08/20/2026
MiniRant:
I'm proud of this photo. The shot, the edit, I love all of it. But I doubt anyone is going to pay for a framed print. It's the kind of work I like to do. And while I have been paid to photograph people, my interest there is strictly limited to candid event photography or street photography. I have no desire to shoot a wedding or posed photos. So what I am about to say is not a strategy for personal gain.
I see posts in the local community forums all the time where someone is "looking for a photographer building a portfolio." They want free photography in exchange for exposure. Here is why I have no interest in that:
1. When I had the opportunity to spend money on my current camera gear, I spent thousands of dollars on a camera body, flash setups, and lenses. When I point my basic camera body, 50mm lens, and external flash in your general direction, I am bringing $5,000 worth of tools to the table. Sadly, a few short years later, most of it is out of date.
2. When I get home, I am editing on a computer that cost approximately 12 times what I paid for my first car. The monitor I used for photo editing probably cost more than your laptop or iPhone, and I have a device that calibrates the monitor so that the edited photos will produce prints that match what you see on the screen. I pay a monthly subscription fee for the editing software.
3. Editing takes time. Especially if you've caked up 4 ounces of Bondo and Mabelline trying to cover up the zit on your nose. If I let you choose 50 photos from 300 shots, let's just count on 12+ hours of editing.
So now I have some clown that wants me to bring $10K worth of equipment to bear, spend 20 hours between the shoot and the edits. And you want me to do it for exposure?
Here's some reality - The people willing to do that aren't going to capture the images you are looking for. That takes not just the proper tools, but the experience to make sure your future mother-in-law doesn't have a shadow covering her best side. They may have a good eye, but they are not creating a complete album of lifetime photos.
If you are looking for a photographer for an event, you can set a budget but you can't set the price. You should ask for portfolios, and find some photographers whose photos you like. And ask their rates. If you find one in your budget, great!
If you can't find a photographer in your budget, you can either adjust your budget, or settle for someone who fits your budget. But do not ask someone to do something for less than the worth they have established for their time. Would you trust child in a car that you negotiated the price of repairs on? If the mechanic is good, he is in demand. He makes no compromise on the time he takes to make the repair or the quality of parts he puts in it. The guy doing the front brakes on your Mercedes for $100 is worth every dime. Same with your photographer.
Musicians get the same crap. Why do people think an artist should provide lifelong memories on the cheap?
