How much do photographers charge for family portraits?

Family photos are a great way to capture and preserve family memories for generations. When looking for family portraits, it’s important to understand the cost of photography services before making a decision. Prices vary depending on the location, photographer skill level, size of family and other factors.

Pricing Can Vary, A Lot!

The cost of family portraits can range from hundreds of dollars to a few thousand depending on the photographer’s service package. Many family portrait photographers offer packages that include digital copies, prints and other items such as albums or photo books.

Pricing Can be Confusing

Remember that pricing can vary a lot and unfortunately there are some photographers out there that may not be completely upfront with how their pricing is set up. That’s a tactic I call ambush sales and one I particularly hate. That is not a good customer experience. That is why we are upfront and transparent about everything we do at DFW Pro Photo. There should never be any surprises you did not expect.

Factors in a Photographers Pricing

The following are some factors to consider when looking at family portrait photography costs:

1. Location: Photographers often charge by the hour and may charge an additional fee for travel time.
2. Photographer skill level: Professional family portrait photographers tend to charge more than amateur or hobbyist photographers.
3. Size of family: Photographers may charge a higher fee if the family is larger and requires more time and effort to capture family photos.
4. Hidden fees: Unfortunately, some people actually conduct business this way. They lure you in with a “sitting fee” that seems reasonable but, then may charge you 100’s or even 1,000’s of dollars for each image.

The Old Photography Business Model

Going back to the days of Olan Mills and film photography. You would go to a studio and pay a sitting fee. The sitting fee only covered the expense of the shoot items and did not include any images. You would return to the studio weeks later and review the images and pick the ones you wanted. Then you would complete an order form and wait for them to be printed, framed and delivered.

Some photographers have adapted this old way of doing business to our modern world of digital photography. Why? Because it is a really good business model for making money. It is time-tested and it works really well for the photographer. But is it the best for the customer?

A New Business Model for Professional Photographers

As a business owner I approach everything with my customers perspective in mind. How would I want to be treated as a customer? That is why I personally do not use the old business model for photography even though it is a great business model for making money.

Everyone may not be able to spend $3000.00 on family photos. So, we set our pricing up with packages for ease of understanding and with some retouched images included. Then we have Ala carte options so you can get exactly what you want, the way you want it. And stay within a budget that is reasonable to you. Everything is transparent and upfront, the way it should be.

Do Your Research

When searching for a photographer in Dallas to get the best bang for your family portrait photography buck, it’s important to do your research. Get a feel for their experience and skill level by looking at their gallery. Ask if they offer any packages that might fit within your budget. And make sure you are comfortable with the photographer before committing to family photos.

You also may want to see if they post their pricing on their website. If you have to contact them for pricing, that may be a red flag. The pricing should also be clear on price and what is included with that.

Some Good Questions to Ask

1. I have a budget of _______. What can I expect for spending that amount with you?
2. Do you have photography session packages and what is included in them?
3. Are there any add-ons or extras that may add to the total price of the photography packages?
4. Are there any additional fees for traveling, studio rental or shooting on-location?
5. Are there any additional fees for photo retouching or editing? How much?
6. Will there be any other potential unexpected fees or expenses we have not already discussed?
7. How long will it take for delivery of my images?

Conclusion

In the end, family photos are priceless treasures that will be treasured for generations. Make sure you choose the right family portrait photographer to capture these memories.

I hope this blog has provided some helpful information about family portrait photography costs in Dallas. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us for assistance! We’d love to help make sure you get the family portraits that will capture your family’s unique personalities and moments.

Thank you for visiting!