This blog may or may not be heading in the direction you think it will go. How many times have we heard the expression “you get what you pay for?” Hundreds, maybe even thousands right? Why is this expression so popular? Why do we hear it so much? Well because there is a very serious truth behind that expression. The same as “birds of a feather flock together” or “don’t bite the hand that feeds you.” So what is the truth behind the expression “you get what you pay for?” The truth is that price of an object or service generally will be the outcome of how well the product lasts or what type of service you will receive.
How many times have we spent hours searching for the better price for something, ANYTHING….. A hotel, an appliance, some home improvement company, clothing, etc? What is the outcome? You have now invested several hours if not days, only to find that the good quality merchandise is all equally around the same price. OR you decide to buy the cheaper version assuming that this one time the rule of “you get what you pay for” will not apply to you. Unfortunately you receive your merchandise/product/service and much to your dismay it rips, breaks, or you are left feeling worse off than had you just spent that extra money and gone with what you knew would be great.
So what is my point? My point pertains to photography…. Is it worth the cost? I don’t mean the physical cost of photography I mean is it worth it to go the cheapest route possible?
True Story… I recently had a rather interesting call with an upcoming High School Senior’s parent and their specific words were “I want the cheapest route possible.” I brushed this off in my mind and finished the conversation to the best of my ability. After the call was over I immediately started this blog, because I feel it is important for EVERY single person to really THINK about what they are asking for.
In the two fields of portrait photography that I work in (Newborn and High School Seniors) these moments, like many other fields in photography, will NEVER happen again. These moments are some of THE MOST treasured and remembered moments of someone’s life! Is it worth it for you to want the cheapest way out? Is it worth it for you to have a horrible experience? Is it worth it to get images that are not good, that probably could have been taken by yourself with a pocket camera? Is it worth it for that moment to be gone and not have anything worth sharing with anyone else? Is it worth the regret you will probably feel as soon as it’s over? Is it worth the look on your senior’s face when they are sad about their own pictures?
The truthful and honest answer is probably not. Why on earth do we want to spend money on the cheapest way out… when as soon as its over we are hurt, disappointed, possibly angry AND out money! So again I ask is it worth the cost?
We can all tell the difference between a great photo and an OK photo. Although you may not understand what it takes to get that great photo… Professional photographers do. When you hire a professional photographer you are hiring an artist that will provide you with amazing images, an experience like none other, one on one attention, product (no I do not mean a cd with your images) and prints that are of the highest quality!
Can you imagine someone walking into Tiffany & Co. looking for an engagement ring and saying I would like the cheapest way out? NO WAY! Why is that? Because clearly if they are looking for the cheapest way out they are in the wrong store!
The same thing applies with professional photographers… Given everyone with a camera now- a- days is a “’photorapher” but there is ABSOLUTELY a difference between someone who owns a camera and someone who OWNS a business.
As I finally finish this blog I ask that you please stop and think about what you’re asking for when you say you want “the cheapest way out.” Is it worth the cost to you?