Do you think good photography is an easy path to wealth?

Here is something for every one to think about.  In an article published this month in the Professional Photographers of America magazine Professional Photographer how much income the average photographer makes per year.

It is shocking and in some cases very true!

"There's a crazy perception out there that photography equals easy money.  In reality, on average, photographers keep less than 22 cents of every dollar they make.  With $100,000 in gross income, that's $22,000 for the photographer, which is below poverty level.  To succeed takes hard work, a diligent approach to accounting, and strong attention to detail - not to mention talent and maybe even a dose of good luck."  December 2010 edition - page 43.

 So if you think a photographer is charging you too much for that 8x10 photograph you just purchased, think again, there's a lot that goes on behind that photograph that you don't see.

Here are some of the reasons photographers charge what we do.

1.   Knowledge:
      We are educated just like a lawyer or doctor.  Training, continuing education, testing of techniques and practice.  It takes us about 3 to 4 plus years of education and experience to achieve great results.  It's not an over night experience.

2. Equipment Costs:
    The equipment we use as professionals are not like the camera you might purchase for your everyday photographs.  The cameras and equipment we use run in the $1,000's of dollars and we need back up equipment in case a piece of equipment has a hick up.

3. Studio and Office Costs:
    Some of us have a store front while others may work out of their home but it's still all an expense.  Not to mention marketing takes a very big chuck of our profits.

4. Props and Backgrounds:
    Did you know that the average cost of a 8'x10' background can cost $500 or more!  Everything we need to make an image look great cost money.  Yes we can deduct it as an expense but, every dollar spent, just like you purchasing something for your home, it all adds up.

5. Time:
    The old saying which still holds true today "Time is money".  Imagine how much time a photographer puts into polishing your photographs.  We have time before you arrive to get the studio ready for your session.  Taking the images. Editing all images taken. Retouching and enhancements.  Sending in your order.  Quality check of the images after printing.  Delivery of your images.  The most important time, the time we spend with a customer.

I could go on and on but that would make this article a book.

Can you say "It's just a photograph!"