Hi to everyone, my name is Heather I run a portrait studio in Bolton. I have just joined mumsnet, mainly to get a insight into how parents feel about certain issues and to see what mums want from their portrait sessions etc. I noticed this thread about Venture portraits.
I found your comments very interesting and thought you may like a photographers point of view.
As a professional photographer of 22 years, I have always tried to be fair with my prices and give everyone a fair deal. You have to remember that my camera kit alone stands me at over £10,000, My props from all over the world stand me at £4,-5,000, add to that running cost of my studio and also the cost of upgrading equipment every year, advertising and also constantly attending seminars to keep up with trends, its a very demanding and expensive trade to be in and the end result is a way of keeping your memories alive forever.
As for Venture they are a massive company and have very high standards to maintain, they employ a huge work force across the country and are leading the photography market, they have a large amount of staff behind the scenes just doing photoshop so that your photos look great this is why your portraits cost so much.
I am a one woman band and as such I can charge much less, even though I spend the same amount of time and care on every photo that I create.
That's the difference, I prefer to let my clients view in their own home without my presence, they then have 5 days to make their choice. It does work both ways though, as a few clients don't bother or they get back to me till months later.
I have to make a living so it is hard to do that if after all the hard work is done the client does not bother to order at the correct time. If you choose to purchase the cheapest photos and then copy them that's your choice, but the quality will be reduced and eventually good photographers will go out of business and you won't be able to get your images taken.
I have to say though most of my clients are clients for many years and do order and pay on time.
All my prices are on my website and nothing is hidden from the customer. I offer baby plans, indoor and outdoor shoots. When booking a photographer the main things to remember are find out who your going to have your shoot with, are they experienced, how long have they been around. Do you like their style of work. Can you see all the prices. Tell your photographer what you like and what you don't like. a good photographer will instantly put your mind at ease about what to wear, what to bring what to expect from your shoot. Work with your photographer and you will have a lovely shoot and lovely photographs.
I hope this insight helps to explain photography from both sides of the business.