04/25/2026
If youāre looking for a great photographer, thatās me!
If youāre looking for a great photographer on a small budget, that is not me. Iām not the most expensive but Iām also not in the āportfolio buildingā stage.
I do this full time. 3 kids and a husband that I really enjoy spending time with as much as possible- one of them we get only every other week. A church Iād rather serve. Girls Iād rather spend time with in my small group. Outdoors Iād rather explore. People I LOVE to be generous toward because they are my friends or family.
Thousands of dollars in equipment that we really canāt afford to just use for a hobby or to ābuild a portfolio.ā Countless hours spent studying posing, editing, building a website, designing (and redesigning) a brand thatās kinda recognizable, curating experiences, strategies for next steps, marketing knowledge so my small business clients have a stronger understanding of how photos can build their brandā¦ late night panic attacks that I missed a shot or ruined someoneās momentā¦ I could go on forever.
I donāt feel like I need to prove myself anymore. Respectfullyā¦ please stop asking me for discounts or asking how much something will cost and then explaining why you want it, how youāre going to sacrifice to pay me, or how hard itās going to be to pay for what you want. Do you do that to your hair stylist or nail girl? Probably notā¦ hopefully not!
Professional photos are a *luxury*. They are not a right. You donāt have a right to your friendās skills and business just because you think your recommendation will get them more business or exposure. Iām not just dying to photograph your beautiful kid so much that I miss an evening with my family for next to nothing.
Last time I checked I canāt pay a water bill with a tag on Facebook or a Google review. Thatās SO helpful and appreciated and essential for growth but itās a long term payoff. We got NOW bills, too!
Itās something Iāve kept bottled up because Iām probably too nice. I WANT to give and give and give but when I donāt get much in return itās my family that suffers.
This is NOT directed at anyone in particular. If Iāve offered you a discount itās because I want to bless you. No shade at all. If I donāt itās because I donāt want to be bitter about something I donāt feel prepared to give. I love giving when my heart is in the right place.
āØThis is a boundary moment. A line in the sand where I say please donāt ask me unless you want to know the real price. A mutual agreement that you can say no thank you and move on.āØ
I LOVE running a business but I see now why so many photographers are prickly about this issue. Itās just so frustrating to feel undervalued by so many people around you. Iām so sorry to say I was this person once too in other ways. If you donāt get it, you just donāt get it.
To the people that helped me get here, I am SO thankful for your support and I pray I am your photographer for life! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the trust and support and likes and follows and shares and recommendations.
My Senior rates are posted on my website and they are extremely reasonable for the experience, quality and consistency I do my best to provide. I quote otherwise on a project-by-project basis.
š¤ Sincerely, someone who doesnāt have professional family photos of her kids because we could never afford them and understood that they are a luxury.
