Here are just some of the highlights from a fun photo sitting.
Sunday, 16 March 2008
Saturday, 15 March 2008
More fun in the garden
Toddlers just love mucking around in the garden. A great way to photograph children. At play, in their own surroundings. Book an 'on location' photoshoot with Tobias Key Photography over the Easter holidays. Great new portrait packages are available for family photography sittings. Look at my latest commissions on my portrait gallery online.
Thursday, 14 February 2008
The Cost of Photography
Why are Professional Photographers so expensive?(This article has been very well received by the photography community, and is now referred to by many Photography websites across the country)
In this digital age where everyone has digital cameras, scanners and home "photo printers", when people upload their photos to a local drug store website and pick them up a few hours later, we hear this all the time - How in the world do Professional Photographers charge $55 for an 8x10 when they cost just $1.50 at the drug store?
Here's why.
Simply put, you're not just paying for the actual photograph, you're paying for time and expertise. First, let's look at the actual time involved. If you don't read this entire page, at least read this first part.
Simply put, you're not just paying for the actual photograph, you're paying for time and expertise. First, let's look at the actual time involved. If you don't read this entire page, at least read this first part.
For a two hour portrait session:
- one hour of travel to and from the session- two hours of shooting- 30 minutes of setup, preparation, talking to the client etc.- 30 minutes to load the photos onto a computer (2 - 4 Gb of data)
- one hour of travel to and from the session- two hours of shooting- 30 minutes of setup, preparation, talking to the client etc.- 30 minutes to load the photos onto a computer (2 - 4 Gb of data)
- 30 minutes to back up the files on an external drive
- 3 - 4 hours of Photoshop time including cropping, contrast, color, sharpening, saving a copy for print and a copy for the internet and backing up the edited photographs
- 2 - 3 hours to talk to the client, answer questions, receive their order and payment, order their prints, receive and verify prints, package prints, schedule shipment and drop package off at Fed Ex.
- For local customers, we also print a set of all of their photos, and meet them at our studio to review the photos and place their order. Meeting and travel time averages 2 hours.
You can see how one two hour session easily turns into more than ten hours of work from start to finish. So when you see a Photographer charging a $200 session fee for a two hour photo shoot, you are not paying them $100 / hour.
For an eight hour wedding:
- I won't bore you with the details, but an eight hour wedding typically amounts to at least two to three full 40 hour work weeks worth of time. Again, if they are charging you $4,000 for an eight hour wedding, you are not paying them $500 / hour.For an eight hour wedding:
Now for the expertise.
Shooting professional photography is a skill, acquired through years of experience. Even though a quality camera now costs under $2,000 taking professional portraits involves much more than a nice camera.
Most Professional Photographers take years to go from buying their first decent camera to making money with their photography. In addition to learning how to use the camera itself, there is a mountain of other equipment involved, as well as numerous software programs used to edit and print photographs, run a website etc.
And let's not forget that you actually have to have people skills, be able to communicate, make people comfortable in front of the camera - and posing people to make them look their best in a photograph is a skill all by itself.
Think of it this way - the next time you pay $X to get your hair done, a pair of scissors only costs $1.50. But you gladly pay a lot more to hire a Professional.
Shooting professional photography is a skill, acquired through years of experience. Even though a quality camera now costs under $2,000 taking professional portraits involves much more than a nice camera.
Most Professional Photographers take years to go from buying their first decent camera to making money with their photography. In addition to learning how to use the camera itself, there is a mountain of other equipment involved, as well as numerous software programs used to edit and print photographs, run a website etc.
And let's not forget that you actually have to have people skills, be able to communicate, make people comfortable in front of the camera - and posing people to make them look their best in a photograph is a skill all by itself.
Think of it this way - the next time you pay $X to get your hair done, a pair of scissors only costs $1.50. But you gladly pay a lot more to hire a Professional.
What about the cheap studios at the mall?
Please don't compare us to the chain store studios. But if you must, consider all of the time and work that we put into our photographs, compared to what they do. Good luck getting a two hour photo shoot at a chain store. Not to mention they won't come to the beach! And of course, look at our work compared to theirs. You get what you pay for.
The truth is, most of the mall and chain store studios lose money. In fact, in 2007 Wal-Mart closed 500 of their portrait studios because of the financial drain they were putting on the company. What the chain stores bet on is that you'll come in for some quick and cheap photos, and while you're there, you'll also spend $200 on other things. They don't have to make money, they are just there to get you in the door.
Please don't compare us to the chain store studios. But if you must, consider all of the time and work that we put into our photographs, compared to what they do. Good luck getting a two hour photo shoot at a chain store. Not to mention they won't come to the beach! And of course, look at our work compared to theirs. You get what you pay for.
The truth is, most of the mall and chain store studios lose money. In fact, in 2007 Wal-Mart closed 500 of their portrait studios because of the financial drain they were putting on the company. What the chain stores bet on is that you'll come in for some quick and cheap photos, and while you're there, you'll also spend $200 on other things. They don't have to make money, they are just there to get you in the door.
Conclusion
We hope that those who have taken the time to read this page will have a better understanding of why professional photographs cost so much more than the ones that you get from your local drug store. copied here from : http://www.caughtonfilmphoto.com/costofphotography.html
We hope that those who have taken the time to read this page will have a better understanding of why professional photographs cost so much more than the ones that you get from your local drug store. copied here from : http://www.caughtonfilmphoto.com/costofphotography.html
Toby
Thursday, 31 January 2008
Tips for Photographing Children
1. Get down to their level. Always try to photograph children from their level, the photos will look much better and the expressions will be more natural.
2. Make it fun. Instead of trying to make you kids pose for the camera, let them play , keeping them entertained will give you more opportunity to get some great pictures. Blowing bubbles is a great choice as it encourages kids to look up – avoid things like sand pits - young children will stare fixedly towards the ground.
3. Location, location, location. Think about where you want to take pictures. Going to the beach or countryside with your camera will give you a great setting and your kids will be having fun and that’s half the battle. If you are shooting at home pay attention to your background -avoid clutter as it will distract from your subject
4. Be Patient...then work quickly. In all likelihood you will not get a great photo the instant you lift your camera to your eye. Young children change from one moment to the next so be prepared to wait for your shots but when you feel good pictures are coming work fast varying your composition and taking lots of shots because the moment will be gone before you know it. It’s not unusual for the best shots from an hour photo session to come from two minutes of magic.
5. Get Close. For portraits, moving close isolates you subject from the background, and makes the most of the eyes, the most important feature in any portrait. Remember thought o use your camera on its telephoto setting to avoid distortion of the face.
6. Think about light. Lighting can make or break a photo. In harsh sunlight move your subject into the shade to avoid distracting shadows on the face and squinty eyes. If there is no shade turn you subject away from the sun and light the face with your on camera flash, if you don’t want to use flash get a friend to reflect light back into the face with a piece of white card or even a newspaper.
7. Choose your camera carefully. The best camera is the one you have with you. There’s no point buying a top of the line DSLR if you find it too heavy and it ends up gathering dust on a shelf. Children are unpredictable so you best pictures may come at any time. A small point and shoot you can keep in your glove box or bag is ideal for candids of your children.
8. Picture your child growing. Take a picture of your child in the same place every year to record them growing. Make sure you include a constant reference like a tree in your garden or the wall of your house, an annual family photo is also a great idea.
9. Place your subject off centre. Don’t simply place your subject in the centre of the frame experiment with composition – off centre composition can make a picture more interesting and dynamic. Remember to check that you camera has focused on what you want by focussing on the subject, locking the focus, and recomposing.
10. Have a game plan. One of the best ways to improve your photography is to look at as much photography as possible. Be inspired by the work of others and the come up with a plan to emulate it, or even improve it. This is far easier than trying to come up with ideas beforehand than it is to be creative on the spot. It also gives you an opportunity to bring any extra equipment or props you might need'
www.tobiaskey.com
2. Make it fun. Instead of trying to make you kids pose for the camera, let them play , keeping them entertained will give you more opportunity to get some great pictures. Blowing bubbles is a great choice as it encourages kids to look up – avoid things like sand pits - young children will stare fixedly towards the ground.
3. Location, location, location. Think about where you want to take pictures. Going to the beach or countryside with your camera will give you a great setting and your kids will be having fun and that’s half the battle. If you are shooting at home pay attention to your background -avoid clutter as it will distract from your subject
4. Be Patient...then work quickly. In all likelihood you will not get a great photo the instant you lift your camera to your eye. Young children change from one moment to the next so be prepared to wait for your shots but when you feel good pictures are coming work fast varying your composition and taking lots of shots because the moment will be gone before you know it. It’s not unusual for the best shots from an hour photo session to come from two minutes of magic.
5. Get Close. For portraits, moving close isolates you subject from the background, and makes the most of the eyes, the most important feature in any portrait. Remember thought o use your camera on its telephoto setting to avoid distortion of the face.
6. Think about light. Lighting can make or break a photo. In harsh sunlight move your subject into the shade to avoid distracting shadows on the face and squinty eyes. If there is no shade turn you subject away from the sun and light the face with your on camera flash, if you don’t want to use flash get a friend to reflect light back into the face with a piece of white card or even a newspaper.
7. Choose your camera carefully. The best camera is the one you have with you. There’s no point buying a top of the line DSLR if you find it too heavy and it ends up gathering dust on a shelf. Children are unpredictable so you best pictures may come at any time. A small point and shoot you can keep in your glove box or bag is ideal for candids of your children.
8. Picture your child growing. Take a picture of your child in the same place every year to record them growing. Make sure you include a constant reference like a tree in your garden or the wall of your house, an annual family photo is also a great idea.
9. Place your subject off centre. Don’t simply place your subject in the centre of the frame experiment with composition – off centre composition can make a picture more interesting and dynamic. Remember to check that you camera has focused on what you want by focussing on the subject, locking the focus, and recomposing.
10. Have a game plan. One of the best ways to improve your photography is to look at as much photography as possible. Be inspired by the work of others and the come up with a plan to emulate it, or even improve it. This is far easier than trying to come up with ideas beforehand than it is to be creative on the spot. It also gives you an opportunity to bring any extra equipment or props you might need'
www.tobiaskey.com
Monday, 14 January 2008
Reportage Wedding Service for 2008 - details
Tobias Key Photography is launching a wedding photography service for spring 2008!Using my photojournalism background to capture true reportage images of your wedding day. I work unotbrusively without disturbing your celebrations to create beautiful wedding portraits... naturally.
I am currently portfolio building and offering my personalized service at a great discount. If you are planning a wedding in Sussex, then please visit my website at www.tobiaskey.co.uk and complete the form on the 'Contact Us' page for more details and to check availability.
Thank you to all those couples who have already commissioned Tobias Key Photography. I am almost completely booked for May 2008!
www.tobiaskey.co.uk
Thursday, 3 January 2008
Portrait Gift Certificates for 2008
Thanking all new portrait clients who have received a gift certificate for a photo sitting with Tobias Key Photography in 2008. I look forward to working with you!
My customized gift certificates in a presentation box have proved really popular this Christmas. Ideal as gifts for all occasions:
http://www.tobiaskey.com/
My customized gift certificates in a presentation box have proved really popular this Christmas. Ideal as gifts for all occasions:
- family portraits on location in Sussex, Hamsphire, Surrey and South London
- maternity, newborn and baby portraits in the comfort of your own home
- family events and celebrations, baby christenings, first birthday, 21st birthday, 60th, 80th and 100th birthday parties!
- engagement portrait photography
- bridal portrait photography
http://www.tobiaskey.com/
Wednesday, 2 January 2008
Location Portrait of twin brothers - December 2007
Portrait photography commission pf twin brothers on location in Sussex in the grounds of a stately home. Lots of fun. www.tobiaskey.co.uk
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