Digital File versus Print

I get asked quite a bit if a digital only file is cheaper than print. Now I don’t like telling people why my prices are higher and why you should hire me as your photographer. If you see something you like- great lets work together. If not, I am sure there is another perfect photographer out there for you. But I would like to take the opportunity educate on why a digital file is not necessarily cheaper than a print.

If you are reading this post I am going to make the assumption that you can google how much it costs to print a photo. As there are higher quality printing labs out there such as my local lab, Nichols I am also going to make the assumption that you can look up printing prices for more than one lab so I am not going to repeat that here.

But like most I am sure you will come up with the fact that a print cost is a fraction of what a professional photographer will charge you for that print. So why the increase? What did your session fee cover? Well I am sure the answer you get will vary by every photographer you speak with, especially if they are a professional and making money on this amazing profession- or they are essentially doing it as a hobby.

So let’s back up to the session fee. Your session fee can cover a number of things including (but not limited to): consultation, hair and make up, studio rental, equipment, facility rentals, permit fees, travel, photographer time, assistant time. To be honest for me by the time I have found you as a customer, completed the consultation and paid any fees related to the photoshoot I have probably spent about 7 hours and walk away with less than $100. Sometimes less than that. If you run a business you know $15 per hour is a very poor way to run a business and essentially is not survivable.

For every hour spent photographing you, in this case of my large session I usually spend about double the time editing the session. So if I spent 90 minutes with you I will be spending 3-4 hours editing. That takes my session take home from $15 per hour to $10 per hour if I was to give you the final 30 edited images included in that session fee.

Now I absolutely ADORE photography. I ADORE many of my clients. I TREASURE the opportunities that photography has given me.

But I am worth more than $10 per hour. And if you don’t agree that is fine. Again, I am sure there is another photographer out there for you.

My philosophy has and always will continue to be if you like your pictures, you will purchase them. My job is to take good photos. It is for this reason that I do not increase my session fees to some of my competitors which I know are $600+. If I do a good job I will make that return on the photos- which are also comaprable to my counterparts prices.

But some still ask about digital versus print. So let’s examine that a little further. To create an image (physical or digital) the following items are likely applicable:

• Hair and Make up

• Rental/permit fees

• Assistant fees

• Equipment

• Education/skill

• Time spent in the session/editing

• Artistic taste/experience

• Consultation

• Time/money spent sourcing anything for the session

• Interpersonal skills

Now I know some of those items you cannot put a dollar on, such as experience or interpersonal skills. But it is the same with any other profession- you pay for experience. I also have alot of experience that gives me an edge helping you feel more comfortable in front of the camera. I also realize I mention some items here that I said are included in the session fee. I include them here as they still go into making an image.

So back to where we started. I am not sure if you went off to look up the cost of a print. Now add to that the cost of a mat or mat board and folio box or other bound book. Depending on the quality of these items, they can add some cost. Let’s just say the cost of goods is about $40 per image… depending on the final product you select.

Now a standard price in some photography circles for a matted 7x10 portrait lets say is $250 ala carte. For my business my packages do include digital and print item + a personal use print release. If you want digital only I am happy to remove the print cost. But my greater hope here is that I have been able to communicate just because we take print out of the equation- it does not really decrease the cost of the final image.

Again I love the art of photography. I LOVE hearing someone look at the screen and say, WOW- that’s me? Yes, that is amazing you. My goal is to have you walking out of the studio with a boost of confidence and love that carries over to the rest of your life. So can I make the case here for printed products?

A picture of our StoryBook. Printed on handmade cotton paper, protected by a leather cover- handcrafted by GraphiStudio in Italy

First I want to ask you- did you know that pictures are the first thing people want after a disaster? They are the first thing people grab for? I think in the day to day we can feel that a printed portrait is not important… until that moment comes when it is. Printed portraits, especially family portraits on a wall can also promote a greater sense of belonging and inclusivity if especially a family portrait is on the wall. And finally if you are like me- you never seem to get around to printing them so why not have someone do it for you. I can tell you at this moment I have 2 hard drives sitting on the shelf, with pictures that I need to take in that are likely irreparable. Things happen digitally, that don’t happen with prints. So even if you think you don’t need to I would highly recommend printing your images.