Babes in the Shade {Brisbane Commercial Photographer}

As you know I was lucky enough to be asked to do the photography for a new amazing Brisbane magazine Peekaboo. I am a little behind with sharing some of my images from our  feature stories for Issue 1.  These images are not ones featured in the magazine but some of my personal favs.

Babes in the Shade http://www.babesintheshade.com.au/ is a relatively new label which was started in August 2008.  Babes in the Shade sell gorgeous long sleeved UPF 50+ chlorine resistant sun protection rashies and sun shirts for children and kids.   To read more of this amazing success story be sure to get your hands on a copy of Peekaboo.  The Autumn edition will be out in March which is so exciting and will be even better than the first edition.

Till next time
Naxx

Rocking that Frock {Brisbane Wedding Photographer}

A few months ago I had an opportunity to do a fun shoot with my friend Kylie Maree.  It was a rare weekend where I had nothing on so what better thing to do than to organise a photoshoot!  Kylie had her sister-in-law model for us and we were able to take our time and just get some shots for US.  We also got to play with our off-camera-flash gear!

Here are a few of my favs from our shoot!
Till next time.
Naxx

Princess Ratbag Apple Punch {Brisbane Commercial Photographer}

As most of my regular blog readers would know I do the photography for Princess Ratbag – the beautiful pettiskirts that I love to feature on my photoshoots!  I was recently asked to photograph the new pettiskirt “Apple Punch”.  I had a family photoshoot and as this wasn’t a set up photoshoot as such, we still got some lovely images for Princess Ratbag to use for this new skirt.  Thought I would share a few of these with you.

Stay tuned for some more commercial shoot details that I have been involved in lately.

Till next time

Nax

Fun at the Lake {Springfield Family Photographer}

Two days before the end of the decade I had the pleasure of meeting this lovely (and very good looking) family down at Springfield Lakes for their first family photoshoot.  It was really nice doing a shoot where the kids didn’t run away (not that I mind) and I absolutely adored spending time with these guys.

Here are a few of fav images from the afternoon!

Till next time
Nax

Custom Photography {Brisbane Wedding Photographer}

WHY DOES CUSTOM PHOTOGRAPHY COST MORE?

The digital revolution has brought amazing flexibility and ability to control various factors during the image taking and making process. Photographers, the hobbyist, the professional, the amateur all benefit from this ability to manipulate pixels. However, with flexibility comes a price. Digital camera equipment is still considerably more expensive when you factor in its’ lifespan, the need for additional resources for processing those images, the time it takes to get a usable image and the effort that goes into creating a work of photographic art.

We all know that you can go to the local photo printers and pay a $1.99 or less for a print – as a client you may wonder why you may pay upwards of $50, $70, $90 for a custom photography print. Photographers hear this statement every once in awhile:

“How in the world can you charge $60 for an 8×10 if it costs me less than $2 to print at x store?”

The truth of the matter is the answer to this question is multifaceted. Much of the cost of a photographic print produced by a professional photographer has a lot to do with the time, equipment costs, artistic vision and reputation of the photographer not to mention expertise and the usual costs of running a legitimate business.

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THE COST OF TIME

Approaching it from a time standpoint, let’s imagine that you have hired a photographer who has work that you love. This photographer is traveling an hour to your destination to photograph your session. Here is an example of a time break down:

• session prep time (30 mins – 1 hour, includes equipment and back up equipment checks + vehicle checks)
• one hour travel time TO session
• 15-30 minutes prep time at client’s home
• 90 minutes-2 hours with client photographing subject
• one hour travel time FROM session
• 30-45 minutes uploading time from digital cards from camera to computer
• 30-45 minutes time spent backing up the original images
• 2-5 hours editing time to present you with a diverse gallery of edited images
• 1 hour prep time getting ready for ordering
• 2-3 hours time with client for ordering images
• 1 hour sorting through and checking order
• 30 minutes-1 hour prep time for delivery
• 30 minutes-1 hour getting order shipped
• any additional phone time or time needed for add on ordering, shipment issues, quality issues

In this example, the time spent per client can range from just under 13 hours to 19 hours. This is time dedicated only to ONE session. When the photographer charges $150-$300 for the photo shoot (aka SESSION FEE) you are not just paying for the two hours of session time, you are paying the photographer for 12-19 hours complete time for your session.

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The COSTS of MAINTAINING A CUSTOM PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS :

Regarding equipment costs, a good quality professional camera with a selection of good optical quality lenses and digital storage mediums and computer set up can run from $10,000-$30,000 costs. Even though you can purchase a really good quality DIGITAL SLR for about $2100 there are still other costs related to photography. A good lens for portrait photography can run from $900 to $2500. A dependable computer system with software loaded for business and creative usage can run $2500 to $8000r.

Then come lab costs for specialty products. A good photographer knows the lab is integral to their success. Photography labs dedicated to the professional photographer often cost more and offer a range of products that allows the custom photographer to continually offer new, innovative products for you, the discerning client.

Discussion other costs of running a photography business could take awhile so we’ll skip many of the intricate details. There is of course much more: including costs of running the business, taxes, studio rental/mortgage if the photographer has ownership of a dedicated studio, vehicular costs, costs of advertising/marketing, costs of sample pieces that the photographer will likely bring to your session, etc.

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APPLES to ORANGES to BANANAS:

Going to a chain studio, as a consumer, you don’t have the benefit of 1:1 attention for 2 hours at your home where your child is allowed to explore, play and be comfortable in their home environment, nor do you get the experience that many custom photographers are known for or the lovely captures of natural expressions. You simply get a bare bones, “SAY CHEESE” experience. Keep this in mind when selecting a photographer.

Those same chain studios offer packages that often charge much much more for their a la carte pricing (as high as $40-50 for an 8×10).

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REPUTATION / EXPERTISE of the PHOTOGRAPHER:

Being in demand, being well known for quality work, having a good reputation often costs time on the photographer’s part. Their expertise comes at a cost, their time learning their craft and learning the intricacies of lighting and the commitment put forth on their end to create a persona about their business that oozes professionalism. A great number of photographers go a very long time from the time that they purchase their first good camera to making money at the business of photography. Many photographers, when first starting out, rush in thinking that the business will be easily profitable in no time, how expensive could it be to get a camera and use it to create their dream? They often neglect to factor in the cost of business, the cost of equipment, software, back ups, etc..

Being of sound reputation, a better professional photographer knows that they must always reinvest in their business to create the reputation of being top notch. To create good work, good equipment, reliable equipment, back up equipment is a necessity. The photographer who desires to be known as better/best/unparalelled reputation-wise knows that the most important thing they can do for their business is reliability and dependability. This is how reputations get built. Good work often is a wonderful side product of building that good reputation.

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CONCLUSION

I hope this (lengthy) article helps shed some light on WHY a custom photographer is a better choice for your family’s memories. The photographs that are produced as a result of the professionalism and dedication that your photographer has, will be cherished for a lifetime (or more) and great thought and consideration should be placed into hiring who is right for your family’s most precious investment.

*Used with permission from MARIANNE DRENTHE.

And because I can’t blog without a photo – here is a photo that I worked on this morning. Will post more from this shoot that I did a few months ago over the next few weeks. This is just me doing my own “thing”.

Na

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