Brother and Sister, Nature Time {Farmington, Utah Photography}

Baby Emily {Layton, Utah Newborn Photography}

Sweet Baby Emily at only 10 days old!

Girl in a Purple Dress {Davis County, Utah Photography}

Why Are Photographers So Expensive?

It's Free to Click The Button, Right?

"You're not giving me any prints, so it's not costing you anything to take a few pictures for me, right?"  And then she handed me $1 for my efforts.  Little did she know, I spent half an hour taking, editing, and formatting those couple of photos for her.  McDonald's would have paid me more.  Time to set prices.

If The Photoshoot Takes An Hour, Aren't Photographers Making $100+ An Hour?

I spend about 15-20 hours on every session.  

• I prepare by driving around, hunting out locations, searching and memorizing posing ideas for the particular session, buying and making props, answering questions and preparing paperwork for my client.
• Then there's the actual photo shoot.
• Editing photos to make them look beautiful online and when printed takes the bulk of my time.  Probably 12-15 hours on average because I want the images to be as perfect as if they were to hang on my wall.
• Preparing the online viewing Gallery and the flash drive with the session images.
• Delivering the flash drive and holding a print order session.
• Ordering and delivering actual prints.

Still, You Take Home a Lot of Money, Right?

That's what I thought a year ago.  Then I met the IRS.  And the City Tax Commissioner.  And the State and the County, everyone wants something!  Allow me to break down a photographer's expenses:

• $5,000-10,000 in professional camera equipment.  This is often the camera body and lenses alone. 
• Then come the lights, tripods, reflectors, photo editing software, lens cleaners, camera bags, memory cards, external hard drives...oh, and a computer is pretty helpful too!
• Yearly business licensing fees
• More fees, taxes, and fees - just to be legal!
• A certified Accountant come tax time. 
• Start up logo and advertising costs.
• Then the IRS takes 20% of my profits.
• 10% will go to tithing as well, though I don't begrudge that.  Maybe the IRS should take a page out of the Bible and promise blessings to those that pay their taxes.  Then I wouldn't grumble so much about their cut. :-)
• Education!  Any photographer worth their salt is constantly learning and improving.  Mentoring, classes, and workshops are not cheap, but if you find the right ones, they are worth the investment!

So Why Are You Doing This?

At the end of the day, I think I get paid around $4-5 an hour.  Someday I'll probably raise my prices, but for now, one of my motivations of actually getting licensed as a business was to (legally) provide beautiful, affordable art for my clients.  When I saw this engagement photo, I was blown away.  It clicked for me that that's exactly what photography is - art. 

(credit: http://blog.nicholev.com/2012/04/16/FlyAwayElevateAFineArtExploration.aspx)

And when I saw this photographer's family portraits, I was in awe.  I asked myself, how much do people already spend to hang a beautiful art print on their wall?  Now, what if it was a gorgeous image of their own family?  Priceless.

(credit: http://www.melissaburnettphotography.blogspot.com/2011/07/my-family.html)

This is what I aspire to.  And this is when it made sense for me.  We all have choices in how we value or spend our money.  If someone could capture an image like this one below for me, as well as others of my family in the same session, I would gladly give up 2 or 3 date nights of nice dinners and movies to hang this on my wall and keep it forever!

Now I understand the value of a good photographer. 

Pricing and Info

Carrie Plastow Photography Pricing

With every photoshoot, you will receive a flash drive with all of the hi-res images – as many photos as we can get!  I give you full rights to print and display your images.

I also offer enlarged prints of the highest archival quality as well as canvas gallery wraps from a private printing company only available to professional photographers.  I will provide a pricing list with your flash drive.  You are paying good money for a professional photoshoot.  I highly recommend a professional print lab so you can have some of your favorites printed and enlarged (without the wonky colors and substandard photo paper that many of the big box stores and pharmacies use).

If you have any questions please feel free to email me at carrieplastow@yahoo.com or text or call #480-678-1641.  My pricing is as follows: 

Packages

1 Child - $98, for each additional child add $20

• Location of your choice with one wardrobe change, if desired.  
• Session times generally last between 45-60 minutes depending upon the cooperation of the child(ren) being photographed, the weather, and the availability of the location. 
• Includes all fully edited images on a flash drive and access to the professional printing lab that I use for you to choose actual prints and enlargements.   

Engagements or Couple - $175

• Location of your choice with one wardrobe change, if desired.  
• Session times generally last between 45-60 minutes depending upon the weather and the availability of the location.  
• This package includes all fully edited images on a flash drive and access to the professional printing lab that I use for you to choose actual prints and enlargements. 

Bridals - $150

• Location of your choice.  
• Session times generally last between 45-60 minutes depending upon the weather and the availability of the location.  
• This package includes all fully edited images on a flash drive and access to the professional printing lab that I use for you to choose actual prints and enlargements. 

Family Photos - $150 - up to 5 people, for each additional person, add $10. For large family reunions, chat with me so we can tailor pricing to your group.

• Includes whole family group shots in different poses, smaller groups (i.e. mother and daughters, children together, etc.), and individuals of each person.
• Location of your choice with one wardrobe change, if desired.  
• Session times generally last between 45-75 minutes depending upon the cooperation of the individuals being photographed, the weather, and the availability of the location.  
• This package includes all fully edited images on a flash drive and access to the professional printing lab that I use for you to choose actual prints and enlargements. 

Newborn Baby - $200 

• 1-3 hours session length with as many wardrobe changes as you want within the time frame.
• Location will be at home and/or at a nearby outside location of your choice, if you desire.
• Newborn photography needs to be taken slower as the baby may need a break to be fed, changed, or lulled to sleep. 
• This package includes all fully edited images on a flash drive and access to the professional printing lab that I use for you to choose actual prints and enlargements. 

Add-ons

-$10+ for driving distances more than 20 miles from Layton

-$10 for any additional flash drives

-Entrance fees paid by client if required (i.e. Antelope Island, Wheeler Farm, the orchard etc.)