VLV Photography

I have some very exciting news to share….no, I’m not pregnant..ha!  You know though, that is the first thing everyone I talk to thinks when I say “guess what..” or something similiar.  But no, not that kind of news but rather business news! 

I’m so excited for 2011 because I’ve made every effort to make my process easier for my clients and myself really.  Believe it or not, but for every session, a photographer can spend , on average 15 hours from start to finish.  You would be surprised, I think, to really know how much time goes into having a photography business.  From the time I take a phone call or answer an email to the time I deliver those prints, there are so many steps in between and all those steps take time.  If there are items to design, that takes more time as well.  I just think it’s my job to educate my client’s so they know I’m just not someone who will show up with a really nice point and shoot {couldn’t be farther from the truth-this is my main camera and this is my backup}.  I also pair these camera bodies up with professional lenses.  So to all those out there who may see my pricing and snicker and wanna say “that’s just too much!”, and I say this with love, there’s just a lot more to it than pointing a camera and snapping away.  {*Note* The website that I linked my camera bodies to is an excellent resource when trying to find a camera for yourself….high recommend utilizing the information they provide.}  

I completely get this misconception;  however, this is where education comes in and also value.  It’s easy, and understandable, to say a photographer’s prices are just too high-”why pay $100 when you can pay $30?”  Why not just go to Wal-Mart and pay less than $2 for a print?   Why?  Value.  Some people simply don’t place value with portraits.  To some people, photography is a must-have investment and they plan, prepare, and save for it on a yearly basis.  Others just want to document a special time in their life.  Regardless of the circumstance those are the two key reasons, I believe, photographer’s are contacted for a session.  Because A.  the Client knows well enough that the quality of the products and the 30 minute experience the big chain studio provides, simply does not compare to a custom portrait session.  And B. the value that is placed on the goods/services.  If all of the electronic gadgets you had right now were to become obsolete or even break and you had no choice but to replace them, you would probably replace them.  It’s so much easier to place “value” on tangible items that provide instant gratification than it is to place value on something you haven’t yet seen nor experienced.  But I guarantee if you had an image that feels so special to your heart hanging on the wall each and every day, that will never need replacing, and that your children’s children will probably enjoy many years after you’re gone…you may place more value on just the thought alone.  So I am not offended to hear someone say they can’t afford me or I charge too much, that’s fine.  But I know what goes into the service and experience I provide, not to mention the overhead costs alone of running a business.  That’s my food for thought and education on that ;)

In other business news…..{and this falls under overhead costs}, I now have a photocart shopping system.  I stumbled upon this service by accident and really feel it will be a huge step-up…no, it IS a step-up!  Ordering will be much smoother and actually the images are shown much larger than in my previous galleries.  Also, if you need to, you can save your cart and come back to it!  LOVE that feature for my clients!  Also, I now have a scheduling system too.  You can schedule your appointment months in advance for a wedding or weeks in advance, if need be, for a portrait session or newborn/maternity session.  This can be done through the “Book-a-Session” tab located under “Information.”  Check it out

Also……..I will now be offering framing!  I’m still ironing out some details but those should be available soon!  If you’ve had a session with me in 2010, you can still get yours as well!   Can’t wait to show pictures! 

Anyway, I think I’m business’ed out!  How ’bout some “crabby-most-of-the-time” cutie-pies?  We had fun but it was short-lived.  That’s why I hate winter….dispite it’s dark by 5pm, but also you have to dress the kids to play outside for probably 10 minutes tops because it’s too cold to be out any longer, and then take off all the wet stuff, possibly wash it if it’s muddy, and then give the dog a bath because she went in the mud, and then clean up the mud mess left behind from the boots.  All that for 10 minutes???  I hate you winter.

I just thought how awesome it would that be to do a family session in the snow….I can sooo picture it!  I’ll probably have an engagement session in the snow and I already have an idea!