Photography by the Browns, Centerville, Iowa

Custom Portraits

What is a custom portrait?

Why is there so much cost associated with custom photography?

Without knowing the details of the photography business, sometimes custom portrait studios and photographers are misunderstood.

Custom photography is about quality, choice and experience. Selecting a custom photography studio involves finding a photographer who will photograph your family, give you devoted personal attention without worry of the next person 'in line' or the feeling of a crowded portrait studio.

When a custom portrait photographer charges for the photo session, you are not just paying for the time the photographer spends with you. In addition to the session time, you are also paying for the hours the photographer will work to prepare your session proofs.

A custom photographer will typically show the client a fairly extensive number of proof images to provide a variety of choices for ordering. Proof images should be edited, color corrected and retouched with blemishes and under eye bags and darkness removed.

There is a great deal of time involved in creating high end custom photography.

Custom photography studios are also known as "boutique studios," offering a range of products and unparalleled service. Custom framing, custom press printed photo books and many other services.

The time invested by a custom portrait photographer is only a portion of his or her investment. There are many more costs incurred by the photographer. In regards to equipment costs, a good quality professional camera with a selection of good optical quality lenses, digital storage, software, Internet connection and a computer can cost from $10,000-$30,000.

Even though a person can purchase a really good quality digital SLR for about $2,000 there are still other costs related to photography. A good lens for portrait photography can run from $900 to $2500. A dependable computer system and digital storage along with software loaded for business and creative usage can run $2500 to $8000 dependent on the photographer.

Custom photography is more of a luxury than the entry level cookie cutter chain stores or big box store experiences. Custom photography is not for everyone, it requires a level of commitment, investment in time and money, forethought and planning on the part of the client and requires a larger time commitment for the photographer as well.

Clients who enjoy taking a more active role in the creation of their families' memories have the desire to have portrait art that is truly personalized. These more discerning clients have been known to budget their money and time for a custom photography session.

Many clients choose to have a custom portrait done each year. Some have custom photography sessions done to record their child's stages in life up through high school graduation.

With all things considered, custom photography is not in everyone's budget, it is something that most families and individuals save up for.

Custom photography has been compared to purchasing a fine vehicle. For a person to get from point A to point B, even a bus ride would do the job. However if a person wants to ride in style they must invest in a really nice vehicle.

With a custom portrait studio, there are sessions on location, in the studio, mixed studio/on location, specialty locations and destination type photography. The beauty of custom photography is in based in the choices and the luxury of those choices. The level of customized service you are sure to experience will be well worth your investment.

Just knowing that your final images are the result of someone caring so much about you and your family that they take extra time to create a truly custom professional portrait is like money in the bank. This level of quality and commitment is all but lost in this day and age of "mass produced," "mass marketed," corporate "everyone is a number" type of business philosophy.

Custom photography is based on being unique to you, your needs, your desires and your budget.

Choosing a true custom portrait studio and photographer will result in custom portrait images that you, your family and friends will most likely cherish for a lifetime.