Here’s part two of my custom photography series, this time, talking about price.  Yes, our old friend, Mr. Price.  Surely you’ve met him before.  In fact, maybe you are well acquainted with Mr. Price?  Maybe, just maybe, he’s the one thing holding you back from the custom photography experience?  If so, you should definitely read on!

Again, the following is borrowed Marianne Drenthe, via Professional Child Photographer :

APPLES to ORANGES to BANANAS: Often times clients will mention to their photographer that X studio in the mall/department store only charges $19.99 for an 8×10 “sheet” or they may mention other things related to discount photography chains.  The fact is those discount chains make their money on volume, not on customized 1:1 service.  In February 2007 a company who has leased photography retail space in a rather well known discount retailer closed down 500 of their portrait studios across the nation.  The reason it happened is simple, you cannot make money on 99¢ “professional” prints if you do not sell enough of them.  Interestingly enough – those same studios that offer the loss leader packages often charge much much more for their a la carte pricing vs. many custom photographers (as high as $40-50 for an 8×10).

A little history – the whole reason the big department stores began offering portrait services in the first place was to get you, the savvy consumer, in through their door so that you could spend more money with them in other departments.  Your “PORTRAITS” are considered the “loss leader”.  Your portraits that are meant to symbolize a once-in-a-lifetime stage in your child’s life are part of what a store considers a way to get you in there door to spend more money on goods that you might not really want or need but because you’re there “anyway” you buy.

Also keep in mind that when you go to a chain studio, as a consumer, you don’t have the benefit of 1:1 attention for 2 hours at your home where your child is allowed to explore, play and be comfortable in their home environment, nor do you get the experience that many custom photographers are known for as well as the lovely captures of natural expressions.  You simply get a bare bones, “SAY CHEESE” experience.

More on price next week    And of course, I can’t post without an image, so I thought I’d show off one of my little muffins (that’s my Mommy code for “children”).  Coben turned three last Saturday <sob, my babies are growing up!>.  We celebrated the day with a party, complete with tons of Batman paraphernalia, friends, cake and pizza that night.  He’s still stoked over it all.  Anyway, these images were taken as a test for lighting one afternoon at the studio, but they make me smile every time I look at them, so I decided they were keepers.

Until next time,

Tammy

If you are an adult (well, over 21-ish) it’s probably been awhile since you had a professional photograph taken.  I mean seriously, past having a senior portrait session, until you are married, you are kind of out of that routine (boo on that, it’s important to document all stages of life!).  So, imagine how cool I thought it was when Pamela (new to Tyler) contacted me and wanted to have some really great, really candid, really *real* images taken of herself.  The main intent is as a gift for her boyfriend who lives out of town, but also for the parental units, sister, grandparents, etc.  Seriously, good for her!   And it’s good for me too, always nice to do something different.

So during our session, somehow the subject of “Laughter Yoga” comes up.  As a transplant to Tyler from a much bigger city, Pamela had experienced something called Laughter Yoga.  I had no idea this phenom even existed, so she educated me on the subject.  Basically, classes are held, and the focus is on… um, well, laughing!  At first, you force yourself to laugh, but then you start really laughing at everyone else laughing and the end result is leaving feeling relaxed and refreshed.  I guess it goes back to the whole, “laughter is the best medicine” thing.  So, I ended up practicing Laughter Yoga with Pamela during our session.  When Pamela started to get a little too “serious” during our session, I asked her to use her Laughter Yoga skills and her forced laugh would result in a real one and well, check it out for yourself 

See exhibit “A” :  image on left, forced Laughter Yoga laugh… glancing to the right, the real deal.  This LY stuff works!

And two more images I like simply because they are so relaxed and fun (way to work it Pamela!)

So next time you are feeling a little too serious, force yourself to laugh and see if a real laugh doesn’t come along with it.  I’m telling you, this stuff works!

Until next time,

Tammy