Judge this photography package:

SweetMandyB12 · July 2014

I am looking at photographers for a maternity shoot, and a friend recommended this package, as she just had hers done a few weeks ago and plans to have "grow with me photos" taken.

$900 for 1-2hr sessions at newborn, 6 mos, 1 year: 15 digital images from each session, 25 birth announcements, and First Year album.

Add maternity session with 10 digital images for $100. 5 free digital images because of friends referral.

Is $1000 ridiculous for 60 digital images, 4-8hr of sessions, announcements and album?

Photography packages vary so much, and I just don't know what is reasonable anymore!!

I will hunt around for cheaper options, of course, but just curious as to what people are paying for professionals (not friends or people they know cutting them a deal.)

TIA for any advice

CNJ4EVA · July 2014

For what you're getting, I don't think it's bad at all. In my area, I'd pay way more for a package like that!

lrobi13 · July 2014

All of the local newborn photographers around here don't include the digital images as I would say that is a good deal!

Megcha0812 · July 2014

I don't think that's a bad price at all!!

JessAnnJ · July 2014

I think this is a good deal. We paid over $500 for our newborn photos. We got more digital images but I still think 15 is enough. My only question is what happens if baby is not cooperative during the newborn session? Sometimes those sessions can take longer because baby may need a break to eat or be changed etc.

ETA - also, does the photographer come to your house for the newborn session? That is something I would not want to travel for.

persephonerose · July 2014

I don't think its a bad deal but does it come with a contract? I would be leery of paying someone 1000.00 and then hoping they are still around in 6 months to a year. If they have good referrals and have been in business a while I would be less concerned.

DaniGrace89 · July 2014

I wouldn't really count the birth announcements, because if you have digital rights, you have access to making your own.

Also, do you know the maximum print size of the digital files? Some photographers give you printing rights to up to 5 x 7.

I wouldn't spend a large sum on baby photos, only newborn, if anything. Newborns are hard to photograph and are that little for such a short amount of time.

1000 sounds like a ton to me. I'm a photographer, so I plan on doing my own, but I wouldn't spend that amount.

How much do they charge just for the newborn shoot?

angeltennis3 · July 2014

That is pretty comparable to what I have found in my area. I couldn't believe it. We did end up finding someone who takes stunning photos for half the cost, though, and booked her. I would keep looking and asking friends and family for references to make sure you are getting a good deal.

MrMrsandBaby · July 2014

That is 5x what I'm paying for a similar package with more sessions. Yikes.

ladybug0088 · July 2014

I think it depends on where you live and the experience of the photographer.

We live in a medium sized city and the photographer we are hiring has tons of experience. We are only having newborn photos done with her. We had to pay $250 as her fee up front and then had to sign a contract that we would buy at least $500 worth of photos,

We found this was the case for most of the well experienced photographers in our area even though it is a lot to pay.

Sweetiepops · July 2014

I am currently hunting for photographers. In my area (small suburb in the GTA) I have found that most photographers charge around $350 for newborn shots, this includes either digitals or prints. I have found a couple of cheaper ones that do newborn+maternity for around $350-400. I'm not sure about the sessions throughout the year, but one photographer does "mini" sessions, which sounds like what you're doing for $50 each on top of the newborn fee. Hope that helps!

Justabean3 · July 2014

DaniGrace89 said:
I wouldn't really count the birth announcements, because if you have digital rights, you have access to making your own.

Also, do you know the maximum print size of the digital files? Some photographers give you printing rights to up to 5 x 7.

I wouldn't spend a large sum on baby photos, only newborn, if anything. Newborns are hard to photograph and are that little for such a short amount of time.

1000 sounds like a ton to me. I'm a photographer, so I plan on doing my own, but I wouldn't spend that amount.

How much do they charge just for the newborn shoot?

A lot of times birth announcement are exclusionary unless stated.

SweetMandyB12 · July 2014

Thanks everyone! I live in Chicago, so I've seen price points higher and lower than this one, but I will keep searching and keep her in mind!

staryb · July 2014

That sounds pretty reasonable, as long as the digital images come with a copyright release and editing/retouching. I'm sure you can find something similar for less but depending on the quality/experience/style of the photographer what you receive from it could vary greatly.

I know your friend recommended this hat you didn't mention was if you have seen and like their work. That makes a big difference too. If they're a good experienced photographer who's work you like than $1000 a great deal. If they're new to the industry and can't provide a portfolio of images that impresses you than look elsewhere.

Hope that helped, good luck

MuffinMom14 · July 2014

My newborn package is $175 for 2 hours and images on a disk (often many more, but at least 30), and she will let us be in some for "family photos."

I think we have a similar package as yours, like a "Watch Me Grow" thing, and it's around $750 for newborn, 3 mo, 6 mo, 9 mo, 12 mo and 18 mo, with digital photos and a photo book. I'm like the others, wondering if I want to commit to that up front or just pay the $175 each time.

MuffinMom14 · July 2014

Actually, I just looked it up. I liked. It looks like it's $500 for 5 sessions. I was going to link you, but I didn't know if everyone would be all STRANGER DANGER because then people could figure out where I was from.

golfingdarwinfish · July 2014

Bumping this for further input on photography package prices:

Baby’s First Year Basic Package - $2,150

This package captures the newborn stage, 6 months, and 1 year.

3 x 2 Hour Sessions In-home, Studio, or On-Location

-locations can be mixed through-out the year

Baby and Family Portraits

$300 Worth of Professional Prints

Cosmetic Retouching, Editing, Post production

Online gallery

A Fully Edited High-Resolution Disk of All 3 Sessions

-each with a minimum of 30 images in at least 3 tones

Some of her additional notes:

2. Props / blankets etc. From my website you can see I have a bunch, my family call me a hat and basket hoarder but I don't think so - I need them all!! ha I usually bring the size / gender relevant props (as well as your favorites) to the shoot. I also usually try to incorporate a special blanket / gift from a family member so it is personal for you as well. We can also do the diaper shots, simple onezies too as well as family shots. We can do the family shots - mom and baby, dad and baby, mom, dad and baby too in your session if you wanted.

3. All sessions include my session fee, a CD of ALL the digital files from your shoot (I guarantee 30 images but its usually closer to 60+), the images are edited (and provided in at least 3 tones), you get a $150 professional print credit - this includes quite a few for example a 4*6 is $6.99). (The photo credit is re; her smaller packages, the one above is $300)

trisharenee0316 · July 2014

For my DD's newborn photo photographer, the grow with me series you describe was about $1,800. Her newborn session with just the DVD of high res images (probably 50-75) and an album of images was roughly $800.

Runner313 · July 2014

My DD is 18 months old and we live in Chicago. We bought a one year package from a photographer near where we live and it was $375 total. This included newborn, 6 months, and 1 year. 40 digital images from each session, so 120 digital images total. We have all rights to the images. I emailed her yesterday to book a session with our new LO once she arrives, and am waiting to hear back regarding the current price for her 1 year package.

SweetMandyB12 · July 2014

Runner313 said:

My DD is 18 months old and we live in Chicago. We bought a one year package from a photographer near where we live and it was $375 total. This included newborn, 6 months, and 1 year. 40 digital images from each session, so 120 digital images total. We have all rights to the images. I emailed her yesterday to book a session with our new LO once she arrives, and am waiting to hear back regarding the current price for her 1 year package.

do you have a link to her website? ;-)

Mradivonyk · July 2014

I'm on Long Island NY-my maternity shoot & newborn photography session is $800 total which is a steal for here. Comes with 25-30 prints for each. 1 1/2 hours to shoot maternity, 3 hours for newborn.

Justabean3 · July 2014

golfingdarwinfish said:
Bumping this for further input on photography package prices:

Baby’s First Year Basic Package - $2,150
This package captures the newborn stage, 6 months, and 1 year.
3 x 2 Hour Sessions In-home, Studio, or On-Location
-locations can be mixed through-out the year
Baby and Family Portraits
$300 Worth of Professional Prints
Cosmetic Retouching, Editing, Post production
Online gallery
A Fully Edited High-Resolution Disk of All 3 Sessions
-each with a minimum of 30 images in at least 3 tones

Some of her additional notes:

2. Props / blankets etc. From my website you can see I have a bunch, my family call me a hat and basket hoarder but I don't think so - I need them all!! ha I usually bring the size / gender relevant props (as well as your favorites) to the shoot. I also usually try to incorporate a special blanket / gift from a family member so it is personal for you as well. We can also do the diaper shots, simple onezies too as well as family shots. We can do the family shots - mom and baby, dad and baby, mom, dad and baby too in your session if you wanted.

3. All sessions include my session fee, a CD of ALL the digital files from your shoot (I guarantee 30 images but its usually closer to 60+), the images are edited (and provided in at least 3 tones), you get a $150 professional print credit - this includes quite a few for example a 4*6 is $6.99). (The photo credit is re; her smaller packages, the one above is $300)

Just so it's understood in general, when you see ALL images. You should note it is all editable images the photographer feels represents their best work. A lot of people assume this means they will get all shutter clicks. They will see the photographer take 200 images and wonder why they get 30.

Runner313 · July 2014

SweetMandyB12 said:

Runner313 said:

My DD is 18 months old and we live in Chicago. We bought a one year package from a photographer near where we live and it was $375 total. This included newborn, 6 months, and 1 year. 40 digital images from each session, so 120 digital images total. We have all rights to the images. I emailed her yesterday to book a session with our new LO once she arrives, and am waiting to hear back regarding the current price for her 1 year package.

do you have a link to her website? ;-)

She just has a Facebook page. Her one year package is now $450. Lulu Photography.

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