Me… The Photographer & a business owner

Rona Philpott Photography — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 22:29:17 +0000

As a photographer, I love to take photographs of all types of subjects. I take photos, view them, edit some, and then either print, post to website or put on media. But, really is that all I do? No, it entails a lot more details. Some people think it is easy to just do it – well, it is, sort of, when you are doing it as part of documenting your life and your family, you may not put as much into it as a photographer that wants to earn something from it. Not only the creative part but the business part – and No, I don’t get paid for most of it – though I would like to. Don’t get me wrong, I love taking photographs, and am very proud to display and share them with others. Part of my “job” as a photographer is to also run the business, bookkeeping, marketing/promoting, cleanup, preparation, janitor, go-fer (unless you are lucky enough to have an assistant). So when I charge a certain amount of money on a shoot, say with a senior, not only am I charging for the actual time that I take the photos, but the time that I spend talking to the client, getting the paperwork together, preparation/setting up of the studio or location, after the photos, downloading to my photo program, viewing ALL of the photos, making small edits and prepping them for preview for the client, making suggestions to client about photos, after selections made – then I do full editing on the photos (usually around 5 – 10 photos). Final preview and confirmation with client(s), prep again for the printer (whether it be me or a pro printer), waiting for the photos to come back, making sure the correct photos came back, the amount of the photos, and quality, and then contacting client for final transfer of the photos – which can include viewing each one, and again confirming the photos. Hopefully, receive a big smile and a thank you from the client. This is just the photography part; I haven’t even talked about the detailed business part for just this one client. Although I spend about 1 – 2 hours with the client taking the photos, I actually spend about 9 – 10 hours in the before, after, and in between (and this doesn’t count the time I worry or think about it)! So if I charge you $75 for a sitting or more, and you paid me say about $150 for the entire session (not including the prints or media), I have only made about $12 an hour for 12 hours worth of work! I am NOT about the money, but I do have to pay my own bills, and for my equipment. In a session, I usually will take the “typical” type photos for that type of session, but, my next step is to talk to the client and ask them what they would like to do with their posing, etc. One more thing about my photos, when we are in studio, I use color backgrounds and add other background digitally, and no they are not “real”, but I make them blend as best I can. So, yes, I guess they are kind of “fake”. I am happy to go on location, for the more “real” backgrounds! Final thought, do I still want to take photographs and have the business! HECK YA!

First blog post – why I am doing a blog…

Rona Philpott Photography — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 23:52:11 +0000

Hi, this is my first blog. I just want to talk about what I am as a photographer, what I do and how I want to share it. I will be blogging when I have more to say, I am getting ready to write something based on an experience that I am currently involved in and want to share my thoughts about it. I hope you follow me, and my thoughts can help you decide if I am the photographer for you and your personal event, whether it be a birthday, high school senior, student, portraits, holiday, your favorite vehicle, weddings, anniversaries, and so much more that our lives are involved in.

Rona Philpott Photography - Blog

Me… The Photographer & a business owner

First blog post – why I am doing a blog…