SNOWDON PHOTOGRAPHY

Bespoke Photography

Before I delve further into the topic or even post the price updates, I thought to tell you about what I do and how I justify the costs.

There are many people out there who will not agree but for me, photography is art. Whether I create an image very close to reality or something  else, photography is an art.  It may not be obvious, to a casual snapper but for serious amateurs and professionals, a photograph takes time to develop even more so in this digital age.

It all begins with your desire to have a photograph of yourself,  of your family and/or loved ones. You then take  the next step of deciding the style or theme. After-which you search for your photographer – looking at their photographs, reading what they have to say. Once you’ve narrowed down your selection, you then decide which style or approach you like best.  Needless to say, this decision process does take time since there are a lot of photographers out there to choose from.

Bespoke photography is not only what is visualised by your photographer but a combination of your desired end product, the photographer’s interpretation and the experience.  It should not be an appointment where the photographer has to rush the session because of another appointment after yours. And although a bespoke photographer offers a wide range of products, you are not forced or coerced to choose one NOW. You are given time to order your prints and other products whenever you like.

Bespoke photography should have you, the client in mind.

Why does bespoke photography cost more?

In this digital age, photography is increasingly very accessible and the technologies available offer photographers whether amateur or professional great flexibility and control when creating an image. The availability of digital cameras to the public enabled everyone to record moments without worry about cost of printing film. All they need is to upload to their computer and choose which ones they want printed.

I know you can take a picture and have it printed as cheaply as 25p per print so why would you pay me to take a photograph and pay a prime price for the print?

To answer you, there are several factors that affect the cost you pay. It starts with photographic equipment. Each digital camera has different specifications and a bespoke photographer invests in reliable equipment that can withstand rough handling, can produce marketable image quality and is suitable for the bespoke photographer’s photography style. And photographic equipment also includes the lenses, light modifiers, flash, backdrops and many other items that will enable the photographer to create those beautiful images. A pro-spec digital SLR camera nowadays cost from £1000 body only, I say from because I include possibility of purchasing 2nd hand equipment. On top of that are pro and top pro lenses, they can cost from £700  to £1,500 each. Although many say it’s the skill that matters, I firmly believe it is a combination of the two (or three if we include the editing). A good photographer can take an amazing photography even with a low resolution camera phone or even the cheapest digital camera you can find. However, to print to large sizes or even to qualify the image or even to use the camera in diverse weather without worry, a professional camera is a must. Just imagine your wedding photographer being the first to run into shelter when it rains so his equipment will not break… or you are shooting at the beach and the photographer gets very cross because your children are splashing water at the camera…

The photographer’s artistic vision and reputation comes next and it is entirely dependent on the beholder. We are all different with different desires and likes. One photographer’s work may not appeal to  client  A but vastly appeal to client B.  The photographer’s knowledge and expertise is another factor. Choose the photographer specialised in what you want. If you want to have a series taken at a studio, please do not book an on location photographer. A photographer may be an expert in landscape and architecture, they may take good photos  of people they know but do they know how to handle a client like yourself who they do not know nor have met previously?

Like all the businesses out there, a photography business whether the photographer has a studio or not, incurs costs in running the business. Taxes, society registrations and insurance are but a few.

The cost of a bespoke photographer’s time.

Let’s pretend you like my work and you hired me to photograph your baby and you are located an half an hour from me. Below is an example of the time I will spend for you.

*  phone/email consultation time,  an average of 15 to 30 minutes
* session preparation time an average of an hour (equipment checks, props and vehicle checks)
* 30 minutes drive to the session + about 10 to 15 minutes traffic, red lights and waiting behind a bus.
* 15-30 minutes preparation at your home (choosing the location to shoot and setting up), add more if more locations are chosen
* 90 minutes to 2 hours  photographing the subject
* an average of 15minutes to an hour in total for feeding the baby, changing nappy, etc)
* 10 to 15 minutes putting equipments away and putting your furniture back if it was moved
* 30 minutes drive from your home (as usual you add about 10 to 15 minutes of traffic)
* 30 to 45 minutes uploading the images to the computer
* 30 to 45 minutes backing up the files
* 1 hour sorting through all the files and choosing the final images
* 2 to 6 hours editing time to present you with a selection of edited images
* 30 to 45 minutes uploading the files to your private online gallery
* 1 hour preparation time for your order
* 10 to 30 minutes  upload time to send your order to the lab (average file size is 8MP multiplied by the number of images ordered)
* 15-30 minutes quality check and will reorder if necessary
* 30 minutes preparation time for packing and delivery
* 3o minutes to drive to the post office, queue and post your order
* any additional phone/e-mail time needed for an add on order, special product order, custom design, shipment issues and quality issues.

In this example and not including the additional time I will spend on the phone, I will spend an average of 12 to 19 hours. This is time dedicated to ONE photography session. So whether you pay a session fee of £75, £125  or £250, you are not just paying the 2-hour or 4 hour session. You are paying for the 12 to 19 hours (or more) for your session.

We can compare bespoke photography to a custom made suit at Saville Row where you will get a custom fitted, carefully made suit by experts starting from their taking your measurements. Like the tailor,  I will not be able to customise your photography session without details, without a consultation without a chat or feedback. Also, it takes time to make. I do not send off my images off shore to have them mass edited by an unknown person, everything is done by me.

So how do I make business?

As I’ve mentioned, above, you will not be forced to buy the print. No matter how much I wish you’d buy all the photos in prints or even a wall print or two or a book, I will leave you to decide when you want to buy unless of course you tell me no. The only reminders you will receive from me are 3-6 months reminder via e-mail to order and a notice that I will take the images off the online gallery to make space for new clients. No, that does not mean your photographs are deleted, you have either the proof book or the proofs CD to use if you decide to buy print. I Don’t Do Hard-sell.

So is bespoke photography for you?

Bespoke photography may not be for everyone considering it’s cost. However, if you wish to have a record of a days moments at home, park or anywhere, have fun and most importantly be included in the picture, then bespoke photography is for you. It is an investment where you make the moments happen and your bespoke photographer takes and immortalises that moment for you to cherish.