rather than go into the long history of professional photographers and your average amateur taking family portraits, let’s just nail down the basics.We will go into a lot of technical terms but I will do my best to make this as easy to understand as possible.
Before I go into this article I would like to point something out.Whether you are a youth sports photographer, a school photographer or just someone who wants to learn a little but more about how this all works, these rules apply to all of us.
What goes into taking a picture?
Exposure and Composure
Is it really that simple?Well, not really, but it is a good place to start.
Exposure: Here is a bit of science.Exposure is when you expose the sensor of your camera to light which is what allows the image to be recorded.
Composure: This is the overall look of your photograph.Have you filled the frame?More on this later.This is the artistic side of what your image will look like.
I have these a bit backwards in the way I listed them because you must compose your image before you expose, or take, the photograph.However, if the exposure isn’t right then it doesn’t matter how it was composed because you won’t be able to see it anyway.
Exposure
Later, we will look at how to take good photographs from an artistic standpoint, but for now, let’s get the technical mumbo-jumbo out of the way.We are going to talk about digital cameras here because I don’t know anyone using film anymore.However, when I am talking about a sensor, you can think of it just like you would film.
Exposure is really simple; it is allowing light to reach your camera sensor.The hard part is knowing how much light you need to reach your sensor and, more important, how to control the amount of light.
Exposure is controlled by allowing light to pass through the lens, or aperture, for a specific amount of time. The time is controlled by the shutter speed and the amount is controlled by the aperture.The faster your shutter speed, the less time light has to get through the aperture.The wider your aperture, the more light can be let in.Getting the two of these to work together properly is the science to photography.
F-numbers. As stated above, aperture is the size of the hole that controls the amount of light that is let into the camera. The f-number is how that is measured. Here is an example of a standard aperture range:
f 1.4; f 2; f 2.8; f 4; f5.6; f 8; f 11; f 16; f 22; f 32
These numbers are consistent no matter what camera or lens you are using, meaningf-11 will always allow the same amount of light regardless of equipment. Something that I still have a hard time getting my head around is the way the f-numbers are represented because it seems a little backwards.Smaller f-numbers actually mean a bigger hole, or more light will pass through to the sensor. .
Shutter Speeds
The shutter is the gate keeper for the sensor, meaning until it opens no light will reach the sensor. Shutters are always closed, where the aperture, or what I like to call the hole, is always open. The shutter only opens for a predetermined amount of time to allow light through.Here is a sample of standard shutter speeds;
ISO
As the numbers above aren’t enough, ISO is something that also effects the exposure of an image.ISO refers to light sensitivity.A good way to think of it is in terms of people.Let’s say a fair skinned person is a high ISO number and a dark skinned person is a low ISO number.A fair skinned person is more sensitive to light, so they will get burned in the sun faster than a dark skinned person.Therefore, a high ISO is more sensitive to light, so if you are in a low light situation, you can set your ISO to a higher number.With this comes a trade off, which is noise, or fuzziness in your photograph.
Here is a sample of standard ISO settings.
25; 50; 100; 200; 400; 800; 1600; 3200
Real quick, an over exposed image is too bright, or what photographers refer to as “blown out”.An underexposed image is too dark.
So there are three things that control the exposure of your image.
ISO-Controls sensitivity to light
Shutter speed-How long light can get through to the sensor
Aperture-How big of hole the light can pass through
In our next article;
In my next article I will discuss how we can make use of different combinations of these items to make some great images, so make sure to check back here soon to see my next installment.
Andy Stockglausner is the owner of MVP Studios, a photographer in the Inland Empire in Southern California.MPV Studios is Southern California’s Leader in Innovative Photography Services.
At MVP Studios, we believe our pricing model is revolutionary. We also believe in being open and honest with our customers about the costs associated with professional photography. In order to better educate our customers, or potential customers, we have provided an overview of the costs of photographers in general, not just MVP Studios. While we hope you choose MVP Studios as your photographer, we think this information will be valuable to you when researching the costs associated with professional photographers.
If you talk to many professional photographers, you will get considerably different stories when it comes to professional photography prices and services. With so many new digital photographers in the marketplace, there can be a lot of confusion regarding what a true professional photographer is and what they can do for you.
People call photographers all the time to ask questions about prices. In all too many cases, hiring a photographer comes to down price. Potential customers look at sample photo galleries online to decide what level of photographer falls into their budget.
Many calls and emails we receive regarding professional photographers are asking about event photographers, wedding photographers, senior portraits and family portrait prices. There are so many variables that go into a shoot such as location, the travel involved to get to a photo shoot and the length of the shoot itself.
“Professional Photographers” can have prices as low as $50 for senior portraits or $5000 or more for a wedding photographer. The “cheap photographer” may not be the best bet because someone working for $50 probably isn’t a true professional photographer. Many of our customers are really confused by the prices associated with photography so I have tried to shed some light on the subject here.
Your neighbor with her $500 Camera is Not a Professional Photographer
A professional photographer is not your neighbor who has made a trip to Best Buy and bought what they think is the latest and greatest DSLR camera. Even if they have the best professional photographer’s camera, that does not make them a professional photographer. If you decide to go that route, you may regret that decision and you can’t reshoot a wedding and senior portraits are images you will have for a lifetime.
Using an experienced photographer is the best way to go. Also, keep in mind that there is time involved. Even if you only need one shot, it will take time to find the best shot, ensure the best lighting and in the case of senior portraits, wait for the subject to change outfits. Our professional senior portrait photographers will be able to give you advice on what to wear and have suggestions for great photographs. Our wedding, family and senior portrait photographers have done this before and are here to guide you through the process. That’s why our professional photographers stand out among the crowd.
Another thing to keep in mind is the cost of professional photographers’ equipment. We only use high quality DSLR cameras, specialized lenses, professional memory cards, and lighting along with the customized software for image processing. MVP customers benefit from the latest professional technology being used in the photographs.
Something else that falls under the time umbrella is the time it takes to produce the image. Some things that go into a photo shoot are; setting up the equipment in advance, downloading the photos and going through them after the shoot, digital touch-ups to the photos, deciding which photos are best for prints, burning the photos onto DVDs or CDs, sending them to the lab, and many, many more things.
I think most would agree that there is a great value you get from working with professional event, school, youth sports, senior portrait and wedding photographers.
Keep in mind that true professional photographers shoot for a living. Our photographers are trained professionals who then go through specific training and shoot methodology before they are able to work for MVP Studios.
The Cost of Photography Services
Whether you’re a Marine Corps Unit looking for a Marine Corps Ball photographer, a senior looking for professional senior portraits or a couple looking for a professional wedding photographer, the big question is always: How much is a professional photographer going to cost me?
There are a few things to ask yourself when choosing a professional wedding photographer. Is there a price value on your wedding night memories? Most customers say no. What about senior portrait prices? Senior portraits are another important part of a person’s life, signifying moving from one chapter of their life to another. Isn’t it worth paying a bit more to hire a true professional senior portrait photographer to know you will have great photos to cherish for a lifetime? The price of the photos could range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars depending on the photographer but the value sometimes cannot be measured.
When choosing a professional photographer for your photography services it is best to make your decision based on value, not just the cheapest price. Think of it like you would consider any other important purchasing decision.
Pricing for Event Photography
Something to think about when considering event photographers is event photography pricing. Event photography covers a wide range of photography services, thus the pricing for event photography services will vary depending on the type of event. We do a lot of Marine Corps Ball photography, which is considerably different than corporate event photography or Quinceañera photography. Many event photographers charge Marine Corps Units just to come out to do their Marine Corps Ball photography. In 99% of the cases, we do not charge the Unit to come out for their Marine Corps Ball. We make our money when Marines and guest make purchases. In most cases, we actually donate fundraisers to the Marines to help with the costs associated with their Ball. With our customer loyalty program, we actually donate a percentage of the sales back to the Marine Corps Units in appreciation for their business. When choosing a Marine Corps Ball photographer, always make sure they will take candid shots of the Marines as well as photograph the ceremony. We provide this service free of charge.
For more information on MVP Studios Marine Corps Ball photography services please visit our Event photography page on our website.
With event photography for corporate parties, there are many different pricing models that come into play. Many companies hire a photographer for a flat fee based upon the number of people at the event. In some cases, companies pay for a specific number of photos in advance. One customer knew they were going to have 100 couples at their event and paid us up front for 1 5x7 for each couple and allowed them to purchase more if they wished.
When considering an event photographer, think about if you want on-site printing or prefer to have the photos shipped directly to the customers. All of these things play a significant role in the cost for your event photographer.
With most photographers, once you throw the words “wedding photographer,” prices go through the roof. The reality is there are a vast majority of wedding photographers whose prices are extremely high. As a matter of fact, Wedding photography in general can seem overpriced at times. You may Google “Wedding Photographers” (probably how you found our site) and find the website of a photographer whose work impresses you…until you see their price. Then if you even think about keeping the original images, or negatives, the prices can be insane. That is why we have “Keep Your Image” pricing for our senior portrait and wedding photography. Digital photography has revolutionized the industry and many of the wedding photographers out there haven’t come along for the ride. At MVP Studios, we consider ourselves the most innovative photographer in Temecula, the Inland Empire, San Diego, Orange County and all of Southern California. That is why all of our pricing for senior portrait photography, family portrait photography and wedding photography includes original images with a copyright release.
At MVP Studios our goal is not just to part you from your money! Professional photographs are a wonderful way to capture your memories. Choosing the right photographer is important and the photos they take can be priceless.
You should never be pressured into paying more than you can afford to pay for wedding pictures, but you shouldn’t assume they are a ripoff or some sort of scam. After the guests are gone, the gifts are opened and the honeymoon is over, aside from your marriage, your photos are what you have left. MVP Studios photographers will provide you with photos worthy of becoming part of your family's history. To learn more about our wedding photography service visit our wedding page.
Photographers do a lot more than just showing up and taking pictures. Below is a list of just a few things that are relevant to ALL professional photographers, not just MVP Studios.
Expenses Incurred by Most Professional Photographers
Advertising - While it is nice to get referrals from existing customers, typically that don’t bring in enough revenue to support a sustainable business. Advertising is expensive. Web advertising can range from $100 per month for a small photographer, up to a few thousand dollars a month for a larger photography company. Other advertising costs include print ads, ads on event planning websites and Google AdWords and other pay-per-click advertising. At any rate, you can be assured that 99% of professional photographers spend a considerable amount on advertising which has to be paid for.
Taxes - Just like anyone else, photographers pay taxes on their income. Not only do they pay income tax, they also have to pay sales tax. For school photographers, event photographers and youth sports photographers it is really cut and dry, you pay sales tax based upon the tax rate for the area in which you shoot. For MVP, that is Temecula, the Inland Empire, Riverside County, Orange County and San Diego County, basically all of Southern California. That takes an average of 8.75% of their fee right off the top of the sales amount. In some cases, in many areas of the country, California included, wedding photographers are required to pay sales tax even if they are charging a flat fee for their service. Many photographers think that sales tax doesn’t apply to “photography services”, like wedding photography or event photography where they get paid a flat amount. In most cases they are wrong and can run into trouble with the government if they do not comply. I personally know of a case where a San Diego event photographer did many of her events for a flat fee and thought she didn’t have to pay sales tax. When she was audited, she had to pay sales tax for a considerable amount of her previous events, which nearly put her out of business. Think about that when you are considering a photographers price, as much as 40% in some cases could be being paid in taxes! So if you are paying someone $1000 fee, as much as $400 of it could be going to the government.
Equipment - Professional grade, DSLR camera bodies cost as much as $5,000. Lenses are typically more of a cost for a photographer because they need many of them to get the right shot. There are special lenses for portrait photography, event photography and all sorts of specialty lenses that photographers carry in their bag to make sure they have most potential shots covered. Professional photographers’ lenses can EASILY cost $1,000 or more. Some lenses can cost as much as $5000 or more depending on the type of photography they are designed for. Professional sports photographers’ lenses are a small fortune.
This equipment wears down just like any other piece of electronics (that is what they are these days, electronics). High volume photographers can wear out cameras in a couple of years. The average life of a camera is 100,000 to 150,000 shots. At MVP Studios, just in our youth sports photography and school photography business, we photograph as many as 50,000 kids per year. At 2-3 shots per child, you can see how fast that can break down equipment. With wedding photographers it isn’t quite that bad, but a wedding might have as many as 3000 shots taken, which can still add up quickly. Add to all of that thousands of dollars in lights, flashes, tripods, camera bags, memory cards, batteries and the hundreds of other miscellanies items that professional photographers need and you start to get an idea of how expensive being a professional photographer can be.
Insurance – For sports and school photographers, liability insurance is a must. It is recommended that these types of photographers carry at least 2 million dollars in liability insurance. Equipment insurance is even more expensive. A large photography company could have $100,000 worth of equipment or more, which is a few thousand dollars per year to insure.
Other costs that effect photographers pricing
Sales and Prospecting – For youth sports and school photographers, the vast majority of their time is spent is sales, marketing and prospecting. This involves a lot of time. Just finding prospects that they can market to takes hours out of every day. Once a prospect is found, time is then spent trying to make contact and set a meeting to present their products and services. Driving to the meeting and meeting with customers can take an entire day. For wedding photographers, time is spent with the customer before the wedding then again after the wedding showing the finished products. If you add to that a custom wedding album, you can see that the majority of professional photographers’ time is spent doing everything but taking pictures.
After a shoot, many photographers hours editing, color correcting and touching up images. For youth sports and school photographers, there will be HOURS of data entry of the customers’ orders. Unlike photographers who only shoot weddings or senior portraits who typically deal with 1 customer at a time, youth sports and school photographers deal with thousands of customers a month in many cases. Additionally, youth sports and school photographers have multiple “layers” of customer interaction. For youth sports photographers, their main customer is the league or organization, who makes the decision on which photographer to choose, but the customers who make the purchases are the parents in the league. At MVP Studios, our volume requires us to have staff in the office during office hours to handle customer calls and other office duties. We also assign a dedicated customer manager to each league or school to make sure they have everything they need to make sure their picture day is a success.
Talent– True professional photographers are artists. Anyone can learn the ins-and-outs of a camera and memorize all of its functions. Professional photographers have a “photographer’s eye”, which enables them to see the right shot and take it. Really good images aren’t just properly exposed, they are something to remember.
We hope this article helped shed a little light on the things to consider when comparing photographers' pricing. For more information on the types of photographers MVP Studios has to offer please visit our websites.
For great school fundraiser ideas, visit Kids Art from the Heart.
At MVP Studios, we believe our pricing model is revolutionary.We also believe in being open and honest with our customers about the costs associated with professional photography.In order to better educate our customers, or potential customers, we have provided an overview of the costs of photographers in general, not just MVP Studios.While we hope you choose MVP Studios as your photographer, we think this information will be valuable to you when researching the costs associated with professional photographers.
If you talk to many professional photographers, you will get considerably different stories when it comes to professional photography prices and services. With so many new digital photographers in the marketplace, there can be a lot of confusion regarding what a true professional photographer is and what they can do for you.
People call photographers all the time to ask questions about prices. In all too many cases, hiring a photographer comes to down price. Potential customers look at sample photo galleries online to decide what level of photographer falls into their budget.
Many calls and emails we receive regarding professional photographers are asking about event photographers, wedding photographers, senior portraits and family portrait prices. There are so many variables that go into a shoot such as location, the travel involved to get to a photo shoot and the length of the shoot itself.
“Professional Photographers” can have prices as low as $50 for senior portraits or $5000 or more for a wedding photographer.The “cheap photographer” may not be the best bet because someone working for $50 probably isn’t a true professional photographer.Many of our customers are really confused by the prices associated with photography so I have tried to shed some light on the subject here.
Your neighbor with her $500 Camera is Not a Professional Photographer
A professional photographer is not your neighbor who has made a trip to Best Buy and bought what they think is the latest and greatest DSLR camera.Even if they have the best professional photographer’s camera, that does not make them a professional photographer.If you decide to go that route, you may regret that decision and you can’t reshoot a wedding and senior portraits are images you will have for a lifetime.
Using an experienced photographer is the best way to go.Also, keep in mind that there is time involved. Even if you only need one shot, it will take time to find the best shot, ensure the best lighting and in the case of senior portraits, wait for the subject to change outfits. Our professional senior portrait photographers will be able to give you advice on what to wear and have suggestions for great photographs.Our wedding, family and senior portrait photographers have done this before and are here to guide you through the process. That’s why our professional photographers stand out among the crowd.
Another thing to keep in mind is the cost of professional photographers’ equipment. We only use high quality DSLR cameras, specialized lenses, professional memory cards, and lighting along with the customized software for image processing. MVP customers benefit from the latest professional technology being used in the photographs.
Something else that falls under the time umbrella is the time it takes to produce the image. Some things that go into a photo shoot are; setting up the equipment in advance, downloading the photos and going through them after the shoot, digital touch-ups to the photos, deciding which photos are best for prints, burning the photos onto DVDs or CDs, sending them to the lab, and many, many more things.
I think most would agree that there is a great value you get from working with professional event, school, youth sports, senior portrait and wedding photographers.
Keep in mind that true professional photographers shoot for a living. Our photographers are trained professionals who then go through specific training and shoot methodology before they are able to work for MVP Studios.
The Cost of Photography Service
Whether you’re a Marine Corps Unit looking for a Marine Corps Ball photographer, a senior looking for professional senior portraits or a couple looking for a professional wedding photographer, the big question is always: How much is a professional photographer going to cost me?
There are a few things to ask yourself when choosing a professional wedding photographer.Is there a price value on your wedding night memories? Most customers say no.What about senior portrait prices?Senior portraits are another important part of a person’s life, signifying moving from one chapter of their life to another.Isn’t it worth paying a bit more to hire a true professional senior portrait photographer to know you will have great photos to cherish for a lifetime?The price of the photos could range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars depending on the photographer but the value sometimes cannot be measured.
When choosing a professional photographer for your photography services it is best to make your decision based on value, not just the cheapest price. Think of it like you would consider any other important purchasing decision.
Pricing for Event Photography
Something to think about when considering event photographers is event photography pricing. Event photography covers a wide range of photography services, thus the pricing for event photography services will vary depending on the type of event.We do a lot of Marine Corps Ball photography, which is considerably different than corporate event photography or Quinceañera photography.Many event photographers charge Marine Corps Units just to come out to do their Marine Corps Ball photography.In 99% of the cases, we do not charge the Unit to come out for their Marine Corps Ball.We make our money when Marines and guest make purchases.In most cases, we actually donate fundraisers to the Marines to help with the costs associated with their Ball.With our customer loyalty program, we actually donate a percentage of the sales back to the Marine Corps Units in appreciation for their business.When choosing a Marine Corps Ball photographer, always make sure they will take candid shots of the Marines as well as photograph the ceremony.We provide this service free of charge.
For more information on MVP Studios Marine Corps Ball photography services please visit our Event photography page on our website.http://www.mvp-studios.net/Events.php
With event photography for corporate parties, there are many different pricing models that come into play.Many companies hire a photographer for a flat fee based upon the number of people at the event.In some cases, companies pay for a specific number of photos in advance.One customer knew they were going to have 100 couples at their event and paid us up front for 1 5x7 for each couple and allowed them to purchase more if they wished.
When considering an event photographer, think about if you want on-site printing or prefer to have the photos shipped directly to the customers.All of these things play a significant role in the cost for your event photographer.
Why on earth do most Wedding Photographers’ Prices vary so much?
With most photographers, once you throw the words “wedding photographer,” prices go through the roof. The reality is there are a vast majority of wedding photographers whose prices are extremely high.As a matter of fact, Wedding photography in general can seem overpriced at times. You may Google “Wedding Photographers” (probably how you found our site) and find the website of a photographer whose work impresses you…until you see their price.Then if you even think about keeping the original images, or negatives, the prices can be insane.That is why we have “Keep Your Image” pricing for our senior portrait and wedding photography.Digital photography has revolutionized the industry and many of the wedding photographers out there haven’t come along for the ride.At MVP Studios, we consider ourselves the most innovative photographer in Temecula, the Inland Empire, San Diego, Orange County and all of Southern California.That is why all of our pricing for senior portrait photography, family portrait photography and wedding photography includes original images with a copyright release.
At MVP Studios our goal is not just to part you from your money!Professional photographs are a wonderful way to capture your memories. Choosing the right photographer is important and the photos they take can be priceless.
You should never be pressured into paying more than you can afford to pay for wedding pictures, but you shouldn’t assume they are a ripoff or some sort of scam. After the guests are gone, the gifts are opened and the honeymoon is over, aside from your marriage, your photos are what you have left. MVP Studios photographers will provide you with photos worthy of becoming part of your family's history.
Photographers do a lot more than just showing up and taking pictures.Below is a list of just a few things that are relevant to ALL professional photographers, not just MVP Studios.
Expenses incurred by most professional Photographers
Advertising - While it is nice to get referrals from existing customers, typically that don’t bring in enough revenue to support a sustainable business.Advertising is expensive.Web advertising can range from $100 per month for a small photographer, up to a few thousand dollars a month for a larger photography company.Other advertising costs include print ads, ads on event planning websites and Google AdWords and other pay-per-click advertising.At any rate, you can be assured that 99% of professional photographers spend a considerable amount on advertising which has to be paid for.
Taxes - Just like anyone else, photographers pay taxes on their income.Not only do they pay income tax, they also have to pay sales tax.For school photographers, event photographers and youth sports photographers it is really cut and dry, you pay sales tax based upon the tax rate for the area in which you shoot.For MVP, that is Temecula, the Inland Empire, Riverside County, Orange County and San Diego County, basically all of Southern California.That takes an average of 8.75% of their fee right off the top of the sales amount.In some cases, in many areas of the country, California included, wedding photographers are required to pay sales tax even if they are charging a flat fee for their service.Many photographers think that sales tax doesn’t apply to “photography services”, like wedding photography or event photography where they get paid a flat amount.In most cases they are wrong and can run into trouble with the government if they do not comply.I personally know of a case where a San Diego event photographer did many of her events for a flat fee and thought she didn’t have to pay sales tax.When she was audited, she had to pay sales tax for a considerable amount of her previous events, which nearly put her out of business.Think about that when you are considering a photographers price, as much as 40% in some cases could be being paid in taxes!So if you are paying someone $1000 fee, as much as $400 of it could be going to the government.
Equipment - Professional grade, DSLR camera bodies cost as much as $5,000. Lenses are typically more of a cost for a photographer because they need many of them to get the right shot.There are special lenses for portrait photography, event photography and all sorts of specialty lenses that photographers carry in their bag to make sure they have most potential shots covered.Professional photographers’ lenses can EASILY cost $1,000 or more.Some lenses can cost as much as $5000 or more depending on the type of photography they are designed for.Professional sports photographers’ lenses are a small fortune.
This equipment wears down just like any other piece of electronics (that is what they are these days, electronics).High volume photographers can wear out cameras in a couple of years.The average life of a camera is 100,000 to 150,000 shots.At MVP Studios, just in our youth sports photography and school photography business, we photograph as many as 50,000 kids per year.At 2-3 shots per child, you can see how fast that can break down equipment.With wedding photographers it isn’t quite that bad, but a wedding might have as many as 3000 shots taken, which can still add up quickly.Add to all of that thousands of dollars in lights, flashes, tripods, camera bags, memory cards, batteries and the hundreds of other miscellanies items that professional photographers need and you start to get an idea of how expensive being a professional photographer can be.
To learn more about MVP Studios youth sports, school and event photography visit our website – http://www.mvp-studios.net
Insurance – For sports and school photographers, liability insurance is a must.It is recommended that these types of photographers carry at least 2 million dollars in liability insurance. Equipment insurance is even more expensive.A large photography company could have $100,000 worth of equipment or more, which is a few thousand dollars per year to insure.
Other costs that effect photographers pricing
Sales and Prospecting – For youth sports and school photographers, the vast majority of their time is spent is sales, marketing and prospecting.This involves a lot of time.Just finding prospects that they can market to takes hours out of every day.Once a prospect is found, time is then spent trying to make contact and set a meeting to present their products and services.Driving to the meeting and meeting with customers can take an entire day.For wedding photographers, time is spent with the customer before the wedding then again after the wedding showing the finished products.If you add to that a custom wedding album, you can see that the majority of professional photographers’ time is spent doing everything but taking pictures.
After a shoot, many photographers hours editing, color correcting and touching up images.For youth sports and school photographers, there will be HOURS of data entry of the customers’ orders.Unlike photographers who only shoot weddings or senior portraits who typically deal with 1 customer at a time, youth sports and school photographers deal with thousands of customers a month in many cases.Additionally, youth sports and school photographers have multiple “layers” of customer interaction.For youth sports photographers, their main customer is the league or organization, who makes the decision on which photographer to choose, but the customers who make the purchases are the parents in the league.At MVP Studios, our volume requires us to have staff in the office during office hours to handle customer calls and other office duties.We also assign a dedicated customer manager to each league or school to make sure they have everything they need to make sure their picture day is a success.
Skill – True professional photographers are artists. Anyone can learn the ins-and-outs of a camera and memorize all of its functions.Professional photographers have a “photographer’s eye”, which enables them to see the right shot and take it.Really good images aren’t just properly exposed, they are something to remember.
We hope this article helped shed a little light on the things to consider when comparing photographers' pricing. For more information on the types of photographers MVP Studios has to offer please visit our websites.
