07/12/2026
I have finally made a price sheet that I'm proud of & I'd love to cover some bases as some things have changed...
1. My rates have slightly increased. I have worked extremely hard on my business & knowledge & my time is becoming more valuable as a business owner.
2. I have lowered the amount of edited photos I offer per package. In the past, I have been very generous with how many pictures I give to people. Unfortunately, with more inquiries & less time to spend with each gallery (not that I'm rushing galleries, but that I'm spending lots of extra time trying to give people more), I have to be more consistent with what I'm advertising. From now on, I will not be exceeding my guaranteed image amount unless there are undeniable images. I can always find more, but I have to make this business manageable for myself & my family as my priority is to be a mother & a wife.
3. Travel fees are not included in these prices. My travel fee is 75¢/mile AFTER the first 25 miles from my home address. Prior to booking, I will ALWAYS send you a quote/invoice that clearly states the pricing breakdown. There should be no reason that this is ever a surprising factor for you or anyone else.
4. Customizable packages are still available & give you full freedom to create a comfortable package for the both of us to work with so that you get the outcome you desire.
5. I will have to start enforcing late fees on payment plans. I have started a lot of payment plans for people that have not made their payments & will send me lump sums the day of their session. By allowing payment plans, I was focused on giving people an opportunity to get the updated pictures they deserve without significant financial strain. While I still may be able to do that for those who have not made proper payments, continuously breaking the contract both parties signed is not good for my business. From now on, any payments not made within 24 hours of the agreed upon payment dates will now be subject to late fees. If the full session payment is not made within 24 hours of your session time, the session will not be guaranteed. I will no longer commit to a session until full payment is made. If payments are an issue for you, you must submit a claim in the form of writing ONLY to discuss the expectations. Calls will not be accepted as written notice.
6. Lastly, to follow up on the previous note, there will be mandatory nonrefundable retainers collected prior to bookings. No booking is confirmed until the retainer is received. All retainers will be 25% of the TOTAL cost of your session.
Being a budget-friendly photographer has been a really tough game in a world that's not financially forgiving. In no way am I trying to say that someone else's financial burdens are insignificant compared to my financial needs, as that would directly conflict with my purpose as a photographer. I would just like to keep my time & work more professional & consistent for the sake of everyone involved in giving me all of these amazing opportunities. I truly love & appreciate anyone who has worked with me & given me grace & patience as I've grown my business from amateur bird photography. If anyone has any questions about said changes, I am always happy to talk more about these things.
Sincerely,
Your budget-friendly photographer
(like your friendly neighborhood spider-man 😉),
Focal Photography By Ashton
