Lots wonder and a few ask… what really goes into a professional photographers image?  

Each and every image a professional photographer creates is unique in Art and for their business foundation.

To create that ART, it takes an amazing amount of time, education, experience, money, talent, & love.    This is my simple way to express what so many people see as dollar signs.

EDUCATION

Editing Time and Equipment

State, Local, & City Registration & License

TECHNOLOGY

Retouching Images

Insurance

Design Time

Texture paper, Mounting, & Protective Spray

Photoshop CS… and its latest version

Phone Consultations

Image Back Up

Professional Equipment

Memory Card

Locations-finding & scouting locations

Lightroom

Blog Time

RETIREMENT

Professional Labs (PTP currently works with 5 to get the latest products and technology)

Email Communications

Advertising

OCFEquipment

Off Camera Flash

Printing

Camera & Back up camera

‘pinning’ Pinterest Boards for business

Gadgets

the many lenses of PTP

Zoom Lens

Image Backdrop

Licensed Music

Studio Lighting

Phone & cell phone

Viewing Programs

Association Fee’s

Actions

Local Dues to Associations

Office Expenses

Reflectors

Ladders, Chairs, Stools, PROPS

EXPERIENCE

Seminars

COG’s

Teaching

Donations of Time

Prime Lens

lens

Professional Photographers of America-Association Membership Dues

textures

Memory

Certifications

specialized education

Donations of Talent

Laptop

Webinars and Seminars

Marketing

Mentoring

Donations to schools, churches, organizations, & charities

Professional Photographers of Oregon-Association Membership Dues

Customer Service

Creating Time for Pricing, Marketing, & PR

Computers.newer computer.faster computer.memory for said computer.never ending technology in computers!

As i begin Day 3 of an online educational photography seminar, on my weekend, or ‘off time’, I have thought about what all we do with our ‘work’ time.  This is the life of the self-employed, with hours of  ‘unknown’ work to the clients.  I personally would not choose to have any other life.    It is a wonderful, creative, life.  BUT, it is a life of business, mostly business, not just creativity.

This is my explanation…for my business, experience, and knowledge.  As the world trends increase in amazing TECHNOLOGY, increased SATURATION of photographers, and a DECREASE in education of  photographers, it’s an ongoing challenge.

For me,  it’s about creating ART through photography!