How much should you pay for family pictures?

I was 18 years old the first time I got paid to take someone's photos. I was an assistant for a wedding and made a whole $45 for an 8-hour day. I was asked to take Christmas photos for a family friend and charged them $25. The first time I shot a wedding as a lead photographer I only charged $500 for a FULL day, if my memory is correct, I was there for close to 12 hours. Needless to say, I have come a long way. 

So, as you continue to read whether you are a photographer or you are looking for a photographer, remember that everyone has their own journey at their own pace. 

First, answer the most important question. Do you have a budget? Because full disclosure, I never ever want someone going into debt or stretching their means to far.  

So, do you already have an expectation or an amount you are willing to pay? 

Let’s break things down. These numbers are based on market research in NE Ohio. 

Hire an inexperienced family photographer: $100-$250 

By no means is hiring an inexperienced photographer a bad thing, or means they lack talent. 

• Do they have any experience with children? Specifically, the ages of your children. 

• Can they show off a full gallery? Are they getting more than one good image that appears on social media? 

• Will they be able to confidently prepare your family for the session? 

If you feel confident in them this might be a good choice for you! 

Hire an experienced family photographer:  $400-$900 

Experienced family photographers know that a successful photography session requires a lot of pre-planning and attention to detail. These professionals will ensure that every aspect is taken into accounts, such as clothing and hair for the family, location for the session, and any props or backdrops needed. During the session, they will take their time to ensure that all images gathered are of quality and that everyone is smiling and comfortable. After the session, processing will begin in order to guarantee high-quality prints. Experienced photographer knows that their hard work doesn’t end after a photo shoot; additional hours are spent editing photos to provide clients with outstanding results. All these steps are part of an experienced family photographer's comprehensive process to provide clients with an amazing photography experience. 

I love being able to connect with my clients and their families, creating long-lasting relationships. That's why I've worked so hard to make it possible for as many people as possible to be able to access my full family sessions. While 550 may at first seem like a lot of money, I’ve taken the financial burden of that cost into account by offering flexible payment plans and monthly membership options. Ultimately, I believe that photographic sessions should not be something that isn’t affordable or financially accessible - everybody deserves important moments captured forever in thousands of different ways and I want to make sure everyone can experience feeling the joy and satisfaction of seeing those final results!