I’m not a coffee drinker. At. All. It’s nothing against coffee, nothing personal at all. It’s just not really my cup of…well, coffee. (See what I did there…) However, my husband and daughters adore the stuff. Especially the hubby. He’s the epitome of the “don’t talk to me until I’ve had coffee” type of personality.
Right now, you’re asking yourself, “What does coffee have to do with family photos???” I wanted to find a reference most people would be able to understand and relate to. You see, coffee isn’t important to me. Well, except the whole must-give-it-to-my-spouse issue I mentioned earlier. But, other than that, I couldn’t care less if I never saw or purchased coffee again. With its lack of importance to me, personally, I’m unable to conceive of the cost some coffee-drinkers are willing to pay when purchasing coffee. That hot, caffeine-rich beverage is just not something I value. Having said that, a large portion of the population would beg to differ with my opinion. Which, is totally fine. Agree to disagree and all that.
There is, however, something I find of immense value. Photography.
(See, I finally worked my way back to the topic at hand!)
When I look at a photo, I don’t only see subjects in a scene. No. I see memories. I see heirlooms. I see the complete and utter magic briefly captured in a moment in time. This is valuable to me. These are what I find important.
Knowing what you value and what you find a high commodity VS insignificant and meaningless purchases others spend their money on is VERY important. Once you know what you’re willing to pay to get what you want, the rest is fairly simple. When photography is involved, especially in the technological age we find ourselves currently, you have to ask yourself, “What do I want to convey in my portraits?” Some are fine with phone photos. Others are accepting of inexpensive mini session images. All are perfectly fine.
However, sometimes, there are times when clients feel the need to fully invest in their family portraits. Which, is what separates what you find valuable and what’s merely a fun way to capture memories and pass the time. Those who are wanting to professionally portray their loved ones on their walls and in their homes will find the need to invest a bit more into family photos.
When you think of family photos, you often think of the finished project. This is exactly what you should be considering when beginning your family photo pursuit. Once you know how you want your portrait to look, you’re able to move in the right direction. Find a photographer who shares your vision and has a similar style featured in their portfolio. Hone in on what you want to wear and what look you’re hoping to achieve.
This is where we finally(!) get to the cost of family photos and why you should consider investing in your memories.
I won’t lie, family portraits can and might be fairly expensive. A worthwhile photographer will most likely cost a pretty penny. However, keep in mind, if you’ve chosen based on a style you gravitate toward, they’ve more than likely spent time and even more money on learning their craft, building a professional photography business, and covering all of their own expenses. Just like any other job, photographers deserve to earn an income, as well.
Then, you take into account clothing and styling. You want your family photos to be beautiful, yes? Otherwise, as mentioned before, just grab a phone and snap a picture or 20 and hope for the best. When planning high-end, elegant family photos, you want to dress your loved ones in outfits worthy of a wall portrait. This can become quite costly. Again, though, if you’re investing in your memories in a professional capacity, do it right. I’ve always wondered why you would go through everything just to let it fall to the wayside with clothing choices.
Now, this one is definitely not a requirement. However, it’s an amazing addition to any family session and helps decrease the level of stress when getting ready for your session. Adding on a hair and makeup artist can greatly reduce the amount of stress a family member, usually the female family members, can feel before a family photoshoot. While it is an added expense, it’s sometimes completely worth it if for no other reason than minimizing the stress one can feel trying to apply makeup and style hair. Plus, this reduces the overall time (believe it or not) in the “getting ready” timeframe. This is because the guesswork has been removed from the equation. Allowing a professional to prepare you helps to use your prep time constructively. Again, however, this is not a must-have but an added bonus.
I do have some good news, though. Besides these upfront expenses, once you’ve decided on everything, and prepared accordingly, you’ll feel a sense of relief knowing you’ve invested in your family photos appropriately and are ready to capture gorgeous memories you’ll cherish forever.
The best part is actually after your session. Choosing your favorite images and deciding which photos you want printed for which product. Lucky for all of our clients, most of our packages include wall art and/or heirloom pieces. Knowing you walk away with a tangible item after all of your hard work really is such a reward. You’ll be able to showcase your family portrait on your wall for all to see.
Best-best part? Any guests to your home will have no idea how much work went into that family photo. All they’ll see is an amazing piece of art featuring your loved ones in an effortless way. It truly becomes a statement piece in your home. What better to adorn your walls and home than portraits of your most important people?
I do have some good news, though. Besides these upfront expenses, once you’ve decided on everything, and prepared accordingly, you’ll feel a sense of relief knowing you’ve invested in your family photos appropriately and are ready to capture gorgeous memories you’ll cherish forever.
The best part is actually after your session. Choosing your favorite images and deciding which photos you want printed for which product. Lucky for all of our clients, most of our packages include wall art and/or heirloom pieces. Knowing you walk away with a tangible item after all of your hard work really is such a reward. You’ll be able to showcase your family portrait on your wall for all to see.
Best-best part? Any guests to your home will have no idea how much work went into that family photo. All they’ll see is an amazing piece of art featuring your loved ones in an effortless way. It truly becomes a statement piece in your home. What better to adorn your walls and home than portraits of your most important people?
