The cost of wedding photography

The other day I was reading another photographers blog about under pricing your work to get the job.   A few weeks ago I actually gave the lowest quote EVER on formal wedding portraits and was turned down.  They were thinking of spending less than the quote I gave them.  Now I do believe that I am a pretty darn good photographer and I have pretty decent equipment and I think (my own opinion of course) that my customers are going to get the best possible customer satisfaction. 

Personally I would like to believe that I go above and beyond.   You know why I do it though; because I LOVE it!  I honestly can't stop myself.  Taking photos is my 3rd love with my hubby and son taking 1st and 2nd.  So what does all this love of photography have to do with money?

Let me explain why I gave the cheapest wedding quote.  Twelve years ago when my husband and I got married, we could not afford to pay for a photographer.  The cheapest quote we got was $1200.00.  Our family provided many photos for us, but nonetheless they were not "professional".   When I decided to be "professional" I wanted to be affordable but I need to make a living too.  I do have limits and let me say this--- I am NOT the cheapest, but I do offer a couple cheaper wedding photography package.

Why?  Let me answer that for you.  Everyone.  Everyone should be able to afford professional portraits. What makes me different from the photographer who's cheapest price is $1200.00?  Nothing, I just want to make sure that everyone can afford to have a professional photographer at their wedding.  Even if it's only for a couple hours.

I am guessing at this point your (hopefully) wondering well what are the prices?  I am still working on that and I actually went over the new wedding prices with some customers and they felt that they were fair prices. 


 
What are the prices?  You need to call or email and set up an appointment so we can get together.  I will bring my portfolio for you to view and go over the prices and what is included with those prices, but know this, there is a price for every budget.

Tutus and Leg Warmers.........

I mentioned the tutu's earlier, I finally had a chance to get a photo of the other tutu which is as equally as cute!

 

My little niece is going to do her 3 month photos in the rainbow colors!  It's going to be soooo cute!

Here are some other tutu photos from a couple of ADORABLE little girls, 

Some fall tutu photos would be absolutely adorable! 

I found it and that too!!

So by accident, we were going out to dinner and I was looking at this landing and I thought, that would make such a cool place for photos.  I didn't have my camera, but I took a few shots with my phone to share with everyone.

Now the cool thing about this location, it could be for a couple of shots or for a whole shoot.  It has that much potential! This would be a great senior location and you could do a one location shoot. 

This weekend was relvoling around me making it to Norton Shores for the craft show where Two Tutu Ladies were going to be selling their adorable tutus!  Well I promised to go rain or shine, and it was raining of course.  Not just a little rain either it was pouring rain!  We ducked into a tent that was selling food items and when it slowed down, off we went to find them or her I should say.  Nonetheless I found the tent containing the tutus!  I got two, one baby size and one toddler size and I already had one that's a little bit bigger than toddler size.  So now I need to schedule some tutu shoots!  I plan to add more to the collection, but for now I have to spread the word about tutus!!

This is the baby tutu, and I have matching leg warmers!  Can't wait to put a baby in it!!!
More soon!!

Results of Photograpers Choice

Last month I came up with a new offer for my wonderful clients called "Photographers Choice".  This deal consists of us meeting at an agreed on location, at which point we will hop in my car and drive around to these pretty cool locations I've found around Hillsdale.  This deal will result in AT LEAST 4 locations--I have many more than 4 in mind--With this package the proof book is also included as well as an on-line gallery.

So on July 24th I had my first victim!  It was so much fun!  I really can't wait to do it again!  Here are some of he photos from our adventure:

So why?  Because I keep finding all the awesome things that would make good spots for photos, but it's not a spot for a whole photo shoot.  It may be just a door or an old bridge.  The good news is it's all in Hillsdale and I will do the driving.  This is a great deal for Seniors who usually like to have more than one location, but anyone is welcome to do it!  

Truthfully I CAN NOT wait to do it again, it was so much fun!  And we got some pretty awesome photos as a result!  You are welcome to go on over to my facebook page and check out more of the photos from Brandon's shoot:  http://www.facebook.com/

August Coupon

Print this coupon for you discount photo shoot.  This includes a regular photo shoot: up to two hours, resulting in 15 to 25 photos. One location.   Proofing online.
Push the print button and get your photo shoot scheduled! 

Photographers Choice

You may have noticed that I have been talking about "Photographers Choice". This year my lawn co. started working for the city of Hillsdale and this has given me the opportunity to see some places and things I would have never seen or paid attention too before. Then I got thinking how cool would it be if that was used for a senior shoot. Then I thought how would I tell them about them about this place? The solution = photographers choice. Here is how it would work.

1. The cost will be $150.00 and there will be multiple locations (at least 4 but probably more).
2. We will meet at a designated location, then you will hop in my car and off we will go.
3. A proof book will be included in this package.

There are quite a few locations I have found that I think most people will find interesting:

These are just a couple of the places that I think are really cool.  This adventure could result in a lot of locations.  If there is a special place in Hillsdale you wanted to add I am open to suggestions!

How time flies.....

It seems as if yesterday I brought my son home from the hospital. He is 11 now going on 18.  A couple weeks ago I updated his photos, the older he gets the harder it is to do his photos. .  They want to be grown up so bad, but us grown ups would love to be young again.  Not a worry in the world!
This is my favorite one:


I really love this one too and I am very anxious to get it printed:

If you would like to see more photos from Jadens shoot go over to my zenfolio: http://amyhowesphotography.zenfolio.com/

The same time I did these photos I was also joined by my friend Sarah, who is learning how to work her brand new digital slr. I must say it is SO much fun to go out shooting with other photogs. These people understand the fascination and love. They understand why I go out and try to find things to photograph and get the knees of my jeans dirty to get down low. Why I stop in the middle of a sentence because something caught my eye and I must take a photo of it. Surly I don't mean to be rude and another person with a camera totally understands that! I hope to get together again soon, maybe plan it and invite other to join us!


What I think would be fun is to go to a few of the abandoned houses around and see the different view points! Plus I know how much one girl wanted to go to an abandoned house!  Let's pick a date photogs!!!


If you follow my facebook you probably know how obsessive I've been with this photo:

I LOVE this photo!! I just received my 16X20 and it is hanging on my wall for everyone to admire. I would hand out wallets of this photo if I could. If you like this sort of thing it can be purchased over at zenfolio. Here are a couple other shots that I got when we were in Chattanooga TN which is where we stopped before the Georgia wedding so we could take Jaden to Ruby Falls before he gets to old to care--which isn't too far away--



I won't lie, there are quite a few more photos from that trip that are waiting patiently on my hard drive for me to bring them to life! If you have never been to Ruby Falls or Rock City, it is a must visit! It is so much fun and even as an adult it's still a great time!

One last thing before I go. Down in Georgia where my husband grew up, he took us to Indian Falls:


He told us how during the summer in Georgia he would go down there and people would be spread out all over the rocks basking in the sun.  While we were there it was still a bit chilly and the water was cold, but that didn't stop Jaden, my little fish (well big now) 


 That's all for now!