Why we don’t buy some things based on price alone

With digital photography today there are lots of folks that think they can play the roll of a professional photographer. Perhaps it’s someone in the family or across the street. You know the guy or gal that just got a really expensive digital camera for Christmas.

But, some things we need to consider more carefully, like uncle George here who thought that price was the only thing that was important when he had lasik surgery last year. He wasn’t concerned with experience when he tried to save a few bucks. Problem is he will have to live with his decision for a very long time.

Photography can be the same way. Is it really that important that an 8×10 from this or that photographer is a few dollars different? Think about how long you have to live with the results from your session. When you divide the investment over 5, 10, or 20 years was it really worth saving $30 on your portraits with the selection of photographer whose style you didn’t really like that much. Although I don’t do weddings, is it really a good idea to look for the lowest price you can find? Top quality professional photographers will not shoot a wedding for $195 for 8 hours of coverage and hand you a CD with all the images and walk away. Every wedding photographer has heard more than one horror story, really.

This senior portrait session did not quite work out the way that this young lady had hoped. The shutter speed froze the motion, but the composition and the expression of the best shot did not produce the image she wanted to share with her friends and family. Somehow I don’t think mom will order a canvas print for the family room wall of this particular shot.

Now it’s not that I think you must choose me as your photographer. To the contrary, if you look at examples of my work on this blog and web site and they don’t inspire you to consider me, please don’t select me. In fact if you were to select me because I cost a little less than another photographer whose style you really like, I would be very disappointed.

Talking to some other photographers at the PPSO (Professional Photographers of SW Ohio) it was interesting to hear stories of many seniors who thought their friend with a digital camera was good enough. That is, until they saw the final results and considered that they wanted something different or better. For the last couple years there have been more hurried last minute appointments scheduled at the studios of my associates.

I put some humor in this just to get you thinking a bit. When you consider a photographer look at their style and look at samples of their work. Price should NEVER be your first consideration when choosing a photographer. Happy shopping.

This post appears on my web site: www.photosbypdemott.com and on my personal facebook wall and my business facebook fan page. It is also on my twitter. Feel free to follow me in any of those places.

Related posts:

1. HELP PORTRAIT initiated by Nashville-based photographer Jeremy Cowart
2. JAYS Photography in Columbus, Ohio with Jay and Kelly Brown
3. Senior Portraits in Snow, Horse and Rider Portraits in Snow & Family and Kids in Snow
4. Kristen’s senior portrait session Animoto Video
5. Kristen Lay’s senior portraits with her horse & her very large puppy/Fall colors