What is a Session Fee?
When hiring a professional photographer, there’s more to consider besides whether or not you like their editing style. For those seeking a full-service photography experience to capture your memories in the most intentional way possible, understanding pricing structures and what services are included is key. Let’s dive into a few common pricing models, including breaking down what a session fee covers, and how these models factor into crafting your dream portraits.
Common Photography Pricing Structures
First, let’s explore the common photography pricing structures you may encounter when searching for a photographer, ranging from all-inclusive packages to tiered collections and à la carte options.
All-Inclusive Packages
All-inclusive packages are straightforward, bundling services and products into a single offering. Clients opting for this structure enjoy the convenience of a one-time investment, knowing that all digital files are covered within the package price. This approach appeals to those seeking simplicity and peace of mind, with no hidden costs or additional decisions to make along the way. However, you may be facing a steep upfront cost without the benefit of seeing and loving your photographs before making a significant investment.
Tiered Collections with Printed Artwork
Tiered collections offer clients flexibility with a few choices of photography packages to suit different needs and budgets. Structured in tiers, each collection builds upon the previous one, adding services or products to enhance the final deliverables. Clients can choose the collection that aligns with their budget and preferences, from just the digital files to bundles including printed artwork like albums and canvases. While more flexible than all-inclusive packages, you may be stuck choosing between set printed artwork packages and specific amounts of digital files.
A La Carte Sessions
With the à la carte pricing model, the session is priced separately from digital files and printed artwork, offering clients maximum customization and flexibility. This means you can choose which services and products to include, without paying for everything upfront. This tailored approach allows you to prioritize and invest in the aspects of photography that matter most to you, whether it’s creating a gallery wall or preserving memories in an album. With the à la carte structure, you have the freedom to make decisions after seeing your finished photographs, ensuring your investment aligns with your family’s needs and budget.
What is a session fee?
A session fee (or creative fee), is the starting point of the à la carte model and is paid up front to secure your photoshoot date. This initial investment covers a wide range of services to ensure your photography experience exceeds expectations from start to finish. Here’s a breakdown of what the session fee at Courtney Landrum Photography includes:
Planning Consultation to Discuss Your Vision
Collaboration is key to creating photographs you’ll truly love. Prior to your session, we’ll schedule a planning consultation to dive into your vision, logistics, and creative preferences. Whether over the phone or by email, this planning session helps me get to know you and better understand your vision for authentically capturing your story.
Detailed Session Guide with Expert Insights
To ensure your session runs smoothly, you’ll receive a comprehensive guide equipped with expert tips and insights. From tips on preparing your children to wardrobe direction, consider it your roadmap to a relaxed and memorable experience.
Client Wardrobe and Styling for the Family
Eliminating the stress of wardrobe selection, each session includes a complimentary dress rental and outfit coordination for your entire family. Say goodbye to wardrobe dilemmas and feel confident that your clothing will photograph well.
Hair and Makeup Coordination
For those desiring extra pampering, your session fee covers coordinating professional hair and makeup through trusted vendors. All you need to do is focus on arriving, knowing you’ll glow for the camera.
Proofing Gallery of Photographs
After your session, my dedication to perfection continues as every image undergoes careful editing by hand. Within three weeks, you’ll receive access to your watermarked online gallery to view and enjoy.
Heirloom Artwork Design and Ordering
I believe in delivering more than just digital files. As technology changes and files become lost, it’s important to maximize your investment by filling your living spaces with tangible, museum-quality artwork. From elegantly framed prints to stunning fine art albums, each piece of heirloom artwork is meticulously crafted to display your cherished moments for decades to come.
After the Session: Digital Collections and Printed Artwork
Once the session is over, the magic begins in the editing room. Here’s what you can expect to be included with the price of your digital collection:
- High-Resolution Digital Files: Your carefully curated photographs, presented in high-resolution digital format, ready for printing and sharing.
- Post-Session Editing: Significant time and expertise are devoted to enhancing each image, ensuring that every detail is perfected to its fullest potential.
- Heirloom Artwork Creation: The cost of digital files encompasses post-session editing as well as the design of printed artwork, preserving your memories in a timeless fine art format.
- Print Release: Enjoy the freedom to print your images at a location of your choice, ensuring your memories are preserved according to your preferences.
By choosing a digital collection, you’re not just receiving digital files – you’re investing in a carefully crafted digital archive of your loved ones. To further increase the longevity of your portraits, many families choose to invest in printed heirloom artwork to hang on their walls or display around the house. By separating these costs, you can tailor your photography session to receive exactly what you need to display and share your portraits.
Read more: 6 Reasons to Invest in an Heirloom Album for Your Family
With the à la carte pricing structure, you have the freedom to customize your photography experience according to your family’s unique needs and budget.
By separating the session fee from the cost of digital files, the à la carte model empowers you to tailor your investment to match your priorities. Whether you favor displaying your memories as printed heirloom artwork or preserving them in a digital format, this pricing structure allows you to allocate your resources where they matter most to you.
Furthermore, having the option to add printed artwork as needed provides additional flexibility, compared to having set artwork options included in a tiered collection. From gallery-style framed prints to handcrafted albums, you can fill your living spaces with tangible, museum-quality artwork in the exact sizes, styles, and quantities you need.
Read more: The Ultimate Guide to Printing Your Photographs
Courtney Landrum is a lifestyle NJ family photographer based in Collingswood. With a full-service newborn photography experience, including access to a high-end client closet, a natural, easy-going session that’s personalized to your family, and the creation of heirloom artwork to display in your home, you can capture this special time without any added stress.
