Resources
The value of Professional Portraiture
So, you're interested in having your portraits taken and you need a photographer. You're not sure of what you are looking for, and don't really know how much you should expect to pay. So you go online and google "my area photographer", and click the first name on the list. You scan their website, looking at their pictures first to make sure you like their work, and then you read a bit about their services. Everything is looking great!
...and then you come across the pricing page, and see this:
Almost $1600 to have your picture taken? What in the world are you paying for? I mean, honestly! When my mom went looking for a Senior Portrait Photographer a few years ago, she just about fainted when she saw how much a good photographer cost, and nobody really explained why – other than by saying, "quality costs money."
Well, let me tell you about what you’re paying for in the most simple way I can.
If you pay for a pianist at your wedding, and it costs $200/hr for their playing, is that a lot of money?
Well that depends. “A lot” of money depends on how much you have to spend. If you came from
New York, where an hour of live piano music will run you around $500, then a pianist in California that charges $200/hr sounds
pretty good - and it’s not “a lot” of money.
But even then, are you really buying just an hour of the pianist’s time? No. You’re buying so much more.
You're buying the ability crafted and honed by years and years worth of lessons. You're buying their dedication to that craft; the countless thousands of hours perfecting their art. You are buying someone who learned all the things NOT to do while performing, so they don’t learn on your dime. You are buying PROFESSIONAL time, and that means something. If they are a professional, they have a professional ethical standard which means that they arrive on time, do the job right, and don’t interfere with you on your important day. You are, in short, paying for all the time you do not, did not, and canoot see. The more the time you cannot see, the more you will pay for any artist because this is their life, it is how they support themselves and their family in the time they have invested in their craft.
What does that have to do with my portraits?
A professional photographer spends thousands of hours learning their craft, and honing their skills. They attend seminars, and hire amateur models to have practice shoots with. They spend days on the computer, researching techniques and lighting styles.
They also invest thousands of dollars into making sure their equipment is "cutting edge". In this fast, digital era, your brand new professional camera can be outdated in a year - just like your computer.
Ultimately, you are purchasing the time of a professional, which means you are purchasing their people skills, their creative vision, and the artwork that they devote hours to create - exclusively for you.
So, how much money would be "a lot"? It depends on your budget. If you planned on spending $2,000 or $4,000 on your portraits, then you came across my unique portrait collections for as low as $500, it won't seem like "a lot". If you planned on spending $100 for your portraits, then my collections are going to look like they cost a lot.
But just look at what you're getting!
When you invest in a portrait with me, you are investing in a truly unique piece of artwork that conveys an emotion and feeling that will stand the test of time, and that you will always be proud to showcase on the walls of your home. My portraits are designed to be the centerpiece of a room, and are made to be enjoyed for years to come.
The portrait creation process is fun, exciting, easy going, and professional. You can rest assured that you will find happy and helpful customer service at each step of the portrait creation process and long after the investment of your portraits. With specialized attention to all the details that go into creating a portrait that embodies everything that you are, I will do everything in my power to design precisely the portrait that you wish to own and display in your home.
Your portrait experience with me includes a 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back. This is a promise that not only will you absolutly love your finished art pieces, but you will love the way I treat you.
My Portrait Collections invite you to celebrate the wonder and joy of your life and the lives of your loved ones. The portrait experience includes multiple sessions from the initial design stage to print, in order to ensure that your needs and wishes are taken into consideration at every step of the process. Each collection is handcrafted by myself to include beautiful wall portraits for display in your home, as well as smaller complementing gift portraits that are perfect for friends and family.
Following the portrait session, all editing and retouching services are included in your collection price. These services include, but are not limited to, blemish removal, skin smoothing, stray hair removal, contrast enhancement, and other enhancements that help transform your photograph into a true work of art.
While my main focus is on portraiture, you are always welcome to contact me with inquiries about a different type of photography experience. Please call, email, or use the contact page for more information, and to arrange for a no-obligation portrait consultation to discuss your portrait investment. You may reach me Monday through Saturday at (760)-580-0217 or by email at: ryan@ryannicholsroy.com.