Photo Market Poll

Hey Don, last year we had photos of the kids taken.  I would guess we spent about $300 on the shoot and then a like amount or so on prints (for us, family, etc.).  Then another similar amount probably on framing.  Yikes, that was a lot!  Wouldn't do it all the time, but the pictures are great.   The shoot was done at our house and took about 90min or so total I think.  She gave us an album with  the digital  images from the shoot too (part of the sitting fee and to choose the additional prints from).

I think if I had kids I would feel differently, but with just me, I probably wouldn't have pro photographs taken in a studio. For one thing, I just don't take good pics except for candids where I do not know I'm being photographed!

The only time I would have gotten a personal portrait photographer would have been for my wedding. We did not have a pro photographer there. It bothered me for a while that we didn't have any "traditional" shots. Now I'm divorced and just as glad I didn't spend the money on it....

That said, I do really like the portraits that are taken in an outdoor setting. I've seen some here in CO taken near a stream or in a meadow. Looks nice!

I chose zero.. oh.. but crap.. i forgot I had my camera stolen.. so i guess.. my answer is $300 for a new camera.. then $0..

but truthfully.. you should ask my wife

I'm like pippen though.. no kids.. so right now i'm not up for spending $300 bucks on pictures of my ugly mug

I chose zero because my wife takes pictures all the time.  I have had a digital camera for over two years now and I probably only have about a dozen photos in memory. 

I picked <$100. I'm assuming that would be the cost to show up somewhere, sit down, have a few pics taken and then show me some proofs. Thinking back to metal-band promo 8X10 glossy days Again, I'm assuming that the actual prints would be extra and if it were a "location" shoot, more fundage for the photographer would certainly be due.

-Frank

Whoa, we need to see those!!!

I chose under $100 also, I find pictures at Sears and JC Penny's do just fine for my three year old. Though I will say there are good photographers and bad ones who can work with a child. It would just be too hard for me to pay any more!

I guess you can call me 'cheap'. If I could work the digital camera right I would do it at home, but anyone who say my new bike posting knows that I am just useless with it.

Zero. Spending money isn't going to improve my ugly mug. Unless I'm dressing up in heels and a short skirt, then maybe I'd feel justified spending the $29.95!

well. i have a camera and i like to take pictures, so unless it involves children (were i ever to change my mind and have a child, i'd love pregnancy shots) or some special occasion (and i'll admit much was paid for my wedding photographer) i'm not likely to invest in a photographer.

BUT i will mention that my brother runs a portrait (school and sport photos for children, mostly, but he's trying to get into family photos) studio in virginia (richmond area) and i can see if he'll give me his price range.

edited to add: if i were paying for them for any of my aforementioned reasons, i'd be in the higher end of the price ranges listed.

Edited by debs 2005-05-19 9:14 AM

What problem are you having with it? (Here's a little secret for being a good photograher: shoot a LOT.  Play around have fun and make mistakes. The second purchase after a digital camera should be a large hard drive. Don't erase ANY images.  Shoot in raw format.  Come back later with fresh eyes and take a look at what you shot.

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Thanks everyone, this was really helpful.  It seems that the tipping point for spending money on a photographer is having children.  That's good information to have.

I want some "Samantha at 40" photos done - when I have a body like Samantha's again. For that I would pay a very pretty penny. (Sex & City reference)

I think I know where they are, gimme a few weeks to wade through the boxes to find them

-Frank