We get asked almost every single time a new client calls or emails us if we sell our digital files. And we do. But they are not cheap. So sometimes when a potential client finds out what we charge for those files (or prints) they walk away because they can’t afford us. It’s hard because the pleaser in me wants to DISCOUNT DISCOUNT DISCOUNT just so our calendar is booked solid and people come in droves to have us photograph their families. But every other part of me knows we need to make money. And what most people don’t think about when they hire Kim and I is that for the price of many single photographers, our clients are getting two. Two photographers that shoot together, work together, create together… and who split that profit right down the middle. SO  just stepping out the door we’re making less than an individual photographer. Which is fine b/c we love job sharing and the lower pay check is worth working together! But if we were to discount and try to get clients in the door we would be walking away with almost nothing. And we both work to help sustain our families. So working for nothing is NOT ok. Which is why our prices are where they are.

Can you find a photographer in St. Louis cheaper than us? You could find a ton. Do you want to? That’s up to you.

Anyway, I wanted to share a few articles with you I just read that helps shed a light on why our digital files are priced where they are and it’s actually written from a very talented local photographer here, Lauri Baker. We adore Lauri’s work and appreciate that she’s not just another bargain basement priced photographer… she values her work as much as we value ours… and she IS worth it b/c she’s good!

Babyphotographers.com would like to welcome St. Louis baby photographer Lauri Baker as our guest blogger. Please enjoy her interesting and informative thoughts on image ownership and digital files.

Surely you’ve noticed an increase in the number of photographers giving away digital files. As a customer, should you expect them to be for sale? Why don’t all photographers include them in the session fee for free, or at least make them affordable? Don’t the files belong to you anyway?

Federal copyright law is very clear about image ownership. They belong to your photographer, who has the sole right to print, display, and sell them.

You should expect the price of digital files, if available, to compensate your photographer for their work and talent. Baby photographers don’t always sell a large package up front like wedding photographers. Instead, most charge a session fee that just covers some costs of providing the shoot. We rely on print sales as our sole source of income. The digital images are the key to those print sales. This is good for you. It means I have to do a good job for you, or I won’t get paid.

While many photographers do offer the files for sale, many baby photographers who specialize in creating custom art don’t.  For them, it’s a matter of quality control from start to finish. They realize cutting corners on that is a disservice to their clients.

Almost all of the file inquiries I get stem from an attempt to get my work for cheap… to get my vision, but to skip out on buying prints from me. Or from a misconception that digital is cheaper to produce than film. It’s not.

The equipment is much more expensive, replacements are necessary more often, and the workflow, maintenance, troubleshooting, and constant education requirements make digital much more expensive.

Even at that, the real value of digital files comes not from the cost, but what the files contain: the work and artistry that prompted you to choose that photographer. If you purchase files, expect to pay a price that values the work, and is sustainable for the photographer. You want him or her to still be in business when your new baby starts sitting up. Or walking. Or when your family grows.

If you’re looking for cheap portraits, and you don’t care about prints or a long-term photographer, cheap photography is available in abundance on places like Craigslist. You can have a session and all the files for very little money.  But for custom baby photography, the most important things to look for are artistry, image quality, experience with babies, safety, and service. Choose wisely – baby portraits are precious memories and family heirlooms.

Copyright ©2010 Lauri Baker, printed with permission.

If you haven’t been to BabyPhotographers.com yet you should go! It’s got so many awesome articles and so many amazing photographers spotlighted right now!

Thanks for this article Lauri… and if you guys like discussion… you should go HERE to read the comments!