Headshot and Portrait Photographer

When most people think of a photographer, they simply envision a person taking pictures.  When asked what else a photographer does, they might jokingly say, showing up, maybe setting up some lights, taking the pictures, and giving them to you.  With such a simplified impression, it’s difficult to fully understand what goes on behind the scenes, out of sight of most people.

If you ask a friend or relative to take pictures for you, it may actually be that simple.  They will show up, take some pictures and give them to you.  But if you’re looking to hire a professional photographer, it’s going to be a little more complicated, actually quite a bit more complicated.

Why are you considering hiring a professional photographer?  Is it because you believe they are knowledgeable and experienced in what they’re doing?  Is it because you want and expect a higher quality in the services and products you receive?  Looking for a professional photographer is a wise decision, but unfortunately, there are many different levels of photographers who call themselves “professional photographers”.

I would liken the field of “professional photographers” to those who work on cars and consider themselves “mechanics”.  There are the new people who can check the fluids and tire pressure, maybe even change the fluids and tires.  Next are those who have tinkered enough that they can do minor fixes and replace easy to change parts.  Then there are those who have been around cars long enough to think they can handle almost anything, even really complex stuff.  Finally you have the true mechanics, the real “professional mechanics”.  These are the ones who are properly trained, have worked in their field and have gained the necessary knowledge and experience to properly perform all aspects of their job.  Just as working on a car doesn’t make you a “professional mechanic”, having a camera and taking pictures doesn’t make you a “professional photographer”.

You will see people offering photoshoots on social media or craigslist for free, or for incredibly low costs.  These people are typically new to photography and recently got a camera.  Now because a friend or family member told them they take nice pictures, they figured they could start making money with their camera.  They will take anything they can get to practice their photography, and if you choose them, that’s exactly what you’ll get, someone who’ll be practicing at your expense.  You will also see people offering photoshoots for low to moderate costs.  These people will be on social media or craigslist, and may even have their own website or online photo gallery.  They have typically been doing photography for a while, and have focused on a few different types of photography.  These are the hobbyists or enthusiasts; they enjoy photography but it is not their primary job.  They seek paid photoshoots as a source of extra income.  Finally you’ll see the real photographers, the true “professional photographers”.  They will be properly trained and have the necessary knowledge and experience from working in their field.  They will have and use all the proper equipment needed to properly perform all aspects of their job.  Unlike the new, hobbyist or enthusiast photographer, the professional will operate or work for a legitimate business entity and it is their main job.  How many of the photographers you’ve seen are actual photographers associated with businesses versus just people doing photography for extra money?  A quick online search can answer this question.  Are you only finding their social media pages or craigslist ads, or are you also finding their business websites and business listings in various places through an online search?

At this point your thinking, that’s informative, but what does it have to do with cost?  Well, quite a lot actually.  Using the car mechanic analogy, do you really expect to get your engine or transmission repaired or rebuilt for the cost of the guy who only knows enough to change filters and spark plugs?  If your answer is no, then you also shouldn’t expect to get professional photography services for the cost of the new,  hobbyist or enthusiast photographer.  You’re probably thinking it’s not the same thing, and while it’s not exactly the same thing, the analogy is similar enough.

The new, hobbyist or enthusiast photographer will typically have minimal equipment, usually just one camera and lens.  Their equipment is typically entry level, consumer grade equipment, designed for personal or hobby photography, but is certainly not designed for the rigors of professional use.  Their equipment may “look” fancy, but it is not designed for or capable of performing many of the advanced functions needed for professional assignments.  Some hobbyists and enthusiasts may have more equipment of better quality, but they still will not have the same significant financial investment in the quantity, quality or complexity of the equipment used by the professional photographer.  A professional photographer will have multiple professional grade cameras, lenses, lights, and a large variety of supporting miscellaneous equipment.  All of their professional grade equipment is designed to withstand the rigors of professional use and has the functions and capabilities to meet the needs of professional assignments.  The professional will also have additional costs for a high end computer for photo editing and retouching, editing software, storage solutions, and data backup solutions. 

The new, hobbyist or enthusiast photographer will have much less time invested in training, knowledge and experience that the professional does.  The professional’s time invested in the above factors will show in their composition, posing, shooting, lighting, location scouting, editing and many other technical aspects of their work.  The professional’s training, knowledge and experience has significant value, and that value equates to a cost.  The new, hobbyist or enthusiast photographer will not give much consideration to their time spent aside from actually taking pictures because it’s not their main job, just extra income.  The professional, however, considers all time spent related to an assignment.  The professional considers time spent on communication, consulting, preparation, travel, transportation, setup, shooting, editing and delivery.  A professional’s time has value and that also equates to a cost.  Finally, unlike the new, hobbyist or enthusiast photographer, the professional will have business expenses including but not limited to personnel costs for assistants or additional photographers, costs associated with maintaining a studio or business location, website costs, bookkeeping, licenses, permits, insurance and taxes.

While this is a very superficial explanation, I hope it has given you some insight into why professional photographers will cost more.  Like many other things in life, when choosing to hire a professional photographer, keep in mind the old adage, you get what you pay for as it definitely applies here.

If you found this article helpful and look forward to future posts, please share it with others who might also find it helpful and interesting, thanks!  If there’s a topic you’d like to see covered in the future, please let me know.