Why Photographer's Are Usually Penniless

It's not enough to be a fantastic artist. Take me for example, I'm superb! Just kidding....lol. But really, I have put a lot of effort into my education, my equipment, my marketing, branding, props, and skills. I take a lot of pride in what I do as a photographer, and I am always so happy to present a client with their finished portraits. It gives me a sense of fulfillment, and I love it.

Unfortunately, most of the world thinks photographers are happy go lucky artists with all of the benefits and none of the problems of owning a business. They forget we alone are in charge of purchasing equipment, scheduling appointments, branding our business, marketing ourselves, dealing with the clients, post production editing and ordering, etc. It's a lot of work. It's a huge investment. It's a headache.

Example: My camera is $3000 on it's own. My lenses are several hundred each. My lighting is well over $1000. My editing software costs hundreds of dollars and has taken years to learn and become proficient at. I have backdrops, stands, tripods, outfits, chairs, stools, flooring, baskets, headbands, bubble blowers, cake stands, banners, puffballs, confetti....and more! All of which was purchased at my expense to make sure my pictures are quality.

So when something happens like today, like twice last weekend, like 5 times last month, and even more at the start of the year, where I get stood up by a client who wasn't paying full price for the session in the first place....I end up eating every last penny. I'm not made of money. I have to pay my taxes, which are significantly higher than what you might be paying as an employee of a company. I still have all of my props that just sit in my studio and end up being a waste because I didn't even break even. I invest so much of my time and my money into making sure I can produce a quality portrait that a family can cherish for years.

Yet I still get people tell me I'm too expensive. That their cousin would do it for free and give them a CD. Great! Go to your cousin! I'm a business owner, I have expenses to pay. It is not free to be a photographer. IT IS NOT FREE! It is a business. It is a business! You wouldn't ask your dentist for a discount when it's not the holidays and they aren't seeing as many cavities or just not let him know you aren't coming. You wouldn't ask the cashier at Target to lower the price of your groceries. Why would you do it to a photographer?

So next time you decide to "spend a ton of money" and get portraits done, remember the photographer is a person too. A person who owns a real business, has insurance, a license and pays taxes. And who still at the end of the day needs to make money too. If you don't want pictures, don't waste their time. Don't schedule and then not show up. That is beyond rude and inconsiderate. And they will lose money because of your selfishness.

So here's to being a photographer and constantly being stood up.

www.arastanphotography.com