Meg Fish

I have wanted to post this for a long time, but have been waiting for the right moment. Today I want to write from my heart about pricing and digital negatives (which I DO offer). To summarize, here is the issue… new and starting out photographers need to build a portfolio so many times offer clients a free session and/or digital negatives in exchange for modeling. Here in Santa Barbara we have no shortage of these aspiring artists due to Brooks Institute (I went there too!). The problem is that it takes time, money and education to get the quality photographs that are worth spending hundreds of dollars to put on your walls… which is why photographers who have a stable and growing business cost more! Think about it this way – would you rather get service and prints for free or inexpensively and get lots of photographs but possibly very poor quality just for the sake of cost? Or like any other large purchase, a car or furniture, do you look for what will last the longest and be the best quality? There is a great article here that talks about all the details  that go into one photography session and why it is important to respect  your photographer’s pricing and time.  If you are considering any type of photography in the future, PLEASE read this with an open heart and mind at professional child photographer.

I do sell the digital negatives, but they are the most prized possession on my product list and I price them accordingly. It is a bit scary to think about how they will be used and printed (most non-professional labs just ruin true beautiful skin tones). But besides printing, each of my sessions are custom styled even before the session! I plan almost every photograph ahead of time right down to location, props and lighting. It takes an amazing amount of work, eduction and study as well as research to keep growing and getting better as a photographer. I hope you will see this as an investment and not a bargain item. Professional Photography is an art not a service! Please consider these things as I absolutely adore my job and want to capture your pregnancy and newborns with the highest level of artistic and technical splendor.

If you are on a budget, here are a few ways to make your dream reality :

- ask for a gift certificate or the session fee for your baby shower (I sell MANY of these, it’s the best gift for a new mom!)

-start saving when you find out you are pregnant so it isn’t a ‘surprise’ expense

-enter my giveaways and contests (right now go to Amelia Jane in Summerland, CA to instantly get $50 off your session!)

-use your session as a way to thank relatives that have helped with the baby with gift prints

As in all things, if you truly value something you will find the resources… I honestly believe that! Thank you for reading this and please know that I write this only because I LOVE MY JOB!! Ok, before I go here is a sneak of this weekend’s newborn! Meet sweet Ryder…

*meg | www.megfishphotography.com