New Session Pricing Plus Full Size Digital Images

I honestly can not remember the last time we raised session fees…maybe 4 or 5 years ago. And while, yes we have raised prices, it’s come with a lot of other changes too, which means more for you, our clients. Here’s the break down…

You now have the option to include full size digital images with your session. This has been a long time coming and as an artist, very difficult to arrive to. I since haven’t offered full sized digitals because I want to control the way my work is printed. Without getting too technical, my computers are color calibrated so the color on the screen is the exact color that is printed at my professional photo lab. Take that same photo file somewhere else and the colors will be off, things will print too yellow or too blue or too red and for me, that devalues my work. BUT, I’ve come up with a solution.

If you choose to purchase digital images, you will have the option to order severely discounted prints. This is all in hopes that you will continue to order your prints through me, and thus my photo lab, to insure the quality is up to par with everything I intended. The ordering system will be a bit different than before, it will be online, easier and the prints will be directly shipped to you as soon as you order them (no more waiting for me to place our weekly orders). Also, at the Full Session level, you will also receive a full set of 5×7 prints and an 11×14″ wall portrait.

We will now offer mini studio sessions at a discounted rate. We’re working hard to build out our studio space, which means the opportunity for discounted mini studio sessions. These are particularly great for kids and babies. Bonus, the mini sessions include digitals as well.

You still have the option to do a session without digitals. Now there is a flat rate for all sessions (seniors, families, couples etc.). This option will include a minimum print order of $250 at the standard print pricing.

Now to answer a few questions…

How the heck did you come to this pricing? I was spending an insane amount of time on sales, placing and prepping orders. While this is always part of the job, it’s not what I love, I love getting to know my clients and creating beautiful art with them. It got to a point where I either needed to hire someone (and raise prices to cover the cost) or change the way we do things. I knew we needed to stream line our process and I didn’t want to raise prices just to cover the cost of another person. We looked at the average amount spent on sessions between the session fees and products ordered during the ordering session and on average clients spent between $700-$1500. We took these numbers and looked at the time it takes me to communicate, organize, shoot, edit, upload, sell and place orders (typically around 20-25 hours per session) and came to a happy medium. Which we believe is our new pricing, where clients are basically spending the same amount of money, I’m spending time shooting and with clients, and the clients are getting more…access to their digital images forever.

Will you still be doing in home ordering sessions? No, not in the same scope. Honestly, we’ve had some life changes and our current schedule does not lend to evening ordering sessions in client’s homes. However, with modern technology I hope to implement Skype or Facetime Virtual In Home Ordering Sessions. One of my favorite things is taking the beautiful images we create and making artwork clusters that custom fit your home. With the wonders of technology we can now do this over a simple video chat. Which in the end saves me a lot of time, and you a lot of money (because I don’t have to hire an extra person).

Will we be seeing more changes? Yes, in different ways. I’m working on special product packages based on the kind of session you’re doing. We’ve seen what our clients order and what they like based on the kind of session they’re doing and we want to offer a simple packages that include all those great things at a great price. For example a senior session package may include 25 custom Grad Announcements, an 8×8″ Photo Guest Book and 10 5×7 prints. And, if for some reason there is rioting and picketing in the streets over our pricing/structure changes, we will certainly revisit this.

Since you’re now offering full size digitals, if we did a session with you in the past, can we buy our digital images? Yes! We’re going to have a full size digital images sale in the next few weeks. All the details are coming soon.

So I think that pretty much sums it up. If you want to know the actual numbers and what the sessions include go visit our Photography Sessions Page. If you have any questions or concerns…please feel free to email me.