My prices are pretty affordable, compared with other photographers.  For example, in the photography industry newborn shoots can be in the vicinity of $1,200 for all digital photos and weddings can be anywhere in between $2,500-$5,000. However, often I get people who will not understand the process of what is involved when taking photos.  It’s not just the time that you are with me getting the photos, then I upload them and send them to them.  A whole lot of other things happen.  It is a process.  
 
Preparation.  It is likely I will receive on average around 10 emails from you, making appointment time, discussing what you want for your shoot, changing appointment times.  Then there are the emails back from me, letting you know about your shoot and what to bring with you, which is all time.  This is likely to take an hour. 
 
Then there is the preparation time for me sorting out the area of where your shoot will be, creating Pinterest boards, getting ideas for your shoot.  This will take at least half an hour. 
 
If you’re booked in for my full wedding package, there may be a pre-consultation with you before your big day.
 
There may be travel time for getting to your location.  Or, if not, setting up my home studio with all the props, lights, backdrops, ready for your shoot, then packing it all down.  This will take at least an hour.
 
Then there are hours doing the shoot, two hours minimum for a newborn shoot, eight hours for a full day wedding.  
 
After your shoot, an hour at least culling and sorting through which photos are suitable for editing. 
 
About double the amount of shoot time to edit your photos and retouch them. So if your shoot is two hours, it will be four hours editing time.  
 
Another hour to upload your photos to Google Drive, send them to you.
 
Then there may be photos you want changed, made into black and white etc.
 
So as an example, let’s add it up for a newborn shoot.  All up that is 10.5 hours on average for a newborn shoot (and that’s on the lower side of an estimate of number of hours).  My current price is $200.  $200 divided by 10.5.  You do the maths.  You probably pay your house cleaner, hairdresser or therapist more than this. 
 
Then I have the running costs of my business.  Camera equipment is not cheap.  Then there’s all the accessories. Batteries, memory cards, lights, power, computer.  All the props I have to supply.  Not to forget petrol, ACC, business insurance and taxes.  
 
I have only been in the industry a couple of years.  My prices will increase as my experience grows. Quite simply, they have to in order for me to continue paying my living costs.  
 
I hope that this gives you an insight on why photographers charge the price they do.  

​Sharing some of my favourites.  This is Inaaya, just over two weeks old.  Doesn’t she look so cute in pink!
 
Sometimes with family photographs, particularly those of babies, making them black & white gives them a timeless quality.  There are some special photos here with her parents and grandparents. 

We couldn’t have asked for better weather on this Spring like day, last Sunday, 12 August 2018, when Jackson and Caroline were married at Abbeville Estate.  This venue is a hidden gem, located out by Manukau Airport in Auckland, New Zealand.  If you haven't been there before, you wouldn't know it existed!

Abbeville Estate showcases beautiful historic buildings, which is perfect for a wedding and makes a lovely backdrop for photos.

Caroline and her bridesmaids got ready at Abbeville Estate, with hair and makeup done by the artists from the Honey Tree. What an amazing job they did!  After some pre gin and tonics, it was showtime

Jackson got ready with his groomsmen and then proceeded to have some time and a beer with Caroline’s brother, Paul at the Manukau Memorial Gardens before getting married.

The guys arrived in style in the Chrysler to the ceremony.

Caroline looked beautiful as her two sons walked her down the aisle to Jackson in his styled white suit jacket.

There were many speeches and performances throughout the night from the Fijian and Samoan sides of the family.   Lots of singing and dancing all round.  There was great choreography to the song 'Day-O'.

Thanks to all the staff at Abbeville and the Great Catering Co, who did amazing work from start to finish for the big day.

To Jackson and Caroline, a lovely day, you are perfectly matched and we saw the love you have for one another. Best wishes for your life together Mr and Mrs Ratunigaloa.

Slideshow with highlights of the day at the end of the post.

Vendors:
Venue - Abbeville Estate 
Caterers  - The Great Catering Co
Hair & Makeup - Honey Tree Hair & Makeup
Florist - Matan Flowers
Cake  - Decor Cakes
Brides Dress  - Kelly Bridal 
Bridal Shoes -  Mi Piaci
Flowergirls dresses -  JJ House
Suits - Hallensteins