Photography is a wonderful thing and a changing thing and capturing images of people is, for me, the best part of it. This passion of mine is, professionally, part time, but that doesn't mean that I treat any element trivially. Over the past few years my skills have developed along witih my equipment, my experience and good partnerships with suppliers, together with an appreciation and admiration of professional and semi pro photographers in the UK and further afield.
I have concentrated very much on my own style and I believe that there is a "Reason" style, maybe not as developed and as mature as Anton Corbijn or Jeff Ascough (also very influenced by HCB and others) I am absorbing others style and incorporating their lessons to my own.
So why do I say all of the above when the blog title is "Cost and value" Well it's worth highlighting what is being bought when a good full time or semi pro photographer is employed. Not just someone with a nice looking camera who can grab a few snanps but a photographer, a truly professional photographer, is I believe someone who has taken the time to study and develop a style of their own.
This experience, art and style is then bought and brought to a wedding, family portrait, corporate event or a one off fine Art commission.
When you are buying someone like me you buy the following: -
- Shoot time
- Post Processing time
- Professionalism and Care
- Personal and Communication Skills
- Quality equipment
- Post shoot supplier relationships (prints, albums etc)
- Indivdual Style and Creativity
The time taken to shoot and post process are obvious, although I wonder if there is realisation of the time it takes to post process. Equally important is the the ability to sometimes blend into the background see the shot and wait for it, and then (if necessary) organise a shot and keep people comfortable and relaxed when formal is requested. The flare, style and creativity are the natural skills but these are skills that need excercising.
Above all else is the Creativity and the Individual Style of the photographer who captures images for you in a unique style. It will have been influenced by many other photographers and image makers but the style will be unique, albeit of a genre.
So what should be the price of a photographer with all of the skill, talent, creativity, style, connections and professionalism, who will capture your day for you. If it's a wedding it's likely to be the only tangible thing you have of the day, after the Cake and the last champagne are gone the images remain. Well probably 10% of the total cost of the wedding should be a reasonable expectation of hiring a good wedding photographer.
What do you think?
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