Sometimes I feel like a broken record when I talk about this. But I feel like not enough people stop to think about it and realize how true it is. So I’m going to repeat myself again. There have been some things that have happened in my life these past few months that have really hit this home to me, so if I can make at least one person understand, then it will be worth repeating. And I will warn you now, this is going to be a long post, but I promise for those of you that read it, you might actually get something out of it.
I find that I am having to defend myself often about what I charge for my photography. It often makes me laugh inside when I have people come in and say, “well, what kind of deal can I get?” Do you go into Tim Hortons or Walmart, walk up to the cashier and say “ok, let’s figure out a deal we can make for these things”. No, you don’t. So does this happen with the photography business because it is not a necessity? Because let’s be honest, you could go through life fine without ever having a professional portrait done of you or your family. My job is not a need, it is a want. People come to me because they want to create timeless memories of their life at that precise point. And that’s awesome. Because let me tell you, you won’t regret splurging on yourself and your family with this, saving up to have a photo session done is not selfish, it is rewarding. In time, these turn into heirlooms and your children will benefit, and their children and so on. Well, that is if you don’t just leave them on a disc. I’m not trying to run down photographers that only shoot and burn. In their defense, the customer -and not being properly educated on the importance of printing photos – has caused many photographers around here to just throw them on a disc and that’s it. I even have heard of some pointing their customers towards the big W store to print the photos, because they are cheapest. Wow. Is that really why you had a professional session done, to go somewhere that is not a professional lab in the slightest, that you might get prints that are somewhat ok in color, but most of the time not? If you’re just going to go there to print them, you might as well just take them yourself too.
I work very hard to make it an experience. Time is taken to figure out the type of look you are going for. I try to make it as convenient a time for you as possible. A minimum of 1. 5 hours is spent on a session (sometimes for newborns 4 or 5 hours) and then going through each photo to tweak where needed. Then you come back for a viewing where we go over all of the possibilites, then time is spent workflowing those photos you choose and they are sent off to a professional lab where they will have the best printing done. And I have client loyalty cards, and referral programs, and if your child just is having a bad day, then come on back again so we can get them when they’re happy…no extra charge. Because I care about my clients, and want them to feel like the money they spent was worth it. Because I’m not niave, some of my clients save up for months, even a year to be able to do a session and order beautiful prints and canvas’. So ya, I want them to feel like I was the right choice. Not some photo place in the mall or big W that really don’t give you the photos you are hoping for.
Capturing moments with photography is priceless. Children change so quickly, they grow and loose that baby chub or that curly hair. And sometimes, family members aren’t with us for as long as we hope. This August, I was there photographing my nephews birth, and unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned. I photographed him during his short 5 days with us, and then during his last moments. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I know that I cherish these photos dearly. I held his hand while they struggled to make him breath, and then sang to him before he went home to heaven. I have his photo framed in my room. I look at it every day. Sometimes it makes me cry, sometimes it makes me smile. And I know that without that photo, I would begin to forget what he looked like. Over time his memory would fade from my mind. But with this photo I can say, he was here, he mattered.
I have photographed many babies that have not made it, for some reason they did not get their chance to live here on earth. I know many judge the fact that some parents choose to do this, but they are ones that have not had to face this situation. That have not had to say goodbye too soon. And it’s a pity that there is this judgement, because once again, these babies were here, they mattered. And for some, these photos help the parents move on.
We often take our lives forgranted, and those around us forgranted. We don’t say I love you enough, we don’t hug enough, we don’t just cherish time we get with each other. And sometimes life is short. Accidents, cancer, illness, you name it, things happen. And when that loved one is gone, with time, your memory of them starts to fade. It is a sad reality to face. But with photographs you can at least remember things about them.
I don’t want to drag anyone down. The fact that a person may not be around as long as you think is not the only reason you should have photos. I love photographing those milestones, because I know with my four children, I turn around and they just seem so grown up. I don’t know how many times I catch myself looking at photos of them to remember a certain thing at that stage. How much hair they had when they turned one, what age they started walking…..I love photographing families and showing their dynamics when the children are different ages. Or a highschool senior that is about to go off into the world and ‘grow up’. Pictures are a beautiful ‘want’.
A client and friend of mine posted this on my facebook page, and many of you have probably already read it. But if not, take the few minutes and read it. It is very humbling.
http://fototails.wordpress.com/2012/01/02/a-letter-on-my-doorstep-portraits-are-more-than-paper/
And for another photographer I know, she just did a session for a terminally ill little girl. Her story is here:
http://jennmunrophotography.blogspot.com/2012/01/lauren.html
Jenn is hoping that people will feel compassionate and donate $5 towards a canvas for this family. If you are interested, you can send a paypal payment to hughie_huge@hotmail.com OR Email money transfers can be sent to jennmunrophotography@gmail.com. If you have more questions, feel free to email her.
I hope I didn’t bore you with this ‘rant’ on why photographs are important. Maybe I didn’t change anyones mind, and you will still just hunt for the ‘cheapest’ photographer, or not have them done at all. I spend a lot of money every year on courses to keep myself learning new techniques, money on new equipment, on fixing equipment, on new props…..I know I am worth it. I just hope that next time you are thinking about photos, you find somebody that knows what they are doing so that your hard earned money isn’t wasted on the cheapest person. Go with a photographer that suits your style and is professional about what they are doing. And don’t wait! If you have never had a professional portrait done (whether it be family, or of your kids, or you as a couple) then make that a new years resolution. That before 2013 arrives you will have some beautiful prints on your walls and in albums!
This is our most recent photo taken by my mother in law….it shows our family very well 
