2012 Portrait Pricing Guidelines {Business}

This is the not-so-fun part of owning your own business. It's really tricky deciding the value of your own time and product and comparing it to what you think people are willing to actually pay for your time and product. I can only hope to get it just right. Here is a little bit about where I come from and where I am hoping to go in the next year to provide you with the best possible experience and photography.

In September, I left a successful career in Insurance to become a stay-at-home mom. I have always been an incredibly driven individual and valued my position in Corporate America. However, after having my children, I realized how much I was depending on others to raise them. That is simply not what I wanted...for them or myself. Ultimately, I resigned from my position, my husband sold his Insurance agency, we put our house on the market and moved to GA. It might not make sense to most people, but this was the best way to make our *new* dreams come true. The last 4 months of 2011 were spent getting our feet on the ground and preparing to run.

I value my time as a mother and wife. This is my primary duty, and one I am so excited to be able to handle full time. In order for me to be a photographer professionally, I must decide what my time away from family is worth. At the end of the day, I decided to adjust my prices, which has been a daunting task. I know that not all of my current clients will be pleased, but I must value my own work in order for others to see the value in it as well. I would like to give you a breakdown of the time involved with each session, so that you can see what goes on behind the scenes at AKP:

*1-2 hours of pre-planning with the client, cleaning and preparing props, brainstorming ideas and posing for the shoot
*1-2 hours of travel to and from a session
*1-2 hours of shooting (more like 3-4 hours for newborn shoots)
*30 minutes downloading and backing up all images
*30-45 minutes reviewing and narrowing down the images that will be edited from the shoot
*2-4 hours editing each and every image so that the quality is what's expect from a professional photographer
*30 minutes loading the images in the online gallery and sending out notification emails
*45 minutes loading the images onto Facebook and the AKP blog so that the client may share them with friends and family
*30 minutes to create an Image CD
*30 minutes to upload images and place orders with my professional printer
*30 minutes to prepare the client's package for shipping or pick-up
*30 minutes in travel time to and from the post office for shipping

I will easily spend 12-14 hours on each and every shoot. I do so gladly, because I feel that's what you deserve as my client. Am I perfect...no...but I try to be the best photographer and business person possible. And that takes a lot of time!

This takes us to my plans for the new year. I am fortunate enough to get to learn from some of the country's elite photographers this year through mentoring programs. I currently have 2 home studies in business and editing sitting on my desk. I am constantly reading and learning about innovative editing and shooting techniques. I take this job very seriously and that means continuing to educate myself and bettering my craft.

I work hard to ensure that your money is not wasted. I enjoy working with my clients on styling photo shoots and giving you something outside of the box. I LOVE creating custom products, like albums and cards and storyboards, that you will not find in a chain studio. The difference you will find with Angel Kisses Photography is a completely unique experience. I want you to enjoy our time together and look forward to your next session. I hope that you see the value in hiring a custom photographer, like myself.

With that said, I have listed below my updated pricing for 2012. If you are an existing client, I sincerely hope you return. I want to encourage you to check out my referral program (if you have not already). I will add a post later in the week with all of the details. If you are thinking of hiring me for the first time...please do! You will not be just another client, and you will not regret it!

Thanks so much for hanging in there with me while I explained all of this business stuff. I appreciate you and cannot wait to see you all this new year!!!

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{Session Pricing}
Lifestyle Portrait Session Fee: $50.00
*Fee includes the time and talent of the photographer, post production and editing, & online viewing gallery
*Family, Childhood, Maternity and Engagement Sessions
*Natural light session at the location of your choice
*1-2 hours of on-sight coverage and 30-35 edited images
*Includes up to 4 individuals. There is a $25 fee for each additional person or child.
*Session Fee is required at the time of booking, as a retainer, to reserve your session. Payment can be made with cash, personal check or credit/debit card (via PayPal). If you choose to pay via PayPal, a 3% processing fee will be added to your invoice.

In-Home Studio Session Fee: $100.00
*Fee includes the time and talent of the photographer, transportation, set up/break down and use of the photographers studio equipment (backdrops, lighting and props), post production and editing, & online viewing gallery
*Family, Childhood, Maternity, Newborn, and Engagement Sessions
*1-2 hours of on-sight coverage and 30-35 edited images (up to 4 hours allowed for newborn sessions)
*Includes up to 4 individuals. There is a $25 fee for each additional person or child.
*Session Fee is required at the time of booking, as a retainer, to reserve your session. Payment can be made with cash, personal check or credit/debit card (via PayPal). If you choose to pay via PayPal, a 3% processing fee will be added to your invoice

{Portrait Collections} If your Portrait Collection is ordered at the time of booking, you will receive a $25.00 discount on your total purchase.

Cherub Collection
6 Gift Prints - Choice of 8x10's, 5x7's and 4x6's
8 Wallets (same image)
Total Price: $125.00 ($175.00 value)
**Image CD can be added for an additional $200.00
**10% discount on additional print or specialty product purchases (Image CD not included)

Angel Collection
10 Gift Prints - Choice of 8x10's, 5x7's and 4x6's
8 Wallets (same image)
1 11x14 Print
Total Price: $200.00 ($315.00 value)
**Image CD can be added for an additional $150.00
**15% discount on additional print or specialty product purchases (Image CD not included)

Bella Vita Collection
12 Gift Prints - Choice of 8x10's, 5x7's and 4x6's
8 Wallets (same image)
2 11x14 Prints
1 16x20 Prints
Total Price: $275.00 ($460.00 value)
**Image CD can be added for an additional $100.00
**20% discount on additional print or specialty product purchases (Image CD not included)

Digital PackageHigh Resolution Image CD including all images displayed in your online gallery, with Printing and Display Rights, Plus a Custom Keepsake Case.
Total Price: $250.00
{Portrait Collection Add-On Options}
Prints
20x24.......... $80.00
16x20..........$55.00
11x14..........$40.00
8x10.......... $25.00
5x7..........$15.00
4x6..........$10.00
8 Wallets.........$25.00

Fine Art Canvases
20x24..........$200.00
16x20...........$175.00
11x14..........$125.00
8x10..........$75.00

Specialty Products
Albums, Birth Announcements, Holiday Cards, Photo Blankets, Phone Skins (Blackberry, iPhone, iPad), Story Boards, Puzzles, Calendars, etc.*These items are all custom products, so the price depends on the style you want and the number of images you want to use. Please inquire for pricing.