Photography Friday: Canon vs Nikon

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It's Photography Friday here at the Sarah Linnea Photography Blog.  From now until I get bored with the whole thing I will be blogging about various photography related subjects.

 and he is my mascot

Todays topic: Canon or Nikon the epic battle

When two photographer's battle

I shoot with a *^%$#   thats right-it doesn't matter folks.  It's kind of like choosing between Kroger Brand Tissue and Walmart brand tissue. Six of one, half a dozen of another.   There are certainly differences, but it is often a matter of personal preference.  I love my *^%$#.  I would never switch because I am very comfortable with how the *^%$# feels in my hand and the way it functions shoots and zooms. (Nikon and Canon zoom opposite directions!!)
So what does this tell you about what to buy?

S....L....R....?

Go to a local store and try out the camera's for yourself.  Hold them, touch them, click a few times.  If you are feeling really ambitious, rent a camera for the weekend.

and maybe get the insurance...

If you would like a relatively unbiased comparison of the different systems and what they have to offer I have researched a few. (as I am quite partial to my *^%$# I can't really offer an unbiased review)


Photo.net review
Digital-slr-guide.com
Google Search: Nikon Canon Epic Battle

If you are simply fed up with the whole battle...get a Sony.

and then send it to me as thanks for this fabulous blog article.

Whatever you decide - remember Your Right - and don't let those *^%$# users tell you otherwise!

Happy Shooting!

Sarah Tatom
Love and Lifestyle Photographer
Columbia, TN

If you have any photography related subjects you would like to see blogged about here leave a comment or send me a message  via my website (link)

Previous Photography Friday Blog - Coping with your DSLR

Future Photography Friday Blog - Considering being a Wedding Photographer? Step away from the red button!!!

A Word About the Cost of Wedding Photography

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Recently I was made aware of a post on craigslist by a bride quite literally Ranting about the outrageous cost of photography for her wedding.

where quality is king 0_o

For the sake of this blog we are only going to highlight her incredibly high expectations: 

"I am a Bride who is getting married this summer and have yet to find a decently priced, exceptional, amazingly talented, fun photographer." 

Some of her other thoughts may have crossed your minds as well:

"WHY because the word "WEDDING" is involved photographers think they can change you $ 3,000.00 for wedding photos? Oh, because no bride is going to go without so they are going to pay it, because they HAVE to. They are ripping people off for all they have!"

Don't hold back Craigslist poster - please - tell us how you really feel.

Any wedding photographer can talk to you about the "once in a lifetime" moment and "you need to have these skills to capture it well" But to me that is only fueling the flame this bride has stoked.  It is simply not all about paying for our art.  Like any other artist -photographers do what they do because they love it, not because they make a significant amount of money doing it.

I know the feeling...

The wonderful letter below was written in response by David Grupa. A Certified Professional Photographer out of Minnesota.  His message is incredibly thorough and Kudos to all of you that stick by to read it all, but we professional photographers appreciate it.

Dear [Craigslist Poster],

A colleague shared your Craigslist ad with me a bit earlier today. I wish I could say that "hanging out at a wedding and taking tons of photos" is "easy money" as you seem to think, but it's really not. While I agree that professional photography is not inexpensive, try working with a "weekend warrior with a camera" and see the difference. Sure, you may pay less money, but the resulting images will be of such poor quality, you'll be certain to feel "ripped off."

However, rather than tell you about award-winning photography, explain my credentials and attempt to convince you why a talented photographer is worth $3000 or more, I'm going to do some basic math instead.

First, let's talk about taxes. Don't you just hate opening up your paycheck at the end of the week and finding that Uncle Sam and friends have taken about 30% of your hard-earned dollars for federal, state and other taxes? Well, photographers have to pay them, too. That's $900 straight off the top of that $3000, leaving $2100. (You may think that 30% seems like a high number, but remember that since I'm self-employed, there's nobody else kicking in a percentage; the entire tax burden is borne by me.) Since there's no withholding, it's up to me to put this amount away so that I can make my quarterly tax payments on time.

Another huge chunk of the pie is a rather surprising expense to many people. We call it "Overhead" and "Cost of Goods Sold". In this category are visible items like albums, prints, frames and those items you take home. You don't want cheap things that will fall apart or fade, so I'm willing to pay a bit more in the search for a quality product. Remember, "good things aren't usually cheap, and cheap things aren't usually good." The photography industry is a showcase for that motto; really, ask around. (The pages of that "Snapfish" album will fade and discolor before your first anniversary.) 

However, there are also other things in this group as well; things that we need to deliver our best to you, but are somewhat "invisible" to people other than business owners. They include our studio rent or monthly location payment, phone, computer, website and hosting, equipment and liability insurances (because we realize that we live in a litigious society), and local business and other licenses. Add in the membership dues to professional associations where we go for new techniques and to stay current so that we can deliver those amazing images you seek, and this Overhead category takes another 30% bite out of that $3000 so that just $1200 remains.

Then there's the equipment we use. Digital has brought some awesome advantages to photographers, but it comes at a price. New cameras and lenses are not inexpensive; we don't photograph with $500 Canon Rebels from WalMart. Since it takes a while to save enough money for this, I put away 10% of each job toward new equipment, equipment repairs, cleaning and maintenance. (Yes, I carry at least 2 working professional cameras to your wedding in the event something happens. A professional will simply pick up a new camera and continue photographing as if nothing happened. Your bargain photographer may panic or worse yet, not even realize that something is wrong. Not sounding like such a bargain anymore, is it?) Subtracting that $300 brings me down to $900.

Since I realize I won't be able to do this for the rest of my life (and I haven't found a sugar momma to support me) I'd better save something for retirement. Financial planners say that should be 10%, so there goes another $300. I'm down to $600 of the original price.

Being self-employed, I have to buy my own health insurance for me and my family. For an individual who's not getting it through their employer, this is NOT cheap. (I'm not going to use the term "WACK", but I think you get where I'm heading.) Another 10%, another $300 and I'm down to $300 "profit" from your wedding.

While I'd like to say that I take the remaining $300 and spend it on me, it's only partially true. As you do, I have responsibilities such as monthly bills, gas for the car, car payment, food, clothing . . . the kind of stuff you were mentioning. 

Let's say I spend 6 hours at your wedding, another 8 hours editing your images, not to mention the meetings we've had that last an hour each. When you come back to select the images for your album, we'll spend another 2 hours going through choices and then I'll invest another 4 hours (minimum) designing the perfect album for you, prepping it for printing and sending it to the manufacturer. When it comes back, I'll inspect it and make sure it's perfect, then spend another 45 mins going through it with you when you pick it up. Almost a full 24 hours . . . divided by the $300 I got to keep . . . and I've just made $12.50 an hour. (Which totally blows the "You're making so much money it's crazy" theory.)

On a side note, over the past 36 years I have been photographing weddings, I can't even begin to count the number of ball games and other events I've missed. My kids got used to it; "You know that Daddy works on Saturday", but over the years it took its toll on my relationships as well. I refuse to make those mistakes again; those who refuse to learn from the past are destined to repeat it.

I'm sure you're probably tired of reading, but I hope you understand what I'm saying. Producing a quality product at a fair price IS what professional photographers do; it's always your choice to work with us or someone else. The problem is, what will you give up when you "get what you paid for?"

Respectfully, 

David L. Grupa
Certified Professional Photographer
M.Photog.Cr., AFS-MNPPA

To see David's work visit his site below:

http://www.DavidGrupaPortrait.com
http://www.DavidGrupaSeniors.com
http://www.DavidGrupa.com

If you find this blog post poignant please share! And don't forget to support your local businesses- photographers and non-photographers alike.

What to Wear Wednesday

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Almost every session I hear the same question: "What should I/we wear".  It is a great question and I love giving advice.  This has inspired me to start a weekly blog post featuring some ideas to help get you dressed for your portrait session.

Today's what to wear guide shows a family in a cool color palette with some great winter accessories.
Accessories are a wonderful way to jazz up an ensemble, and also help tell the story of your portraits.

Keep an Eye out for more What to Wear Wednesday articles from Sarah Linnea Photography to help you get ready for your portraits!

-Sarah Tatom
Photographer

Sarah Linnea Photography
www.sarahlinnea.com
www.facebook.com/sarahlinneaphoto

Sweetheart Sessions with Sarah Linnea Photography

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Let Sarah Linnea Photography help make this Valentine’s Day special.

I am offering a Very limited number of “Sweetheart Sessions”.  Surprise your loved one with a day out. I will provide roses and chocolates for your arrival and capture the candid moment you share together from a distance.

I will then introduce myself and we will have a portrait session for you and your significant other. At the end i will present both of you with a $25 gift certificate  to a local restaurant of your choice so that you may continue your romantic evening.

Show them you truly care by allowing me to capture your romance.

At your viewing and ordering session i will also present you with 5 complimentary web-ready image files to share online with friends and family.

Do something truly out of the ordinary. Only 3 sessions available so book yours today only $175!!

Valentine's Day Mini Session Event

Saturday February 4, Sarah Linnea Photography will be hosting a Valentine’s Day mini session event!

Bring your children out for a 15 minute mini session and receive 10 custom Valentines as well as a personal ordering session all for only $45.

  
Additional Valentines are available in sets of 10 for $20.

 
Help your child be the coolest kid in class with these one of a kind valentines.

  


Spaces are limited for the event so fill out an inquiry form to reserve your spot.



15 minute mini session can have up to two children with individual portraits, or up to 4 children as a group. Valentine’s are purchased in sets of 10 only.

 If you have any questions feel free to fill it out below or email me at: info@sarahlinnea.com


 Don't forget to check out my Facebook Page to keep up with everything going on at Sarah Linnea Photography and also to take part in special offers reserved for Facebook fans.

Senior Rep Application

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Valentine's Day Boudoir Special

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Valentine’s Day is just around the corner.  And I guarantee what I have to offer he will appreciate far more than a box of chocolates.  Show him how beautiful he already knows you are, and build some confidence in yourself with a Boudoir session with Sarah Linnea Photography.

Your Boudoir session can take place at a studio or in the comfort of your home. You will receive a personally designed book with a discreet red fabric cover for him to enjoy.

Your In home session is $375. A studio session is $425.

Call me to book your session in the month of January to make sure you get your personally designed album before Valentine’s Day!