Expensive? or just care too much?

I used to have clients tell me they came to me because they heard I was really good, but I was cheap, too. I never wanted to compete with department store studios on price, because I felt my quality was better, even when I was just starting out. I've always been sensitive about whether our prices are too high. I don't want to be "expensive." I didn't want "cheap" to be associated with my art either. I've always longed to have my art evaluated on quality and the emotions it evokes, and not price (even when people thought I was "cheap").

I understand that sometimes there just are budget limitations, and you have to make a choice based on whether you can afford something. However, I also know that almost all of us spend money on whatever we really want to spend money on. We eat out, we buy cars, we buy pets and invest in food, vet bills, toys for them, etc. It's called discretionary spending, and if we really want something badly enough, we'll find a way to get it - charge it, save for it, stop spending on something we value less - whatever it takes.

The past couple of years, with the pressure we've all felt due to the national economy, I've often second guessed my prices and whether I should lower them (in spite of the fact I have a consultant who tells me I'm "giving away" my wall portraits and should at least double my prices immediately). I know people invest in photography for emotional reasons - because of love for family, because it makes them look good and feel good about themselves, because it captures and preserves special memories and moments in their lives.... When it really touches the heart, price is irrelevant. (If it wasn't, I know of some studios that could not possibly still be in business, because they are really "expensive." Yet they are in business, and quite successful.) Even so, when the economy is tough, and people are struggling to make ends meet, it pushes me to get really analytical about my prices.

So, today, I took a recent client's order and compared it to the prices of three other studios. One is in a small west central Oklahoma town. One is an independent studio in the OKCity Metro area. One is a chain of studios with several studios throughout OK and No. TX.

The client ordered a 16x20, a collection of 8x10s and 5x7s, and 90 wallets (3 poses, with free name imprint). Our wall portraits are framed (even a 20" senior portrait gets a nice frame of your choice - from 20 or more frame moldings) and carry a lifetime guarantee. The frame is included in the price. The small print collection had no limit on poses, they wound up with 11 different poses, plus the wallets. All our portraits, whatever the size, receive basic retouch - removal of blemishes and softening of facial lines. But we also soften the skin, enhance the eyes, remove stray hairs, and do any other art work that's needed to get the best possible print. We just care. We want people to be absolutely thrilled with their portraits and look their absolute best, and never have to settle for something less. The client's total with tax was a little over $800. We included a bonus 5x30 6 image digital composite (framed), and a DVD of images for Facebook.

She called the chain studio, and was told she could get the same thing for a little over $600.
Using the price lists of the three studios I mentioned above, here's what I found. None of the other studios included the extensive retouch we do. They all included basic retouch, but for the softening, the removing of stray hairs, whitening teeth, they all charged additional fees. None offered the 5x30 as a bonus item, and only one offered the DVD. Only one offered a frame, but it was a basic 1" cherry or oak frame. Anything else would be additional. The studio that told her she could get the same for less, also limited the number of poses in the collection to four! For additional poses, it was $12/pose. All charged extra to imprint the name on the wallets. The most notable difference between Carr Portrait Art and the other three studios is none of them offered a 100% money back guarantee, and none of them offered a lifetime guarantee on wall portraits!

To get exactly what she was getting from us from the other studios, here are the price tags:
The west OK, small town studio - $1080
The OKCity Metro independent studio - $968
The chain studio that quoted her $600+ - $1,127 (plus - she'll have at least an $80 session fee)

Now, if she drops the frame, the name imprint on the wallets, the 7 additional poses, the 5x30, the DVD, and the softening of the skin, enhancing the eyes, and removal of stray hairs the price at the chain studio will be $608 (plus the $80 session fee).

That's why we don't post our prices on our website - an apples to apples comparison would take more than a quick glance. If you looked at the individual print prices, ours would appear more expensive. To get what we offer you for our price, you'd have to read through pages of price lists at the other studios to find all the details and the added fees. You may not even realize you might want some of these things. We used to offer a pricing structure like the other studios. But even though some of our clients "settled" for the cheaper prints, I couldn't. I wanted them to look great in their portraits, and usually did the extra artwork anyway. A photograph is more than an image on a piece of paper. It's the moments, the memories, the emotions it evokes. That's why we are committed to excellence.

The numbers show we aren't the most expensive studio around, especially for our level of experience and the quality we offer. Maybe I just care too much? But I have a hard time using the bait and switch tactics of showing one level of work on my website, displays, and studio walls, but quoting a price that does not offer that level of work without additional fees.

We want you get to know us, and know that we really care, that we are going to take great care of you and create beautiful, meaningful portraits for you. We guarantee it!

JoyfulNoise Picture Day in 3 weeks!

Sneaky Peaky!
We do a few "daycare" style pictures here and there. It's not the main line-up for our business, but there are a few daycares and Parent's day out programs that we help out with for "Picture Days".
This year we want to offer our parents a higher quaility outcome than the drab backgrounds we've done the past few years.
I wanted something new and while looking through fabrics and online "backgrounds" I just couldn't find anything that said "I'm awesome! Use me!" But then I remembered the new background we made last year our Ballerina's promotion. When the curtain is spread to it's full length, we have a nice backdrop, add some fall flowers, pumpkins, rustic wooden wagon, and Wallah!

So, Joyful Noise mommies, let me know what you think, I still have a few weeks to make a few changes. I love suggestions! And since you're the ones who display the finished output in your homes, I want to know that the parents love them!

Anna is dressed in the outfit she had on the day that I picked through my "props" corner to design this set. Fall colors would work well with this set- I don't recommend bold stripes or bright colored outfits- those are fun for outdoor sessions or playing in the outdoor leaves, but your child will photograph best in simpler outfits for an indoor studio set up.

Here's a couple of senior '11 videos:

Taylor - from Norman High School


Hillary - from Yukon High School

Ana's a Blanchard senior. We did her sister's senior portraits, and are thrilled to do hers. Her senior portrait experience is scheduled for later in the summer, but we did a mini-session so we could spread the word about summer senior portraits.

2010 Spring Models

We decided it was time for some fresh new samples and thus needed some fresh new models. We posted a status on Facebook stating we needed children ages 3+ to come help us out.

The turn out was great! So we may do another one this year, maybe later in the summer or early fall. Check our Facebook page often if you'd like to participate next time!

Here are just a few favorites from our 2 day ordeal. But if you'd like to see more, enter these codes in the EventCode box on our homepage.

AnnaNoelle

Kaitlyn

ZoeD

SamEmily

IanWill

Carter & Alicia

Carter and Alicia are getting married this month! Alicia's dress is beautiful and unique and Carter is such a lucky guy to have her!
We're really looking forward to your wedding at the State Capital in a few weeks. From all the great wedding plans you've shared with us so far, I know it will be absolutely amazing and a one-of-a kind ceremony and reception!
May 29th is on the way, Congratulations you two!

Click this link to view an engagement photo slideshow:
http://www.shareitvideo.com/watch.php?v=241555592266269

Baily!

Some images from a recent senior session:

Ballerina Babies, part two

Here are some more of the ballerina baby images:

We had a lot of fun with our "Ballerina Babies" today. Here are a few of Rick's favorites. I'm hoping to get a few more posted in the next few days. The response was good and we appreciate everyone who participated!!

Seniors

Great day for outdoor portraits!! Cloud cover was perfect, wind wasn't too strong (that's saying a lot for Oklahoma, huh?), and it wasn't too cold. Did indoor photos for Lauren a few days ago, and finished up this morning with outdoors on location. We got some beautiful images both days, and I'm getting them ready for Lauren & her mom to view next week.

I've been updating our websites and going through images that would be good to add to the site, and noticed several families who had come to us for portraits because they had dealt with cancer and realized how precious relationships with family really are. Being a cancer survivor myself, it really made me want to act on something that's been on my mind for several months. So, yesterday I went to the American Cancer Society in OKCity to talk with them about how I could help. They liked some of the ideas I presented, and we'll be talking more in the next few days about a fundraiser project that hopefully we can tie in with Relay for Life.

Ultimate Senior Portraits

Great news!! Our new senior website is online! Ultimate Senior Portraits is the new division of Carr Portrait Art that we created to help better promote our senior photography services. Since seniors represent a significant percentage of our business we decided to devote a whole website just to seniors!

If you visit our Carr Portrait Art website (www.carrportraitart.com) the links for seniors now go directly to the www.ultimateseniorportraits.com website! The "contact" and "directions" links take you back to Carr Portrait Art.

The new site has all the vital information you need about senior portraits. It has photos, testimonials and video. It is similar to our main website, both of which are UNLIKE almost any other photographer's website. It seems almost any photography site you visit now-days has a flash player slide-show gallery (usually accompanied by obnoxious music which you have to look for the symbol to turn off). Our sites are about informing you - useful information that can help you make wise choices about your photography needs - whether or not you choose us as your photographers!

We will soon also be updating the Carr Portrait Art site. It's almost done! Please check out both sites. You can use the contact form and give us some feedback. Be sure and tell your friends about them, too.