Photographer Costs Question

Two photo shoots for $300 and you keep the digitals? It is a pretty good deal for a professional photographer that can get the result you want. I've seen some pretty good stuff come out of "box" studios, but I believe it is the exception rather than the rule.

I regret not getting maternity photos...go for it. I think the key words are that she "would never spend that kind of money"...it isn't HER money, right?

If you have the money, it is yours to spend how you see fit. Photography is a skill which many hone for years. If their services weren't worth it, they'd have had to adjusted them years ago.

that is a good deal. i'm a photographer and thats close to what I would charge for a full disk of edited pictures and the print release.

Target/Sears/WalMart/etc do not take professional pictures. If you like this portfolio you have found pictures you like, and yo uwill get pictures like that. They won't be cheesy stand and smile pics. Paying a photographer means paying for custom work, I don't think I've ever taken two of the same portrait. Sure, same locations, but nothing is the same ever.

Go for it, you will be happy you did. People like your sister will never see a great portrait, they will only see a printed picture with people on it. Never the art in the shot.

That sounds about right. You do get what you pay for. I went to a professional photographer for my maternity/newborn pictures paid around the same price but didn't get a cd with copyrights. I wish I would have found a deal like that. Having them taken by a professional is more relaxed and you just feel more comfortable compare to the local retail stores. Don't get me wrong target took great picture of my daughter first birthday but I felt so rush. I suggestion that you go for it, especially if its you last. And don't forget to include you first baby in the photos.

Sounds like a good deal. We have only gotten professional shots by a photographer done once. It was for my son's 1st bday. The pictures are amazing. If you can afford it then I say go for it. Walmart, pennies, and sears will never match the quility of a professional pic.

We were lucky my husband traded plumbing work on the photographer's new home so we go ours for free. I keep hoping she will need some more work soon. We would not have been able it afford them with out the trade.

Congrats on your new baby.

By the way I really think the comment 8kidsdad said (My condolences on your second child being your last one. I feel so sad for you.) was rather wierd and rude.

Good Luck
Tina

That does sound like a great deal! I would totally do it! I am never happy with walmart/ penneys... Would you mind sharing the name of your photographer? I also live in Peoria and would love some maternity pictures for our second child. I never did it for my first and really regret that now. Have fun with your shoot!

That is less than my senior pics were, and it sounds like you get a lot for your money.

VERY reasonable price.

The 2 options: pro v penny's are two entirely different things. It's like comparing a picnic table and a dining room set. Both are useful for different purposes/intent. But one very very rarely expects to be able to interchange the two. And if one does, one is disappointed.

I think that's a *great* price for a professional to come to your home and take the photos. Plus the digitals? Excellent!! You can't compare a professional photographer to the ones in JCPenny's - to paraphrase 8KidsDad (and his comment about your 2nd being your last was out of line) - you're getting a Rolls Royce instead of a stone wheel.

ps: who cares what your sister thinks?! Its your money!! Be prepared for her to be jealous of how great the photos are and try to knock them...

pps: for our firstborn we got a special deal from our photog - $100 for the session and a commitment to purchase $250 in prints (but spent more). We had her back last year to do a family session and it was $250 for the session + a commitment to purchase $250 in prints/digital packages (and spent more to get digitals for 10 of the photos). WORTH EVERY SINGLE PENNY BOTH TIMES. And we'll have her back when our 2nd (and last!) is about 2 months old next February :) There is ZERO comparison to the photos she took to the others floating around.

I prefer to use actual photograpgers instead of studios. They are more expensive, but I think you get much better and more natural shots. AND if you get to keep your digital prints, WOW! That is a good deal for that. It totally depends on you. One thing to think about, is that a lot of the personal photographers get their training in stores like Target, Wal-Mart, JCPenney, etc...I just dislike the time limit, constraint on poses, and normally cramped rooms for lots of people in studios :).

That is an awesome price! I did professional pictures for both pregnancies and both newborn sessions. I loved the pictures. My only regret is not buying all the pictures from my second pregnancy and second son.

Who are you using for your pictures? I would love to see his/her work and maybe book a photoshoot when my son turns 1.

My family and I get professional pictures taken once a year, every year. I don't think that the price you were quoted is too much. Actually, we're getting our pictures taken this Saturday and are actually paying a lot more than that. My opinion is that these are pictures that you want done right especially it being your last child. I would pay the money to guarantee I am happy. I've tried doing the Sears, Target and Walmart pictures and have never been happy. It's worth the money to have a professional do it.

That's a great price! A lot of photographers will charge $100-200 (or more) just to take the photos--and it doesn't include the actual prints. The prints can be quite expensive, too, but if you have them printed yourself, it will be a lot less expensive. A professional photographers photograps will tell a story--studio pictures (Target, JCPenney's, etc.) rarely do.

Hi. I am a photographer in south OC and that price seems VERY reasonable. Just remember, the work doesn't end once the photoshoot is over, we still have hours and sometimes days to work on editing and stuff, so time and editing work is what you are mostly paying for. Congrats on your new baby and I hope your pictures turn out beautiful for you!!

If you want to get from point A to point B you can use a chauffered Rolls Royce or a bicycle. $300 for the pictrures you describe sounds like the Rolls Royce without the chauffer. Walmart and their $5 package is more like the bicycle.

You didn't describe the photopackage, but $300 sounds like $200 to $250 too much. But if the photopackage is extensive, then you might be getting what you're paying for.

My condolences on your second child being your last one. I feel so sad for you. Good luck to you and yours.