I am a newborn photographer almost exclusively, but I'm not replying to give myself a plug. I let my clients refer me instead of doing it myself, and it looks like one of them already did
I want to give you a tiny bit of insight into the high prices you are seeing, so maybe it will help you understand. A photographer who charges $650 is not getting a $650 paycheck at the end of the day. That photographer is a licensed business, above the table with taxes, carries insurance, and uses high quality professional gear and vendors for their products. They also maintain a professional website, printed materials, professional organizations, new props, and invest in additional learning opportunities. Many are also self employed and have to pay their own health insurance costs. None of these things come cheap and their prices have to account for them. After you take out taxes and all their costs, they may have about $300 left. But then you have to think about the time.1 hour emailing back and forth or meeting with a potential client1 hour prepping props and ideas for your session1 hour drive time to and from session4 hours shooting1 hour uploading images1 hours culling images3 hours editing (This is what it takes me for a session. Some are way more, some are less)1 hour meeting with client to order1 hour prepping images for ordering1 hour receiving order and packaging1 hour driving to and from delivering orderThis comes out to $18/hr. Not bad, but its not rolling in dough either. That is under 40k a year.Of course there are photographers who will do the job for $100 and give you the CD. But 9 times out of 10, they are not a licensed, insured businesses who pays their taxes. They are also making peanuts for their work and will not be able to sustain a long term business at those prices without doing 10 sessions a week (which would burn out most people). Chances are, if you compare the work of one of these photographers with a true professional, especially one who specializes in newborns, you will see a big difference in the quality of their work. I know personally, I would never trust my newborn baby with anyone who didn't know exactly what they were doing and weren't operating a legal business.Not everyone can afford $650 for newborn portraits, and that is ok and I am sure you will find someone who will be able to do it at the price you can afford. My goal was just to educate about the prices you are seeing so maybe you won't be so put off. That person behind the camera isn't a millionaire. They are just a mom trying to make a decent living for her family. 4951