I try to cater for all family budgets so check out my options and rates here:
My Formal photo session rate is $275 including GST for the first couple and $100 for each additional couple after that.
So 2 couples will be $275 + $100 =$375
3 couples will be $275 + $100 + $100 = $475 and so on.
All rates include GST
I won’t photograph more than 6 couples maximum as there is not enough time before formal for me to provide enough images of my high standard for each couple.
Most importantly, if you are not completely thrilled with your photos I will happily give you back your money no questions asked. You pay nothing! It’s very important to me that you love what you get.
“Paul, our formal pics are breathtaking. There are so many incredible photos and we love them all.” Naomi Dargusch (Millie’s Mum)
Want to see how your photos will be delivered to you in an online gallery?
This Clayfield College Formal Collection was for 6 girls and their dates so you can also see each couple’s set of photos they chose from.
I encourage families to dress up for the formal as well and be photographed with their son or daughter as it is not very often you get photographs of family all dressed up for a special occasion. The rewards for getting dressed up as a family can be seen here in this pic of Millie and her family.
See Millie and her date Josh and her family in her collection of formal photos:
Please ring me on 0449 660 473 if you have any questions or want to discuss a School Formal or Semi-Formal photo session further. I like to talk to people!
Is Cost Really The Most Important Factor?
Not surprisingly, the first question most people ask a photographer is actually the very last question they should ask.
It’s true—the first question I hear from almost everyone I speak to is, “How much do you charge?”
Now I’m not saying that the price is unimportant, far from it.
However, even if you’re on a budget (and who isn’t?), there are more important things to consider than just the cost, especially to begin with.
Who Would You Choose?
For example, consider two photographers:
Bob, who charges $50 for a session…
John, whose fee is $250 per session…
Bob sounds like a real bargain, right? I mean, why pay $250 when you might get the same thing for only $50?
Let’s take a deeper look, because appearances can be deceptive…
The first time you see Bob after your initial phone call is when he shows up late on the day. He got lost trying to find the location, and couldn’t remember your names—let alone your phone number. He’s already stressed out from the other two photo sessions before yours and he doesn’t seem very interested in you or your family. He calls the session over before any of you feel like you’ve had a chance to relax, and you end up waiting ages to receive the finished photographs. In the end it hasn’t been a very nice experience.
Not a great outcome, right?
John, on the other hand, takes the time to meet with you personally before ever booking the photography session, and plans out every detail of your photography with you. For example, you talk about the location and clothing choices, and he wants to know all about everyone who will be in the photographs. He’s polite and professional, photographs only your family on that day and is ready to present the finished images to you within a few days while the memories are still fresh in your minds.
By the way, these are real examples (just not their real names of course).
Ask yourself, which of these photographers you would honestly prefer to work with.
Finding the right photographer is not about looking for the cheapest or “shopping around”.
It’s about finding someone with whom you can relax and be yourselves, someone you can trust to deliver what they promise, and someone you believe will put their heart and soul into creating the beautiful portraits of your family.
What happens if things don’t go according to plan?
Life is full of surprises, and while we do what we can to make sure everything is perfect, there’s always the remote chance that something can go off-script on the day you choose for your family portraits.
But what happens in the unlikely event that something does go wrong? Maybe someone in your party is very late or perhaps the weather isn’t optimal for one reason or another.
When choosing your photographer, this is one of the most important questions you can ask because the answer will reveal a lot.
Obviously, no photographer can know in advance with 100% certainty that the photographs will all turn out perfectly.
Therefore, you must protect yourself in the unlikely event that things don’t go the way you expected—even if nothing major happens but you’re just not in love with the final results.
This is where a guarantee can alleviate any chance of anxiety.
Your photographer should proudly stand behind their work with a guarantee that makes sure you get the photography you deserve.
This is your FAMILY—something more valuable to you than anything else. You deserve to have the comfort and peace of mind of an ironclad guarantee in the event that you aren’t 100% thrilled with your photographs.
Even the way the photographer answers this question and their tone of voice are crucial.
If they don’t come right out and confidently tell you about their guarantee, if they mumble, hesitate, or offer something vague, then hang up the phone immediately and find someone else who will truly put their heart and soul into everything they do for you.
Never hire a photographer who doesn’t offer a 100% money-back guarantee, and make sure that the guarantee is IN WRITING when you hire them.
Call me to talk about School Formal photo sessions on 0449 660 473
