What!! how long? but it took barely 15 minutes to take those photos.
I know it might sound odd and often hard to explain, but the average time I put into each private photo session can be anywhere between 16-24 hours or more.
Each session includes some or all of the following: Phone calls, emails, meeting, pre-session consultation, preps and checking equipment before the session, loading and wrap up after the session, the session time itself plus travel time, uploading images to computer, reviewing, post production and photoshop, review sessions with client, posting galleries, preparing the orders and assembling order items, packaging and delivery.
Here’s a quick hourly breakdown of a session:
- Admin/Emails/Calls/Meet- 2
- Pre-Session consultation – 1
- Session Prep and Wrap – 2
- Photo Shoot + Travel – 3
- Upload/Set up/Archive – 1
- Post Production – 4
- Client Review – 2
- Order Prep – 1 to 5 (custom designed products)
- Wall Design Consultation – 1
- Packaging and Delivery – 1
This does not include any fix cost or product cost of whatever is being ordered, packaging or delivery
Some of the fixed and overhead costs are:
- Professional Photography Equipment
- Software/Hardware
- Studio Expenses
- Phone
- Advertising-Promotion -ads/ printing / mailings / web sites – design + hosting / mailing lists
- Subscriptions / dues / insurance
- Professional Services – legal / accounting/ tax prep
- Utilities
- Repair
- Auto
- Office Supplies
- Photography Supplies -non-billable (tests, expendables)
This is a very short part of the list, I think you get the picture by now (no pun intended!)
Want to learn more? check out a great article by Michael Albany ‘ You Charge How Much ? ‘
