More on Pricing
A Long Explanation about Photography Pricing.
Portrait photography, as it is today, exists for different motives on the part of the photographer. You can ask “Why does this portrait photography business exist” or “Who is the person behind the camera?” The type of photography and the motives of the business will dictate the prices and how they conduct business.
Practical Photography: There are very practical types of photography, which might include typical school portraits passport/visa/I.D photography, and chain store retail photography. The consumer goes to these sources for convenience and is offered few to no choices about the type of portrait, does not choose the photographer and gets limited services. There may be no need for quality in this type of photography, but usually quantity and convenience are the primary factors. Most often, who is behind the camera and their level of proficiency are not a factor. Business is generated through massive advertising.
Average Portrait Studio: The next category is your average neighborhood photographer. His images look nice and he has a nice studio. For choices, you get to choose a set/props and he will capture several images from which to make a final print. He will usually offer “high key” and “low key” styles, seniors, families, business portraits, weddings and other events. This photographer’s education varies from average to extensive and he or she probably continues to study industry standards to further his education. Often, these are small and/or family run businesses where the photographer has made a name for himself: it is important as to who is behind the camera, here He will be sought out by name and get many referrals. This photographer will do some select advertising and will get much of his business through referral or simply his presence in the community. Prices can vary from average to high, depending on his reputation, his location and whether he markets himself as a budget type of studio or a high-end studio.
High End Studio: The final category we are discussing here is the “high-end” studio. This photographer markets himself as sophisticated and classy. You will find him in upscale shopping districts or malls. His customers are wealthy people who want refined and formal looking portraits of their family or for business use. They offer only fully finished photography with all services included - such as fully retouched, oil painted, and on canvas (a pricey option). This photographer often has employees conducting the work in his style - which is often reminiscent of a master painter. The work is often signed or stamped with the photographer’s name, even though he might not have actually conducted the work. His prices will be the highest you find in the industry for portrait photography.
The above categories are limited and stereotyped, for sure. Between them you can find every variation, since most of our contemporaries are independent owners, each running a business in his own style.
Elias Photography: Where do we fall within these categories? We have tried to be “The studio with high quality work, but average prices.” We attempt to offer the best traits from both categories; Reasonable prices, high-quality work, attention to detail, referral business, and longevity in the community.
One thing we have noticed when it comes to pricing, is that photographers show you one of their price lists when it comes to advertising. When it comes to additional services, there is often another set of prices that includes retouching, mounting and finishing. We have always included all the services needed to make a quality finished product. Here are some of the ways we compare to some other photographers:
- Retouching and enhancement are included. You can be confident you will look great.
- We only charge a small fee for head-switches, and excessive retouching is billed hourly.*
- We include Rick’s own custom lacquer finish, designed to protect from fading, surface damage and moisture. It also reduces glare and provides a unique surface for the finished work.
- Mounting is included with all our images, and with our custom lacquer finish, you can frame without using glass and mats. This makes framing less expensive and easier, displaying the photograph most optimally.
- We do our own color work. This is very important, as it allows us to have full control over the final appearance of the image. We re-make anything that is not up to our standards.
- You can talk with either Rick or Carol about your concerns for your finished portrait. This could be anything from which photos to put in your Storybook or anything you feel a little uncomfortable about with regard to your appearance in your photograph.
- Rather than try to make a “painting” from a family portrait to make it look ideal, we capture people being themselves in their natural environments. Our method allows this to happen, while at the same time, you look your best.
- We offer design services, too. So if you need a business or post card with your portrait on it, we can do that as well.
- Along with all the related services, you also get amazing, real-life portraits that are flattering while at the same time, depicting the feelings and emotions that go along with life and our memories.
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* Excessive retouching would be something not normally in the scope of portrait photography, such as changing the color of an object or fixing something complex that exists within the photographs. Sometimes we fix such things without charge, but at times it requires extensive work. We will give you a quote.