Is it Worth it’s Price Tag?

 

When I began my journey into birth photography in Phoenix, AZ, I had a hard time (and still do) deciding the price tag.  I know so many photographers struggle with this same thing.  With digital cameras available and relatively affordable, it seems everyone has turned into a professional photographer.  With that comes a fight to sell yourself…and in the process, sell yourself.  I know of a handful of budding pro’s who would happily photograph my family for free to build their portfolio and another handful that are fighting to have the lowest prices in town to attract clients.

I want my work to reflect my price.  I want to be considered a steal.  I want to succeed.  I want to be the best.

How does that all work together?  Another professional told me to price myself for what I am truly worth.  Someone looking for the cheapest, is not looking for the best.  If you are looking for quality, you know you will have to pay more to get it.

But what about birth photography?  We aren’t talking about a two hour session, prescheduled at a park down the street with just 25 images to give back to the client.  No, birth photography is a big deal.

At this years WPPI (Wedding Portrait Photographers International), Lexia Frank hosted a workshop for birth photography and said this….

“Shooting a birth is like getting an inquiry from a bride saying that she wants you to come photograph her wedding, but isn’t going to set a date. She’ll just call you whenever.  When you ask her how many hours of coverage she would like, she says she’s not sure, but probably around twenty-four, maybe only two. Then you ask her when she’d like for you to start coverage and she says she wont know, but probably around 2am. And also, that she doesnt want any use of flash.
So when you ask her if there will be bountiful, natural light she says that she’ll be getting married in a dark closet with no light whatsoever.  She’s going to want the images right away to send out announcements. AND you’re not going to be able to use them anywhere on your website or blog because she wants to keep her privacy intact. We’d all be quoting this bride 50,000.00.”

It made me laugh. Birth photography’s closest kin is weddings.  The birth of a child is the biggest, and most important day in a person’s life, apart from the day they married.  Right?  Except, it’s like a wedding on CRACK!  Maybe that’s why I love it.  Not the crack part, exactly, but the unknown, keeps-me-on-my-toes, part.

Upon hiring a birth photographer, you are asking someone to jump into the unknown with you.  We devote so much of our lives to your one day event.  I am a birth photographer because I love every second of it, but love doesn’t pay the bills.  And you know what?  My work is worth it!  I know I am not turning around and offering you cheap, generic images, but a story that will be cherished forever.

My job does not start or end with the birth…

On call 2 weeks before birth

1+hours of prepping (emails, consults, etc)

2-10 hours shooting

3-10 minutes editing per picture (5-10 hours)

5+ hours of everything else (driving, posting, ordering, packaging, delivering)

= Average time of 20-30 hours per birth (not including on-call time)

Then you have all the expenses of running a business to think about.  (marketing, web hosting, travel, insurance, babysitters,  etc)

 

You did not hire your Uncle Bob to photograph your wedding.  It was too special to leave it up to a semi-pro, regardless as to how enticing saving a buck was, so why would you leave the birth of your child up to your mom and her point and shoot?  Every dollar you spend (or don’t!) will reflect in the images.  At Inloveness Birth Photography, I strive to deliver the best.

It’s my job and I love it.