https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 30 Apr 2026 13:03:51 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-pay-for-photography-if-you-live-in-expensive-area/page/2#post-2384849 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 20:22:55 +0000 Ginabean3 2384849@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I live in Southern California and I think the market here is really saturated. You can basically find a photographer at pretty much any price point! We paid $250 for our newborn pictures. It was a 3 hr session plus about 20 digital edited images. We used our own printing service (mpix) to print. I was quite satisfied! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-pay-for-photography-if-you-live-in-expensive-area/page/2#post-2383778 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 08:42:28 +0000 Littlebit7 2383778@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We live in a really expensive area. I "won" a photography mini session with a well known local photographer. Plus an 8x10. It was interesting; they function like a really old school outfit (yet are a younger couple). They don't offer digitals at all and do all prints and framing in house. I was hoping the pictures would suck since everything was sooooo expensive. They didn't. So the free session wasn't free at all. There were one or two (or 5) really special images I just couldn't pass on. I only had one framed (and took the rest to have framed myself). I was unable to even purchase a digital file, which really rubbed me the wrong way. </p> <p>We also had booked a family session with our wedding photographer over thanksgiving while home visiting family. She charges 800 for a family session. Lasted about an hour; 175 images. They are all stunning. If anyone lives in Virginia wall me, she is hands down the best photography investment we have ever or will ever make. </p> <p>I always use apples aperture to make my own albums (iPhoto has the same feature). I'm also trying artifact uprising for some calendars this year </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-pay-for-photography-if-you-live-in-expensive-area/page/2#post-2383732 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 08:04:17 +0000 Radish 2383732@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well seeing that photographers are small business owners and have taxes, insurance and other business expenses and typically it's how they support themselves, yes, I'd say that they would be more expensive in a high cost of living area seeing as their cost of living would be higher. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-pay-for-photography-if-you-live-in-expensive-area/page/2#post-2383657 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 00:25:26 +0000 ChiCalGoBee 2383657@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BandDmommy: I can see how your husband would be shocked because to me, $2,800 seems like a lot of money for annual photos. I live in Southern California, and also have had professional photos taken in Chicago, so that's what I'm basing my opinion on. However, I feel like you can spend as much or as little as you want to on a photographer-there seems to be a wide range in many cities. I'll echo others and say doing your own album will likely save you a lot of money. It also would be my bet that if your photographer has won a lot of awards, as you said, that she likely charges a premium for that. But if you love them, then hopefully it was worth it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-pay-for-photography-if-you-live-in-expensive-area/page/2#post-2382891 Wed, 09 Dec 2015 11:58:03 +0000 LBee 2382891@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: We've all been there, friend. While $3,000 sucks to have "wasted" (feels weird calling pictures of your kid money being wasted, but you know what I mean), it could definitely be worse. I've done some really stupid stuff in my day. Being a grown-up sucks some times! </p> <p>To answer the question, it depends on what you are ordering and the photographer's experience. For everything you described (album, canvas, experienced photographer) I would have expected more in the range of a wedding photographer - so while I personally would not pay $2,800 for my child's 1 year photos, I think the price for what you got sounds about right. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-pay-for-photography-if-you-live-in-expensive-area/page/2#post-2382874 Wed, 09 Dec 2015 11:47:01 +0000 Mommy Finger 2382874@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I live in Chicago and got my newborn pictures for around $300 and that included the sitting fee as well as all of the edited digital prints. We did a mini session recently for $135 and that was for a 30 minute session and included 13 digital prints. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-pay-for-photography-if-you-live-in-expensive-area/page/2#post-2382835 Wed, 09 Dec 2015 11:18:09 +0000 SweetiePie 2382835@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs Green Grass: yeah, I'm stupid. I just assumed that they would all be that much and didn't bother shopping around. The photographer they sent was great with my son but once I started working with the owner/editor and seeing the end result I wasn't impressed. We got some great shots but wasn't overwhelmed with the whole package. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-pay-for-photography-if-you-live-in-expensive-area/page/2#post-2382823 Wed, 09 Dec 2015 11:12:03 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2382823@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: That is a lot! I'm sorry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-pay-for-photography-if-you-live-in-expensive-area/page/2#post-2382816 Wed, 09 Dec 2015 11:07:24 +0000 SweetiePie 2382816@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I got ripped off when we did our family session earlier this year. All in it was like $3,000 and all we got was a 1 hour session, 7 prints and 30 digitals. I really didn't shop around, I waited last minute and went with the first friend's recommendation. I'm actually really mad at myself for not doing a better job of it. And the pictures weren't even so amazing that I can say it was worth it.<br /> I think next time I will try to do a mini session as others have mentioned.<br /> Just typing all of this makes me kick myself all over again. 😠 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-pay-for-photography-if-you-live-in-expensive-area/page/2#post-2382692 Wed, 09 Dec 2015 09:57:08 +0000 sandy 2382692@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm in the Seattle area and like others said there is just a huge range. Newborn/maternity seems is just generally expensive bc it's a different type of photo shoot. But for just family photos, I always look for the mini-sessions that are available during the year. I think our newborn photographer would run them about twice a year and it would be $350 for a half hour and 20-30 digital images. </p> <p>My good friend just started her photography business so we used her this year and bc she was portfolio building we paid $150 for an hour and 30 images. I think she's now charging $225/$250 for an hour and 30 images which is still a great deal in this area </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-pay-for-photography-if-you-live-in-expensive-area/page/2#post-2382678 Wed, 09 Dec 2015 09:49:40 +0000 snowjewelz 2382678@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We live in an fairly expensive area, but you can def find a wide range of options. We chose the cheapest; went to a Target Portrait Studio! We had a great experience. I had a few coupons/promotions so sitting fee was waived and got our full digital album for $99. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-pay-for-photography-if-you-live-in-expensive-area/page/2#post-2382664 Wed, 09 Dec 2015 09:40:06 +0000 MoreCoffee 2382664@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The NoVA photog we've used charges $500+ for her family/newborn sessions. She has different options if you want to include prints, canvases, or albums. We've always opted for the digital files only, and last time we did a mini session for $250. It was 20 minutes and was supposed to include 15-20 digital files, but she gave us 30. I agree that photographer prices around here are crazy, to the point that even average photographers are charging exorbitant prices because they know people will pay. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-pay-for-photography-if-you-live-in-expensive-area/page/2#post-2382661 Wed, 09 Dec 2015 09:37:50 +0000 Foodnerd81 2382661@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: same- odds that I even want to print a ton are small so something that comes w a handful of digital images is enough. I'm hoping I can do more mini sessions in the future. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-pay-for-photography-if-you-live-in-expensive-area/page/2#post-2382657 Wed, 09 Dec 2015 09:26:34 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2382657@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>$350 for an average priced photo session, $500 newborn - comes with 20-30 images editid </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-pay-for-photography-if-you-live-in-expensive-area/page/2#post-2382608 Wed, 09 Dec 2015 08:45:05 +0000 bushelandapeck 2382608@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We usually find someone who offers the edited digital files with the sitting fee which I find to be a lot more reasonable, cost-wise. Then I can use the disc to print, make books, canvases, etc which I prefer. We usually pay $300 or so for a mini session and that works great for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-pay-for-photography-if-you-live-in-expensive-area/page/2#post-2382530 Wed, 09 Dec 2015 07:29:48 +0000 catomd00 2382530@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BandDmommy: oh yeah albums will get you. I think it all depends how important photos are in your life to determine if it's worth it. Some people see and use it as art, others just want something to document memories. We tend to splurge on big milestones but keep the family portraits to mini sessions because we don't usually display those as big prints in our home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-pay-for-photography-if-you-live-in-expensive-area/page/2#post-2382525 Wed, 09 Dec 2015 07:21:57 +0000 Ajsmommy 2382525@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We found a great photographer that did one hour sessions for $250. Gave us a cd of over 50 images. It was awesome! Photog's are so expensive now adays!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-pay-for-photography-if-you-live-in-expensive-area#post-2382524 Wed, 09 Dec 2015 07:20:39 +0000 Reese 2382524@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with others, don't go with the photographers printing services. Digital files will save you a lot of money. Aside from that. As others have mentioned,having the digital file gives you security if something ever happens to the prints. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-pay-for-photography-if-you-live-in-expensive-area#post-2382521 Wed, 09 Dec 2015 07:18:15 +0000 looch 2382521@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I never use a photographer for their printing services, that's where I feel the mark up is! There is so much out there now in terms of printing services, you just have to experiment a little, but I can see where someone might not want to spend the time with that kind of stuff.</p> <p>I have come to terms with accepting that I don't need 1000 images from a session. Take my wedding for example, we have 3 photos in the house, one 8 x10 and two 5 x7s. The rest we've done nothing with, not even an album. Eventually, we might do an album, but I am in no rush. Our house has photos and things around, but there comes a point where it's oversaturated and that's not my style.</p> <p>We just paid about $100 for a mini session this year, via a fundraiser at my son's school. 30 minutes, one 8x10 print and about 25 digital images. It's more than enough for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-pay-for-photography-if-you-live-in-expensive-area#post-2382476 Wed, 09 Dec 2015 00:40:49 +0000 HLK208 2382476@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's hard to find a good photographer in the Seattle area for under $500. We paid $600 and that included the digitals. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-pay-for-photography-if-you-live-in-expensive-area#post-2382451 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 23:24:10 +0000 lilteacherbee 2382451@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BandDmommy: This is very interesting to me as I'm deciding how to structure my business ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-pay-for-photography-if-you-live-in-expensive-area#post-2382414 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 22:35:38 +0000 BandDmommy 2382414@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HabesBabe: that's direction I'm leaning for DS2. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-pay-for-photography-if-you-live-in-expensive-area#post-2382413 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 22:33:59 +0000 BandDmommy 2382413@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catomd00: our photog is amazing! She has formal training and won tons of awards. I think what I can take away from this thread is I can find someone cheaper but the prices aren't that crazy for what I'm getting. We had amateur photographer for DS and she charged less but I did not like the pics. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-pay-for-photography-if-you-live-in-expensive-area#post-2382412 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 22:33:04 +0000 HabesBabe 2382412@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BandDmommy: I think that's a better deal than getting the finished products from a photographer. What if the canvases got damaged after you put them up or if you wanted to put them on another wall and they were too big/small? Or if the prints got ripped if the kids were looking at them? At least of you had the files, you'd be able to replace them at a fraction of the cost. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-pay-for-photography-if-you-live-in-expensive-area#post-2382411 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 22:31:37 +0000 BandDmommy 2382411@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs.KMM: I think you can get mini sessions for that price but most photogs around here start around $250 for a session which includes nothing </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-pay-for-photography-if-you-live-in-expensive-area#post-2382409 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 22:29:59 +0000 BandDmommy 2382409@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HabesBabe: digitals are $1,200 I think </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-pay-for-photography-if-you-live-in-expensive-area#post-2382406 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 22:28:40 +0000 HabesBabe 2382406@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I mean, you basically got a wedding package, so I guess it's about average for a canvas, prints, and a fancy album. Do photographers in your area not offer digital files? </p> <p>We live on OC and paid $30 for a mini session and 50 digital images. I'm going to get a few canvases done for grandparents and our fireplace and I think we'll spend under 10% of what you did. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-pay-for-photography-if-you-live-in-expensive-area#post-2382396 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 22:18:25 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2382396@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Man - we live in a big city and I just paid $100 for our family photos. We spent ~45 minutes shooting at a local park and she edited all images and I got all the digital files (and a print release). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-pay-for-photography-if-you-live-in-expensive-area#post-2382391 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 22:06:23 +0000 Freckles 2382391@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BandDmommy: that's relatively inexpensive considering what you are getting. Those albums are crazy expensive 😳 and I find it better to get the digital prints and get them made through an online company. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-much-do-you-pay-for-photography-if-you-live-in-expensive-area#post-2382384 Tue, 08 Dec 2015 22:00:53 +0000 BandDmommy 2382384@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catomd00: main expense was album </p>