Why Professional Photography Costs What It Does | Cheyenne Newborn, Maternity & Family Photographer
Why does professional photographers costs so much?
One of the most common misconceptions about photography is that clients are paying for 30 minutes, an hour or two they spend in front of the camera.
The reality is that the session itself is only a small part of what goes into creating your final photos.
As a professional photographer and small business owner, I wear many hats. The time spent photographing your family, newborn, maternity, senior, or milestone session is just one piece of a much larger process that often begins weeks before your session and continues long after it is over.
Before the Session
Long before I ever pick up my camera, there is work happening behind the scenes.
I answer emails and phone calls, schedule consultations, coordinate dates and locations, prepare contracts, send invoices, track payments, and help clients plan their sessions.
For newborn sessions, I wash wraps, blankets, outfits, and props. I sanitize studio items, organize sets, prepare backdrops, and ensure everything is ready before a baby arrives.
For family and senior sessions, I help with clothing choices, location recommendations, timing, and planning. If there is poor weather or illness, rescheduling.
During the Session
The session itself is where most people see the work happening.
Years of education, practice, and experience come together to create a comfortable and enjoyable experience while producing beautiful photos.
For newborn photographers especially, safety is always the top priority. Proper posing, lighting, handling, and workflow require extensive training and continuing education.
Newborn Photography: One of the Most Time-Intensive Types of Photography
As a Newborn Photographer in Cheyenne, Wyoming, I can tell you that newborn photography requires far more planning, preparation, patience, and editing than most people realize.
The process begins before a baby ever arrives at the studio. Wraps, blankets, outfits, and props are washed and prepared. The Studio is sanitized Backdrops and setups are planned. Safety considerations are reviewed, and everything is arranged to create a calm environment for both baby and parents.
Once the session begins, patience is key. Newborns need time to be fed, comforted, changed, and settled. Some babies sleep through most of the session, while others need extra soothing and breaks. Every baby is unique, and sessions are always guided by the baby's comfort and safety.
After the session, the work continues behind the scenes. Newborn photos often require additional editing to address temporary skin conditions such as redness, flaky skin, baby acne, scratches, and jaundice while still keeping the baby looking natural.
As a professional newborn photographer, I invest in specialized training, safety education, newborn-specific props, wraps, outfits, and equipment designed specifically for photographing babies. These investments help ensure that families receive beautiful photos while knowing their baby is being photographed safely.
When families hire me as their Newborn Photographer in Cheyenne, they are investing in much more than a photo session. They are investing in experience, safety, preparation, patience, and the expertise needed to preserve memories from one of the shortest and most precious stages of life.
After the Session
This is where a significant amount of time is spent.
Sometimes, hundreds of photos are carefully reviewed and culled. When the best photos, they are color corrected, and edited. Skin tones are refined, distractions are removed, and final photos are prepared for delivery.
What may have been a one-hour session can easily require several additional hours of work behind the computer.
The Costs You Do Not See
Professional photography involves far more expenses than a camera.
Some of the costs of running a photography business include:
Professional cameras and lenses - purchasing and maintenance of them
Computer equipment
Editing software subscriptions
Website hosting and maintenance
Online gallery systems
Client management software
Insurance - YES ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS MUST HAVE THIS!!!
Business LLC- Annual Reports for the State
Continuing education and training
Studio expenses
Props, wraps, backdrops, and outfits
Printing samples and products
Marketing and advertising
Accounting and bookkeeping services
Internet, utilities, and office supplies
Taxes and self-employment expenses
Many photographers invest thousands of dollars each year simply to maintain the tools and education necessary to provide a professional experience.
You Are Not Just Paying for Photos
When you hire a professional photographer, you are not simply paying for someone to press a button on a camera.
You are investing in years of education, experience, artistic skill, professional equipment, business systems, safety training, customer service, and countless hours of work that happen behind the scenes.
You are investing in someone who has dedicated themselves to preserving moments that cannot be recreated.
The newborn stage passes quickly.
Children grow.
Families change.
Milestones come and go.
Photographs become part of your family's history.
Supporting Small Business
When you choose a local professional photographer, you are supporting a small business owner who often serves as the photographer, editor, accountant, marketer, customer service department, scheduler, website manager, social media manager, prop shopper, janitor, and much more.
Every session represents far more than the time spent taking photos.
Thank you to every family who has trusted me with their memories and supported my small business over the years. Your support allows me to continue doing what I love while serving families throughout Cheyenne, Laramie, Wheatland, Torrington, Northern Colorado, and Western Nebraska.
Debi Spencer-Zerby Photography
Cheyenne, Wyoming
